San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) held a regular meeting on February 18, 2026, at 3 p.m. Chairman J. Maurice Gibbs and Vice Chair Jeffrey Fetzer presided. The commission addressed three consent items and three regular agenda items, including a waiver request, a final material selection for new construction, and a rear accessory structure. Public testimony was received on one item. The meeting concluded with approvals and a concept approval requiring a return appearance.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1 and 2 were approved unanimously with staff stipulations. (Specific project details not provided in the transcript.)
• Item 3 (418 V E, Mexican restaurant) was pulled from the consent calendar for individual consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 5 (418 East Locust): Frederica Kushner, on behalf of the Tobin Hill Community Association, expressed the committee's ongoing concern with the use of any metal siding (including the proposed standing seam or board-and-batten metal) and with the massing and lot coverage. She acknowledged being impressed with changes made to meet OHP/HDRC guidelines and thanked staff for their work. She also asked the applicant why metal was chosen over wood or fiber cement.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – 418 V E (Mexican restaurant): Architect Mark Navarro presented. Commissioner Garcia asked whether the north elevation windows had been made more proportionate (confirmed), and inquired about the service door material (a flush metal door). Following no further questions, the commission voted to approve the application as submitted with staff stipulations.
• Item 4 – 525 Mission Street (carport): Staff presented a request for a waiver (UDC 35-608G) to accept a revised application, and a certificate of appropriateness for a 720-square-foot detached carport with all-wood construction and a standing seam metal roof. The applicant was not present. Commissioner Fetzer asked about roof pitch and crimp details; staff clarified no requirement for forward slope. The King William Association submitted a letter supporting the recommendation. The commission first approved the waiver (unanimous roll call) and then approved the carport as recommended by staff (unanimous roll call).
• Item 5 – 418 East Locust (final material selection): Architect Joseph Smith and property owners Priya and Jochton presented a proposal to use metal board-and-batten siding instead of wood or fiber cement, citing durability, longer panel lengths (up to 30 feet), and a cleaner appearance. Smith showed photographs of completed similar projects and argued that the material replicates historic board-and-batten better than cement board. Commissioner Fetzer noted he had requested photos of similar metal projects and reviewed provided images. Commissioner Velasquez voiced concern that the dark color and tall battens made the building look “a bit of a warehouse” but still supported the motion. Commissioner Holland supported no seam on a 30-foot wall. The motion to approve with only staff stipulation #2 (setback) was amended by Commissioner Galloway to add that the siding match the dimensions presented. The motion carried unanimously on roll call.
• Item 6 – 307 Delaware (rear accessory structure): Applicant Alberto Rodriguez Cerveda and property owner Roberto Lizondo proposed a 294-square-foot, one-story casita with a shed roof, metal siding, and a mix of vertical slit windows and sliding glass doors. The structure would not be visible from the street. The applicant pointed to approved similar casitas nearby (e.g., 511 Mission Street) as precedent for a shed roof. Commissioner Group and others questioned windows on the front elevation. Commissioner Garcia expressed concern about setting precedent for non-traditional windows. After debate, Vice Chair Fetzer made an amended motion for concept approval with staff stipulations 1 (board dimensions) and 2 (siding finish), and stipulation 4 (traditional one-over-one windows on the front elevation, with proportion details to be worked out). The motion was seconded and then further amended to require the applicant to return to the commission after studying the front facade. The final motion (conceptual approval with stipulations 1, 2, and 4, with a requirement to return for final approval) passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Items 1 & 2: Approved with staff stipulations.
• Item 3 (418 V E): Approved with staff stipulations.
• Item 4 (525 Mission Street): Waiver and certificate of appropriateness approved as recommended.
• Item 5 (418 East Locust): Final material selection approved, with the metal board-and-batten siding to match dimensions presented, and staff stipulation #2 (setback compliance) included.
• Item 6 (307 Delaware): Concept approval granted, subject to staff stipulations 1, 2, and 4 (board dimensions, smooth finish on composite siding if used, and traditional one-over-one windows on front elevation) and a requirement for the applicant to return to the commission with a revised front facade design.

The meeting adjourned after the final case.