San Antonio Building Standards Committee Meeting - March 5, 2026

The Building Standards Committee (Comité de Normas de Construcción) of the City of San Antonio met on March 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The meeting was conducted bilingually, with interpretation services provided. The committee addressed six properties deemed dangerous structures, with votes on demolition, continuance, and other orders. The meeting concluded at 11:18 AM.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the February 5, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.

Staff Report

• Emergency demolitions were reported for 2418 San Luis Street (District 5, demolished on an unspecified date), and 2023 South Trinity Street (demolished on February 3, 2026, due to a February 4, 2026 fire). No council action was required.
• Personnel changes: Jenny Ramirez (Code Implementation Manager) announced promotions of Denny Liguez to Assistant Director and Melissa Ramirez to oversee structural inspections. A vacancy was created by a move to Public Works.

Discussion Items

214 Brook Street (District 2)

• Staff Presentation: Cynthia Santana (Dangerous Structures Officer) presented photos showing a 1930s single-story residence with fire damage from August 2024, missing windows, charred roof, exposed subfloor, and lack of utilities. The structure was deemed unsafe and uninhabitable, violating City Code Chapter 6-156 subsections 1,2,5,7,8,11,12,15,17,18. An electrical permit had expired; no fire damage assessment was obtained. A notice to vacate was posted July 8, 2025, but the owner's son continued living there.
• Owner Testimony: James Delagarza stated he is the beneficial owner (legal transfer from his sister pending), has $60,000 in savings, and has hired electrician, plumber, and roofer. He claimed difficulty obtaining permits due to ownership documents and requested time to repair.
• Safety Officer Testimony: Officer Richie Robledo (District 2) confirmed reports of trespassing, gunfire, and fires set inside the structure, posing a risk to adjacent homes.
• Committee Discussion: Members questioned the owner about progress, financial capacity, and lack of permits. The owner acknowledged not securing a required fire damage assessment or engineer's report.
• Motion and Vote: Anne Weiner moved that the property be declared a public nuisance, not reasonably repairable, and ordered demolition within 30 days, with cleanup and utility disconnection. An amendment to include eviction was accepted. The motion passed 5-2 (Weiner yes, Hernandez no, Solis yes, Benke yes, Andes yes, Baldwin yes; the transcript states "5-2" but the roll call indicates 5 yes and 1 no, possibly due to an absent member or miscount).

5246 Village Crest (District 2)

• Staff Presentation: Cynthia Santana presented a 1967 single-story residence with fire damage from 2025, charred walls, large holes in the roof, missing garage door, and evidence of homelessness. No permits, no contact with owner. Recommended demolition.
• Representative Testimony: Elizabeth Rogers spoke on behalf of the owner, Sumen Carrie A, who is incarcerated. She stated the owner has $63,000 in savings and a contractor estimate of $39,060 for repairs (including demolishing the garage). She requested a continuance to obtain proper documentation.
• Legal Issue: The representative lacked a power of attorney or written authorization. The committee allowed her to speak but noted that without proper documentation, her testimony could not be fully considered.
• Motion and Vote: The committee moved to continue the case to the next available date, no later than 90 days, with conditions: secure the main structure (excluding the garage) with a perimeter fence, and require the representative to provide a power of attorney, a full scope of work, and a timeline. The motion passed 6-1 (as stated in the transcript; roll call shows all 6 present members voting yes, so the single no vote may be from a seventh member not listed).

267 North San Gabriel (District 5)

• Staff Presentation: Crystal Town (Dangerous Structures Officer) presented a property with a dilapidated main structure and accessory building, both with rotted wood, exposed foundations, and evidence of auto theft and drug activity. No permits, no owner contact. Recommended demolition.
• Safety Officer Testimony: Officer Peña (SAFE Unit) reported multiple police calls, a stolen car found on the property, and arrests for narcotics.
• Motion and Vote: Robert Benke moved to declare the property a public nuisance, not repairable, and order demolition within 30 days, with cleanup and eviction. Amendment for eviction accepted. Motion passed unanimously.

165 Stribling (District 5)

• Staff Presentation: Jerry Collins (Dangerous Structures Officer) presented a single-family residence with rotted wood, missing siding, deteriorating foundation, cluttered interior, and two accessory structures in similar condition. No permits, no owner contact. Recommended demolition.
• Motion and Vote: Robert Benke moved to declare the property a public nuisance, not repairable, and order demolition within 30 days, with cleanup and debris removal. Motion passed unanimously.

711 West Gerald Avenue (District 3)

• Staff Presentation: Sergeant Quintanilla (Dangerous Structures Officer) presented a fire-damaged property where the main structure had already burned down. The remaining accessory structure had a collapsed roof, rotted foundation, and evidence of animals. No permits, no owner contact.
• Motion and Vote: Ryan Bowen moved to declare the accessory structure a public nuisance, not repairable, and order demolition within 30 days, with cleanup and securing. Motion passed unanimously.

256 Briggs Street (District 4)

• Staff Presentation: Stephanie Sánchez (Dangerous Structures Officer) presented a single-story wood-frame residence with a sagging roof, exposed foundation, interior damage, and evidence of drug use. No permits. The owner's nephew, Edward Almador, was staying there but claimed not to be living there.
• Motion and Vote: Robert Benke moved to declare the property a public nuisance, not repairable, and order demolition within 30 days, with cleanup, debris removal, and a declaration of vacancy. Motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Demolition orders (30 days) for: 214 Brook Street (5-2), 267 North San Gabriel (unanimous), 165 Stribling (unanimous), 711 West Gerald Avenue (unanimous), and 256 Briggs Street (unanimous).
• Continuance granted for: 5246 Village Crest (6-1) to next available date within 90 days, with conditions to secure the property and provide documentation.
• Consent calendar: Minutes approved unanimously.
• Action items: Owners or representatives for these properties are to work with Code Enforcement to obtain permits, provide financial proof, and address safety hazards. The committee will hear the continued case for 5246 Village Crest at its next meeting.