San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting - March 5, 2026
San Antonio Building Standards Board Meeting - March 5, 2026
The San Antonio Building Standards Board convened on March 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM, with a quorum present. The meeting lasted until 11:18 AM. The board heard staff reports on emergency demolitions, considered six individual case presentations for dilapidated structures, and handled administrative items. Votes were taken on each property, resulting in demolition orders for most, with one case reset for further documentation.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote.
- Emergency Demolitions (Staff Report): Jenny Ramirez, Code Enforcement Manager, reported four emergency demolitions due to fires, all conducted under Chapter 6-175, requiring no board action:
- 2418 San Luis Street (Council District 5) – main structure demolished February 6, 2026, due to fire on February 4, 2026.
- 215 Covina Street (Council District 5) – main structure demolished February 10, 2026, due to fire on February 3, 2026.
- 2423 West Mistletoe Avenue (Council District 7) – accessory structure demolished February 12, 2026, due to fire on February 4, 2026.
- 2023 South Trinity Street (Council District 5) – accessory structure demolished February 13, 2026, due to fire on February 6, 2026.
Discussion Items
1. 214 Brooks Street (Council District 2)
- Code Officer Presentation: Cynthia Santana presented the case, recommending demolition. The structure, built in 1930, suffered a fire on August 1, 2024, and was deemed dangerous with multiple code violations. The owner of record, Delagarza Alice Y, was not present; her brother, James Delagarza, spoke on behalf of the property.
- Owner/Representative: James Delagarza stated he is the brother of the owner and is in the process of transferring ownership. He expressed a desire to repair the property, citing $60,000 in savings and quotes from electricians, plumbers, and roofers. He noted difficulty obtaining permits due to ownership issues. He requested time to complete repairs.
- SAPD Officer: Officer Richie Robletto testified that the property has been a source of calls for burglaries, shootings, and homeless encampments, with neighbors concerned about safety.
- Board Deliberation: Board members questioned the feasibility of repairs given extensive damage (fire, missing roof, exposed subfloor, active water account but no electricity). The board voted on a motion to demolish.
- Vote: Motion to demolish within 30 days, vacate, and secure the property passed 5-2 (Dwayne Nelson and Paul Hernandez voted no; Anne Weiner, Dora Phillies, Robert Binke, Fred Andes, Ryan Baldwin voted yes).
2. 5246 Village Crest (Council District 5)
- Code Officer Presentation: Cynthia Santana presented the case, recommending demolition. The structure, built in 1967, suffered a fire on November 18, 2025. The owner, Semang Carrie A, is incarcerated and was not present.
- Representative: Elizabeth Rogers spoke as a representative hired by the owner. She stated the owner has $63,000 available and has received a verbal quote of $39,000 for repairs (including roof, garage removal, and interior work). She requested a reset to gather necessary documents, including a power of attorney, scope of work, financial proof, and engineer's report.
- Board Deliberation: The board discussed the need for a written power of attorney and a formal scope of work. A motion to reset the case was made, with friendly amendments to require a scope of work, financial proof, time frame, power of attorney, and a security fence around the property.
- Vote: Motion to reset to the next available date, no later than 90 days, with requirements for documents and a security fence, passed 6-1 (Dwayne Nelson voted no; Anne Weiner, Paul Hernandez, Dora Phillies, Robert Binke, Fred Andes, Ryan Baldwin voted yes).
3. 267 North San Gabriel Avenue (Council District 5)
- Code Officer Presentation: Crystal Town presented the case, recommending demolition. The main structure and accessory structure had multiple violations, including unpermitted work, debris, and a stolen vehicle recovered on the property. The owner, Michael Austin Alred, was not present.
- SAPD Officer: Officer Anthony Penya testified that the property was linked to a chop shop, stolen vehicle parts, and drug activity. A woman (Alexandra Condi) was found with stolen parts and narcotics.
- Board Deliberation: No owner representative appeared. The board moved to demolish.
- Vote: Motion to demolish main and accessory structures within 30 days, vacate, and clear debris passed unanimously.
4. 165 Stribling (Council District 5)
- Code Officer Presentation: Jared Collins presented the case, recommending demolition. The main structure and two accessory structures showed severe wood rot, termite damage, foundation issues, and debris. The owners, De La Garza, Veldemer, and Gloria, were not present.
- Board Deliberation: No owner representative appeared. The board moved to demolish.
- Vote: Motion to demolish all three structures within 30 days and clear debris passed unanimously.
5. 711 West Gerald Avenue (Council District 3)
- Code Officer Presentation: Sergio Quintena presented the case, recommending demolition of the accessory structure (the main structure had been destroyed by fire). The accessory structure had foundation failure, rotting wood, debris, and evidence of vagrancy. The owner, Rome Leroy, was not present.
- Board Deliberation: No owner representative appeared. The board moved to demolish the accessory structure.
- Vote: Motion to demolish the accessory structure within 30 days, secure, and clear debris passed unanimously.
6. 256 Briggs Street (Council District 4)
- Code Officer Presentation: Stephanie Sanchez presented the case, recommending demolition of the main structure and an accessory structure. Both had foundation shifting, water damage, rot, drug paraphernalia, and debris. The owners, Martinez Janie and Amador Francisco D, were not present.
- Board Deliberation: No owner representative appeared. The board moved to demolish.
- Vote: Motion to demolish both structures within 30 days, vacate, and clear debris passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Demolition Orders: Five properties were ordered demolished within 30 days of issuance: 214 Brooks Street (5-2), 267 North San Gabriel Avenue (unanimous), 165 Stribling (unanimous), 711 West Gerald Avenue (unanimous), and 256 Briggs Street (unanimous).
- Reset Case: The case for 5246 Village Crest was reset to the next available date, no later than 90 days, requiring the owner's representative to submit a power of attorney, scope of work, financial proof, engineer's report, and fire marshal's report, and to install a security fence. Vote was 6-1.
- Administrative Items:
- The next full board meeting scheduled for May 21, 2026, was rescheduled to May 28, 2026.
- An at-large advertisement for a board vacancy will run through March 18, 2026, with a tentative PCDC meeting on March 30, 2026.
- Reappointments for Robert Binke and Anne Weiner are pending, and a reappointment memo from Council District 6 has been received.
- Financial disclosure reports are due by April 1, 2026.
- Code Enforcement Manager Jenny Ramirez announced a reorganization: Michael Tomaza will oversee code enforcement, and Melissa Darmitas will oversee building inspections and land development.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Call the San Antonio Building Standards Board to order on 5 March 2026. The time is now 9 o'clock. If we could, let's have a roll call, please. Present. Present. Present. Present. Here. Present. Thank you. With a quorum present. The City of San Antonio provides translation services for anyone who may need it. If we could, let's have the translation of that. Thank you. As stated previously, a quorum is present. Please silence your cell phone and any device that may disrupt this public hearing. No person shall delay or disrupt the proceedings or will disobey the orders of the chair. If you wish to speak on the case, you'll be allowed three minutes. However, an owner or owner's representative will have unlimited time. Please keep all information relevant to the property in question and the code violation. As advised prior to this public hearing, the city will provide translation services for anyone needing assistance. It is our understanding that you have made arrangements as advised in your notice of hearing. Our expectation is that you've submitted the required documents prior to this public hearing. Your responsibility as a property owner or lienholder of a dilapidated structure case is to demonstrate the following. Number one, provide the required documents, discuss the detailed scope of work with cost of each item outlined in order to bring the property into compliance with the satisfaction of the code officer. Number two, submit the required proof of financial ability to pay for the proposed work and discuss feasibility of repairs dependent upon monies at hand. And number three, request the amount of time needed to complete the work. All abatements ordered by the board shall be enforced. All work proposed must be done within code regulations with required permits prior to the commencing of work. You may obtain all permits from the Department of Development Services located at 1901 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78204. If in doubt as to the process during this time, please contact a code enforcement officer. Any owner or lienholder dissatisfied with the order of this board may file an appeal in civil district court within 30 days after the date that the order is mailed. If you have any questions regarding orders, please contact a code enforcement officer or development services staff member by phone number at 210-207-5422. Please note that it is unlawful for any person present to solicit or pedal services regarding any property under consideration by this board during the course of this public hearing for City Code Section 16-236. Thank you. And thank you. Motion is to approve the minutes. Do I have a second? Robert Binkey a second. Robert Bank, yes, second. Thank you. Any discussion. All in favor of the motion say aye. Aye. Those opposed, nay. The motion carries unanimously. If we could, let's have a staff report. Good morning. We've missed you in the last few meetings, or at least the meetings I've been in.
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