Good morning.

I'd like to call to order the Historic and Design Review Commission.

Uh compliance and technical advisory board meeting for Friday, April 17th, 2026.

Can I have a roll call, please?

Davis.

Present.

Garcia.

Present.

Bergard Spiller.

Here.

Fullerton.

Here.

Polyg?

Here.

Speaks.

Vasquez.

Present.

We have a quorum.

Thank you.

Translation Service.

Buenos días.

Good after good afternoon.

Good morning, excuse me.

Thank you.

The compliance and technical advisory board is an advisory board appointed by the city council.

I am Jason Vasquez, the acting chair.

Juanita Sepulveda is the chair.

It is the function of the board to advise the city manager in all city departments concerning certain applications for permits for properties in historic districts and landmarks.

In considering whether to recommend approval or disapproval of an application of a certificate of appropriateness, the board shall be guided by the city's unified development code and design guidelines and standards that have been adopted by the city council.

An appeal of a decision by an administrative official can be filed in accordance with the city's unified development code.

If anyone present wishes to speak in favor or in opposition to any item on today's agenda, please sign up on the public comment sheet.

It is not necessary to sign up if you are the owner of or representative for a project on the agenda.

You will be called on as the case is called.

Case representatives will be given no more than 15 minutes to present their case with an additional two minutes to respond to public comments.

Speakers for or opposed to a case will be limited to two minutes each.

Speakers may also sign up to yield their two minutes to another speaker who has signed up.

Anyone who is yielding their time must be present at the time the speaker is called upon.

Speakers will be called upon in the order in which they are signed up.

Following public testimony, any commissioner may call upon any speaker to respond to further questions.

Approval by the board does not take the place of any type of permit.

Permits must be obtained for all work.

Certificates of appropriateness for work approved by the board will be emailed to you within 10 days.

No work of any type is to be started without obtaining the appropriate city permits after certificate of appropriateness has been issued by the Office of Historic Preservation.

At this time, please silence your cell phones.

A few announcements.

So you may have noticed that the city has changed its policy on receiving voicemails for boards and commissions.

However, those will not be played at the hearings.

So you'll see that those have been received.

So after Fiesta, we have Preservation Month during the month of May.

Um so we'll be deep into it when we see you at the next hearing.

But Preservation Month is um always celebrated here locally in San Antonio.

OHP maintains a community calendar of events, and we host several events ourselves, um including our amazing preservation race, um, we have cemetery and a movie, uh movie and picnic um in the cemeteries, um, as well as a uh wood window repair course, um a uh course on how to do historic property research and a trivia night at Colcrest.

And so lots of fun stuff on that calendar if you go to SA Speak Up slash preservation month or just Google Preservation Month San Antonio should be able to access all of those events.

Uh most of them are free or low cost to the public.

Um with that we can take action on meeting minutes from our last meeting, which was March 20th.

Corey, on the first item with the public comment that's already implemented.

Yes, uh starting April 1st.

Uh the messaging was that voicemail comments would no longer be accepted.

Um the city clerk's office has pivoted where we would still accept them and provide them in that transcribed format.

We just wouldn't play them at the hearings.

Where are those in the files right now?

We didn't receive any voicemails for this hearing.

All right, yeah.

Thank you.

Um can I have uh a motion for approval of the meeting minutes from March what was it?

20th.

March 20th, 2026.

I move to uh approve the meeting minutes.

I second it.

Thank you.

Can I have a roll call, please?

Davis.

Aye.

Garcia?

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Fullerton.

Aye.

Pollock.

Aye.

And Vasquez.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

Okay, at this time we can draw our attention to the screen.

Uh we have four items on today's consent agenda.

Um just a note when we get to it.

Um, item number eight has been postponed or withdrawn by the applicant.

It will not be heard today.

Um we don't have anyone here signed up for that item, so just a note.

Um, but at this time we don't have any public comments for items one through four, and we can take um action on the consent agenda.

I think we just have one clarification.

Um is there there is something in the in the folder for Mulberry.

There we so we did receive a letter uh for Mulberry, and so that is available.

So that wasn't a transcribed voicemail.

We still get emails and letters just like we normally have.

When we do get transcripts, Corey, will it be specifically indicated like these are transcripts from calls, or will it just go in letters?

I think it should be differentiated between the the two.

Yeah, well it's it's in process the way that this is gonna be automated.

Um in the meantime, we're doing it manually, and so um what I tell you now may not be the answer in the future, but you'll be able to tell the difference.

It'll be a text document.

I don't know if it's a PDF or something that's generated.

Oh, good luck, Megan.

Poor girl.

All right.

Um let's see.

Can I have a motion for the consent consent agenda items, please?

I'd like to pull Mole bearing.

Great.

And are there any others?

If not, can I have a motion to approve the remaining uh consent agenda items?

I make a motion and we approve uh consent items one, two, and three.

Thank you.

Can I have a roll call, please?

Second.

Oops.

Thanks.

Roll call, please.

Davis.

Aye.

Garcia?

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Fullerton?

Aye.

Pollock?

Aye.

And Vasquez.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

Let's go to the Mulberry case, please.

One sec.

So if you're on the consent agenda and your address is 426 East Courtland Place, 719 East Carson and 615 East Evergreen.

Your case has been approved and you do not need to stay for the remainder of this hearing.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of OHP staff.

Your certificate of appropriateness or commission action letter will be prepared and emailed to you within 10 days.

So uh next is item number four.

This is 430 East Mulberry.

Uh the uh applicant and owner, Mr.

Kumara is on virtually and can answer any questions that the commission may have.

You want to go ahead with or are they presenting or hit, or can I ask a quick uh good morning?

Hi, you this is uh Kumar.

I'm the owner of the 430 East Mulberry.

Um do you want me to present this or uh officially do that?

Yes, please present anything and everything that you got on the case.

There is an existing structure was there before 2019, and uh I want to have this uh picnic back to you on the backside, and everybody has it in that area, every house.

So I send the photos.

I mean, this is similar to their existing old one.

So and uh I mean if you can go to the next slide, I can show the old photo.

I mean, this is this texture what it is, and if you go to the next Google feature, there was an old structure was there.

Uh there was one more photo there.

Uh next one.

Yeah, yeah, you can see that there was structure of the old one before that.

I wish I could have more photo older one because we take over in 2023.

We bought this house, and that's why we trying to put this.

That's why they're all you know.

I don't have in front of the house any parking space here.

Okay, anything else?

That's option.

Thank you.

We'll move to Commissioner Questions.

You want to go ahead?

Um my first question is the original structure was was uh taken out completely, right?

Yeah, because it was the old structure, you know, the rotten wood, and it was uh not dated, and that's why we take it down and you know and just putting it in your money, yes.

And then the new structure, is it larger and it has a different uh roof line?

Oh, it's a similar similar.

Oh, sorry, I didn't have my button pressed.

Were you similar?

Similar, yeah.

And have you obtained a variance from the Board of Adjustment?

Yes, ma'am.

I I took the permit from the uh I mean CP actually.

What it is.

Okay, thank you.

That was all my questions.

Yeah, yeah.

Thank you.

Um additional questions.

No.

Any other additional questions from my colleagues?

No.

There's no one here to speak on that, is that right?

Right.

We actually, I mean, the letter you have came in overnight, and so we just added it this morning so that you would at least be able to see that.

Did you get a chance to look at the letter that's in there?

I did, it just said someone was going to be here to speak, but oh.

Okay.

And they're agreeing with what OHP is asking.

And that's why they're the uh on the consent.

That's the applicant um is uh yeah, agreeable to stipulations and yeah.

All right.

Can I have a motion to approve um this agenda agenda item four?

I move to uh approve consent agenda item number four.

Thank you.

Is there a second?

Uh uh I second that motion.

Thank you.

Can I have a roll call, please?

Davis.

Aye.

Garcia?

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Fullerton.

Aye.

Pollock?

Aye.

And Vasquez.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

Agenda item number five, HDRC case number uh 2026 104, 1518 West Rosewood.

The applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness for approval to perform landscaping work within the front and side yard at 1518 West Rosewood.

Within this request, the applicant has proposed the following scopes of work.

One, the installation of planning beds around the perimeter of the front yard to feature brick edging and various ground cover and shrubs.

Two, the installation of a brick paved patio on the east side of the front yard in front of the front facade, and three to replace the existing concrete porch steps with brick steps, and replace the existing front walkway with the brick walkway.

Staff recommends approval of items one and two based on findings A through C with the following stipulations.

One that edging and landscaping elements should not impede upon the public right-of-way at any time.

Two that the patio be installed in a manner that does not facilitate water drainage toward the historic structures foundation.

Staff does not recommend approval of item number three, concrete steps and walker replacement based on findings DE.

Staff recommends both original concrete elements be maintained.

Uh should they require repair, repair should be done consistently with the guidelines.

Uh is here in person.

Um is Mr.

Jose Camacho here in person or on virtually.

Yeah, let's do that and if they pop in uh between now and then.

We'll just go back to it.

Thank you.

Two, modify the front facade of the primary structure by installing a gable vent.

Three, modify the front facade by removing the existing siding on the front gable and installing cedar shake siding and a horizontal canopy roof detail.

Staff recommends approval of item one with the following stipulations.

One that the driveway feature permeable materials and not exceed nine um nine feet in width as specified on the site plan.

Two, final materials must be submitted for uh to staff for issuance of a COA.

Three, that the driveway approach not exceed twelve feet in width.

Staff recommends approval of item two with the following stipulation that the gable vent should be of a simplified design that is consistent with those historically found in the district.

The final design should be submitted to staff for review.

And staff does not recommend approval of item three.

Staff recommends the original siding on the front uh facing gable be retained in place.

And commissioners, there was a DRC for this um request.

And so that's in the case file as well.

I can show it to you, and obviously the commissioners that attended can speak on that.

There is a letter from the King William Association with comments uh supporting certain elements and then not supporting others.

And the applicant Chris Coker is here in person.

So Chris, if you'd like to um come to the podium, you'll have 12 minutes to speak.

And there are a few late files um in the folder, so I'll pull those up as well.

Oh, there I go.

Hey Commissioners, how are you?

Nice to see you all in person.

Do you have pictures of the ones that I sent in?

Yeah.

So this house, I I think I mostly all commissioners were in our DRC.

Um I think it was last week.

And so um just quick background for the commissioners that weren't.

Um, you know, I've been working with city staff and HDRC uh for two months now or so on several parts of this house.

We had uh I worked with DRC for HDRC and got an addition approved in the back of the in the rear of the house.

Um so this is just kind of the next step.

Uh there were a couple little things on here that uh number one, I think it needs a driveway, but number two, the gable vent, um as discussed with several of y'all in the DRC last week, I think it would just the front of the house is a little bit elongated in my opinion, without the without a gable vent or anything um on there.

Do you have a picture of the actual front of the structure?

And so my request is simply just to add a little bit of a design feature to it.

Um, you know, having spoke with uh city staff uh pretty extensively about it, um, looking at what is in the neighborhood and most of the most of the properties in this in Nathan Historical District right here have some sort of gable vent, gable window.

Uh a lot of them have a um like a shaker style siding on the front, the top portion, the gable portion of the front facade.

Um scalloped siding, and so and I actually have another uh property at 125 suite, this first street here, which has an awesome uh it just I feel like it adds such a great architectural feature to it uh with a scaffold uh scallop siding above that top portion.

So after working with staff extensively on this, um and of course with the commissioners in DRC last week, um we found that staff would support um uh gable vent up top.

I did, and I I don't recall which staff uh which commissioner gave the idea of just painting the slats.

Do you all remember?

But it was such a great idea, and I was like, ah, yeah, why didn't I think of that?

Because I have seen it in on other properties in all of our historical neighborhoods.

So uh item number three on the request.

I'm actually uh I'm no longer seeking um changing the wood it wood portion of the front facade on that.

Um we are per commissioner uh a commissioner's idea, great idea.

I'm just going to alternate painting the the original wood that's up there.

So we're gonna put a gable vent.

You want to show the one that uh you guys thought would be appropriate?

So no.

No.

Um there's one that's just a square, just a vent.

It was a really simple one from the really simple one, yeah.

That small square.

It's like, yeah.

Oh, there it is.

Go back.

There you go.

Um so uh having discussed in that DRC staff uh figured that they would this would be something that they would support.

And I I'm all for it too.

Um I think it it just breaks up the whole goal is to break up kind of the longevity of the top portion of that cable.

Um so I like this, it's uh it's also functional obviously.

Um, and then we would keep kind of that the same, all the same wood that's there, the historical wood, and just paint.

Um I'd come up with a paint scheme.

I have no idea what the paint color of the house is gonna be yet.

Um, but they said they would support uh that as well.

The the only additional item, and and we had talked about this in the DRC meeting would be will you take me to the um uh the one that has like the window, but yes, this one.

So um the one thing that we thought would be a really good idea to break it up would be um this piece right here.

And so um I think the majority of the commissioners in the DRC were supportive of this.

To me, it looks to be like a one by eight, something like that to match this part of the gable.

Um so whatever we'll measure this part of the gable, and I think just matching that would uh going across here would be um very fitting.

Uh the one the one item I don't know that we discussed in the in the meeting was this little lip right on top of it.

I think that adds a really cool design to it, um, as opposed to just having you know a flat board that kind of looks like just the normal siding that's there, but a little bit larger.

I kind of like that lip.

So I am requesting this piece uh separate the gable um from the lower portion of that front facade and adding that tiny little lip.

It's probably like a one by two or something just above the top of it.

So not the window on this one.

It's really hard to find in one picture exactly what I was looking for.

Uh so it's the gable vent that y'all just saw in place of this window here with this uh runner across kind of separating the gable vent from the lower portion.

So that's the gable vent um part of it.

I I feel as though um the with the commissioner's feedback in that DRC meeting that we came to a pretty good idea uh on that.

I really I'm enthused about it.

So the other topic that we brought up in that meeting as well was about the driveway.

Actually, still kind of confused on the driveway.

I don't know that uh the best that I gathered from our discussions and uh for the commissioners that weren't in the DRC meeting.

I originally um requested just a concrete driveway in the front, um, which uh I have received approval on for pretty much all of my historical pro uh projects.

And um and staff recommended a permeable driveway, which I actually think is really cool.

So I'm totally on board with that idea many years ago on my very first project, 930 Hay Street.

I think I was requesting a permeable type style driveway, and it was denied.

So to have the opportunity to actually incorporate that into one of my designs, I think would be really neat.

I'm fine with the concrete driveway.

Obviously, that's what I originally proposed.

Um it it I mean we all know it doesn't really help with the runoff.

Um and it's not as attractive, I think, as something like this.

So uh one of the commissioners was it, I think it was Commissioner Garcia, maybe, um had mentioned a ribbon driveway.

Someone mentioned a drive.

It was hard to keep track of of everyone because I think I had five or six commissioners in there.

Um and I had pictures pulled up and everything, but the ribbon driveway seemed to be a consensus that most communic uh commissioners could get on board with.

This specific picture I think was the one that garnered the most attention and maybe support.

Um so I am requesting um a ribbon driveway like this with the grass down the middle.

Now the one topic of contention in that was what do you put down the middle.

I said um, you know, I'm I'm I am opposed to like crushed granite or small rock, just because when on these historic houses, when I um redo the floors in them, I'm trying to keep the natural floors when you walk in that crushed granite on tennis shoes tends to get stuck in the bottom of the shoe, and I find that it scuffs the floors.

Um these floors are very tough to refurbish and very expensive to refurbish.

And so I I really don't like the crushed granite.

But trying to find a different solution.

One of the commissioners mentioned like a one to two inch, three inch being too large uh rock down the middle, um, which I'm not opposed to.

I do tend to lean towards color vibrancy, and I think the the grass in the center uh gives you that um appearance, especially when you're driving by.

However, I think we all know when you put real grass in there, and especially with our water restrictions, uh the difficulty of actually trying to water just the center strip.

I could put irrigation lines underneath, but we're still trying.

I mean, I'm trying to avoid, especially down here, the water usage has been a big big big issue over the years.

Um as a lifelong San Antonio and I I'm completely aware of our situation water-wise.

So my request is I have a a turf that I've used before, and I just brought a little sample piece, and we're talking just for the strip in the center.

Um and that's it.

But this is something that that will keep its color.

I have used this other places, and it has not faded, oxidized, anything like that.

Um and so I wanted to.

I know most everyone's in opposition of actual turf.

Um I get that.

Uh but it does continue with the permeable theme.

It does allow because the base of it is um is rock, is sand, it does allow for the water to stay in the yard and not uh drain off into the street.

So I'm not opposed to putting grass there or something else.

I don't have a definitive direction that that the commissioners really wanted to go with it.

So I'm just kind of uh winging that a little bit.

I'd say first and foremost, I'd prefer to have this um this design here with the turf in the center.

I could go to grass, I could go to rock, that would be like my l uh uh line of succession there.

So um with that, I'll take any comments or questions you guys might have.

Thanks, Chris.

Sure.

Um we're gonna open it up to questions from my colleagues now.

Perfect.

Um questions from my colleagues here on the left.

I guess I have maybe one clarification.

Um on the driveway, the first says not to exceed nine nine feet in in width, but then the three also says Oh, the driveway approach.

Okay.

Nope.

Good.

Any additional uh questions?

No.

Go ahead, Chris.

I don't know if you had a chance to to follow up on any of those other links.

There are uh they're not perfect, but there are some uh native or drought tolerant uh ground covers out there like the frog fruit that the San Antonio water system also recommends, or um there are a couple of uh uh seed seed companies and nurseries in in South and West Texas uh they grow uh a native uh native Texas grass blend and it doesn't look like Zoyzia, you know, or quite as neat as this, but they are uh native, they're they're pretty tough, and they're two or three different uh uh species of grass mixed in that uh might be able to handle that if nothing else can.

Do they do you and I'm not familiar with those species?

Do they um do they stay green?

Do they go dormant like Bermuda would?

I mean maybe a uh I don't have a lot of experience with them.

Um I'm actually gonna be trying it myself this summer, so I'll see.

But um I think there may be a little bit of dormancy in the summer, uh, but I it sounds like um because it's a mixture of maybe three different species, some of it stays green and it it's uh relatively short grass, so it's not like a uh you know tall blue stem or something like that.

Um I can't make any specific recommendations.

There are some companies out there like I think Bamert or Native American seed um that are located in the in the journal area, or you can Google Texas native seeds.

And and they do have some pictures on the website, so that might give you a sense.

I don't know if it's is it appropriate to ask you for I don't want to like look like I'm using my phone, but if I could get uh that name of it again.

Oh, uh so I website two of them are Bamert or Native American seed.

Um and again I I don't have it my direct experience with all of this.

Um I'm reluctant to even mention uh a company name up here, but I just as uh starting point, you might check those out.

What was the something frog fruit?

Frog fruit, yeah.

Frog fruit.

Yeah.

Um you can find out more about it's it's a weird name, but it it's it's incredibly tough.

I've had it in my front yard in direct sun and six inches of soil, and it didn't it it loved it.

And it has uh small white flowers that uh pollinators like too.

So how how often do you have to water my my soaker hose broke and it didn't water it for about two months and it kept growing?

Interesting.

So uh you can learn more.

The uh SAWS has it on their website, you know, their SA lifestyle.

That's not right.

Well, they have a conservation department uh website, and then I think maybe the botanical garden would have some examples if you want to see it in person.

Okay.

Um or the Lady Bird Johnson Center up in uh Austin, they've got a great website too.

So yeah, I'm all I mean I'm not opposed to to taking a look at that either.

So ahead, Mike.

There's another company that I've dealt with in this area called Douglas King Seed Company.

Douglas Canyon Seed King.

Douglas King Seed Company.

And they specialize in uh South Texas grass growing and seeds and stuff like that.

I've used them with them before.

Okay, excellent.

Great, thank you.

Uh questions from my colleague on the right.

Thank you.

Um, in the example of the vent that you've shown, uh, one of them was a true vent, and the other one looked more like a window.

Correct.

Uh what are you which one are you looking for in terms of style?

The actual vent, the square vent.

Um we've already this one.

Yeah.

Um and what it you know, I think that if you're gonna put a vent into this facade that you need to be really careful about where you position it in relationship to uh the gable.

This one is really nicely proportioned, much more closely, I would say, to your actual house than some of the other pictures that were shown for different reasons.

Uh so I think that if you were to do something like this, that you need to be really careful about what the proportions are.

This is more rectilinear than it is square, and I think that that's an important detail to note.

Can I um so is this uh proportion, this kind of area here, we're talking like what was that, four or so slats down, uh pieces of siding down.

Is that what you prefer?

I think that that would be more appropriate if you could go to the a picture of his front facade.

And that is in the neighborhood right here as well.

That that actual photo.

This is pretty in keeping, I think, with the actual pitch of your roof more than some of the other examples.

Yeah.

Are you able to zoom in on that at all, Adrian?

No.

Oh.

And you'll notice that the windows are are more rectilinear.

So in terms of vertical, so I think that that vent should match that idea more than going square up there.

Okay.

Um and then I'm good with that.

That's and you are gonna keep this original horizontal siding.

Correct, yep.

All the way up, right?

Um Yeah, so if we're if we're looking at the picture we had just looked at with the gable vent, and we just kind of envision it here, maybe four pieces of that siding down, starting the top of that gable vent.

I think that's perfect.

Yeah.

That's a good I'm glad you observed that because that's uh I I think my guys probably would have just thrown it up there in the center somewhere.

So I'll make sure that it's proportionate to what you're talking about.

All right.

And then I don't have any more questions, but I will have some comments when we're at that point.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um Corey, I wanted to ask about the appropriateness of a ribbon driveway in front of a home of this period.

Uh how is that?

And what would be more appropriate what has been approved in Nathan as far as driveways?

Has it just been solid slabs?

Nathan's in your district.

And yeah.

Many of them have very small yards and have historically not had any sort of parking on site.

Um there was a request maybe last year for a similar parking pad in the front yard.

I think he had less room on the side of the house, and so that presented some issues, and that request was denied.

I don't know that we've had one that was approved.

Um Rebin driveways you do see in older neighborhoods.

Um they were pretty predominant kind of in the 30s and 40s, and you do see them in older neighborhoods that were developed during that time as the original driveway.

And sometimes they've been added in lately or later on.

Um but yeah, historically, like these really older neighborhoods with small front yards would not have had on-site parking.

Um the guidelines do allow for that with parameters, you know, no wider than 10 feet and not kind of in the front uh plane of the of the home.

Um so we do find that this meets guidelines.

Um but yeah, like as far as like the best solution, there's not really a uh I could have parts to reference from for something of this vintage.

I'd like to add if I can real quick also.

Um on this, we know camp outposts is here, there's an architectural firm right next to it.

The parking here is atrocious.

Um three days out of the week, and I've I've talked to the architectural firm there.

They have 45 employees and 10 parking spaces, so everyone parks on the streets behind, which is Reesh, Daniel and uh suite here.

And so between the architectural firm and camp outpost and the comings and goings, uh the parking is really terrible.

Uh it's actually unsafe.

I've complained to our safe officers.

Um there's only two stop signs where there really should be a four-way stop here.

I've almost been hit multiple times.

I'm aware that there's only two stop signs, but most people are not.

Um so I think more um, and I would also add that on Ree Street, uh 75% of the homes do have um uh driveway in the front of their house.

So um, and I have pictures of them, especially all the ones right uh directly around me.

Um but the parking is terrible, uh it really is.

So the more I think the more cars we can get off the street the better.

Um and matter of fact, any time I go over to Reish, it's kind of difficult to park.

There's always cars on the street.

So it'd be nice to have a one at least one dedicated parking spot for that house.

I I've witnessed that, Chris, since going through on sweet.

Oh, it's uh it's terrible.

It is.

Um while I do hear of or I see the concern from uh King William.

Uh I just like I mentioned, it's it's terrible uh driving through Nathan and it's tough.

It is.

And I understand that unsafe, actually.

Yep.

Um and then as uh Commissioner Garcia mentioned um just encouraging you to go with something longer uh versus uh stout for sure.

For that wider, yes, um on that gable vent.

Okay again, proportional to those windows uh like something longer.

Yeah, like that.

Um but otherwise I I'm fine with everything.

Um we'll move on to uh comments now.

Uh are there any comments on my left?

On my right.

Yes.

Go ahead.

Um I would just like to address this horizontal band that you're interested in putting uh to break up the this front facade and um I would say that this house in you know a lot of ways is very kind of um a plain vernacular of this style, right?

It's not it doesn't have a lot of detail like some do.

It doesn't have detail like this, uh the image that we're seeing up there.

And I think that it's important to recognize that it it's different and it doesn't have some of the the architectural detailing that some of the other houses has have, but that that's just as important.

Uh this idea of putting a gable vent in, I think um is fairly uh what's the word I'm looking for?

Um not really damaging to the presentation of the facade to the street.

Uh and it's it's a great thing to have because you know we live in a climate that things heat up there, and so from a practical standpoint, it makes a lot of sense.

This horizontal band, however, um can you bring up a picture of his property, please?

Uh does he have side does he have batten boards on the side?

Um they've just been taken off.

They've been taken, yeah.

I I think that there's a certain beauty to the the plain and simple verticality of this facade that you breaking it up by putting that horizontal board there is going to uh change the look of this property.

And because of that, I would encourage you not to do it and to celebrate instead the kind of simplicity of this facade.

I think that's what makes it more unique than anything else that might be in this block, and it would be good for you to you know celebrate that.

Understood.

Um may I add that um the idea of alternating colors on the gable um siding up top.

I feel as though that horizontal kind of breaks it up.

Otherwise, where do I stop?

Do I just pick a stop in the middle of the facade and then continue?

It continues the normal siding all the way down.

I feel like that little bit larger piece across will just kind of give it a good breakup.

It's this isn't like a a thing that I would uh it's not a hill I would die on having that, but I just think it kind of breaks it up pretty well.

I don't know.

Well, I would argue that you don't have to alternate the colors top and bottom.

True.

That'd be a good argument.

I could go either way.

It was the one that a commissioner suggested, and I thought it was a I was like, oh that's a bang up idea.

So yeah, and I came into the meeting late, so I apologize for you know not making some of these comments then um because I didn't want to speak to something I wasn't fully familiar with what had gone on already.

Um but you know I look at this facade and I see very simple beauty here, uh which makes it different perhaps from some of the other houses on the street, and I think the inclination is to make it match, but I would really encourage you to just you know you put the the vent in there, it's gonna give it a focal point anyway, and I think it would be enough if it has the right proportions and it's located uh properly in terms of up close under that vent, uh under the gable.

I think it'll look great.

So I would just encourage you to to keep it simple.

Is it and I'm I'm good with simple um the old uh saying kiss keep it simple, stupid, right?

Um and I'm I'm good with that.

If I do decide to do the alternating colors instead of just one color on the whole front facade without it being broken up, like you guys said that you would staff would be in support of the alternating colors without it being broken up.

Do you still have an issue with that?

No, um generally we don't regulate um paint colors, you know, for for something like this.

So um, you know, it would always be helpful for you to show us a rendering, but generally speaking, we we should be fine.

Okay.

If I decided to do that, I'd probably test it out just to see what it looks like.

And if it if it took away from the property or something, the painting of the uh colors, then I would just put it back.

Yeah, I'd not have a big deal.

I'd say the alternating colors might make it a little too busy.

You just like she mentioned, uh keep it simple.

Uh just adding that the gable vent.

That's like a little cherry on top, and that's all you need.

I agree.

And uh you just keep the colors again.

We don't have purview over color to an extent.

And then um just add that gable vent, and I think you'd be golden.

Cool.

Yeah.

Um I like the simple aspect.

Okay.

Any other questions?

Go ahead.

Or sorry, comments.

Uh Vice Chair Vasquez, one thing I will mention not to belabor the point, but I think over at it looks like it may be 218 Suite Street.

Um, there is uh a symbol similar L sort of with a side gable.

Now it has both a window and a vent at the top, um, and the horizontal uh cross section and um cedar shake, but it does give you a potential example of how you can use uh different color patterns.

Something to think about.

Yeah, uh I'm very attracted to that.

I don't know that it would look great without having the horizontal breakup in between, so um if I can't get the horizontal breakup, I may just do one color on the front facade and just do a nice trim uh paint the all the trim that's around it just a nice color.

So is it this one, Commissioner, that you're talking about?

That's what I've got.

That's the one Mr.

Gallegos.

Okay.

Was that it, Chris?

Okay.

Um great.

We're done with comments.

Uh we're gonna somebody's gonna attempt to craft a motion here as creatively as we can.

I'm just supporting their recommendations, right?

Let's see.

You wanna shoot um I'd like to make a motion to support staff's recommendations for um one and two um taking into consideration um the changes that have been talked about in terms of uh size shape and location of that vent.

And then let's see.

Yeah, on on all three, actually, because staff also recommends the original siding on the front facing gable be retained in place, and you've agreed to that.

So yes, I'd like to make a motion to support uh staff's recommendations one, two, and three.

Great.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you.

Can I have a roll call, please?

Davis, aye.

Garcia?

Aye.

Spiller.

I fullerton.

I.

Pollock?

I and Vasquez.

I motion carries.

Thank you, Chris.

Thanks for having me, y'all.

I appreciate it.

Thanks for working with us proactively.

It's so nice to be able to have like a back and forth and come to a company.

Thanks for coming to the DRC and uh doing it again proactively.

All right.

Is this you, Adrian?

Um, were we moving on to okay?

Just making sure.

Okay, Commissioner.

So this is CTAP case 2026-068 for 447 fur.

The applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness to install an 18-inch high concrete masonry unit retaining wall along the length of the sidewalk parallel to Fur Drive.

Staff does not recommend approval of the request.

Staff recommends that the applicant submit an updated proposal for review comprised of a low landscaping wall made of appropriate materials and that may be eligible for administrative approval.

The applicant is here virtually.

Um, and so um, you know, so we'll bring him on if if he's online.

And then there is um somebody signed up to speak on behalf of this item.

And then I will note, commissioners, that this is a violation case as well.

And so is is the applicant online, uh, Joe.

I'm working to add them right now.

I don't know.

There we go.

Mr.

Weinwork, you might be able to unmute um and present at this time.

Are you there?

It's probably if I unmuted myself.

I'm sorry about that.

Can everyone hear me?

Yes, thank you.

All right, thank you so much.

Uh yeah, I apologize.

I'm not able to be there in person today.

I would have rather been there in person, but I just couldn't couldn't get away from from work for that long.

So I appreciate you guys um taking the time to listen through uh my case today.

Um I had uh given this document over to Adrian, so it's being displayed right now.

Can everyone see it?

Yes, it should be visible.

Okay.

All right.

Um I'll just go ahead and read from this uh just so I make sure I get all my um my points in.

So over the past um several years, um uh I began to lose my front sloping yard at 447 for a drive, mostly due to just drought and erosion.

It's it's just been it's been tough the last couple of years.

The the lack of rain and the fact that I don't have any shade in my front yard, um, coupled with the you know, just water restriction and it leads to becoming harder and harder each year to maintain the grass.

Um so the sloping nature of the yard combined with the erosion of the soil cause large amounts of dirt and mud, uh then to slough off onto my sidewalks and onto my driveway in front of my residence.

Um the type of soil turns into very sticky and slippery mud when wet.

This meant that after a rainstorm I needed to quickly scrape and remove mud to prevent someone from slipping and injuring themselves.

Uh the reason for the retaining wall is to maintain health and safety of my family and neighbors.

My children have fallen and slipped multiple times trying to get into the car.

Um my 104-year-old grandfather nearly slipped and fell in January 2026.

I was speaking last night with my mother-in-law, she fell um at some point.

Uh so you know, luckily I was able to grab my grandfather at the time and he didn't fall down, but it was it's it's precarious when it rains for sure.

Um, you know, if it if my family's out of town and it rains, uh, there's no one to remove you know the deposits of soil and mud from the sidewalk.

Um yet I I I you know believe I could still potentially remain liable, you know, if someone would become injured due to the dangerous mud slick in front of my house.

Um so below, you know, I this is kind of just some different photos of the yard prior to I've got I think I have five photos here.

So you can see that just it's really hard to maintain the grass.

Even when I water it, it tends to slough off um the water runs off.

And then um below that is the after pictures, and as you mentioned, we had we had received a stop work order on February 28th.

Um the contractor that I was working with, I don't believe had worked maybe maybe in the historic district before this.

Um I had talked to him about polling, you know, the appropriate permits for the work, um, and which he said that he did.

Um, so we got a stop work order um on the 28th, and then we went ahead and submitted um everything through um the OHP.

They went ahead and approved the um everything else except for the retaining wall.

And so um you can see in that picture that it is finished, and I apologize.

That was not that was not my intention.

Um, I think there was a miscommunication between me and him.

We were out of town for the end of the construction period due to the stop and stoppage work order, and we had some rain that week prior, and so um we hadn't be out of town.

We were on spring raid trip with my family, and uh we came back and it was it was done.

So um that's I I'm sorry that it was finished.

That wasn't my intention.

I'm I by my nature I'm kind of a rule follower, and someone doesn't want to kind of conflict avoidant.

I was hoping to not have to be in this position, but um anyway, uh we can go ahead and scroll down.

I just have some I think there was some some concern about the you know the material in in the in the form that was used.

Um I did go ahead and do I put together just a um a list here of I drove around their neighborhood um on Wednesday afternoon for about 15 minutes um throughout Monticello Park, and I just I noted 16 different examples here uh that match the same material and form uh of the retaining wall that was installed at my my home.

Um I was talking to uh you know in back and forth Adrian.

Uh you said that you know, all retaining walls obviously need a COA.

Um, so I'm assuming that these also you know have a similar form and and material had also been approved.

Um so yeah, I just are all CMU based uh retaining walls within Monticello Park Historic District.

Um I think there's probably more than this.

I like I said I just drove up 15 minutes and took some photos.

Um but I do think that you know, base my my I guess my my conclusion there if you go to the bottom is that um you know I think there is prior prior precedent for um a retaining wall which matches you know other examples within the neighborhood.

Um I do believe that you know because of the presence of other retaining walls of a sermon material, it does maintain a cohesive character.

So that's all my uh that's all that's all my initial comments that I have.

Thank you.

And then we do have a speaker um for this commissioners.

Great, thank you.

Okay, Bianca Maldonado, Miss Maldonado will have four minutes.

Tom Simmons is here and has yielded his time.

Hello, Bianca Maldonado with Monticello Park Neighborhood Association, P.O.

Box 100315.

I'm the current president.

Front yard earth and berms are a character defining feature within the Monticello Park Historic District.

Very few historic districts have this unique feature.

We respectfully ask for CTAP to affirm staff's recommendation.

The applicant, the application as submitted, seeks to introduce flat work, which is incongruent with our historic district, the history.

As part of the execution of this project, the city engineers with the Office of Historic Preservation reviewed the scope of work for these improvements.

The city engineers reviewed the need for retaining walls and replacement of existing walls in the right-of-way, and no new retaining walls were recommended.

The execution of this project was respectful of our characteristics in our community at 447 Fur.

There is only one single step approach from the public sidewalk to the approach that leads to the front door of this home.

If you go to Google Earth, there is a 2022 image that shows the execution of the bond project and the keeping of the earth and berm and the additional sod paid for by public dollars and the maintaining of that grade that was executed.

The proposed retaining wall adds a harsh break in the front of the home and then forms corners as it returns towards the house on the east and west sides of the property lines.

These harsh corners add complications to the applicant's driveway and that of their neighbor when a car is parked and doors are opening and closing.

The proposed wall seeks to flatten the front yard and remove the berm.

The applicant shows a photo of several retaining walls, and if you'd like, I could go house by house on which ones have a C of A and which ones do not.

But most of the ones that you're seeing were either added at the review of an engineer on North Drive, which is currently receiving complete reconstruction just like Fur Drive did.

And when you look at Fur Drive, what you're not seeing are all the berms that are being restored with significant more slope than the proposed applicant.

It is unfortunate that a lack of maintenance and a lack of having some type of planting in that front berm has caused the situation for erosion.

Our neighborhood supports our historic district and educates our residents on the need for a C of A.

And they receive that newsletter, regardless if you are a dues paying member six times a year.

So we truly try to go the extra mile and really advocate for improvements for our community and to educate our residents about the need.

Great.

Thank you.

Is there any any additional input?

Um No, Commissioner, no Vice Chair.

Um so again, just that this was a violation case in the citation is there in the case file.

And so um, you know, let me know if you have any questions.

That says allowed and loan.

Thank you.

Uh questions from colleagues on my left.

Go ahead, Mike.

On the uh also maybe Commissioner is your mic on?

What would be uh an example of appropriate materials?

Yeah, and so um for this neighborhood, you know, of course we would uh we would like to review it, but um, you know, our guidelines do um state then something like a low stone, for example, low stone, um not even a retaining wall, but edging, you know, could be something that we would consider um eligible for administrative approval.

So again, we would have to review it, but um, you know, stone is one of those uh materials that is a little bit more appropriate for uh for this historic district versus the CMU, which is um, you know, it is outlined in the guidelines specifically to avoid um you know concrete masonry units.

So um, you know, so that one is is is definitely not something we would consider.

Tell me more about the stone.

Yeah, so um again, we we would have to look at what the proposal would be.

Yeah, so something again, you know, as we have in the recommendation, you know, it we would we it would have to be something that we would consider a low, a very low landscaping wall.

That doesn't even seem appropriate, so maybe just like a little steel edging.

Possibly, yeah.

And so um again, though, um, you know, something that would be more in keeping with um with the guidelines.

Yeah, okay, thank you.

Additional questions from colleagues on my left.

Go ahead, Chris.

Just to make sure I I follow um the winding path that got us here so far.

It it sounds like there there was some work done in 2025 based on the COA, and then you all came, y'all were notified on f on or about February 27th.

It issued a stop work, and there was a new COA filed on the 28th, and then there is this COA from March 6th, but that does not include uh the retaining wall.

Correct, Commissioner.

So um I I can't comment at the moment for the 2025 COA.

I'd have to pull up our history, but of course that's public record, right?

We could obviously access that later.

So once they put in their application, you know, as we normally do, right?

We divide it into elements that we can approve administratively and others that require commission approval.

So initially they had wanted um um to replace, for example, the ribbon driveway, and you know, and we had informed them, of course, that that would have to go, you know, to you guys for approval.

And so they were okay with the in-kind ribbon replacement.

So um, you know, as you'll see in the COA, right?

Um, you know, we we approved administratively the landscaping, in-kind replacement of the uh front walkway as well as Ruben driveway installation.

And then we note, of course, um at the bottom, you know, that the installation of other site elements is not approved at this time.

And that's specifically relates to the um to the retaining wall.

Hi, Paula, thank you.

And one follow-up.

I'm my memory's hazy here, but I'm I'm going on the photos that were submitted in the late file.

Uh it sounds like the majority of those are from north.

And it looks like north tends to have a much steeper approach uh along the properties.

Um would that be a fair characterization?

We'd have to look at that, Commissioner.

Can I can I comment here?

Is that okay?

Go ahead.

I'm sorry.

I I don't know the procedure, so I apologize if I'm uh butting in.

Um I would I don't know if I would say the majority are from north or four of them or from north.

Um unlike Bianca had mentioned that that was part of a larger work project I wasn't aware of, but um I did uh did go ahead and take pictures of them just as an example.

Um if you look at the one on there are some from from FER.

I mean, my intention here was to keep it as low profile as I possibly could.

Um both the ones from the 2351 FERS very, very similar.

Um 317 is not quite as similar, it's a little bit wider, and it's uh just across the front.

You scroll a little bit more from there.

Um you also have 44, which is this is also higher than the the one that um was installed.

Um but also you know, it's a similar form and function there uh for the timber tiny wall.

I mean, uh I again the reasoning behind this is is really safety related.

I mean, I've it's just it's become a problem with the mud.

I know that there's quite a few comments on the Facebook page within Monicho Park Historic District, you know, talking about um the issue of mud on the sidewalks um with uh just the lack of rain, and it's just it's a it's a problem around the neighborhood.

That's my assessment.

I mean, there are many people who have built in some kind of a form of retaining wall on sloped yards to make sure that they may you know they can keep the soil within there within their yard.

Not just not just with the not just out of CMU, but out of out of all sorts of different materials, whether that's landscaping, bricks, or um other materials.

That's all I comments for now.

Thank you.

Additional questions.

No.

Any other on my left?

No.

On my right.

Um, sir, were you aware when you moved into this neighborhood that it had guidelines that pertained to uh the historic character of the neighborhood, that it was a historic district.

Yes, I knew it was a historic district.

I I I only became aware, I guess, of design guidelines recently as part of this case.

I mean, other work that we've had done to the house, um the contractors that we've hired have all you know, uh I unbeknownst to me that had to follow the OHD guidelines um to get a COA.

Um and I assume that this was happening again on this one, and so I uh do a I really like I said I was not I was not trying to skirt around an issue.

Um I I was really trying to do what I was supposed to do.

Um and I'm sorry that we're in this position.

Uh it's not it's regrettable.

It's not it's not what I would you know wanted to happen.

Right.

Okay.

Um yes, I agree that it is reg regrettable.

Um I'd like to go ahead and make a motion.

Let's jump to it.

I'd like to sub make a motion to support staff's recommendation.

Second.

Can I have a roll call, please?

Davis.

Aye.

Garcia.

Aye.

Spiller.

Uh Fullerton.

I.

Pollock.

I.

Motion carries.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for your time, sir.

Can I just what can I have one follow-on question?

Is that possible?

It's gonna you'll have to work with OHP after the meeting.

All right, I'll go in.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

CTAP case number 2026-100, 1211 South Alamo Street.

The applicant's requesting a certificate of appropriateness to one install a V vehicle gate and fixed gate on either side of the structure in front of the front facade wall plane.

Two, install a six-foot-tall fence at the southeast corner of the lot.

Three, install a four-foot-tall, transparent wooden fence at the front yard.

Staff recommends approval to install a six-foot-tall V vehicular gate and fence on either side of the primary structure with the following stipulation.

One that the applicant installed the fence and gate behind the front facade wall plane.

Staff recommends approval to install a wood privacy fence at the southeast corner of the lot within the front yard with the following stipulations.

One that the applicant install a fence at the southeast corner of the lot that does not exceed four feet in height.

And finally, staff recommends approval to install a four-foot-tall transparent wood picket fence at the front yard.

The applicants are here in person to discuss her case.

Um, if you would like to go ahead and introduce yourself, you'll have 12 minutes to uh walk the commissioners for your request.

Yes, uh, my name is William Canela, owner of 1211 South Alamo.

Yes, uh, my name is William Canela, owner of 1211 South Alamo, and uh we are okay with all of the sizes of and of the of the fences.

What we're here to request is that if we could go ahead and place the driveway gate uh along the front of the porch.

And the reason for that, there's there's several reasons.

Uh there's been some people that go into the yard to relieve themselves and to forgive me, but vomit this is past week.

Uh there's a uh food cart or coffee shart on the other side of the fence that sells coffee.

The people little cigarette butts uh onto the yard.

We are going to put that little fence along the sidewalk.

Uh the only request that we're here for is that we if we could place the driveway gate right along the front of the porch.

And the reason for that also is that the house next door is a two-story home with the top being Airbnb and the bottom tenants, they have tenants there.

I don't know if they have a six-month lease or uh twelve-month lease, but but there's tenants at the bottom.

And they have a narrow driveway, and when you go in into that Airbnb, in the back, there's four parking spaces.

The thing is that the last car that parks in that driveway does not allow the other ones to come out.

So they start parking on our property.

And and and so by allowing us to put that we want to put a sliding gate.

We it won't be able to slide right now because it'll hit the the side of the house, but if we put it right along the front of the porch, it'll allow it to slide right along the the front porch.

Um the the other issue is that there's people from birria, there's a new business there.

They also want to use the length of the driveway to park there to either buy virria or coffee.

Uh during uh First Friday, it's also an issue.

They used the driveway for parking.

So by having the gate closer to the street, it would keep them from parking there.

Uh also when you're driving in, uh, both of us, my wife and I, there's two cars driving in.

If we if we have an automatic gate, you press on the on the control, the gate opens, and you drive in.

And the speeding cars don't have to come to a halt and start honking at us.

In other words, it would allow us to drive in there faster.

Uh right now there are some houses in that same street that have gates right along the uh line of the sidewalk.

And that's basically all we're requesting.

Oh, and the the fence on the right side of as you're facing the house.

Uh we we also want respectfully requesting that we place it along the front line of the uh porch, because what happens is when people see that the fence is gonna be further back, they they're gonna want to use that area to relieve themselves and throw cigarette butts and stuff like that.

Uh you might say, well, you're gonna have a fence in the front, and if but it's gonna be a low uh fence that they can still jump.

So we basically we're here to respectfully request that we put both fences along the front of the porch.

Okay.

So that's it.

Okay, great.

Uh we'll open it up to questions now for my colleagues.

Um really quick quick, Brian.

So looking at the pictures here, he uh the gentleman mentioned wanting to install a install a vehicular gate and gate fixed gate on either side of the structure in front and the front facade wall plane.

Can you in this picture where so the taller fencing and gate would come up to the front porch essentially of the home?

And so we're proposing that it be set back to be in line with the actual front wall plane and not the porch.

Yeah.

So that's the issue is those stipulations.

So that column would be where the as proposed where the fence hits.

And we're saying that it needs to be behind that second column.

Yeah.

Oh, okay.

It needs to be moved back.

Okay.

Okay.

And then the six-foot tall fence at the southeast corner of the lot.

Can you show that?

Oh, you want a six foot in the Yeah, so just to clarify the the applicant, so the front wall plane is the section of the wall that has like the windows and doors.

So the applicants requesting to install the fencing to be in line with the very front of the porch, which is not um uh not recommended by guidelines in the fence policy document.

Um so that's leading staff's uh recommendation to install the gate and fencing to be behind that front wall plane.

Okay.

Thank you for the clarification.

Um I'll open it up to questions from my colleagues again.

Uh anyone on the left here?

Chris?

No.

On my right.

Um it doesn't look like the house is occupied at the moment.

Is it a house you've been living in?

It's it's occupied now.

It is there's so there's plywood over the windows or no, there's no there's no plywood over the windows.

It's they're off and it's being um and has it been occupied for a long time or it it it wasn't occupied for a while, uh but now it is.

And okay.

Um I just think that oftentimes what happens is if a house sits vacant, then the people or uh the activities happening around it tend to spill over into it if there's nobody there to stop them.

So the the people who live there now, I don't know if that's you or if you rented, but whoever lives there now, those those activities are still occurring even though there are people in this home.

Yes.

Yes, it's it continues to because uh it's next to a coffee shop.

Uh it's next to a birya on first Friday.

It's it it just continues.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

I did want to show you uh this is what it looks like now, yeah.

It looks she can't.

Okay, not quite the boarded house that's real pretty right now.

Yeah, it's got beautiful flowers and um uh we can see it from far, but it's yeah, now I can see it.

Yeah.

Okay.

Any other questions?

And oh may I see something?

Yes, ma'am, go ahead.

Please introduce yourself.

So just even recently uh with this house, we had some stuff stolen from the uh porch.

Uh my wreath.

Um just yesterday I was coming in there and there was my my uh house was blocked, and I have I have a picture of the uh vehicle that was there.

Um and she was uh buying coffee uh from next door.

Uh we've had it graffiti before.

Um it was also uh uh we had to call the police.

There was a a person, uh a homeless uh sitting uh laying down right in front of the front door, uh and it wasn't boarded up.

Um so we're we're just uh requesting uh what the real real main reason is when we are driving in or coming out of the driveway.

Um so we're we're just requesting uh what the real real main reason is when we are driving in or coming out of the driveway, that intersection is so busy, and I'm talking right now to uh the higher the people in charge of that street to put maybe bumps because they fly, they drive really fast.

Um they have no mercy for anybody living in that neighborhood as we are trying to pull out and pull in.

So we uh at best case is the security of the the property versus and also when we are pulling in, as you can see that street right there.

We want to be able to open up the gates so that we can zoom into our driveway because that's the most they are going to allow us the the other vehicles will respect us enough to let us pull in or let us pull out.

Ma'am, don't you uh just move the vehicular gate back the it looks like it's maybe four or five feet back?

That might help you like be able to it's a barrier.

I mean, uh if anything, it'll they'll maybe um let people know that it's private property.

I don't know.

I mean you can if you can go back to that picture.

But you're wanting it along the first column and staff is recommending that it goes behind the second column.

First column.

Because it's it's the front one, not the back one.

But that would buy you more time.

So like if you have the gate behind that back column, uh that would actually allow you to pull into the driveway quicker and then allow you to open the gate versus having to wait in the street or halfway in the street uh in have possibly a car or mad person, whatever um honking at you versus the gate being behind that column along the house, that would allow you to fully pull in and then uh allow your gate to open and then you can pull in.

Do you get what I'm saying?

No.

She's saying that since the fence is further back.

Since it's further back, you can just pull right in versus waiting, just get off the street immediately.

Well, I think I wait longer on the on the uh left signal than I would park it and then letting the gate open.

While I am waiting, I could open the gate, let it clear, so I can zoom in.

That's how fast the cars are going.

That's how fast right now, see this the amount of space uh allows the people next door to park there.

Actually, there's two cars that park there without permission a lot of times.

Plus the windows right there right behind the the windows on the on the left right where you want the fence, they've approached that's where the um electrical boxes are.

They've been removed, cut the um ATT, and they've graffited right there on that side.

It turned off the lights one time.

They were they were the controls are right, the all the controls are right.

The power box, yeah.

In other words, the the if we put the fence over here where we're requesting, they don't have a reach to the um say you're trying to protect also the everything.

The power box.

Yes.

And and the meters or whatever they are, the breaker box.

Any additional questions?

Oh, go ahead.

The house, one more comment.

Go ahead.

The house to the left of that black one has a sliding fence right along the sidewalk.

Uh huh.

It's a backward house, we call it, because they turned it all the way around to have the backyard in front of Alamo.

So you have two go you have two garage entrances there, and this this the opening gate is right on the sidewalk.

Okay, thank you.

I'll let my colleague speak now.

Thank you.

Uh just a quick comment on the uh fence.

Um sometimes uh a six-foot privacy fence type uh is could be counterproductive.

Uh uh see the staff is recommending a uh four-foot picket fence, uh wooden, just to outline um the security.

Uh I and I say that because I've seen it before.

It kind of uh outlines uh a boundary where you can see them and they can see you, and it tells people that are parking, hey, this belongs to this property.

Uh and so just just something to think about as far as the fencing in the front yard goes.

That driveway area right there of a four-foot fence might not be ideal that you want, you know, uh, but uh it will help uh with you know uh respecting the boundary lines.

It should it shows uh uh uh an area that that needs to be adhered to.

That fence that we're requesting uh is a wrought iron fence.

The the one in the front is uh the four-inch every other four-foot, every other wooden fence would be the the little one in the front.

The picket fence, yeah, picket's very front.

Yeah, along the sidewalk.

And then this one would be a wrought iron.

Okay.

Go ahead, Chris.

So I think that helped answer part of my question because I was looking at the the chart, and on the on the left side, on one hand you have the purple X's, which looks like they would be wooden privacy, but it sounds like instead that's going to be a four-foot wrought iron, you said.

Not four foot.

Uh is it four football?

The sliding gate, what what do you allow on the sliding gates up to five feet?

Um where it's presently located, it would be considered the front yard, so the the max height would be four feet unless approved otherwise by the commission.

So we're we're requesting the uh to match the same as the neighbor um next door.

Next door feel showed the uh Can you show that one again, Brian?

Yeah, and I I can do that.

And also to um if you're trying to match the height here on this fence to kind of continue up here to this way.

Um, to be honest, you're gonna have a hard time getting a permit for that.

Uh the reason why this fence is likely had stopped here is because it's considered a rear fence.

But if you were to extend it any further, it'd be considered a front yard fence and the development services limits, solid wood-paneled fences to three feet in height for the front.

Um again, if you were wanting to do a uh open wood picket fence like what you're requesting for the front yard, that could be appropriate.

Um, but it would need to be stepped down or it would need to transition down.

Um it could not be six feet all the way through to the concrete curb.

I don't know.

Okay.

For clarification on that point, I I I think it um I don't know if you've uh been part of the site visit, but it looks like the fence that was installed on the house to the left ends at the front facade of that house, is that right?

It ends the front porch.

It ends in the front.

It ends on the front porch.

There it ends in the front porch.

Okay.

Uh questions from my colleague on the right.

I don't have any questions.

Comments.

Um I yes, I do have a comment, and that is while I can really empathize with your situation.

I am familiar with that particular uh corner on Wix and what's across the street, even when it used to be a gas station.

And and so it is an extremely busy and I think an extremely kind of transient um area of uh the King William neighborhood, and that's why you're having to deal with a lot of the problems that you're having to deal with.

Um so while you have my sympathy, there are still historic guidelines that you know the the residences um need to follow in regard to this idea that the fence needs to end or start, however you want to look at it, um, at the front plane of the house, I think is important um for a variety of reasons.

And I know for use securities Paramount, but from the standpoint of being in a historic district where it's about maintaining the character of um, you know, the majority of the homes in the area, and of course, people get away with stuff all the time, and you're going through the proper channels, and I appreciate that.

So because of that um I will um I'd like to make a motion to support Staff's recommendation.

Let me make sure there's no other comments.

Yeah.

None of the one comment um the house that you referred to further down I think it may be at 1220 South Alamo it's hard to tell from the street view.

But it appears their gate is actually not a sliding gate but maybe a hinge gate and I'm wondering if you've considered a a hinged gate that could be automated and that way you could still have the automated function on your driveway to open it before or after you pull in or out and not have to put it at the very front because of the sliding feature.

We understand that what you're saying is just that the the issue is the next door Airbnb.

They they keep we get there almost on every other day they're parked there either one or two cars and we have to wait till we find them.

We have to ring the doorbell to find them to have a move while we're driving around.

And on first Friday you can guarantee they're parked there or they even have lawn chairs right there by the by the meters.

We're we're in a different era where we have to lock our doors we have to look out for our security for our the love of our children and our in our family and it's not it's not like it used to be where you didn't have to have a gate.

This past uh or not this past but one King William Friday the there was a car parked in there with launchers in front of the car and the kids trying to climb the porch and and you know we were afraid we were afraid to approach those people about that because they they didn't look very friendly.

We told them to please move and they didn't do it right away.

It's not that we have changed it's that the world has changed and what it was back then is not today.

So even if we do continue to live in the King Williams it is up to us to continue all of us to continue to try and make this a better world unfortunately we have to have a fortress I I think um back to your uh your fence on the left side um I would mention staff uh and the vice chair can correct me if I'm wrong there would still be um willingness to approve a fence up to the the sidewalk there as long as it uh whether it's wrought iron or some other appropriate material as long as it meets the for the four foot height you wouldn't have to go through a special permit and that should at least give you a little more security on that side plus keep the the the people on the left side even if it's lower and wrought iron and you can see through it but it would allow uh security so that people won't won't go in there at all.

If I'm right I believe the motion under discussion would would permit that am I is that correct?

That that is my reading of it is that the approval is to install four foot tall transparent at the front yard which were is anything in front of the front facade.

And so that's what they were saying is that that's that you couldn't match that six foot height on the house on the you know to the fence between you and the Airbnb but you could still put in a fence that demarcates the property line and you could still do I I do understand the power box thing.

I can see where your power box is I think even if the fence goes up to the front of the porch if you're saying people are are going up on your porch and taking your wreaths they're still going to have that same access whether your fence is in front or behind that and then you would still be able to put it in the front.

I I think you would be able to achieve the things that you're concerned about which primarily seem like you need people to know that this is your property and that it's in use but it looks like maybe for a while it just wasn't and so I also am familiar with that area you know and it's a complicated area to live in I'm sure but I think the demarcation is gonna is going to get you where you're trying to go as much as can be allowed within the guidelines.

I think though you know it's not exactly what you're asking for but I think it's gonna it's gonna give you what you're looking for.

And the house was there, you know, before we had a coffee shop, and where there's you know, who allowed all that, I don't know.

But would I live in there?

The house has been there since the 40s.

Have you how long have you guys been how long have you guys owned it or been living there?

It was my brothers.

Uh in the 1998 he bought.

And so we're familiar with uh the service station, but it wasn't as hectic as it is now.

Things are got getting really, really bad.

It's it's really a real bad neighborhood.

Um I bought it for my brother when he died, uh, which is uh two, three months ago.

And so we're we're now getting the permits, the proper permits and doing the proper thing.

Uh great.

Thank you, ma'am.

Uh we'll wrap up and move to uh a motion, please.

I get a motion.

Would you please restate it?

We were still in uh uh comments.

I'd like to make a motion to support staff's recommendations.

Is there a second?

Uh second.

Thank you.

Can have a roll call, please.

Davis.

Aye.

Garcia?

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Fullerton.

I.

And Vasquez.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

Please work with uh our OHP representatives on next steps.

Next steps.

It won't email you on Monday with next steps.

Um, are we going back to the uh yes, we are.

Commissioners, we're gonna revisit uh item number five.

Um just so that that's uh in everyone's minds.

I'm gonna reread it into the record.

Um I've been back and forth via email with the applicant um and the applicant uh for whatever reason said that he didn't know that he needed to be here.

Um I've given him the virtual option, uh, but I think he's probably busy with with something else.

Uh he did ask, though, for the the board to give feedback and weigh in on this request.

Uh so this is agenda item number um number five, HDRC case number 2026 104, 1518 West Rosewood.

The applicant is requesting a certificate of appropriateness for approval to perform landscaping work within the front and side yard at 1518 West Rosewood.

Within this request, the applicant has proposed the following scopes of work.

One, the installation of planning beds around the perimeter of the front yard to feature brick edging and various ground cover and shrubs, two the installation of a brick paved patio at the east side of the front yard in front of the front facade, and three to replace the existing concrete porch steps uh with brick steps and replace the existing front walkway with the brick front walkway.

Uh we need to stop.

We've we've lost quorum momentarily.

Oh geez.

All right.

Yeah, and actually then I'm out almost again.

Oh gosh, okay.

Um I'll uh just announce um for the record uh that um we have currently lost quorum, but we'll take a break for five minutes and resume at 1040.

Thank you.

Um Mr.

Chair, you you could make the decision if you want to start now or if you want to wait.

Okay.

Thank you.

Um reread the request into the record.

Uh the recommendations staff recommends approval of items one and two based on findings A through C with the following stipulations.

One that edging and landscaping elements should not impede upon the public right-of-way at any time.

Two that the patio be installed in a manner that does not facilitate water drainage toward the historic structures foundation.

Uh for item number three, staff does not recommend approval of item three concrete steps and walkway replacement based on findings D and E.

Staff recommends both original concrete elements be maintained.

Should they require repair?

Uh repair should be done consistently with the guidelines.

Uh so commissioners, as I noted, um the applicant's not here, not able to attend, uh, but did ask for uh the the commission to weigh in on this.

Um so um as you can see here, um this is generally currently what exists on site.

Um there is uh here's a photo.

Uh and then I'll go to their proposed site plan and I'll just explain uh so everything with the exception of generally what's shown here in this blue box staff is recommending approval of.

Uh the guidelines note that historic porch elements shouldn't be removed or covered.

Uh likewise the guidelines for site elements note that historic paving walkways should be preserved in place.

Um if either those elements are beyond repair, uh then they can be repaired in kind or replaced in kind.

Uh so um commissioners, if there's any questions that you have for staff, I can take those now or y'all can discuss.

Since there's nobody to question, um do y'all have any questions for our staff members?

And I do have a question.

Go ahead.

Um are there other pictures?

I seem to just have a gray screen for or is it just these two?

No, it didn't come up.

Um there should be multiple photos.

If you if if you can look on the um I it may just be a technology issue at at your station.

Um if you look to the the large screen, um you'll see uh here's uh photos of the front yard, the current condition.

Uh so here's the original sidewalk.

Um the construction period of these houses, the development pattern, uh the concrete porch is is likely original as it is on most of the houses here.

Um it's not the case where in some locations you have wood that's in that was then replaced by concrete.

Uh so here's another photo from the opposite side of the front yard.

A third photo.

And this is a photo from across the street that gives you a general idea of the entire context of the front yard.

Uh and then I'll land back here on the proposed site plan.

So um all of the brick paving that you see that's not associated with the front walkway, staff is recommending approval of staffers recommending approval of the landscaping borders, staff is recommending approval of the proposed plantings, uh, everything but the brick walkway and the covering and replacement of the the front porch with brick.

Thank you.

Is that in question?

Comments.

Great.

Let's move to uh motion, please.

I'd like to make a motion to support staff's recommendations.

I second it.

Thank you.

Can I have a roll call, please?

Davis.

Aye.

Garcia.

Aye.

Spiller.

Aye.

Fullerton.

Aye.

Pollock?

I and Vasquez.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Thank you.

We are commissioners.

We are adjourned.

Thank you.