Historic and Design Review Commission Meeting - June 17, 2026

The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) convened on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM to consider several items including a street name change, a new mixed-use development, a temporary ramp, and new residential construction. The commission heard staff presentations, discussed design concerns, and voted on recommendations. The meeting was adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the June 3, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously.
• Consent agenda items 4, 5, 6, and 7 were approved unanimously with staff stipulations. These items included addresses at 2484 Gillingham Drive, 741 West Ashby Place, 112 Armor, and 231 Bryan Boulevard.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Street Name Change from Cesar Chavez Boulevard to Durango Boulevard

  • Clayton Wallace (Development Services) presented the proposal, which would rename a 295-address stretch from Southwest 36th Street to South Hackberry Street, affecting 412 property owners and eight neighborhood associations. Estimated cost: $305,200. Community listening sessions were held in April, the Governance Committee recommended proceeding on May 20, and Planning Commission review is scheduled for June 24 with City Council tentatively in August.
  • Commissioner Velasquez spoke against the motion, noting his prior role in naming the street for Cesar Chavez and arguing the change missed an opportunity to honor a Mexican American leader such as Hector P. Garcia or Gus Garcia. He stated the name change should be for a person, not a place name like Durango. He also noted that no one is renaming streets named after Thomas Jefferson or Andrew Jackson.
  • The motion to approve with staff stipulations carried 8–1 (Commissioner Velasquez opposed).

• Item 2 – New Development with Circulation Connector Cladding

  • Staff recommended approval with stipulations, including consideration of alternative materials for the circulation connector cladding to reduce perceived massing. The applicant (Francisco and Aubrey, from Mariside) indicated they were evaluating metal panels or other options and would return to staff.
  • Commissioner Savino raised concerns about massing and requested a protection plan for the adjacent historic Hertzburg clock. The applicant agreed to provide a protection plan and add signage at a new ramp indicating it does not reach the River Walk. The motion was amended to require the material selection for the cladding to return to the commission for final approval. The motion carried unanimously.

• Item 3 – 405 Club Ramp

  • The applicant (Seth Wilcoxon) was not present. Staff noted a temporary ramp had been administratively approved but a permanent ramp requires a public hearing. Commissioner Mazuka moved to postpone the item to the next meeting, which was seconded and carried unanimously. The existing temporary ramp remains in place pending the hearing.

• Item 8 – New Residential Construction at 731 North Paul Meadow

  • The applicant (Octavio Villamontes) proposed two single-family houses on a vacant lot: one facing Burnett Street and one facing North Paul Meadow. Staff recommended approval of the North Paul Meadow structure with stipulations (porch railing, window specifications, tapering profile, mechanical screening) but did not recommend approval of the Burnett Street structure due to massing inconsistency with the historic district. The applicant had reduced frontage to 50 feet and modified the layout to an L-shape.
  • Commissioners discussed window styles, porch railings, massing, and the roof height. Commissioner Grew made a motion for conceptual approval on both structures with all staff stipulations. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioners suggested further work via a Design Review Committee (DRC) to refine details.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Approved 8–1 (recommendation to Planning Commission and City Council).
• Item 2: Approved unanimously with amended stipulation requiring commission review of cladding materials.
• Item 3: Postponed to next meeting (unanimous).
• Item 8: Approved unanimously (conceptual with stipulations) for both structures.
• Consent agenda items 4–7 approved unanimously.
• Certificates of appropriateness and commission action letters will be emailed within 10 days for approved items.