San Antonio City Board of Adjustment Meeting - July 9, 2026

This meeting of the Board of Adjustment for the City of San Antonio convened at 9:03 AM on July 9, 2026. The board considered five properties for demolition or repair under Chapter 6, Article 8 of the city code. Four properties were located in District 2 and one in District 1. The board also approved the minutes of the June 11, 2026 meeting and received a staff demolition report.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the June 11, 2026 minutes (motion by, seconded; passed 4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Federica Karchner submitted a written comment on July 8, 2026 regarding 1918 McCullough Avenue, stating that the building has stood for three-quarters of a century and should be maintained rather than demolished.
• Lisa Bustos (granddaughter of the owner of 212 Gofford Drive) submitted an email on July 8, 2026 requesting a continuance. She stated she lives out of state for temporary work, is seeking a contractor (quote of $7,500 received for the accessory structure), and is in the process of transferring property ownership. She was unavailable to appear before August 26, 2026.

Discussion Items

Staff Report – Demolition Update

• Kathy Rodriguez, Development Services Administrator, reported one emergency demolition in District 2 at 5407 Gwendolyn. The vacant accessory structure was destroyed by fire in June 2026 and subsequently cleared.

829 West Hutchins Place (District 2)

• Officer Crystal Torn presented the case as a third appearance. A 90-day repair order was issued in March 2025 for both main and accessory structures. In September 2025, the board ordered demolition of the accessory structure only. The main structure remained unrepaired and is now vacant. The property is within 1,000 feet of a school (McCallum) and heavy traffic area. The structure lacks water and electricity, has roof collapses, water damage, and unpermitted repairs.
• A San Antonio police officer testified to ongoing suspicious activity, vagrants, and drug use at the property, posing a public safety risk.
• The owner was not present. The board found the property a public nuisance, not repairable, and ordered demolition within 30 days, and that the owner pay all past and future mitigation costs. Motion passed 4-0. (Vote: Joel Solis yes, George Grimes Jr. yes, Jamie Little yes, Fred Andes yes; Jeffy Batierra abstained.)

826 Peggy Drive (District 2)

• Officer Cynthia Santana presented the case as a first appearance. The property is a single-family home built in 1940 (2,200 sq ft). The owner is John A. Biela (deceased), and his son John Biela II appeared as executor. The structure has extensive damage: roof missing tiles, broken windows, foundation cracks, interior ceiling collapses, and vegetation intrusion. The city has performed four mitigations since 2022 at a total cost of $893.
• John Biela II requested a continuance to obtain contractor bids, an engineer report, and financial proof. He stated he plans to renovate and sell the property. Board members questioned why no action was taken since he became executor in 2013-2014.
• Motion to reschedule for 30 days passed 4-0, with one abstention (Jeffy Batierra abstained; other four voted yes). The board ordered that the owner provide the required documents (scope of work, financial proof, engineer report) by the next hearing.

511 Yellow Wood Drive (District 2)

• Officer Cynthia Santana presented the case as a first appearance. The owner is Ana E. Moore. The structure is a 1,200 sq ft home built in 1960. It has severe damage: roof separation from walls, broken windows, interior walls missing, exposed wiring, and evidence of squatters. The city has performed four mitigations since 2022 at a cost of $447. The owner is reportedly in a nursing home. The property is not within 1,000 feet of a school.
• Motion to demolish within 30 days and require the owner to pay past and future mitigation costs passed 5-0.

1918 McCullough Avenue (District 1)

• Officer Hassan Alazawi presented the case as a second appearance. The property is a commercial building (tire repair shop) built in 1942. A previous hearing occurred on April 9, 2026. The owner, Herbert Lawrence Polinard, was not present. An engineer report was provided in April but no follow-up repairs or permits were obtained. The building has foundation and roof issues, cracks, and interior damage. A current certificate of occupancy exists, but the fire department has concerns. The board discussed whether the structure is unsafe for occupancy.
• A public comment from Federica Karchner was read (opposing demolition due to the building's age).
• Motion to demolish within 30 days, vacate, disconnect utilities, clear debris, and revoke the certificate of occupancy (as a recommendation) passed 5-0.

212 Gofford Drive (District 10)

• Officer Stephanie Sánchez presented the case as a rescheduled hearing. The property is a single-family home owned by Lorenzo and Anselmo Bustos. The owner is deceased; granddaughter Lisa Bustos is handling the property. A previous repair order was issued for the main structure and demolition for the accessory structure (which has not been executed). The structure has roof holes, brick separation, interior debris, and foundation damage. Lisa Bustos was not present but sent an email requesting a continuance, stating she is out of state for work and is obtaining a contractor.
• Motion to allow repair within 30 days, secure and clean the property, provide required documents (scope of work, financial proof), obtain permits, and report progress every 15 days passed 5-0. The board noted that if progress isn't made, the case may return with a demolition recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• 829 West Hutchins Place: Demolition ordered (4-0, one abstention).
• 826 Peggy Drive: Rescheduled for 30 days (4-0, one abstention).
• 511 Yellow Wood Drive: Demolition ordered (5-0).
• 1918 McCullough Avenue: Demolition ordered, certificate of occupancy recommended for revocation (5-0).
• 212 Gofford Drive: Repair ordered within 30 days with documentation requirements (5-0).
• The meeting adjourned after completing the agenda.