San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission Meeting - July 15, 2026

The Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) met on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, chaired by J. Maurice Gibbs. Members present included Savino, Velasquez, Galloway, Mazuka, Guevara, Group, Holland, Fetzer, and Gibbs. The commission addressed a consent calendar and several pulled items, including VIA infrastructure, signage, new home construction, and site plans.

Consent Calendar

• The July 1, 2026 meeting minutes were unanimously approved.
• Items on the consent agenda (including addresses on North Main Avenue, Delaware, Thrain, Mary Louise, Divine, and Bustillos) were approved with staff stipulations, minus items 3, 4, 8, and 9, which were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bianca Maldonado (President, Monticello Park Neighborhood Association) spoke on several consent agenda items:
  • 110 Mary Louise: Expressed full support for the historic tax credit application, requesting a no-trespass affidavit be filed with SAPD due to issues with vagrants and overflowing dumpsters (which were 6 feet tall and servicing 4,000+ bus patrons at a nearby VIA stop).
  • 8302 North: Spoke in opposition to the incomplete pergola application, citing missing photos, dimensions, and massing comparisons. Recommended a continuance.
  • 415 Fur Drive: Expressed support for the carport project, requesting a stipulation for a gutter on the eastern elevation to prevent adverse drainage effects on the adjacent property.
• Ryan Reed (Chair, Monte Vista Historical Association Architectural Review Committee) opposed the conceptual site plan at 103 East Mulberry, stating it conflicted with guidelines for setbacks and orientation, and confirmed scheduled discussions with the applicant.

Discussion Items

• Item 3: VIA Green Line Cabinets: Christine Via (VIA Metropolitan Transit) presented revised plans for electrical/communications cabinets at transit stations. Downtown cabinets were reduced from 6'4" to 4'6" in height and relocated away from curb lines and pedestrian paths. The commission approved the request with stipulations for paint color and archaeology.
• Item 4: 1841 East Houston (Convos Tacos): Owner Matthew Rodriguez presented plans for a restaurant. Staff deemed the corrugated roof appropriate. The commission added stipulations for natural-colored gravel (instead of black) and screening for trash receptacles.
• Item 8: 302 North (Pergola/Gazebo): Property owner Grace Pedrosa discussed her application. Commissioners debated gable vs. flat roof aesthetics relative to the existing hip-roofed house. The application received conceptual approval with stipulations to provide detailed line drawings, elevations, and structural dimensions.
• Item 9: 415 Fur Drive (Carport): With the applicant absent, the commission discussed adding a gutter on the east side to control runoff, as requested by the neighborhood. The motion included a stipulation for an accurately dimensioned site plan.
• Item 11: 932 Burnett (Accessory Structure): The applicant agreed to all staff stipulations for a 1,725 sq ft rear accessory structure. The commission debated facade proportions, fenestration, and massing. Conceptual approval was granted with staff stipulations, encouraging a Design Review Committee (DRC) meeting.
• Item 12: 2018 San Pedro (Restaurant Signage): Applicant Ricky Ortiz sought approval for three signs. Item 1 (reface pole sign) was approved. Item 2 (drive-through sign) was denied. A heated debate occurred over Item 3 (wall sign). The applicant desired an internally illuminated front-lit logo sign, while staff recommended halo-lit/backlit letters. An amended motion approving the wall sign with indirect (halo) lighting and aluminum faces carried over the applicant's initial request.
• Item 13: 103 East Mulberry (Subdivision/New Construction): Robert (applicant) requested conceptual approval of a site plan to subdivide a corner lot into three parcels. Staff did not recommend approval. The commission echoed neighborhood concerns, citing the proposed setbacks and orientation as incompatible with historic guidelines. The case was continued to August 5, 2026, with a referral to the DRC and a directive to meet with the neighborhood.
• Item 14: 353 Quinton Drive (New Construction): Applicant Fernando Leon agreed to conceptual approval with staff stipulations. Bianca Maldonado (MPNA) offered 11 detailed design comments focusing on roof pitch, porch prominence, garage subordination, and traditional detailing. The commission granted conceptual approval with all staff stipulations, urging collaboration with the neighborhood before final approval.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Items: Approved unanimously.
• Item 3 (VIA Cabinets): Approved unanimously with late drawings and stipulations.
• Item 4 (1841 East Houston): Approved (8-0-1, Galloway abstaining) with added stipulations for gravel color and trash screening.
• Item 8 (302 North Pergola): Conceptual approval granted (unanimous) requiring detailed elevation drawings.
• Item 9 (415 Fur Drive Carport): Approved (unanimous) with added stipulations for a gutter and dimensioned site plan.
• Item 11 (932 Burnett Accessory Structure): Waiver accepted, conceptual approval granted (unanimous) with staff stipulations.
• Item 12 (2018 San Pedro Signage): Pole sign reface approved, drive-thru sign denied, wall sign approved with halo-lit/backlit illumination (unanimous).
• Item 13 (103 East Mulberry): Continued to August 5, 2026 (unanimous) for neighborhood consultation and DRC review.
• Item 14 (353 Quinton Drive): Conceptual approval granted (unanimous) with staff stipulations.