The City of San Antonio’s Technical and Compliance Advisory Board on Oct. 17 approved the use of fiber‑cement siding with a smooth face for repair work at 1008 North Mezquit, while urging the owners to coordinate closely with historic‑preservation staff before final installation.

The board voted unanimously to accept staff recommendations after hearing from Bran Gaitán, who said the house is a family property dating to the 1930s and that decay had left portions of the exterior sheathing rotten. Gaitán told the board the family does not have funds to fully restore original materials and is trying to match the existing exterior as economically as possible.

The board’s recommendation accepts a cement‑board option (often marketed as Hardie board) with the condition that the visible face be the smooth profile recommended by staff so the repaired area does not read as a falsified historic surface. Commissioners said they were sensitive to the family’s circumstances but noted that preserving or accurately matching historic profiles is central to district guidelines.

A staff member explained that the office’s recommendation is based on observed conditions beneath the existing cladding and the need to examine exposed substrate where removed; staff noted the applicant had not responded to all outreach attempts before the meeting. The board heard from a caller representing the neighborhood historic group who supported the staff recommendation to restore wood siding to match the original profile where feasible.

Commissioners framed the decision as a compromise: allow a more affordable, durable product for the areas requiring replacement while preserving intact original siding where it remains. Board President Juanita Sepúlveda and Vice President Jason Vázquez joined a unanimous roll call approving the motion.

The board directed the applicants to work with the Office of Historic Preservation staff on final details and said certificates of appropriateness will follow once staff reviews final plans.