San Antonio building board orders three demolitions, resets one case and recommends one repair

The San Antonio Building Standards Board voted Aug. 14 to demolish three properties judged to be dangerous and not feasible to repair, reset one case to allow an owner time to provide documents, and recorded a staff emergency demolition carried out earlier this summer.

Board actions addressed structures the city said posed threats to life, health or property. Staff presented evidence including on-site inspection photos, abatement costs and records of police calls; the board issued orders ranging from a 30-day demolition timeline to a reset to allow an owner to gather documents to support repairs.

1412 Pasadena (Council District 1): Staff presented photos and an inspection report showing severe rot in sill beams, missing or rotted siding, broken windows, exposed and degraded subflooring and an electrical panel that prompted CPS to cut power. Dangerous Premises Officer Crystal Towne said the main structure and a rear accessory structure were occupied and that a generator was in use, causing extensive extension-cord runs that staff described as a fire hazard. Townne (sic) reported no scope-of-work, permits or proof of financial ability had been provided; the city removed about 60 cubic yards of debris from the site during an abatement on July 29, 2025, according to staff, and the abatement cost was recorded as $1,168.

San Antonio Police Department Officer Anthony Pena testified the property had generated repeated calls for service, multiple reports of shots fired and narcotics activity; he said the site was the scene of a fatal shooting in August 2024. Owner Gregory Zertucci attended and told the board he was trying to understand the proceedings and said he had not received some of the notices staff said had been posted or mailed. The board voted 5-0 to find 1412 Pasadena a public nuisance and ordered the property vacated, secured, utilities disconnected and demolished within 30 days (motion by George Grims Jr.; second by Fred Andes). Staff recommended demolition for both the main and accessory structures.

601 South Hackberry (Council District 2): Dangerous Premises Officer Cynthia Santana presented photos showing fire damage, missing siding, charred interior walls and a collapsed ceiling area from a fire on Feb. 7, 2024. Santana said the house had been without water since March 27, 2024, and had no active permits. Angela Jarman, who identified herself as a life‑estate holder for the property, told the board she plans staged repairs and has a contractor scheduled to inspect the house and provide cost estimates. City legal staff confirmed Jarman has a life estate that allows her to obtain permits for repairs. The board voted to reset the case to allow the owner time to provide required documentation and financial/repair plans (motion to reset by Fred Andes; motion seconded; board approved), rather than issue an order at the hearing.

329 South San Gabriel (Council District 5): Staff presented photos showing collapsed roof decking, missing wall sections, failing foundation beams supported by cinder blocks and extensive exposed, weather‑damaged floor joists. The office recommended demolition. A representative said the recorded owner intended to transfer the property to a family member who planned to demolish and rebuild. The board found the property to be a public nuisance and ordered demolition within 30 days (motion by Kayla Miranda; second not specified on record); vote carried unanimously.

1711 East Carson (Council District 2): Staff described a multi‑story structure with extensive water and structural damage, failing balcony supports and a collapsed second‑story balcony floor. The officer said no permitted work had occurred since 1999 and that the city would not send contractors to abate the property due to safety risks. An heir, Erica Smith, testified she and her sister have no interest in keeping the structure and likely will sell the lot. The board voted unanimously to order demolition within 30 days and to ensure utilities were cut (motion by Joel Solis; second by Kayla Miranda).

Emergency demolition and other business: Code Enforcement Manager Jenny Ramirez read into the record that an accessory structure at 202 Amadillo Avenue (Council District 5) was demolished as an emergency on Aug. 6, 2025, after a fire on July 29, 2025; Ramirez told the board that, pursuant to city code (chapter 6‑175), no further action was required by the board. The board also accepted minutes from the July 10 meeting and recorded several member reappointments.

Votes at a glance

- 1412 Pasadena (CD1): Motion that property be vacated, secured, utilities disconnected and demolished within 30 days; mover: George Grims Jr.; second: Fred Andes; vote: 5‑0 to approve. Staff recommended demolition of main and accessory structures. Evidence: DART inspection (3/25/2025), abatement (7/29/2025), photos, CPS power cut noted; abatement cost $1,168; ~60 cubic yards of debris removed.

- 329 South San Gabriel (CD5): Motion to demolish property within 30 days; mover: Kayla Miranda; second: not specified on record; vote: unanimous to approve. Staff recommended demolition after photo and structural inspection showing roof and foundation collapse.

- 1711 East Carson (CD2): Motion to demolish within 30 days and cut utilities; mover: Joel Solis; second: Kayla Miranda; vote: unanimous to approve. Staff recommended demolition citing collapsed balcony, exposed joists and long‑term deterioration.

- 601 South Hackberry (CD2): Motion to reset the case to allow owner to provide documents and repair plans; mover: Fred Andes; second: (record shows support and was accepted); board approved. Staff recommended repair but owner requested time to provide permits, contractor estimate and finances; legal staff confirmed owner has a life estate enabling permitting.

What the board said and what happens next

Board members repeatedly emphasized safety risks when structural members, joists or foundations were exposed or collapsing and noted proximity to schools or youth facilities for some sites. Where the board ordered demolition, staff will process orders and allow the statutory appeal period before city abatement contractors proceed; staff and the board noted owners can pull demolition permits and complete demolition before the city proceeds if they obtain permits and complete the work. Where a case was reset, staff will work with the owner to schedule a return hearing when documentation is ready.

Why this matters: The board's orders are focused on properties the city says pose immediate hazards from structural collapse, fire risk or public‑safety impacts. Board orders set timelines that will determine whether owners or the city undertakes demolition or repairs, and several properties are near schools or community facilities, raising neighbors' safety concerns.

Meeting context: The board convened Aug. 14, 2025, at the Department of Development Services; staff presentations included before-and-after photos, DART inspection reports, abatement costs and police service summaries. Several owners or family representatives attended and testified; motions were unanimous in the demolition cases noted above.