Commissioners approve demolition, boarding and lien for burned property at 27523 Twin Peaks

Bexar County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 authorized the county to abate property at 27523 Twin Peaks Street (Far North Bexar County), including demolition of a partially collapsed, fire‑damaged primary structure, boarding of a secondary structure and removal of debris. The county will pay the abatement contractor and place a lien on the property to recover costs.

Public Works briefing: Art Reinhardt, Director of Public Works, told the court the site covers about five acres. He described two structures: a primary structure of approximately 6,800 square feet (to be demolished) and a secondary structure of about 3,000 square feet (to be boarded). The main structure partially collapsed after a fire in October 2021, and earlier notices of violation and court steps had not resulted in corrective action by the private owners.

Costs and process: Reinhardt presented a contractor quote of approximately $23,000 for abatement. Reinhardt said the county will contract and pay the abatement contractor, then place a lien on the privately owned property so costs are payable if the property is sold. The property remains in private ownership; the county is taking corrective action under its nuisance/abatement authority.

Vote and direction: Commissioners Moody (mover) and Clay Flores (second) brought the motion; it passed on a voice vote. The judge confirmed that Public Works will now manage these nuisance abatement cases and that the county was directed to be aggressive in enforcing abandoned and nuisance properties to protect neighborhoods.

Clarifying notes: Reinhardt said prior compliance steps included notices, court referrals and fines; owners were unresponsive across multiple years and court proceedings. The abatement process, lien placement and subsequent enforcement follow county procedures and the court’s recently amended order for such abatement actions.