Historic Design Review Commission approves minutes and multiple certificates of appropriateness; several items approved on consent

The Historic Design Review Commission on June 18, 2025, approved the June 4 meeting minutes, approved multiple cases on the consent agenda, and completed votes on pulled items 4 and 6. A voicemail in support of 241 East French Place was received and read into the record during public comment.

Approval of minutes and consent items The commission voted to approve the June 4, 2025, meeting minutes. During the meeting the commission also approved the balance of the consent agenda (excluding items 2, 4 and 6) with staff stipulations. The staff noted that certificates of appropriateness or commission action letters will be prepared and emailed to applicants within 10 days; applicants do not need to stay for the remainder of the hearing if their case was approved from consent.

Cases approved on consent The staff announced the consent cases that were approved: 1118 West French Place; 1602 Broadway; 348 Thomas Jefferson; 511 Labor Commons; 502 Madison; 241 East French Place; and 222 King William. A voicemail from Kate Rogers, a neighbor at 1 French Court, was played in support of 241 East French Place; Rogers said she admired the original home and appreciated the applicant working with a historically sensitive architect.

Pulled items and committee actions Item 4: Commissioners asked staff whether the applicant agreed to separate a proposed carport from the house; staff confirmed the applicant agreed and the commission approved item 4 with staff stipulations.

Item 6: Commissioners asked whether the neighborhood association or immediate neighbors had met with the applicant. Edward Hernandez, the project architect, said he had communicated with Jane Henry and addressed her concerns. The commission approved item 6 with staff stipulations.

Item 2: The San Antonio Zoo coral lab design (item 2) was pulled from consent for discussion and ultimately referred to the Design Review Committee for further review of rooftop equipment screening and parapet detailing (see separate article).

Votes at a glance (recorded roll call votes reported in meeting transcript) - Approval of minutes (06/04/2025): Recorded roll call indicated unanimous approval; votes recorded as Mammon (yes), Savino Velasquez (yes), Galloway (yes), Mazuka (yes), Groop (yes), Cervantes (yes), Holland (yes), Fetzer (yes), Jay Maurice Gibbs (yes). - Consent approvals (balance of consent excluding items 2, 4, 6): Motion passed by roll call; recorded ayes by the same commission roster. - Item 4 (carport separated from house): Approved with staff stipulations; recorded as unanimous. - Item 6 (applicant neighborhood outreach confirmed): Approved with staff stipulations; recorded as unanimous.

What this means Approved consent items will receive certificates of appropriateness or commission action letters from the Office of Historic Reservation and applicants must obtain any required city permits before beginning work. Where applicants and staff agreed to stipulations (for example separating a carport from a house), that compliance will be reflected in the certificate of appropriateness and permit conditions.

The commission adjourned after completing the agenda.