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Board approves demolition of fire‑damaged residence at 3511 El Paso St.
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Summary
The Building Standards Board voted 5-0 to demolish a fire-damaged home at 3511 El Paso Street after staff documented extensive smoke and structural damage; the owner was present and said he prefers to demolish and reuse the foundation for a new house.
The San Antonio Building Standards Board voted unanimously Thursday to order demolition of the property at 3511 El Paso Street within 30 days after staff described significant fire, smoke and structural damage.
Bergarian Bledsoe, dangerous premises officer, presented photos showing missing exterior walls, charred studs, detached and missing ceiling decking and smoke-damaged interior finishes. Bledsoe said no scope of work, proof of funds, letter of credit, engineer's report or active permits were on file as of the June 5 hearing and recommended demolition under City Code Article 8, Chapter 6.
Owner José Castro appeared and told the board he had completed foundation work and said he planned to demolish the burned portion and preserve the foundation for a new house. "Since I already did the foundation, I think the best way to go is to demolish the house, demo the house, and just trying to save the foundation and make a new house," Castro said.
Boardmember Robert Behnke moved to declare the property a public nuisance and order demolition within 30 days; the motion, seconded by boardmember Robert Tapia, passed on a recorded 5-0 vote. The order required the property be cleared of trash and debris and reiterated owners’ appeal rights under the code.
Staff noted the structure is a single‑story residence built in 1942 and that it is within 1,000 feet of Advanced San Antonio Child Development Center; staff also reported prior permits for foundation work and a reroof that had not been completed. The board's order sets a 30‑day timeline for demolition or documented progress consistent with the order.
