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Board orders demolition of former tire shop at 5522 Gavilan Drive amid asbestos, permit questions
Summary
The Building Standards Board ordered demolition of structures at 5522 Gavilan Drive (aka 5642/5647 Old Pearsall Road) within 30 days; the owner said an active demolition permit exists but state asbestos rules are affecting timing.
The San Antonio Building Standards Board voted 5-0 to order demolition of structures at 5522 Gavilan Drive (also cited as 5642/5647 Old Pearsall Road) within 30 days after staff presented photos of a partially collapsed commercial building and detached accessory structure.
Jaime Hassell, dangerous premises officer, told the board the main building and accessory structure have collapsed or partially collapsed roof members, exposed and rotted wood and missing siding; staff said a demolition permit is active but no scope of work, proof of funds, letter of credit or engineer’s report had been provided as of the hearing. The property was described as formerly a tire repair shop and is located within about 1,000 feet of Idea Brackenridge Elementary School, staff said.
Owner René Salazar told the board he obtained permits and a demolition contractor, and that an asbestos report came back positive; he said the state is requiring asbestos abatement and has limited the contractor’s ability to proceed. "The asbestos report came positive," Salazar said, and he described efforts to obtain required abatement before demolition.
Board discussion included clarification that the staff's condition list incorrectly labeled building identifiers (staff corrected "Building 2" in the record) and confirmation that utilities had been disconnected. Legal counsel reminded the board to focus the hearing on whether the property is a dangerous structure; the board's order did so and directed demolition within 30 days.
Boardmember (name not specified in the record) moved to declare the property a public nuisance and to order demolition within 30 days; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0 after a friendly amendment to correct the building designation in the record. Staff told the owner he could coordinate next steps with his code officer.
The owner asked the board about emergency demolition to bypass state asbestos requirements; legal cautioned that emergency-demolition claims are sometimes used tactically and that asbestos and deconstruction/abatement requirements remain subject to state rules. The board's action requires demolition and removal of debris but does not waive state asbestos rules.
