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Neighbors urge demolition; San Antonio board orders removal of dilapidated house at 10466 Countryhorn
Summary
After residents and staff debated repair versus demolition, the Building Standards Board ordered demolition of the long-vacant house at 10466 Countryhorn and voted to cut utilities and remove debris within 30 days.
The City of San Antonio Building Standards Board voted unanimously April 3, 2025, to demolish the deteriorated house at 10466 Countryhorn within 30 days and to cut utilities, despite staff's recommendation for repair.
Dangerous premises officer Bergarian Bledsoe presented photographs taken March 27, 2025, showing a single-story main residence with large holes in the roof, missing and deteriorated siding, collapsed drywall and insulation across interior floors, a spongy loft area and water damage; he recommended repair rather than demolition because the owner had told staff he intended to repair the property but lacked funds. Bledsoe said the first inspection was conducted Sept. 27, 2023, notices were mailed and posted and no permits or scopes of work were on file as of the hearing.
Multiple neighbors testified in favor of demolition, citing persistent graffiti, vagrancy, animal and vermin activity, a hole in the roof that has existed for many years, a broken back fence that opens to a greenbelt used by children, and proximity to middle- and elementary-school walking routes and bus stops. Neighbors supplied emails and signatures and described repeated 311 reports.
Despite staff’s initial repair recommendation, board member Robert Binky moved to order demolition; the chair’s friendly amendment to include cutting off all utilities was accepted. The motion passed 6-0. The board directed that the site be secured and cleared of trash and debris within 30 days.
Bledsoe told the board he had referred the owner to neighborhood housing programs and had attempted multiple contacts by phone; the owner advised staff he wanted to repair but had not followed through with appointments and did not appear at the hearing. Several public commenters and emailed statements emphasized the structure’s long history of complaints dating back several years in city records and urged removal for neighborhood safety.
The board’s action supersedes the staff repair recommendation and sets a 30‑day timetable for demolition and site securing; Development Services will oversee abatement coordination if the owner fails to comply.
