Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Demolition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission OKs demolition at 615 N. School Street after split vote amid neighbor concerns
Summary
The Historic Landmark Commission approved a demolition permit for 615 North School Street by a 3-1 vote amid public concern about out-of-area ownership and unpermitted work on the lot; staff required removal of a chain‑link fence and preservation of healthy heritage trees.
The City of Boerne Historic Landmark Commission approved a demolition permit 3-1 on April 1 for the single-family residence at 615 North School Street, with stipulations that the chain-link fence be removed and healthy heritage trees on the lot be preserved.
Planning staff presented the application for Amity Property Investments LLC and said the structure — a midcentury ranch-style home built circa 1949 — is outside the historic district but older than 50 years. Staff said a March site visit found a mix of original doors and garage, later-window replacements, exterior wood rot and several mature trees on the lot. Staff reiterated that chain-link fencing is not permitted under the city’s UDC and recommended tree preservation where feasible.
Property owners Alan and Donna (last name given as Cook in public remarks) addressed the commission and said they own the three adjacent lots, had listed the property for sale previously, and that the house as currently configured is "uninhabitable and would cost too much for us to update it and bring it up to current codes." Alan said the owners live outside Boerne on a small ranch and are not a large corporate owner.
A neighbor, Connie Carly, said she understood from the planning department that Amity Properties is based in Georgia and alleged the company had already removed buildings on the site without local permits and had pursued subdivision and driveway access plans. Planning staff responded that company and ownership details are public record and that, as a matter of building code, minor, unconnected sheds without utilities generally can be removed by an owner without a demolition permit. Staff further explained that any heritage-tree removals would require a tree study and that fees apply for removing healthy heritage trees.
Staff reported two public responses received in opposition and two additional mailed comments in opposition added before the meeting; one earlier comment had supported demolition based on the property’s condition. Staff recommended approval of demolition of the primary residence with the same stipulations required at the other case: removal of chain-link fence and preservation of healthy heritage trees if the trees are in good health.
Commissioner (mover) made the motion to approve demolition permit 2025-134 for 615 North School Street; the motion passed 3-1. Planning staff told the applicant to coordinate required paperwork, a tree-preservation plan, and any necessary land-study work with the planning department. The commission reiterated that approval was limited to the demolition permit and did not authorize future subdivision, new construction, or other land-use changes.
Votes at a glance: demolition permit 2025-134 (615 N. School St.) — approved 3-1; stipulations: removal of chain-link fence and preservation of healthy heritage trees.
