Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation Landscape topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission requires 50% greenery in King William hotel’s front-yard plan at 1037 S. Alamo
Summary
The council approved staff recommendations requiring at least 50% vegetative coverage and other stipulations for a King William property that had installed artificial turf and gravel in front-yard areas.
The Technical and Compliance Advisory Council approved staff recommendations for a case involving the King William property at 1037 South Alamo Street, requiring the applicant to incorporate at least 50% vegetative coverage in front-garden areas.
Meryem Martínez, general manager of the King William property, told the council she supports the staff recommendation and is willing to comply. Staff confirmed the installation was performed before obtaining a certificate of appropriateness and described the case as a violation; photographs in the record show a high proportion of gravel and artificial turf in front-yard spaces.
Commissioners discussed visibility along South Alamo and suggested the applicant could re-locate some artificial turf away from the most public-facing portions and increase plantings to meet the 50% threshold for front-garden areas. “El 50 por 100 es para los jardines del frente,” staff said, clarifying how the standard is applied.
After discussion, a commissioner moved to accept the city staff recommendations; the motion passed with one commissioner voting no (Hernández). The council instructed the applicant to work with staff on specific changes to reach the 50% vegetative threshold so the certificate of appropriateness can be issued, and noted the case could return on a consent agenda if the stipulations are met.
The council also suggested that local volunteer master gardeners who offered assistance could help with planting plans to increase vegetation while addressing concerns about maintenance and visibility.
