San Antonio board allows repair of 5246 Village Crest with engineer reports and security measures

At the May 7, 2026 meeting, Cynthia Santana, a permit official for dangerous buildings, presented the second hearing for 5246 Village Crest and described extensive fire damage (November 2025), missing garage doors, unsecured openings, burned structural members, and no active permits or recent engineering reports.

A representative at the hearing said the owner has been incarcerated and presented a power of attorney; a contractor estimated total repair costs below $40,000 and said a bank statement showed roughly $60,000 available. The contractor and representative described scope items (roof replacement, electrical work and structural repairs) and said they could begin work if permitted.

After questions about the lack of a fully signed power of attorney, permits and updated cost estimates, the board moved to declare the property a public nuisance but allowed repair conditioned on obtaining an engineer letter, all required permits, and 20‑day progress reports by code officers. The motion also required the structure be secured to prevent public access (the record references a fence or equivalent securing measure). The motion passed with a recorded vote of 4 yes, 0 no and 1 abstention.

Staff noted the property remains in violation of multiple Chapter 6 subsections and will be monitored under the new schedule; the owner or representative retains appeal rights as described by code.