[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6506865,"mediaKeyId","5545572-79c258367da5011cf8e1ae778c5d8698","parentId",5545572,"title","San Antonio panel approves elevated Riverwalk terrace at 235 East Commerce with conditions after neighbor objections","audioSeconds",1311,"startMs",276000,"endMs",1587000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545572-79c258367da5011cf8e1ae778c5d8698&start=276&end=1587","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545572-79c258367da5011cf8e1ae778c5d8698/thumbnail_276000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506865/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/San-Antonio-panel-approves-elevated-Riverwalk-terrace-at-235-East-Commerce-with-conditions-after-neighbor-objections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506865-8dc51ea8875ad37c6cc2bbbe564c4386/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680442&Signature=Flt38fLEQDakqIf284QpCdy5BBV4OCXY7P1aOMN0Po9-7gDt07fs9hQEMlHP3mPmcuFrtTJBCVrUDshX5dqjJGBNiVp6xAiNkLUqIdMlUQfv34UBK8BeUxHS3oHAmFyjfTm4IQlsKY8j~dtQX~x0HnCdtnjUFLFnnXOZ4WUHpXVynl4J25qKfKEBj45EaWehya9SczMaCbT4iKH3wsTK9ECs3~65EoMHXAS1cyaC9sXmk5dAp8sivbDwJUE-seHwdhQYz8AsKZEvl2MiOeGxQQMHTtnADNLpYXuaj0SYUP8O44B3LXYKtpXFiDH5u4OJom74zXdTMTFYTPOdgbMtWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Antonio","date","2025-08-06T00:00:00Z","article","The San Antonio Historic and Design Commission on Aug. 6 approved a proposal to add an elevated restaurant terrace and pedestrian bridge above Crockett Street at 235 East Commerce, subject to staff stipulations and a condition that the applicant work with the adjacent hotel to explore mitigation measures.

The project, presented by architect Don McDonald, is intended to create a multi-level restaurant terrace that would extend above Crockett Street and connect into the Riverwalk area. Don McDonald, architect for the proposal, said the design aims to “extend the street level into the Riverwalk” and to “activate both Crockett and the upper spaces,” describing plan elements such as stairways, an existing elevator and large planter boxes intended to be long-lived and low-maintenance.

The proposal drew sustained opposition from nearby hotel representatives who said the elevated platform would harm the hotel’s character, views and quiet. Rusty Wallace, managing director of Mansión del Río, said the structure would “destroy the tranquil environment” near the hotel and argued the terrace would put a “barrier” between hotel balconies and the Riverwalk. Nikki Stinberg, identified as a hotel administrator, said the proposed bridge and modern structure would “interrupt the historic view” and risk the city’s heritage and tourist appeal.

Michael Kim, identified in the record as representing the applicant’s client and associated with Windsepici, told the commission the concern was not with the entire application but specifically with the elevated restaurant platform, which he said would sit about “60 feet” above the Riverwalk and would be “out of scale” with the façade. Kim noted the building had been nominated as a national historic landmark in 1996 and said the side facing Commerce and the Riverwalk had “relatively not changed for many years.”

Commissioners pressed the applicant on several technical points during the review: how rooftop runoff and rain would be handled so it would not drain directly into the river; how the design would control noise for adjacent residents and hotel guests; the materials and transparency of the roof structure; and whether the proposal increased fire risk by adding a wooden structure above an existing façade. Staff noted prior conceptual approval (recorded as a conceptual approval with findings on Feb. 5) included guidance that materials for terraces should be visually compatible with the Riverwalk.

Several commissioners expressed concern about outreach to the adjacent hotel. Commissioners noted the applicant had met with multiple neighborhood groups and made design changes in response to feedback but had not had sustained dialog with the adjacent hotel operator until shortly before the hearing. One commissioner said the project team had “more than half a dozen” attempts to contact the hotel but only limited corporate follow-up.

During deliberations a motion to deny the application was made and seconded; that motion failed on a roll-call vote. The commission then approved the application with staff stipulations and an added requirement that the applicant “work with the adjacent neighbor to explore mitigation for their concerns.” Commissioners stressed that the stipulations and further design work must address drainage, noise mitigation and façade presence.

The final approval passed on a roll call in which the transcript records: Mena — yes; Se vino — yes; Mizuca — yes; Grove — yes; Cervantes — no; Setzetter — yes; Gibbs — yes. The commission directed the applicant to continue coordination with staff and the adjacent property owner; staff will follow up as part of the certificate-of-appropriateness process.

Why it matters: the Riverwalk is one of San Antonio’s highest-traffic historic and tourist corridors; changes to scale, sightlines and nighttime activity can affect adjacent historic resources, hotel operations and pedestrian character. The commission’s added requirement to work directly with the neighboring hotel aims to provide a path for additional mitigation before final permitting.

Next steps: the applicant will return to staff with revised details consistent with the commission’s stipulations; the commission noted that the certificate of appropriateness and final permit documentation will follow the staff-review process and that any required permit must address the drainage and noise items discussed at the hearing.

Votes and formal actions recorded for this item appear in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Antonio - Comisión de diseño y revisión histórica Aug 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The San Antonio Historic and Design Commission on Aug. 6 approved a proposal to add an elevated restaurant terrace and pedestrian bridge above Crockett Street at 235 East Commerce, subject to staff stipulations and a condition that the applicant work with the adjacent hotel to explore mitigation measures.","taxTitle","San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas","taxId",2771,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506860,"Votes at a glance: San Antonio Historic and Design Commission, Aug. 6, 2025",1133,232000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545572-79c258367da5011cf8e1ae778c5d8698&start=232&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545572-79c258367da5011cf8e1ae778c5d8698/thumbnail_232000.jpg","/articles/6506860/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-San-Antonio-Historic-and-Design-Commission-Aug-6-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506860-d8a18db43391ea075465dd33c2cc120d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770680442&Signature=BtBB3gtba5cYzHrBR2eI6eeYbRvaT-~h38-fwPh~c-RBf0DcZJ7-03dYeAYGQb0V16sIW2k76~GhbdxXpCqyVuVeKdBSWsEiRra~f7jzf6cOuZe9wnsAcY~nuHMQTCxdJFWeg7UHpWfeD7LzC-CbVfTrfQYlcYscNS6nGU6~DmKoRfMttLf2OQRQcM3KQ8UtyKyEHFwUF6x8dDbHMIeiIHqs98NKqT769inmWuTE5GYUJUkODT~XE0wGtjo0FO2fVO5oqSjDnkAiht9zQzr5H62Dc6u3TlzhyJYA88VwccnrkRnEAe1eS91xzJ6OPBiICX4d2YTDRoHFS5FCthsPVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Antonio Historic and Design Commission on Aug. 6 took several routine actions and voted on multiple property cases. Key votes at the meeting included approval of meeting minutes, a multi-item consent agenda and individual certificates of appropriateness for several properties.

The commission approved the minutes from July 16, 2025. Recorded votes show the motion passed with multiple commissioners voting yes.

The commission approved a consent agenda that included items identified in the meeting as agenda items 1, 5, 7, 8 and 11 with staff stipulations. The commission’s recorded roll call on the consent agenda shows unanimous support.

Other individual approvals recorded during the meeting included:
- Case 4-35 (Donaldson/435 Donaldson): Applicant Jeffrey Stromberg participated by phone; the commission approved the request with staff stipulations. Commissioners who attended the site visit and discussion were recorded; the motion passed on roll call.
- 250 East Grayson: Applicant and representatives confirmed that existing cypress trees will remain and that a more detailed site plan will be submitted; the commission approved the application with staff stipulations.
- 4027 Burland Avenue (21-27 Woodland Avenue in the record): The commission reviewed height and accessory structure questions and approved the application based on staff findings.

Several other cases were discussed on the consent agenda or removed by speakers for separate consideration; any approved applicants will receive a certificate of appropriateness and staff follow-up. The meeting record shows staff will prepare certificates and email them within 10 business days for those items approved on consent.

Votes and motion outcomes recorded in the transcript are summarized below (as recorded in the meeting minutes):
- Approval of minutes (July 16, 2025): motion passed (roll-call recorded multiple yes votes).
- Consent agenda (items 1, 5, 7, 8, 11): approved with staff stipulations (roll-call recorded unanimous yes votes).
- Case 4-35 (435 Donaldson): approved with staff stipulations (roll-call recorded yes votes from commissioners present).
- 250 East Grayson: approved with stipulations; plan to retain existing cypress trees and submit final landscaping plan to staff.
- 4027 Burland Avenue: approved (staff findings and site photos reviewed).

Where vote tallies and individual roll-call names were recorded in the transcript, they are included in the meeting’s formal actions section of the record. Applicants whose cases were approved were advised to meet with their case administrator if further questions arise.

The meeting adjourned after the last item was taken up; one agenda item listed as postponed was noted as deferred by the applicant.","The commission approved the July 16 minutes, multiple consent-agenda items and several individual certificates of appropriateness; one high-profile Riverwalk terrace project was approved with conditions after debate.","actionData","errors"]

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San Antonio panel approves elevated Riverwalk terrace at 235 East Commerce with conditions after neighbor objections

Votes at a glance: San Antonio Historic and Design Commission, Aug. 6, 2025