The San Antonio Board of Construction Standards voted unanimously on Feb. 6 to order demolition and leveling within 30 days of two vacant, fire-damaged residences after staff described extensive structural damage, rodent infestation and combustible debris at both sites.

The board declared 110 Lorita Drive (district 3) and 2310 Hicks Avenue (district 7) public nuisances that are not habitable under Chapter 6 of the city code and referenced subsections 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 17 and 18 in the motions. Staff recommended demolition for both properties and the board approved each motion by unanimous voice vote.

Sergio Quintanilla, a code enforcement officer with the Development Services Department, told the board that 110 Lorita Drive was vacant, had no contactable owner present and had been inspected after repeated notifications. Quintanilla summarized the inspection findings and recommended demolition. "El personal recomienda demolición," he said. Quintanilla described interior conditions including accumulated trash and debris that blocked safe access, water-damaged and missing roof components, separated exterior cladding and evidence that rodents and trespassers had entered the structures. He gave the board photos taken in mid-January showing deteriorated porches, damaged roof openings and interior collapse in places.

Neighbors who live adjacent to 110 Lorita spoke at the hearing, saying the house has drawn trespassers and created public-safety and pest problems. Jessie García and Sandra Garay, both residents on nearby blocks, said Petra C. Hernandez, the recorded owner, is deceased and family members have not responded to repeated notices. Resident Connie Pressky told the board the property has made neighbors fearful for children and cited repeated city responses by police and code officers. Another neighbor, who gave the surname Kemprusky, said tall grass and ongoing trespass have depressed nearby property values.

The board moved to demolish the main structure at 110 Lorita Drive and two accessory structures for the violations cited; the motion ordered demolition and leveling within 30 days. The motion included the enumerated Chapter 6 subsections and passed by unanimous voice vote.

Elisa Valdez, code compliance supervisor for Development Services, presented the case for 2310 Hicks Avenue after indicating Ryan Garza, the assigned inspector, was not available. Valdez said the single-story residence had experienced a recent fire, was vacant, had holes in the roof, corroded exterior boards, and interior debris that made it unsafe and uninhabitable. She recommended demolition under Chapter 6, Article 8 and the same list of subsections cited for the Lorita property. When a board member asked whether the foundation had settled, Valdez said photos and field notes indicated settlement and widespread structural deterioration; inspectors had not observed any current occupants.

The board voted unanimously to order demolition and leveling of 2310 Hicks Avenue within 30 days.

In staff reports the board was also notified of several emergency demolitions already completed after fires: properties listed as 9710 Hidden Rock, 9714 Hidden Rocks (same neighborhood references in staff remarks), 5642 Sicommer Place and 136 University Avenue were presented with before-and-after photos; staff reported those were emergency actions taken in mid-January and that no further board action was required.

After the motions the board heard a presentation from the Office of Historic Preservation about the citys deconstruction program. Stephanie Phillips, representing the office, and Jessica Andersend, identified as manager of the Deconstruction Program, described the programs certified contractors, training partnerships and the citys effort to salvage and redistribute historically significant architectural materials. Andersend said recovered materials are housed at a materials center near the airport and that local nonprofit housing organizations and institutional partners may access salvaged items without cost. She said some contractors are trained to separate and preserve items such as wooden floors, trim and metal roofing so those components can be reused in affordable housing and nonprofit projects.

Board members asked whether owners could pursue alternatives to city-led demolition. Presenters said owners have an appeal period of 30 days and may manage demolition or deconstruction themselves if they meet program and contractor certification requirements; otherwise the city may proceed after the appeal window closes and charge liens to the property for costs. Presenters named Reprocess Savannah as a training contractor the city has used for certification.

No members of the public commented on the deconstruction presentation. The meeting concluded with a reminder from Development Services staff about fiscal-year reporting requirements for board members and a unanimous consent to adjourn.