Architectural Review Board - January 16, 2025

Board recommends Waverley mixed-use project in 5-0 vote

The Architectural Review Board voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a four-story mixed-use redevelopment at 640 Waverley Street. The recommendation, which is not final project approval, now goes to the Director of Planning and Development Services.

The proposal would replace two office buildings with 2,369 square feet of ground-floor office space and four residential condominium units totaling 8,796 square feet. Plans also include basement parking accessed by a vehicle lift. Revisions presented to the board addressed privacy, landscaping maintenance, façade screening and the project's interface with neighboring 636 Waverley Street.

The principal discussion concerned the proposed dark metal and wood tones. Yingxi Chen and David Hirsch supported the project but suggested reconsidering the concentration of dark materials, particularly beside the adjacent historic building. The board's recommendation asks the architect to consider lighter colors at the architect's discretion, subject to staff review.

Public comment was supportive. Staff also said a streamlined environmental review had been completed, with measures focused primarily on construction noise, vibration and cultural resources.

Design award selections delayed for further vetting

The board deferred choosing five Design Award recipients and setting a presentation date, instead directing staff to return February 20 with a revised, photo-supported short list. The direction reflected board consensus rather than a formal motion or vote.

The awards are intended to recognize projects reviewed from 2020 through 2024. Staff said the original pool had been reduced from 79 to 64 projects, with each board member assigned 12 or 13 candidates. During their reviews, members found projects that appeared unfinished, unbuilt or outside the intended scope, while also identifying completed projects that may have been omitted.

Members also debated whether eligibility should require a final inspection or allow the board to determine that a project is substantially complete. They did not select award categories or resolve whether projects should be judged within categories or solely on overall design merit.

Board members will further vet their assigned projects and provide photographs of candidates they want to advance. Staff will research uncertain project records and completion status while coordinating on a possible spring presentation date.

Staff reports housing proposal and early San Antonio planning work

Staff reported receiving a site-and-design and conditional-use-permit application for 137 multifamily townhomes. The proposal was not before the board for action, and its address was not reliably captured in the meeting record.

Staff also described the San Antonio specific plan area process as being at an early stage. The department expected to seek City Council approval of a consultant contract within the next couple of months to begin assembling the plan's components; no board action was taken.

For February 6, staff anticipated a second hearing on a multifamily residential rezoning project and a first hearing on minor façade changes at 164 Hamilton Avenue.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet