The document is a city council agenda memorandum regarding a request for demolition and design review of a property located at 321 Argo Ave in Alamo Heights, Texas. The applicant is seeking to demolish 32% of the existing street-facing elevation and 89% of the existing roof to remodel and add a second story addition to the single-family home. The Architectural Review Board voted unanimously to declare the existing main structure as not significant and found the proposed design compatible. The memorandum provides background on the project and reviews compliance with city regulations regarding lot coverage, floor area ratio, and demolition thresholds.

1. CITY OF ALAMO HEIGHTS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Lety Hernandez, Director of Community Development Services
SUBJECT: Case No. 892 F – 321 Argo Ave
Request of Jonathan Rodriguez of Vision Design Build, applicant, representing Alexa and
Sam Simpson, owners, for the significance review of the existing main structure and
compatibility review of the proposed design located at 321 Argo in order to demolish
32% of the existing street-facing elevation, and 89% of the existing roof in order to
remodel and add a 2nd story addition to the existing single-family residence under
Demolition Review Ordinance No. 1860 (April 12, 2010).
DATE: February 13, 2023
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The property is zoned SF-B (Single-Family District B) and is located on the north side of Argo
Ave, between Imlay St and Arbutus St. The applicant is seeking to add a 2nd
story addition to the
existing main structure.
The proposed project was reviewed by the Board of Adjustment on January 04, 2023. The board
voted unanimously to approve a 10ft 6-inch height looming encroachment variance on the west
side of the main structure.

2. POLICY ANALYSIS
Lot Coverage / Floor Area Ratio Existing Proposed
Lot Area 7,500 7,500
Main House 1st
Floor* 1,860 1,563
Main House 2nd
Floor 255 1,522
Main House – Loft
Garage/Carport – 1st
Floor* 412 412
Garage – 2nd
Floor
Front Porch* 168 168
Side Porch* 48 20
Rear Porch* 192 192
Breezeway*
Other*
Total Square Footage 2,935 sq ft 3,877 sq ft
Lot Coverage* (max 40%) 2,680 sq ft / 35.73% 2,355 sq ft / 31.40%
FAR (max .50 with bonus) 2,527 sq ft / .34 3,497 sq ft / .47
Bonuses Utilized
+4 – Preservation of main structure
+2 – One-story garage
 Main Structure
o Height – 28ft 3-inches (max 30ft allowed with minimum 3ft pier and beam foundation
bonus)
o Siding – Hardie Board
o Roof – Galvalume Metal Roof
 Chapter 5 – Buildings and Building Regulation, Article IX. – Demolition
Demolition shall mean any intentional or unintentional act of dismantling, pulling down,
destroying, removing, razing or moving a structure or any structural portion thereof, or
commencing the work of moving or of total or substantial destruction of a structure or portion
thereof. For the purposes of demolition review as described in article IX, demolition is defined
quantitatively as:
(1) Removal or encapsulation of more than twenty-five (25) percent of the framed structure of
exterior walls facing public streets, or a street-facing elevation if the tract of land is
landlocked; or,
(2) Removal or encapsulation of more than fifty (50) percent of the framed structure of all
exterior walls and/or roofs.
Exception: Minor repair and routine maintenance.
Significant structure shall mean any structure or portion thereof that in whole or in part meets one
(1) or more criteria in section 5-134(h), and has been so determined by the city council.
Section 5-134(h): The architectural review board shall consider the following criteria when
determining the significance, as defined in this chapter, of existing structures:
(1) Was the structure designed by a noted architect?
(2) Has the structure been listed as having historic significance by any local, regional,
state or historic agency or society?

3. (3) Does the structure exhibit characteristics of a distinct architectural style?
(4) Does the structure belong to a distinctive set of buildings, such as a single structure
belonging to a row of similar structures?
(5) Is the structure a significant part of the fabric of the community due to its age, unique
architecture, historical significance or physical placement?
Compatibility shall mean harmony with the existing neighborhood, site configurations,
development patterns, and the character of the development envelope found within the adjacent
and immediate block area, as demonstrated in the demolition review application, including roof
pitch, scale, massing, garage and driveway location and setbacks. Adjacent and immediate block
area shall include but not be limited to all properties along:
(1) The specific block where the project is proposed;
(2) The block to each side of the project's block; and
(3) The blocks directly across the street of the three (3) blocks identified above.
Block shall mean a length of street right-of-way along one (1) side of the street from one (1)
intersection to the next adjoining intersection.
Staff found no historical or architectural significance to the existing main structure. On January
17, 2023, the Architectural Review Board considered the request and voted unanimously to
declare the existing main structure as not significant and recommended approval of the design as
compatible.
FISCAL IMPACT
No projected fiscal impact from this project has been calculated.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Web Packet
Attachment B – Response Cards
__________________________
Lety Hernandez
Director
__________________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager

4. CITY OF ALAMO HEIGHTS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
6116 BROADWAY
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209
210-826-0516
Architectural Review Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
Take notice that a Regular Architectural Review Board meeting of the City of Alamo Heights will be held
on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 5:30pm in the City Council Chamber, located at 6116 Broadway St,
San Antonio, Texas, 78209, to consider and act upon any lawful subjects which may come before it.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TELECONFERENCE: Members of the public may also participate via audio
by dialing 1-346-248-7799 and entering access number 868 0184 5240#. If you would like to speak on
a particular item, when the item is considered, press *9 to “raise your hand”. Citizens will have three
(3) minutes to share their comments. The meeting will be recorded.
The City cannot guarantee participation by phone due to unforeseen technical difficulties or provide
prior notice if they occur; therefore, the City urges your in-person attendance if you require
participation.
Case No. 892 F – 321 Argo Ave
Request of Jonathan Rodriguez of Vision Design Build, applicant, representing Alexa and Sam Simpson,
owners, for the significance review of the existing main structure and compatibility review of the
proposed design located at 321 Argo in order to demolish 32% of the existing street-facing elevation, and
89% of the existing roof in order to remodel and add a 2nd
story addition to the existing single-family
residence under Demolition Review Ordinance No. 1860 (April 12, 2010).
Chapter 5 of Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations) requires City Council to consider the
ARB’s recommendation for all demolition/final design review applications. Please check the ARB posted
results on the City’s website after the ARB meeting to confirm any future meeting dates.
Plans are available for public viewing on the City’s website, with the exception of floor plans,
(http://www.alamoheightstx.gov/departments/planning-and-development-services/public-notices/)
and at the Community Development Services Department located at 6116 Broadway St, 2nd
floor.
You may also contact Eron Spencer (espencer@alamoheightstx.gov) or Lety Hernandez
(lhernandez@alamoheightstx.gov) by email or our office at (210) 826-0516 for additional
information regarding this case.
Attachment A

5. Attachment A

6. Attachment A

7. N
00
05'
00"
W
o
150.00'
S
00
05'
00"
E
o
150.00'
N 89 55' 00" W
o
50.00'
N 89 55' 00" W
o
50.00'
5'
SETBACK
10'
SETBACK
25' SETBACK
3' SETBACK
4'-2"
2'-7"
4'-1"
10'-0"
11'-7"
SITE PLAN
SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0"
EXISTING CHIMNEY
TO BE REMOVED
EXISTING WOOD DECK
TO BE CONCRETE
INFILL TO NEW
BATHROOM
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
LIVING ROOM
TO REMAIN
COVERED PORCH
TO BE REPAIR
DINING ROOM
TO REMAIN
KITCHEN
TO REMAIN
BEDROOM #1
TO REMAIN
STAIR HALL
TO REMAIN
BEDROOM #2
TO REMAIN
GUEST BATHROOM
TO REMODEL
EXISTING FIREPLACE
TO BE DEMOLISHED
HEAD
CONTROL
NEW COVERED PATIO
NEW CONCRETE
12'-4"
14'-4"
NEW LINEN NEW VANITY
NEW COLUMN TO REPAIR EXISTING
NEW COMPOSITE DECKING ON
EXISTING REPAIRED FRAMING
42" WALL WITH
36" GLASS ON TOP
ROOM AND CLOEST
TO BE DEMOLISHED
EXISTING MAIN FLOOR 1860 SQ. FT.
AREA TO BE DEMOLISHED 297 SQ. FT.
297 / 1860 = 15%
Site Calculations
Existing (SF)
Lot Coverage
Main House footprint
7500
1860
Proposed (SF)
7500
1563
Front Porch 168 168
Side Porch 1 48 20
Side Porch 2
Rear Porch 192 (wood) 192 (concrete)
Garage 412 412
Lot Area
Floor Area Ratio
2680
Total Lot Coverage 2680
Main House: 1st Floor
7500
1860
7500
1563
255 1522
Garage 1st Floor 412 412
Total (total FAR/lot area)
2517
Lot Area
Main House: 2nd Floor
/
7500
3497
/
7500
Total FAR 33% 46%
SHEET
A1
1 OF 2
DATE: 12.13.2022
San
Antonio,
Texas
78209
SIMPSON
RESIDENCE
Attachment A

8. 6'-1"
FIRST FLOOR BELOW
PROPERTY
LINE
13'-3" 2'-4" 18'-5"
34'-0"
11'-4"
6'-9"
7'-5"
10'-0"
15'-10"
14'-11"
4'-7"
5'-4"
3'-5"
12'-4"
13'-5"
16'-1" 18'-3"
34'-4"
14'-0" 4'-5" 13'-11"
4'-0" 4'-9"
4'-9"
BED ROOM #3
WOOD FLOORING
PLAYROOM ROOM #3
WOOD FLOORING
HALL #2
WOOD FLOORING
BED ROOM #2
WOOD FLOORING
DRESSING ROOM
WOOD FLOORING
MASTER ROOM
WOOD FLOORING
EXISTING SECOND
FLOOR TO REMAIN
BATHROOM #2
TILE FLOORING
LINEN
8'-9"
8'-4" 5'-8" 5'-2" 5'-2"
4'-0"
MASTER BATH
TILE FLOORING
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
2'-8"
4'-0"
3'-2"
7'-8"
3'-0"
3'-2"
11"
54'-0"
4
/
12
SLOPE
2'-0"
O.H.
2'-8"
H.O.
EXISTING 2ND STORY ROOF STRUCTURE TO
REMAIN EXISTING ROOF MATERIAL TO BE REPLACE
EXISTING FIRST FLOOR ROOF
STRUCTURE TO REMAIN EXISTING
ROOF MATERIAL TO BE REPLACE
4 / 12 SLOPE
4 / 12 SLOPE
4 / 12 SLOPE
4 / 12 SLOPE
1'-0"
OVERHANG
EXISTING ROOF PLAN
SCALE: 3/16" = 1'-0"
EXISTING ROOF 2441 SQ. FT.
AREA ENCAPSULATED/DEMOLISHED BY ADDITION 2156 SQ. FT.
2156 / 2441 = 89%
EXISTING ROOF STRUCTURE TO
BE DEMOLISHED PER DESIGNS
NEW ROOF PLAN
SCALE: 3/16" = 1'-0"
EXISTING ROOF AND STRUCTURE TO
BE DEMOLISHED PER DESIGNS
SHEET
A2
1 OF 2
DATE: 12.13.2022
San
Antonio,
Texas
78209
SIMPSON
RESIDENCE
Attachment A

9. 9'-3"
EXISTING
EXISTING FIN. GRADE
FIN. FLOOR
EXISTING 1ST
FLOOR TOP PLATE
EXISTING SIDE ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
EXISTING
FIN. FLOOR
EXISTING 1ST
FLOOR TOP PLATE
SECOND LEVEL
FINISH FLOOR
SECOND LEVEL
TOP OF PLATE
PROPERTY
LINE
EXISTING
EXISTING FIN. GRADE
FIN. FLOOR
FRONT ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
EXISTING BACK ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
NEW METAL ROOFING
REMOVED EXISTING
EXISTING SIDE ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
DASHED LINE INDICATES NEW
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
EXISTING ADDITION
TO BE DEMOLISHED
PORTION OF EXISTING TO BE
DEMOLISHED TO ACCOMMODATE
NEW SECOND FLOOR ADDITION
PORTION OF EXISTING
TO BE DEMOLISHED
PROPERTY
LINE
PORTION OF EXISTING TO BE
DEMOLISHED TO ACCOMMODATE
NEW SECOND FLOOR ADDITION
PORTION OF EXISTING TO BE
DEMOLISHED TO ACCOMMODATE
NEW SECOND FLOOR ADDITION
COLUMNS TO BE REMOVED
AND REPLACE TO REPAIR
EXISTING COVERED PORCH
DASHED LINE INDICATES NEW
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
PORTION OF EXISTING TO BE
DEMOLISHED TO ACCOMMODATE
NEW SECOND FLOOR ADDITION
DEMO EXISTING FIREPLACE
AND CHIMNEY
DASHED LINE INDICATES NEW
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
FRONT ELEVATION
TOTAL FRONT FACE FACADE AREA 739 SQ. FT.
AREA ENCAPSULATED/DEMOLISHED BY ADDITION 224 SQ. FT.
224 / 739 = 32%
LEFT SIDE ELEVATION
TOTAL LEFT SIDE FACE FACADE AREA 862 SQ. FT.
AREA ENCAPSULATED/DEMOLISHED BY ADDITION 103 SQ. FT.
103 / 862 = 12%
BACK ELEVATION
TOTAL BACK FACE FACADE AREA 695 SQ. FT.
AREA ENCAPSULATED/DEMOLISHED BY ADDITION 350 SQ. FT.
350 / 695 = 50%
LEFT SIDE ELEVATION
TOTAL LEFT SIDE FACE FACADE AREA 1066 SQ. FT.
AREA ENCAPSULATED/DEMOLISHED BY ADDITION 398 SQ. FT.
398 / 1066 = 50%
SHEET
A3
1 OF 2
DATE: 12.13.2022
San
Antonio,
Texas
78209
SIMPSON
RESIDENCE
Attachment A

10. EXISTING CHIMNEY
TO BE REMOVED
PROPERTY
LINE
EXISTING ROOF
LINE FIRST FLOOR
LINE OF LOOMING
STANDARD
NEW METAL ROOFING
12'-3"
2
1
EXISTING
EXISTING FIN. GRADE
FIN. FLOOR
9'-3"
EXISTING 1ST
FLOOR TOP PLATE
1'-6"
SECOND LEVEL
FINISH FLOOR
9'-0"
SECOND LEVEL
TOP OF PLATE
28'-7
1
4
"
LINE OF LOOMING STANDARD
IN COMPLIANCE
NEW METAL ROOFING
12
4
FRONT ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
3'-0"
1'-0"
EXISTING
EXIST. FIN. GRADE
FIN. FLOOR
EXISTING 1ST
FLOOR TOP PLATE
SECOND LEVEL
FINISH FLOOR
SECOND LEVEL
TOP OF PLATE
NEW METAL ROOFING
REMOVED EXISTING
NEW METAL ROOFING
REMOVED EXISTING
NEW METAL
NEW METAL ROOFING
SIDE ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
6'-1"
EXISTING
FIN. FLOOR
EXISTING 1ST
FLOOR TOP PLATE
SECOND LEVEL
FINISH FLOOR
SECOND LEVEL
TOP OF PLATE
PROPERTY
LINE
2
1
9'-3"
1'-6"
9'-0"
LINE OF LOOMING
STANDARD
NEW METAL ROOFING
REAR ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
DASHED LINE INDICATES NEW
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
TO REMAIN
ROOFING
28'-3"
LINE OF GRADE
HEIGHT
AT
AVG.
GRADE
SIDE ELEVATION
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
HEIGHT OF PIER AND BEAM FOUNDATION
SHEET
A4
1 OF 2
DATE: 12.13.2022
San
Antonio,
Texas
78209
SIMPSON
RESIDENCE
Attachment A

11. Attachment B

12. 1
Lety Hernandez
Subject: FW: Case No. 892F re: Sam and Alexa SImpson
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Braseth < >
Sent: Sunday, January 8, 2023 4:50 PM
To: Lety Hernandez <lhernandez@alamoheightstx.gov>
Subject: Case No. 892F re: Sam and Alexa SImpson
Hello,
I wanted to send an email as I will not be available for the review on January 17th, 2023.
I have reviewed the design plans and changes for the Simpson residence and I do support the project and have reviewed the
project plans.
Thank you!
Eric Braseth
352-318-4363
335 Argo Ave, Alamo Heights, TX 78209
Please be cautious
**This email is not from your organization, please verify the Sender's Name matches the From Email Address!**
________________________________
Attachment B