525 Argo Avenue

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. 926F – 525 Argo Ave
Request of David Hernandez of Bexar General Contractors LLC, applicant, representing
Stephanie Hagee, owner, for the compatibility review of the proposed design located at
525 Argo Ave in order to construct a two-story detached accessory structure under
Demolition Review Ordinance No. 1860 (April 12, 2010).
DATE: May 28, 2024
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The property is zoned SF-B (Single-Family District B) and is located on the north side of the
street between Alamo Heights Blvd and Greely St. The applicant is seeking to replace the existing
one-story garage with a two-story garage.

2. POLICY ANALYSIS
Lot Coverage / Floor Area Ratio Existing Proposed
Lot Area 7500 7500
Main House 1st
Floor* 2201 2201
Main House 2nd
Floor
Main House – Loft
Garage/Carport – 1st
Floor* 0 597
Garage – 2nd
Floor 378
Front Porch* 180 180
Side Porch*
Rear Porch*
Shed* 315 0
Covered Patio Structures*
Total Square Footage 2696 sq ft 3356 sq ft
Lot Coverage* (max 40%) 2696 sq ft / 35.95% 2978 sq ft / 39.71%
FAR (max .49 with bonus) 2516 sq ft / .335 3176 sq ft / .423
Bonuses Utilized
+4 – Preservation of main structure
 Garage – Detached (2-story)
o Height – 21ft 4-5/8 inches
o Siding – Hardi
o Roof – Composition Shingles
 Chapter 5 – Buildings and Building Regulation, Article IX. – Demolition
Two-story detached accessory structures intended to replace previously permitted demolitions of
exempt accessory structures shall be governed by demolition review regarding compatibility
regardless of whether any significance determination was reviewed under Demolition Review
Procedures per Section 5-134(b)(1).
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.
The project is currently in the plan review process. Any revisions and/or variances, if applicable,
would need to be addressed prior to approval of a building permit.
The Architectural Review Board considered the request at their May 21, 2024 meeting and voted
unanimously to recommend approval of the request as presented.

3. 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
April 16, 2024 – 5:30 P.M.
Take notice that a regular Architectural Review Board meeting of the City of Alamo Heights will be held
on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 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 with may come before it.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR TELECONFERENCE: Members of the public may also participate via audio
by dialing 1-346-248-7799 Meeting ID 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.
Case No. 926F – 525 Argo Ave
Request of David Hernandez of Bexar General Contractors LLC, applicant, representing Stephanie
Hagee, owner, for the compatibility review of the proposed design located at 525 Argo Ave in order to
construct a new two-story detached accessory structure 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 may be viewed online at http://www.alamoheightstx.gov/departments/planning-and-development-
services/public-notices/ and at the Community Development Services Department located at 6116 Broadway
St. Floorplans will not be available online. You may contact Michelle Ramos, Planner, at 210-882-1505
(mramos@alamoheightstx.gov) Dakotah Procell, Planner at 210-832-2239 (dprocell@alamoheightstx.gov) or
Lety Hernandez, Director, at 210-832-2250 (lhernandez@alamoheightstx.gov), or our office at (210) 826-0516
for additional information regarding this case.
Attachment A

5. City of Alamo Heights
Residential Permit Application*
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
6116 Broadway, Alamo Heights, Texas 78209
CDS Dept. v: (210) 826-0516 f: (210) 832-2299
Fire Dept. v: (210) 824-1281 f: (210) 828-3006
Lot Coverage* / Floor Area
Ratio (FAR)
Existing
(in sq. ft.)
Proposed
(in sq. ft.)
Total Impervious Cover for Stormwater
Development Fee
Existing
(in sq. ft.)
Proposed
(in sq. ft.)
Lot area Footprint of all structures
Main house: 1st floor* Driveway/Parking Pad
Main house: 2nd floor Walkways
Front porch* Swimming Pool/Spa
Side porch* Other impervious cover: ________________
Rear porch* Total Impervious Cover:
Garage/Carport: 1st floor* Stormwater Development Fee:
Garage: 2nd floor Impervious Cover within Front Yard Setback Area
Existing
(in sq. ft.)
Proposed
(in sq. ft.)
Shed* Front yard setback area
Breezeway* Footprint of any structure(s)
Covered patio structure* Driveway/Parking Pad
Other accessory structures* Walkways
Total Square Footage: Other impervious cover: ________________
Total Lot Coverage*:
Total Impervious Cover within Front Yard Setback:
Total FAR:
Max. 40% lot coverage for SF-A and SF-B Districts Max. 30% impervious cover within front yard setback for SF-A and SF-B Districts
Max. 65% impervious coverage for 2F-C Districts
*Failure to provide any information required on or along with this application will result in refusal to accept submission of this application and associated
plan documents until all information required is provided.
**Projects undertaken by the home/property owner which reflect typical contractor related work such as grading, excavation, and demolition, or which
utilizes equipment atypical to a home/property owners work shall be limited by the authorized hours of construction as would a typical general contractor.
I hereby acknowledge that I have read and completed this application and know the same to be true and correct. This project as submitted complies with
the International Code series and NEC, as currently adopted by the City of Alamo Heights, and with the Code of Ordinances of the City of Alamo
Heights. I hereby acknowledge that no work has or will commence on the proposed project until an approved permit is received. All provisions of laws
and ordinances governing the proposed work will be complied with whether specified herein or not. The granting of a permit does not presume to give
authority to violate or cancel the provisions of any federal, state or local ordinances regulating construction, the performance of construction or the use of
any land or buildings.
Date:
Signature of Property Owner (if applicable)
Date:
Signature of Permit Applicant
Permit Applicant is Architect/Engineer, Registered Contractor, or Authorized Agent
General Permit Information [Please print legibly] Permit # (assigned by Staff):
Project Address: Application Date:
Project Type – Please check all that apply:
New construction __________ sq. ft. Addition __________ sq. ft. Remodel/Alterations __________ sq. ft. Demolition Pool/Spa
Fence Retaining Wall Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Sewer Gas Irrigation Landscape
Tree Pruning/Removal Other _______________________
Materials (if applicable): Roof _______________ Exterior Walls _______________ Foundation _______________ Flatwork _______________
Is the property in the 100-Year Floodplain? Yes No Does this project involve any removal of trees? Yes No
Estimated cost of construction (includes material & labor): $
Estimated cost of demolition (if applicable): $
Total square footage of project:
Scope of Work (This section must be filled out. If more space is needed, another sheet may be attached.) __________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
525 Argo Ave, Alamo Heights TX 78209 12/3/2023
X
X X x x
x
Asphalt Shingle Cement Fiber Slab on Grade Concrete
X X
185,000
5000
1st floor = 597
2nd floor = 378
Applicant: Bexar GC 210-823-2350 david@bexargc.com 4418 Shavano Cross
Phone: Email: Address:
Property Owner: Stephanie Hagee 210-396-8427 stephaniehagee@yahoo.com 326 Nika, San Antonio TX
Phone: Email: Address:
Check One: Architect/Engineer XRegistered Contractor Home/Property Owner*
Removing existing shed and replacing with a 2 story garage with a single bedroom and bath on the 2nd level.
7500
2201
180
0
0 597
0 378
315 0
2696
36%
2696
1250
3024
957
Total 957
7500
2201
180
0
2978
39.7%
328
4228
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
2978
(DEMO)
Attachment A

6. 4'-11
3/4"
Porch to be located
directly underneath stairs,
at side entry.
25'-1/4"
28'-3/4"
10" Hackberry
to be removed.
2nd floor area on the application.
Attachment A

7. 10'-0"
2
0
'
-
3
1
/
4
"
9
'
-
9
"
PENDING ARB APPROVAL THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE
SUBMITTED:
1) ENGINEER FRAMING, WIND BRACE, FOUNDATION
2) ResCHECK
Attachment A

8. 1
Lety Hernandez
Subject: Protest 525 Argo Avenue Development
From: Rob Kendall < >
Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 10:23 AM
To: Lety Hernandez <lhernandez@alamoheightstx.gov>; Dakotah Procell <dprocell@alamoheightstx.gov>; Michelle Ramos
<mramos@alamoheightstx.gov>
Subject: Protest 525 Argo Avenue Development
Lety Hernandez, Director
Dakotah Procell, Planner
Michelle Ramos, Planner
Community Development Services Department
City of Alamo Heights
6116 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
My name is Robert Kendall. I am the principal owner of 521 Argo Avenue (MCK 521 LLC) in the Cottage District of Alamo
Heights. My family has owned this home for over 35 years and plans to continue ownership long-term.
I am writing to protest the proposed secondary development at 525 Argo Avenue. The new construction of this over-size, 2-
story structure looming over and viewing into our yard, pool, patio, primary bedroom, and living room is of serious concern and
very problematic. It will single-handedly undermine the privacy, value, and use of our property if approved by the City of Alamo
Heights.
For many years our family has lived and owned homes here, and we understand the charm of the Cottage District of Alamo
Heights – – small homes in close proximity to each other. We also understand the practicality of garages and casitas, as well as
the value to the homeowner and the City of improving properties. What we do not agree with is the idea of a full-size casita sitting
atop a large double car garage in a small rear yard. The proposed structure is literally almost half the size of the recently
expanded main house at 525 Argo.
This project is pushing the boundaries of ‘cottage’ and is rapidly approaching a small version of Stone Oak. That is not the
Cottage District. It is also important to note that to the best of my knowledge there are currently no two-story parking/casita
structures in the rear yards of any of the homes in the 500 block of Argo Avenue and we hope you will not set a new precedent by
approving the construction of this proposed structure.
The proposed structure would provide direct views of our living room and the primary bedroom, as well as the landscaped seating
area of the patio, pool and yard. The view from our home would then be a massive, 20-foot-high, 20-foot-wide Hardie Plank wall
that looks very much like a Public Storage unit. Along with 2 elevations and 4 distinct rooflines, there are also 3 second-story
windows providing views directly into our bedroom, pool, and yard. In one fell swoop we would lose the Cottage District aesthetic,
the natural open aspect of our neighborhood (i.e. a view of sky and trees), all of our privacy and, as important due to Texas
weather, a significant loss of airflow due to the height of the proposed structure.
This project gives us zero possibility of maintaining our privacy or our treasured neighborhood aesthetics. We cannot fence it to a
height to block it and we cannot look past it. While aesthetics and beauty are in the eye of the beholder, a 957 square-foot, two-
story high, painted structure of cement Hardie Plank in a small back yard is a difficult contender for either.
Please note, we would be amenable to and would not protest a one-story garage or a one-story casita or both. Should the owners
of 525 Argo Avenue choose to do so that is their prerogative. However I must strenuously protest this two-story oversized
building and the never-to-be-regained aspect of the loss of our privacy and property values.
Respectfully yours,
Robert R. Kendall
MCK 521 LLC
214.642.1555
Attachment B

9. 1
Lety Hernandez
Subject: Case # 926F - 525 Argo Avenue
-----Original Message-----
From: Marni <>
Sent: Sunday, April 7, 2024 11:01 AM
To: Michelle Ramos <mramos@alamoheightstx.gov>
Cc: Dakotah Procell <dprocell@alamoheightstx.gov>; Lety Hernandez <lhernandez@alamoheightstx.gov>
Subject: Case # 926F - 525 Argo Avenue
Hello -
My name is Marni Nilsson and my husband Patric and I reside at 524 Argo Avenue. We received the letter (by photograph)
regarding the case stated above.
We would both like to vote TO OPPOSE the proposed project and we have reviewed the plans as posted on the City of Alamo
Heights website.
We are currently out of the country and did not have access to the actual form so are submitting our opposition via this email.
Many thanks for including our votes concerning the project.
Marni & Patric Nilsson
Sent from my iPhone
Attachment B

10. Attachment B