The split vote came down to a sign, specifically an antiquated one, but it was enough to approve demolishing an older Main Street property to make way for the Park Plaza development.
Though the vote was a tie, a 3-3 decision by the Boerne Historical Landmark Commission June 2 is still considered a majority to OK a demolition permit, according to Assistant Planning Director Franci Linder.
The City Council has the final say, though.
“Three votes in favor carries a majority; it will carry the measure,” Linder said. “In no case can it be less than three. So, three has to be the minimum in order to carry the vote.”
The property, owned by Hill Country Brothers Development LLC, is located at 305-323 N. Main St., and currently houses the Red Crest Pet Store and Boerne Grooming.
The demo vote allows the developer to proceed with plans to level the structure and build the two-story, 11,400 square foot Park Plaza.
The split vote followed a commissioner’s question about an antiquated sign out front. Developers intend to allow the sign to be moved and not demolished, said Frank Valadez, architect with SA Partnership Architects.
Linder said while the building is more than 50 years old and located within the Historic District, it is not a contributing structure to the area.
A May 19 site visit was conducted, the same day the demolition permit was filed.
“You can see there is a state of disrepair of the structure,” Linder added.
At the meeting and public hearing, Valadez and the demolition- permit applicant addressed P&Z commissioners about several aspects of the project linked to its demolition.
“With the condition of the building, (demolition) is going to take some time,” Valadez said. “This siding is asbestos. This will have to be tented, we’re going to have to have asbestos removal, it’s going to take time.”
Valadez said the city and the Texas Department of Transportation are glad to see the structure being removed and redesigned to where Park Plaza parking will be in the rear.
“Obviously, the city’s excited we’re going to solve this traffic nightmare with this giant driveway,” Valadez said. “This, in essence, is a 139-foot (wide) driveway apron. There is no curb, there is no sidewalk. It’s just one big free-for-all, where cars just zoom in and zoom out.”
He added, “I know the city is excited about our future change, and so is TxDOT.”
Valadez said one of the current tenants will retire at the end of the store’s lease and the pet grooming will relocate to another outlet in town.
During the public-hearing portion of the session for the demolition request, no one spoke.
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