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Development Services
Roderick J. Sanchez
AICP, CBO-Director 210.207.8259 Email |
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Check out
the latest
to learn more about the
top 5 violations
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Grow Over Graffiti
Learn how to discourage graffiti vandalism.
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- May 30 -
Memorial Day
- July 4 -
Independence Day
- Sept. 5 -
Labor Day
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Development & Business
Services Center
Main Address:
1901 S. Alamo San Antonio, TX 78204
Office Hours:
7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Mailing Address:
PO Box 839966
San Antonio, TX 78283
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BuildSA Brief
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The Development Services Department (DSD) is on track to deliver BuildSA, a premier online tool that will enhance your overall user experience when doing business with us. As previously shared, BuildSA will be launched by functional groups in three phases.
Land Development, Functional Group 1, will be the first group that goes into production and is scheduled to go live at the end of this calendar year. As such, the BuildSA Project Team is pleased to announce all of the Land Development records, including Master Development Plans, Planned Unit Developments, Plats, Addressing, Zoning, Board of Adjustment, Variances, Rights Determination, Non-Conforming Use, Construction Inspections, Preliminary Plan Review Meetings, Certificate of Determinations, and Zoning Verification Letters have been designed, completing a major milestone for the department.
"March was a very busy month for DSD Subject Matter Experts, and our partnering agencies including SAWS, CPS Energy, Bexar County, Information Technology Services Department and the Accela team," said Melissa Ramirez, DSD Interim Land Development Assistant Director. "Together, we spent over 200 hours validating the design of all Land Development processes and workflows to ensure customers have the online tools to get the job done."
Over the next few weeks, Accela, will configure the new system along with the online customer portal. The online portal will provide access to application submittal, payment processing, real-time application monitoring, and construction inspection request. BuildSA will maximize communication while minimizing paper.
As such, DSD is on target to complete the following major milestones in June 2016:
- Accela to complete the building and design of all Land Development records
- Convert the Training Room, located at the One Stop, to a dedicated BuildSA Training Lab
- Launch the BuildSA Web site - coming soon!
According to the project timeline, Plan Review and Field Services, Functional Group 2, transactions will be deployed in May 2017 with Code Enforcement, Functional Group 3, transactions going live late November. As we continue to work on this transition, the team is looking forward to being fully deployed early 2018.
DSD is excited about our new BuildSA system and will bring you updates monthly on next steps.
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San Antonio is Tree City USA
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The City of San Antonio (COSA) officially became a
Tree City USA
earlier this month. This program offers direction, assistance and national recognition for our community and a framework for sustainable tree programs, initiatives and ordinances.
"Recognition as a Tree City USA provides us with a great opportunity to celebrate the importance of having a healthy and well- maintained tree canopy throughout our community," said Rod Sanchez, Director of Development Services Department (DSD). "Learning proper care for our trees, their value and benefits, will safeguard and enhance the quality of life we all enjoy in San Antonio."
Started in 1976, Tree City USA is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Services and National Association of State Foresters. An incorporated municipality of any size can qualify by meeting these four fundamental standards:
- A Tree Board or Department that protects, preserves, plants and maintains city trees - COSA created the Tree Preservation Section in 1997
- A tree care ordinance
- A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita
- An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
The City created a Tree Preservation team in 1997, in conjunction with the first Tree Preservation Ordinance approved by City Council that same year. Today, the City Arborist manages a staff of 13 under the umbrella of DSD.
In a city with an estimated 1.4 million residents, the City's Development Services, Parks and Recreation and Transportation and Capital Improvements departments have an annual estimated combined budget of $3.4 million dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of trees in the City. This investment by the City includes community outreach programs to raise public awareness about the value and benefits provided by a healthy and diverse tree canopy.
Trees benefit our City by reducing energy costs and consumption, boosting property values, increasing stronger connectivity and sense of community.
The City of San Antonio is now one of the more than 3,400 towns and cities across the nation recognized as a Tree City USA.
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Performance Measures - FY 2016
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| Performance Measures 
The complete Performance Measures Report is available online.
Permit Activity
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Information Bulletins and Other Resources
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For a complete list of resources, visit the sites shared below:
The DSD Resources website also offers more information, including Document Search, Forms and Applications, and Latest News.
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DSD Hosts Inaugural Building Officials Meeting
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The City of San Antonio Development Services Department hosted the first meeting of building officials, inspectors, engineers, plans examiners and others in the Bexar County metro on April 12, 2016 at the Phil Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center.
The goal of this meeting was to discuss common building-related issues that impacted different cities and organizations. Topics discussed included permitting processes, code changes, inspections and code enforcement.
Sixteen (16) cities within the Bexar County metro area attended and were able to discuss these topics and others during a question and answer session. The meeting was successful, and the group agreed to hold similar sessions in the future.
"The meeting was a success and a very informative venture as our cities learned how others approach similar issues in the development process," said Michael Dice, Interim DSD Policy Administrator. "We look forward to our next meeting with additional cities that have already committed to attending; allowing for further communication, problem solving, and consistency across our cities and departments."
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Oak Wilt Prevention
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Oak Wilt is a deadly fungal disease that infects and disables the water-conducting system in oak trees. All Oaks are susceptible to this disease, but some species more than others.
In Central Texas, Oak Wilt is prevalent and spreads both above and below ground. To help prevent Oak Wilt in your neighborhood, minimize pruning oak trees between February 1 and July 1. This is when the Oak Wilt fungus is most active. Note that the best time to prune trees is either in the middle of the summer, when temperatures are the hottest, or in late fall/early winter months when temperatures can be the coldest.
The City Arborist also suggests the following tips:
- Paint all cuts and wounds on oak trees within 30 minutes.
- Remove Red Oaks identified with Oak Wilt.
- Know where your firewood comes from; do not transport unseasoned firewood from diseased Red Oaks.
In addition, make sure contractors doing tree pruning have a valid, city issued tree maintenance license and proper training.
If you suspect Oak Wilt in your neighborhood, contact the Texas Forest Service at (210) 494-1742.
Additional resources for Oak Wilt prevention include:
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Register for SABCA Training Today
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The Development Services Department will host the San Antonio Building Codes Academy (SABCA) on May 4 and May 5 at the Phil Hardberger Park,Urban Ecology Center. Join us to learn more about the
2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Changes.
Shirley Ellis, Energy Codes Specialist, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, will present a comprehensive, high-level overview of all changes between the 2015-2012 IECC and the significant changes from the 2009 IECC.
Training Sessions are as follows:
- 2015 IECC: What's New - Residential Buildings
- o May 4, 2016, 8 - 11:30 a.m.
- o May 5, 2016, 12:30 - 4 p.m.
- 2015 IECC: What's New - Commercial Buildings
- o May 4, 2016, 12:30 - 4 p.m.
- o May 5, 2016, 8 - 11:30 a.m.
Location:
Phil Hardberger Park, Urban Ecology Center
8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX.
Please follow the link below to register:
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City News
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LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
The City of San Antonio's budget is a reflection of the community's priorities. Each year the City is required by law to pass a balanced budget. Your feedback is critical to balancing the budget and determining where funds should be allocated.
CITY INSIDER
The City of San Antonio presents the City Insider podcast outlining the most important issues and exciting city projects.
SA TOMORROW PUBLIC HOUSE EVENT - APRIL 28
Public Open Houses offered to help residents learn more about the Comprehensive Plan and how to help advance implementation.
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Other Department News
- Customer Comments, New Hires, Recognition, etc.
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Here's what you said about us...
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Richard Chamberlin, PE, Development Services Engineer, Plan Review
I have been coordinating with Richard Chamberlin on permit requirements for SAWS projects for over 5 years. I cannot begin to express how committed Mr. Chamberlin is to customer service. He ALWAYS provides PROMPT responses. Working for a government agency, we often get criticized for not being responsive. I want to make sure he is recognized for not just doing his job but doing an EXCELLENT job.
Herminio Griego, Asst. City Arborist, Engineering and Tree Preservation, Land Development
Extremely knowledgeable and very helpful and courteous.
Ray Herrera, Sr. Building Inspector, Commercial Building Inspections, Field Services
I would like to say that Ray Herrera has been very supportive to me as well as my company with inspections or questions that help expedite the project. Mr. Herrera has great knowledge of all the inspections and helps me and my team onsite.
Valerie Gleason, Sr. Plans Examiner, Plan Review
It is difficult to describe how valuable it is to the engineering design community to have the kind of prompt, detailed, and accurate code discussion that I consistently receive from Ms. Valerie Gleason. My thanks to her for her excellent work!
Mary Moralez-Gonzales, Planner, Zoning, Land Development
I want to thank you sincerely for getting back with me the same day. How refreshing for the City of San Antonio!!! You might find this unusual... but this really is worth yelling the good news about!!!
Leticia Villareal, Code Enforcement Officer, Field Services
The above listed Code Officer assists me almost daily. Her knowledge and professionalism is an asset to the department. Whenever I have an issue that needs to be addressed I know that it will get handled without delay.
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New Employees
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Certifications
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Job Opportunities
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| Development Services is recruiting for the following positions; apply on-line at: jobs. 
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For comments or suggestions regarding the Development Services Newsletter, contact
Kathy Quinones.
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