Development Insight - February 2018

On Jan. 28, 2018, more than 100 San Antonians joined in as Pastor Jimmy Robles of Last Chance Ministries emceed a commemoration of the memorial designation of the 400 block of Brady Street to Victoria Robles Memorial Way. Speakers included District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, SAPD Chief William McManus, Nico La Hood, Bexar County District Attorney, and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

The memorial designation honors the life of Victoria Robles, eldest child of Pastor Robles and his wife Annette, who passed away in an overnight traffic accident on Sept. 6, 2016.

Councilwoman Gonzales initiated t he designation with a City Council Request last August. The Development Services Department worked with Pastor Robles and facilitated the process on behalf of City Council, including community notifications, meetings, postings, and technical review. On Dec. 7, City Council approved the designation.

As Pastor Robles was closing the ceremony, those in attendance released deep red balloons into the bright blue sky, in honor of Victoria Robles. The entire ceremony can be watched online.

National Background Checks for Contractors

In an effort to maintain a safer San Antonio, Information Bulletin (IB), Registration Procedures for Home Builder Contractor and Home Improvement Contractor Registration and National Background Check, will be introduced in April.

The IB will include a new process for new or renewal contractor licenses with the City of San Antonio Development Services Department. The change will require residential home builder and home improvement contractors to obtain a national background check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Today, local criminal background checks are required to get a license with DSD; this IB expands the requirement to a national level.

With the change, contractors will need to complete the FBI fingerprint application and submit it for processing. Once the contractor receives the sealed background check response from the FBI, they must deliver the results to the DSD Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center at 1901 S. Alamo, 78204, to complete the process.

More information will be available when the IB is posted on the Information Bulletin web page.

DSD offers Tree Maintenance License Training

On Jan. 28, DSD Tree Staff held a seminar for individuals and companies looking to earn continuing education credits toward their city issued Tree Maintenance License (TML).

The tree-training seminar included a g uest speaker, Mark Kroeze, with the Texas Forest Service, who gave a great presentation on Oak Wilt and how to prevent the spread of the disease. Mr. Kroeze also provided information to attendees about a new opportunity to become qualified as a Wildfire Tree Specialist. As a specialist, one would be able to identify potential wildfire hazards and perform necessary pruning to reduce the risk of property damage due to fires.

DSD Tree Staff also presented. City Arborist Mark Bird covered personal protection equipment and job site safety to attendees; and for those who always wanted to know "what tree is that?" Assistant City Arborist Herminio Griego gave a very informative presentation on ways to identify trees and their species by using the Texas Forest Service Tree ID website.

Upcoming tree training opportunities for TML holders include the 8th Annual Bilingual Tree Worker Training on March 8, at the Schertz Civic Center. To register for this session, visit http://saarborist.org/event-2423819 .

Up Next at DSD Academy...

Our next training session is scheduled for March 17. We will cover Zoning 101 (Zoning Basics) along with the Neighborhood Housing Services' Neighborhood Leadership Academy.

The meeting will take place in the Board Room, at the Development & Business Services Center, at 1901 S. Alamo, 78204.

Visit our DSD Academy website regularly, and like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Nextdoor to stay actively involved in upcoming events.

Online Resources

The following Rule Interpretation Determination (RID) was published on Feb. 9, 2018:

RID 2018-006 Dust Control

This RID includes clarification and a suggested UDC amendment regarding dust control. As such, minimum requirements will be applied toward an existing site with existing dust pollution and new sites with outdoor storage yards with truck loading and unloading of the storage items and will now require "paved" drive isles/lanes as indicated in the RID. This RID is effective immediately.

For a complete list of resources, visit the following sites:

Information Bulletins

Code Interpretations

Rule Interpretations

Annual Report, A Year in Review 2017

Performance Measures - FY 2018

The complete Performance Measures report is available online

Permit Activity

Upcoming SARA Training and Funding Opportunities

The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) would like to invite you to participate in the following Low Impact Development (LID) training sessions and funding opportunity.

Training Session

LID Construction Inspection Registration Course (1.5 day course)

SARA and Bexar County will cover key factors of LID Best Management Practice construction inspection for bioretention, permeable pavement, sand filters, rainwater collection, vegetated swales, filter strips, green roofs, and stormwater wetlands. The 1.5-day course includes an optional exam for a registration credential. More details are at www.sara-tx.org.

Dates/Times: March 6, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and March 7, from 8 a.m. - noon

Funding Opportunity

The deadline for Proposition 1 Edwards Program Funding Applications, 2018 Quarter 1, is
March 30, at 2 p.m.

Developers: This is your opportunity to receive funding to incorporate innovative stormwater features over the Edwards Recharge and/or Contributing Zone. For more information, see www.saprop1edwardsprojects.org.

Other Department News
- Customer Comments, New Hires, Recognition and more

Here's What You Said About Us...

Neil Gomez, Plumbing Inspector, Building Inspections, Field Services

Mr. Neil Gomez on a scale of 1 to 100 he was a 1000. Neil was precise to detail and had a great attitude. Your department is blessed to have him. Mr. Gomez was great.

Raquel San Martin, Development Services Specialist, Plan Review

Raquel has helped me multiple times with various questions. From making sure remaining balances get paid, to helping sort out prices on permits and much more. She is always a pleasure to deal with over email and over the phone. Her prompt and pleasant responses are always appreciated. Thank you.

Mari Kayaturk, Sr. Development Services Specialist, Plan Review

Mari is an exceptional employee that needs to be honored for her day in / day out work performance and supreme customer service skills. She is a valuable asset to DSD. So grateful for Mari!

Jose Zavala, Maintenance Worker, Graffiti, Field Services

We are very impressed that the service is offered and that it was so quick, efficient, and friendly!

Valeria Huerta, Planner, Land Development

Ms. Huerta worked patiently with me to resolve problems in order to arrive at a correct address verification. --Many thanks !

Chris McCollin, Senior Planner, Land Development

Chris has been very helpful and thorough regarding the overall subdivision platting process. He is knowledgeable in the platting process and offered quick feedback on any submittals that were provided. I enjoyed working with him through this process. He is a good asset to Development Services and Land Entitlements.

35 Years of Service - Gerald Roebuck, Field Services Code Enforcement

New Hires

Promotions

Certifications

Congratulations to our DSD employees who received the following certifications:

Job Opportunities

Development Services is recruiting for the following positions. To learn more, or apply online, visit the DSD jobs at the City of San Antonio Career Center.

Deve lopment & Business Services Center Main Address: 1901 S. Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78204 Mailing Address: PO Box 839966, San Antonio, TX 78283 Office Hours: 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Stay Connected

For comments or suggestions regarding the Development Insight Newsletter,

contact Kathy Quinones