Delay expires; demolition proceeds at 141 Claywell Street
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
A vacant lot now sits at 141 Claywell.
By Noi Mahoney Staff Writer
In relative anonymity, Nasir S. Syed, the owner of 141 Claywell St., bided his time and waited out a 180-day demolition delay ordinance. Once the delay expired at the end of January, he wasted no time in tearing down the 65-year-old home. The action closes on a chapter to a saga that started in July 2006, when Syed first proposed building a 3,500-square-foot house to replace the 1,264-square-foot cottage at the address. The size and mass of the proposed home angered many residents, who said it doesn’t fit the cottage district. Another point of dispute was Syed’s intention to remove several old trees on the property. Last week, only one small tree remained at 141 Claywell after the demolition.
“As a council member this is what you don’t want to see happen,” said Councilwoman Susan Harwell. “I’m saddened for the neighbors and Alamo Heights that it came to this.”
At the July 24 council meeting, officials imposed the first 90-day demolition delay on 141 Claywell. After the meeting, tense residents confronted Syed outside of City Hall about his plans. On Oct. 8, council imposed the second 90-day delay. At that time, Syed said meeting with neighbors was a moot point. During his appearance at the Oct. 8 meeting, Syed said, “I am here to wait for my second 90 days.”
Syed and his wife, Tazeen, are both Oxford-educated physicians, and have two children. Syed, who has a medical practice in Jourdanton, could not be reached for comment.
Besides San Antonio, Syed and his family have lived in London, New York and Philadelphia. Syed plans to live in the house and picked Alamo Heights over Stone Oak and the Dominion because of its convenience to San Antonio, good living and good schools.
At the Oct. 8 meeting, Syed said there’s been too much animosity between him and current Alamo Heights residents. “One woman told me I am not welcome here,” Syed said. “So now, I’ll wait for my second 90-day delay to end and get my demolition permit.”
Once a second 90-day delay expires, the demolition permit must be granted by the city. But Syed still must make another appearance before the council if he hopes to build his dream home.
“He will have to apply for building permits,” said Alamo Heights Public Works Director Jim Gray.
In response to an outcry over demolitions of older homes, city officials approved a demolition delay ordinance in August 2005. The ordinance gave officials the ability to impose two separate 90-day demolition delays on a home. It was hoped that the ordinance would allow for a “cooling-off period” for residents and new potential neighbors. But the ordinance ultimately does not give officials the ability to stop a demolition.
Harwell said in this case, the demolition delay did not have the desired effect.
“The delay allows neighbors time to negotiate, or maybe find another buyer for the house,” Harwell said. “This wasn’t accomplished in this case.”
San Antonio Academy honors Terrell HIlls philanthropist
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Betty Stieren Kelso is being honored with a humanitarian award by San Antonio Academy. Photo by Melanie Rush Davis
By Noi Mahoney Staff Writer
San Antonio Academy’s Alumni Council is presenting Terrell Hills resident Betty Stieren Kelso with the 2007 W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award.
The council honors individuals that exemplify the school’s values: honesty, respect, pride in achievement and service to others.
Kelso is known for funding and advocating programs that expose children to music, fine art and ballet throughout South Texas and San Antonio community.
Kelso comes from a family with a history of philanthropy. She is a daughter of well-known San Antonio philanthropist, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Huth Coates. Kelso currently serves on the board of trustees for Saint Mary’s Hall, and has been an active supporter of numerous civic and professional organizations in San Antonio, including service on the boards of the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, The San Antonio Museum of Art and the Advisory Board of the Witte Museum.
In 2005, Kelso gave the Witte a $1 million gift that allowed the museum to launch a major expansion slated to begin in June.
Kelso is a fifth-generation Texan, whose German-born ancestors were instrumental in founding Castroville in the mid-1800s. She is married to Bob Kelso and they have five children and 13 grandchildren.
Founded in 1886, San Antonio Academy in Monte Vista is a private school that provides pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade instruction.
With an enrollment of around 322, it’s one of only 16 all-boys independent elementary schools in the nation, and the only one of its kind in Texas. The academy focuses on small classes of 10 students or less, a family-like atmosphere and developing “young gentlemen and role models.”
Betty Kelso receives the humanitarian award today with a reception at 6 p.m. at the San Antonio Country Club. The reception is followed by a dinner at 7 p.m.
SAC Observatory re-opens Saturday for ‘Saturn Night Live’
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Scobee Planetarium’s venerable Celestron 14 telescope is being replaced with a spectacular new way of exploring the universe! Contributed photo
Special to the North San Antonio Times
After a six-month renovation, the San Antonio College Observatory re-opens to the public Saturday, with the Scobee Planetarium and the San Antonio Astronomical Association hosting a “Saturn Night Live” observing session in the Observatory and adjacent parking lot. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Saturday.
“Saturn was at its closest to the Earth in its orbit Feb. 10, and the brightest it will be in the sky for all of 2007,”said Planetarium Coordinator Bryan Snow. “The views toward the end of February will be just as good, but the planet will be higher in the sky and easier to see early in the evening.”
Snow said the view through a telescope will easily show the spectacular rings surrounding Saturn, the second-largest of planets in the solar system. About two dozen telescopes from the San Antonio Astronomical Association will be set up in the Observatory’s parking lot and available to people free of charge. “Families are encouraged to bring their children to witness these magnificent sights,” Snow said. “Other viewing targets during the evening will include the planet Mars, the first-quarter moon, and a variety of stars and bright nebulae.”
Parking is free and located one block east of San Pedro Avenue, off West Park. If it’s cloudy or raining, the observing session will be cancelled. For more information, call the Scobee Planetarium at 733-2910.
Straus to chair energy sub-committee
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Rep. Straus
Special to the North San Antonio Times
State Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) has been appointed to chair a sub-committee on energy conservation and efficiency issues. State Rep. Phil King, who chairs the Regulated Industries Committee at the state Legislature, said it is crucial for solutions to be found as Texas faces possible energy shortages as soon as this summer. The victor of a 2005 special election, Straus represents northeastern Bexar County, including Terrell Hills, Alamo Heights and Olmos Park, Windcrest and part of San Antonio,. Straus also serves as vice-chairman of committees for economic development and local and consent calendars.
A lifelong San Antonian, Straus currently serves on the board of governors of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center as well as on the advisory boards of the Southwest School of Art and Craft and the Texas Cord Blood Bank.
Cuisine and Canines
Wednesday, 14 February 2007
Lindsey Lashbrook and her dog Cayman feast at the “Paws on the Patio” Monday evening at the Canyon Cafe in the Alamo Quarry Market.
During this benefit for the San Antonio Humane Society, patrons could enjoy their meal outside, while their pooches were treated to a three-course, specially-created meal.
