Historic-review commission tables renovation plan for 639 S. Chadbourne, asks for more detail
February 19, 2026 | San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
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The Design/Historic Review Commission on Monday tabled a request to renovate the building at 639 South Chadbourne after members said the application lacked key details needed for review.
Arden, the city planner who presented the case, said the applicant seeks a certificate of appropriateness to repair the front facade in a 1920s “speakeasy” style, install cedar doors and a flat awning, add a projecting sign pole and pave the rear lot while installing a mural on an existing metal fence. Arden told the panel staff recommended approval subject to three conditions: consistency with the board’s direction, an encroachment agreement for anything over public right-of-way and required permits.
Board members repeatedly raised specific missing items. One board member (Speaker 1) said, “I just don't feel comfortable approving this because I don't know. There's a lot of unknowns on this thing,” and asked for front dimensions, details of the underside and lighting of the awning, interior photos of the facade and clarification about whether demolition would reveal single or double doors behind the existing covering.
Members and staff discussed two paths: approve components now and require the applicant to return with additional materials for others, or table the entire item. Arden told the commission the applicant had intended to attend but was not present and that staff had warned the applicant the submission lacked specifications; the applicant was reportedly understanding of the likelihood of a table.
A motion to table the full item until the next meeting so staff could collect the requested information was made by a board member (Speaker 1), seconded by another member (Speaker 6), and approved by voice vote. The commission requested the record reflect the items to return with: awning underside and lighting specs, measured front elevations/dimensions, interior photos of the existing facade condition, and clarification of how the rear metal fence will be prepared prior to any mural work.
Arden also noted that because the property is non‑contributing in the historic overlay it is subject to a design‑district style review rather than the more stringent certificate-of-appropriateness standards applied to contributing buildings. Staff emphasized the applicant must secure any encroachment agreement and construction permits before work over public right-of-way or permit-required work begins.
The case was tabled; no votes on construction or demolition were approved at this meeting. The applicant may return with the requested specifications at a future meeting.
Arden, the city planner who presented the case, said the applicant seeks a certificate of appropriateness to repair the front facade in a 1920s “speakeasy” style, install cedar doors and a flat awning, add a projecting sign pole and pave the rear lot while installing a mural on an existing metal fence. Arden told the panel staff recommended approval subject to three conditions: consistency with the board’s direction, an encroachment agreement for anything over public right-of-way and required permits.
Board members repeatedly raised specific missing items. One board member (Speaker 1) said, “I just don't feel comfortable approving this because I don't know. There's a lot of unknowns on this thing,” and asked for front dimensions, details of the underside and lighting of the awning, interior photos of the facade and clarification about whether demolition would reveal single or double doors behind the existing covering.
Members and staff discussed two paths: approve components now and require the applicant to return with additional materials for others, or table the entire item. Arden told the commission the applicant had intended to attend but was not present and that staff had warned the applicant the submission lacked specifications; the applicant was reportedly understanding of the likelihood of a table.
A motion to table the full item until the next meeting so staff could collect the requested information was made by a board member (Speaker 1), seconded by another member (Speaker 6), and approved by voice vote. The commission requested the record reflect the items to return with: awning underside and lighting specs, measured front elevations/dimensions, interior photos of the existing facade condition, and clarification of how the rear metal fence will be prepared prior to any mural work.
Arden also noted that because the property is non‑contributing in the historic overlay it is subject to a design‑district style review rather than the more stringent certificate-of-appropriateness standards applied to contributing buildings. Staff emphasized the applicant must secure any encroachment agreement and construction permits before work over public right-of-way or permit-required work begins.
The case was tabled; no votes on construction or demolition were approved at this meeting. The applicant may return with the requested specifications at a future meeting.
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