Applicant wins approval for permeable driveway and gable vent at 118 East Riche
April 17, 2026 | San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
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SAN ANTONIO — The Historic and Design Review Commission’s Compliance and Technical Advisory Board on Friday approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing a permeable front driveway and a simplified gable vent at 118 East Riche, but declined to permit replacement of the home’s front-gable siding.
Chris Coker, the applicant, told commissioners he had worked with the city’s design-review staff and the Development Review Committee and said the gable vent and a ribbon-style, permeable driveway would better fit the neighborhood than a large concrete pad. “I’m totally on board with the permeable idea,” Coker said, arguing the vent adds needed proportion and function without damaging the facade.
Staff recommended approval of the driveway (limited to 20 feet long by 9 feet wide and using permeable materials) and the vent, and recommended against replacing the original gable siding. Commissioners questioned exact proportions and placement of the vent and asked that final materials and a proportionate vent design be submitted to staff for review. “If you put a vent in, make sure the proportions match the existing windows and gable,” a commissioner said.
On a motion to support staff’s recommendations — with the stipulation that final materials and vent proportions be reviewed by staff — the board voted unanimously to approve the driveway and vent and to deny the siding replacement.
The decision requires the applicant to submit final material samples and a scaled drawing showing the vent’s location and proportions before issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.
Chris Coker, the applicant, told commissioners he had worked with the city’s design-review staff and the Development Review Committee and said the gable vent and a ribbon-style, permeable driveway would better fit the neighborhood than a large concrete pad. “I’m totally on board with the permeable idea,” Coker said, arguing the vent adds needed proportion and function without damaging the facade.
Staff recommended approval of the driveway (limited to 20 feet long by 9 feet wide and using permeable materials) and the vent, and recommended against replacing the original gable siding. Commissioners questioned exact proportions and placement of the vent and asked that final materials and a proportionate vent design be submitted to staff for review. “If you put a vent in, make sure the proportions match the existing windows and gable,” a commissioner said.
On a motion to support staff’s recommendations — with the stipulation that final materials and vent proportions be reviewed by staff — the board voted unanimously to approve the driveway and vent and to deny the siding replacement.
The decision requires the applicant to submit final material samples and a scaled drawing showing the vent’s location and proportions before issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.
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