H and H Coffee

Dedicated to the history of the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Co. est. 1899 in San Antonio, Texas.

The 1932 Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee factory at 601 Delaware Street unanimously received Historic Landmark approval from the HDRC on July 15, 2026. Three more votes are needed to make it permanent: the Planning Commission (Sept 23), the Zoning Commission (Oct 6), and City Council (TBD, likely November). The landmark overlay protects the building from demolition and adds design review for exterior changes. The plan amendment corrects a label error — the building has been zoned I-1 (General Industrial) since before the SA Tomorrow plan existed, and BIMU is the only mixed-use category that includes I-1 as an aligned district. Neither action changes any permitted uses in the neighborhood. Written comments, voicemails, and in-person testimony all count. Every letter matters — commissioners read them and count them.

The Three Hearings

# Body Date What’s Being Decided Case Number
1 Planning Commission Tues Sept 23, 2026 2:00 PM Plan amendment: correct the land use label from EFMU to BIMU (BIMU is the only category that includes I-1) PA-2026-11600062 (Item 15)
2 Zoning Commission Mon Oct 6, 2026 1:00 PM Historic Landmark (HL) overlay: the actual landmark designation Z-2026-11700157 HL
3 City Council TBD (likely Nov 2026) Final adoption of both the plan amendment and the HL overlay Both cases

All three hearings are at the same location: Cliff Morton Development & Business Services Center, 1901 S. Alamo Street, San Antonio TX 78204.

How to Submit Support

There are three ways to submit support. Any one counts. Do whichever feels easiest.

1. Email (Easiest)

For the Planning Commission hearing (Sept 23):

  • Send to: PlanningCommission@sanantonio.gov
  • Deadline: 4:00 PM Monday, September 22, 2026
  • Include: your full name, Council District, home or work address, “Item 15,” and “601 Delaware Street”

For the Zoning Commission hearing (Oct 6):

  • Send to: Tory.Rodriguez@sanantonio.gov (case manager)
  • Deadline: 4:00 PM the business day before the hearing (Friday Oct 3)
  • Include: your full name, Council District, home or work address, case number Z-2026-11700157 HL, and “601 Delaware Street”

2. Voicemail

  • Call: 210-206-PLNG (210-206-7564)
  • Max 2 minutes
  • Same deadlines as email
  • State your name, address, Council District, the case number, and that you support the designation

3. In Person

  • Show up before the hearing start time and sign up to speak
  • Planning Commission: sign up before 2:00 PM on Sept 23
  • Zoning Commission: sign up before 1:00 PM on Oct 6
  • You get 3 minutes at the podium
  • You don’t need to be an expert — “I’m a neighbor and I support this” counts

Template Letters

Copy, personalize, send. The more personal, the better — but even a short form letter counts.

Short Version (3 sentences — good for email or voicemail)

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing in support of the Historic Landmark designation for 601 Delaware Street (Case PA-2026-11600062 / Z-2026-11700157 HL). This 1932 Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee factory is one of Denver Heights’ most significant historic buildings, and the landmark overlay will protect it from demolition. The plan amendment simply corrects the land use label to match the building’s existing I-1 industrial zoning. I respectfully ask that you vote to approve.

[Your Name] [Your Address] Council District [#]

Medium Version (for supporters who want to say more)

Dear Members of the Planning Commission,

I am writing to express my support for the plan amendment (PA-2026-11600062) and Historic Landmark overlay (Z-2026-11700157 HL) for the property at 601 Delaware Street in Denver Heights.

The Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Company built this factory in 1932 — a $130,000 investment at the bottom of the Great Depression. The building still has all 1,227 of its original steel-sash window panes in place. The Historic and Design Review Commission unanimously approved the landmark designation on the consent agenda on July 15, 2026, with staff recommending approval.

[PICK ONE OR MORE OF THESE — personalize to your connection:]

  • As a neighbor in Denver Heights / Dignowity Hill / Government Hill, I want to see this building protected, not demolished. The landmark overlay ensures that.
  • As someone who cares about San Antonio’s historic buildings, this is exactly the kind of preservation the city should be encouraging — an owner who has maintained and cared for a building for over a decade, asking for the tools to protect it.
  • I know the owner, Brett Elmendorf, and I have watched him maintain and care for this building since 2014. He owns it free and clear and is committed to its preservation.
  • The Sports & Entertainment District development pressure is coming to this corridor. Without the landmark overlay, any future owner could demolish this building. Now is the time to protect it.

The plan amendment corrects a label error — the building has been zoned I-1 (General Industrial) since before the SA Tomorrow plan existed, and BIMU is the only mixed-use category that includes I-1 as an aligned district. The amendment changes no permitted uses in the neighborhood. The landmark overlay adds exterior design review, giving the neighborhood a say in what happens to the building.

I respectfully urge you to approve both cases.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] Council District [#]

Talking Points

Use these however you like — in a letter, at the podium, in a conversation, on social media.

  1. The building is being protected, not changed. The landmark overlay adds demolition protection and design review. The I-1 industrial zoning stays exactly the same. No new uses are being added to the neighborhood.

  2. The preservation experts already approved it unanimously. The HDRC — the city’s own preservation commission — approved it on the consent agenda with staff recommending approval. 8 of 16 criteria met, only 3 required.

  3. The plan amendment corrects a label error, not a policy change. The building has been zoned I-1 (General Industrial) since before the SA Tomorrow plan existed. BIMU is the only mixed-use category that includes I-1 as an aligned district — EFMU does not. The amendment corrects the plan to match the zoning that’s already there. City Council approved the exact same type of amendment (EFMU→BIMU) for 2000 S. Presa Street on September 3, 2026.

  4. The owner has been protecting this building for over a decade. Brett Elmendorf bought it in 2014, owns it free and clear, has no investor exit clock, and has maintained it ever since. This is an owner asking for the tools to protect a building he already cares for — the opposite of demolish-and-build.

  5. The building is extraordinary. 1,227 original 1932 steel-sash window panes still in place. A Diebold vault with the original combination lock. Mission-style Spanish terracotta on the roofline. Built by Morris, Noonan & Wilson for a company founded in 1899. Nothing like it is being made anymore.

  6. If it’s not landmarked, it can be demolished. The Sports & Entertainment District development pressure (Project Marvel) is coming to this corridor. Without landmark protection, any future owner could tear the building down. The HL overlay is the only permanent protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

“Does this change the zoning?” No. The base zoning stays I-1 (General Industrial). The plan amendment changes a land use label in the comprehensive plan — correcting it from EFMU to BIMU, which is the only category that actually includes I-1. The HL overlay adds exterior design review. Neither changes what can or cannot be built in the neighborhood.

“Does this affect my property?” No. The designation applies only to 601 Delaware Street. It has no effect on neighboring properties’ zoning, uses, or values. (In fact, national studies show landmark designation tends to stabilize or increase nearby property values.)

“Who is the applicant?” The City’s own Office of Historic Preservation filed the landmark application on behalf of the property owner, Brett Elmendorf / Nobody Industries LLC.

“Why does the plan label need to change?” The building has been zoned I-1 (General Industrial) since before the SA Tomorrow plan existed. When the Downtown Area Regional Center Plan was adopted, the property was labeled EFMU (Employment/Flex Mixed-Use) — but EFMU does not include I-1 as an aligned zoning district. BIMU (Business/Innovation Mixed-Use) does. The amendment corrects the label to match the zoning that’s already there. City Council approved the same correction for 2000 S. Presa on September 3, 2026.

“Do I need to be from the neighborhood to comment?” No. Anyone can submit a written comment or speak at the hearing. Neighbors carry particular weight, but support from across the city counts.

“What if I can’t attend in person?” Email or voicemail count. Commissioners read written comments before the hearing. A short email is just as valid as podium testimony.

Key Contacts

Who Role Contact
Tory Rodriguez DSD Case Manager 210-207-8302 / Tory.Rodriguez@sanantonio.gov
Planning Commission Written comments (Sept 23 hearing) PlanningCommission@sanantonio.gov
Brett Elmendorf Property owner brett@r26d.com

Quick Reference — Three Steps

STEP 1 — Send an email (takes 2 minutes) Email PlanningCommission@sanantonio.gov by 4 PM Monday Sept 22 with:

  • “I support the Historic Landmark designation for 601 Delaware Street, Item 15 (PA-2026-11600062)”
  • Your name, address, and Council District

STEP 2 — Send a second email for the Oct 6 hearing Email Tory.Rodriguez@sanantonio.gov by 4 PM Friday Oct 3 with:

  • “I support Case Z-2026-11700157 HL for 601 Delaware Street”
  • Your name, address, and Council District

STEP 3 — Show up if you can

  • Planning Commission: Sept 23, 2:00 PM, 1901 S. Alamo
  • Zoning Commission: Oct 6, 1:00 PM, 1901 S. Alamo
  • Sign up to speak before the hearing starts. “I’m a neighbor and I support this” is enough.

Questions? Contact Brett at brett@r26d.com or case manager Tory Rodriguez at 210-207-8302.