Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The New Braunfels Board of Adjustment held a regular meeting on September 23, 2026, at City Hall, Council Chambers, 550 Landa Street. The board considered two variance requests and one alternative sign plan. With only four members present (Brandon Mund, Andrea Ranft, Brad Porter, Adam Schneider), a unanimous vote was required for variance approvals. The public hearing was opened for each item. The first two variances were approved unanimously; the alternative sign plan failed on a 2-2 vote.
ZB26-0012 – Variance for Carport Front Setback (831 East Basel Street): Applicant/owners Maria and Dominic Eureste requested a variance to allow a carport to encroach 13 feet into the 25-foot front setback in the R-2 district. The carport had already been constructed. Staff reported six mailed responses in favor, none opposed. The applicants cited the narrow lot configuration (only 5 feet to side property line, no rear access) and the need for covered parking for a family of five, including an autistic child. Board members confirmed the carport fits the neighborhood character. A motion to approve was seconded and passed 4-0 (Members Ranft, Mund, Porter, Schneider all voting aye).
ZB26-0013 – Variance for Detached Carport Side Setback (586 West Mill Street): Applicant/owners Thomas and Steffanie Jones requested a variance to allow a detached carport to encroach 2 feet into the 5-foot interior side setback in the R-2 HL HD (Historic Landmark, Mill Street Historic District). Staff noted the lot was platted before 1900, the existing driveway is nonconforming, and the neighboring property (with underground parking) will never build on that side. The Historic Landmark Commission had already approved the design. Five mailed responses in favor, none opposed, including neighbor at lot 10. The board discussed the encroachment and the design. A motion to approve as submitted passed 4-0.
CS26-0301 – Alternative Sign Plan (710 North Walnut Avenue): Applicant Pax Terra LLC (represented by Max Caruana) proposed a freestanding monument sign of 138 square feet (vs. code maximum of 64 square feet) for a multi-tenant light industrial development. The site has limited frontage (260 feet) and visibility due to detention ponds. As a trade-off, the applicant agreed to remove an existing billboard on the property after its lease expires in 2031 (within 60 days). Staff recommended approval with that condition. Board discussion focused on the sign's size (28+ feet long, 6 feet tall) and whether the extra area was used more for the development branding than tenant identification. A motion to approve with staff conditions was seconded. The roll call vote: Member Ranft – no, Chair Mund – aye, Member Porter – aye, Member Schneider – no. The motion failed 2-2 (simple majority requires 3 votes out of 4). The alternative sign plan is therefore denied.
Board appointed by the city council pursuant to state law. The board hears request from property owners for variances and special exemptions from locally adopted ordinances. This board may also hear appeals of decisions made by city staff in administering these ordinances. The general procedure for each case is the board will hear first from city staff who will provide a summary of each applicant's request. Then the applicant or agent will be asked to come forward and advocate for the request. Next, the board will request public comment from anyone who would like to speak in favor or in opposition of the request. Those speaking in favor or in opposition will be limited to five minutes. However, the chair does reserve the right to adjust these times. The board will keep all discussions to the issue at hand and cannot deviate into unrelated topics or areas that do not contribute to the merits of this request. After the close of the public hearing, the pending case will need to have a motion and a second to the motion from the board members in order to proceed to a vote. In order for a request to be approved, state law requires that four out of five of the members of the board must approve the variance requests. The request will fill if no motion or second is made for approval. If denied, the same or similar request cannot reappear before the board for at least six months unless new substantial evidence not available at the initial hearing is produced by the applicant. Any aggrieved party may appeal a decision made by this board. Appeals are made to the district court or county court at law. If you have any questions, you can ask a city staff member after the meeting. And as there are only four members currently present, the board offers the following options to applicants. Uming that you will need a unanimous decision in order to approve your request this evening. You may voluntarily postpone your request to the next meeting at no charge to you. If anyone would like to exercise this option, it can be done formally now at the podium. And we might have our fifth here in a minute. So we're going to proceed with four. If he walks in, we'll have our fifth year. Here member Reganal. And member Porter. I mean sorry, Member Schneider. Here. We have a cord. Thank you. Okay. The first thing our agenda is the approval of minutes from our August 27th, 2006 regular meeting. And make a motion to approve. We have a motion. And a second. Do we need a roll call? Member Rampt? Aye. Chairmund. Here. I sorry. Member Porter. Excuse me. And Member Schneider. Aye. Unanimous. Okay. Okay.