San Antonio Board of Adjustments Meeting - September 8, 2025

The Board of Adjustments met on September 8, 2025, from 1:02 PM to 5:20 PM to consider variance requests, special exceptions, and appeals. The board had 10 members present, requiring 8 votes (75%) for approval. Key actions are summarized below.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
• An additional meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025 (chosen over September 29 or October 3).

Discussion Items & Key Outcomes

Case 6 – 150 Storywood Drive (KCBOA-25-10300-130)
Request: Variances for rear carport setback (from 5’ to 1’6”) and entry width (from 20’ to 7’4”). The carport existed since at least 2007. Staff recommendation: Approval. Board vote: Unanimous approval (10-0).

Case 8 – 838 Culebra Road (BOA-25-10300-141)
Requests: (1) Variance to reduce rear setback from 20’ to 13’7” using an alley, (2) special exception for a 6’9” open fence with stone pillars. Staff recommendation: Approval. Board vote: Unanimous approval for both (10-0 each). The Martinez Creek Neighborhood Association supported the project.

Case 10 – 5207 Rogers Road (BOA-25-10300-145)
Request: Special exception for an 8-foot solid front fence at a data center. Staff recommendation: Approval. Board vote: Approved with an amendment requiring the fence to be predominantly open (10-0).

Case 1 – 647 Leigh Street (BOA-25-10300-137)
Request: Special exception for a Type 2 short-term rental (STR) permit. An existing STR in the block already brought density to 7%; approval would raise it to 14% (exceeding the 12.5% cap). Staff recommendation: Denial. Applicant argument: Prior permit lapsed by one day; no complaints in 8 years; neighbors support. Board vote: Approved 9-1, citing unique physical characteristics and community support.

Case 3 – 414 Mason Street (BOA-25-10300-149)
Appeal: Revocation of a Type 2 STR permit for failure to report hotel taxes (missing reports June 2024–February 2025). Staff recommendation: Uphold revocation. Applicant argument: Wife’s high-risk pregnancy caused oversight; taxes now paid. Board vote: Appeal granted 9-1, finding extenuating circumstances.

Case 4 – 704 Conway (BOA-25-10300-?)
Appeal: Revocation of a Type 1 STR permit for missing tax reports. Staff recommendation: Denial. Applicant argument: Thought Airbnb was handling taxes. Denver Heights Neighborhood Association opposed. Board vote: Postponed to September 30, 2025 to allow communication with the neighborhood association.

Case 5 – 422 Hardline Drive (BOA-25-10300-?)
Requests: (1) Variance for corrugated metal fence material, (2) variance to reduce landscape buffer from 15’ to 5’, (3) special exception for an 8’ privacy fence. Staff recommendation: Denial for items 1 and 3. Board vote: All three requests approved (10-0) after applicant added a cap to the metal fence and based on the fence’s 20-year existence and neighbor support.

Case 7 – 742 Aurora Circle (BOA-25-10300-138)
Request: Variance to allow a 13-foot-wide shed addition within 3 feet of the side property line. Staff recommendation: Denial (fire and drainage risks). Board vote: Denied 7-3.

Case 9 – 218 Woodleaf Street (BOA-25-10300-143)
Requests: Variance for 9’11” setback for barbed wire fence and variance for corrugated metal fence material. Staff recommendation: Denial. Board vote: Both variances approved (10-0) with conditions: no barbed wire on the east side (adjacent to residential) and metal fence to have a protective cap.

Case 11 – 436 West Craig Place (BOA-25-10300-146)
Requests: (1) Special exception for a 5’ privacy fence (exceeding 4’ limit), (2) special exception for an entry gate, (3) variance for rear setback (20’ to 13’5” using alley), (4) variance for sight triangle (25’ required). Staff recommendation: Approval for setback, denial for fence height and sight triangle. Board vote: All requests approved (10-0) with conditions: fence in the sight triangle must be predominantly open, and fence height variance limited to 2’6” above standard (max 6.5’).

Case 12 – 143, 145, 147 Forest Avenue (BOA-25-10300-152)
Request: Variance to allow three-story height (instead of 2.5) for three new homes in an IDZ district. Staff recommendation: Denial. Board vote: Initial motion failed (5 yes, 2 no, 2 abstentions; insufficient votes). The board then voted to reconsider and postponed the case to September 30, 2025 for the applicant to revise the design (pull third floor forward) and seek community support.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case 1 (647 Leigh St): One neighbor spoke in favor, citing rising property taxes and the need for supplemental income.
• Case 9 (218 Woodleaf St): Two voicemails opposed, citing rodent issues and lack of property maintenance.
• Case 11 (436 W Craig): Two voicemails supported the fence.
• No public opposition was recorded for other cases.