San Antonio Planning Commission Meeting – October 8, 2025

The Planning Commission met on October 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM to consider two major agenda items: a request for a two-week continuance on a plan amendment for a property at 8860 Cross Mountain Trail (Item 9), and a large-area rezoning and plan amendment for the Arena District/East Side community (Item 10). The meeting included extensive public comment, primarily opposing the Cross Mountain change and supporting the East Side changes with some property owner concerns. The commission granted the continuance and approved the East Side rezoning as amended to align with the Zoning Commission's recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (8-0, with Commissioner Bustamante recused for the vote) the combined hearing agenda items (items 3, 6, 9, 10 were initially on individual; items 3 and 6 were kept on consent). Item 2 and item 8 had been postponed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 9 (Cross Mountain Trail): Voicemails from 7 residents opposed the plan amendment from low-density residential to community commercial. Speakers cited safety concerns (windy road, blind corner, speeding), traffic, noise, loss of rural character, decreased property values, and potential for commercial uses to expand. No one spoke in favor in person. The applicant requested a two-week continuance to finalize restrictive covenants with the HOA.
• Item 10 (Arena District/East Side): Voicemails were split: 6 in favor (residents citing pollution, dust, noise, health concerns, and support for protecting neighborhoods from heavy industrial), 1 opposed (arguing for a 90-day delay to engage business owners). In-person speakers included:
  • Tom Roadie (KOA Campground owner): Opposed C2 zoning for his property, citing potential for 65-unit apartment development under new state law. Supported light industrial (L) or MHP with conditional use for campground.
  • Patrick Christensen (on behalf of property owner Dick Peacock): Asked for light industrial rather than C2 conditional use, arguing it would allow flexible leasing without repeated rezoning.
  • Cliff Sidanez (UHIA neighborhood): Strongly supported rezoning, emphasizing decades of dust, pollution, and health impacts. Urged approval without delay, noting past leadership failures.
  • Jesse Medellis: Highlighted historical racial discrimination (redlining) and deed restrictions, called for environmental justice and basic human rights.
  • Thaddeus Eigelhard: Supported rezoning, noted only six businesses never engaged, and urged approval to enable future development like the rodeo.
  • James McKnight (on behalf of 639 Gimbler owner): Asked for light industrial instead of community commercial, arguing it provides a transition zone and allows commercial uses.
  • LaQuira Santos, Roxanne Renfro, Velma Green, Veronica Sansei, Oscar Vicks, Alonzo Jones, Regina Williams: All spoke in favor of rezoning, citing personal health issues, dust, noise, and environmental injustice. Many opposed the zoning commission's amendments that would allow light industrial for certain properties (e.g., 639 Gimbler, 1030 Brussels).
  • Ken Brown (on behalf of a property owner on Paulson Lane): Supported elimination of I-1 and I-2 but argued community commercial is inappropriate; asked for light industrial to match existing uses and allow flexibility.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (Cross Mountain Trail): Staff presented the request for a third continuance (previously heard Sept 24 and Oct 27? Actually Oct 27 is future? The transcript says