SCP HCP Coordinating Committee Meeting Summary (December 9, 2025)

The SCP HCP Coordinating Committee convened to review four conservation permit applications, assess public concerns regarding stakeholder engagement, and ratify amendments to the minutes from the November 25th meeting. The committee heard a voicemail from a community resident objecting to the exclusion of abutting residents and the City of Grey Forest from the consultation process for a specific application, while also clarifying the scope of future species listings. Four applications were discussed in detail, covering development impacts to Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat, and all were unanimously approved following committee deliberation and a final vote on the corrected minutes.

Consent Calendar

• No separate consent calendar items were listed; routine applications were treated as standard discussion and vote items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Voicemail from Resident at 9525 Rochelle:
  • Position: Expressed formal opposition to Agenda Item 2 and requested a postponement of the decision.
  • Arguments: Stated that the charter and North Sector Plan require the involvement of "local stakeholders" defined as those living near, using, or affected by conservation projects. The speaker argued this definition was not met as abutting residents and the City of Grey Forest were excluded from the process.
  • Additional Concern: Noted that other biologists have reported additional endangered species missing from the mitigation report for the specific case, which were allegedly not discussed due to the lack of stakeholder engagement.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Item 1: Journey Man Group (Application ending 0015)

  • Proposal: Enrollment to mitigate impacts on 17.58 acres in Council District 8, requiring 21 GCW conservation credits and fees totaling $668,800.
  • Deliberation: Staff recommended approval; no commissioner questions were raised. The biologist was available to answer questions but none were solicited.
  • Position of Members: All commissioners voted in favor of the application.

• Agenda Item 2: Lenar Homes of Texas Incorporated (Application ending 0015)

  • Proposal: Enrollment to mitigate impacts on 248.59 acres in the ETG, requiring 302.11 GCW conservation credits and fees totaling $2,667,000.
  • Public Comment Context: Commissioner Nino referenced the voicemail regarding new endangered species in Bexar County.
  • Clarification: Biologist Jenny Blair (Blair Wildlife Consulting) expressed that no new endangered species have been recently listed since the plan's approval. She stated that the committee has purview only over currently covered species. She confirmed that if a non-covered species (e.g., a salamander) were to be listed in the future, the permit could be amended to include it if the permittee decided. She did not express opposition to the current application.
  • Position of Members: No other questions were raised; all commissioners voted in favor.

• Agenda Item 3: San Antonio Water System (Application ending 0008)

  • Proposal: Enrollment to mitigate impacts on 13.886 acres along IH 10, requiring 10 GCW conservation credits and fees totaling $97,141.
  • Deliberation: Staff recommended approval; no commissioner questions were raised.
  • Position of Members: All commissioners voted in favor.

• Agenda Item 4: Old Camp Bulls Partners LTD (Application ending 0006)

  • Proposal: Enrollment to mitigate impacts on 4.393 acres (0 acres of direct GCW habitat, 6.39 acres within 300 feet), requiring 3.5 GCW conservation credits and fees totaling $35,101.
  • Deliberation: Commissioner Garcia questioned the nature of the habitat impact. Biologist Jenny Blair explained that the 6.39 acres represents indirect impacts found within the required 300-foot buffer surrounding the property, not direct habitat on the site itself. She confirmed the assessment protocol requires evaluating both on-site and surrounding habitat up to 300 feet.
  • Position of Members: No further opposition expressed; all commissioners voted in favor.

• Minutes Correction (November 25th Meeting)

  • Proposal: Correction to clarify status of Guadalote Ranch (1,100 acres).
  • Clarification: Commissioner expressed concern that minutes implied a conservation easement/bank was proposed for the remaining 800 acres. Biologist clarified there are currently no plans for a bank; the development will enroll phases as studied. It was noted that habitat quality for warblers in the remaining undeveloped acres would not qualify for a bank under current parameters.
  • Amendment: Motion to approve minutes with language stating: "At this time there are no plans for a bank... [we are] enrolling by the phasing of the development."

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  • Journey Man Group: Motion passed 5-0. Applicant required to pay $668,800.
  • Lenar Homes of Texas: Motion passed 5-0. Applicant required to pay $2,667,000.
  • San Antonio Water System: Motion passed 5-0. Applicant required to pay $97,141.
  • Old Camp Bulls Partners LTD: Motion passed 5-0. Applicant required to pay $35,101.
• Minutes: Approved with amendments to reflect that Guadalote Ranch is enrolling by phasing development with no current plans for a conservation bank.
• Next Steps: Applicants to finalize fee payments prior to completing enrollment in the SCP HCP plan.
• Clarifications Made:
  • Confirmed no new endangered species listings exist that would impede current approvals.
  • Clarified that non-covered species could be added via permit amendment in the future if listed.
  • Clarified the definition of "indirect impacts" regarding 300-foot habitat buffers.
  • Clarified the methodology for Guadalote Ranch enrollment (phased vs. banking).