San Antonio Zoning Commission Meeting – January 20, 2026

The San Antonio Zoning Commission met on January 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM, chaired by President John Bustamante. The commission reviewed 29 zoning cases, including a consent calendar of 14 items, and held individual hearings on 11 items. Key decisions included approval of several controversial rezoning requests, with public testimony highlighting concerns about traffic, crime, code violations, and compatibility with existing neighborhoods. The commission also postponed five cases to February 17, 2026.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved unanimously without discussion: Agenda items 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 23, 25, 28, and 29. Item 20 was amended to allow 12 dwelling units instead of 4.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Luis Morales (opposed Agenda 25 – 1523 N. Alamo St.): Strongly opposed the rezoning, citing increased traffic, crime, and noise from existing businesses, particularly the Bamboo restaurant.
• Emily Knaff (San Antonio Museum of Art, supported Agenda 12 – 326 Guenther Ave.): Supported the project as it would complete the museum campus and enhance the urban walkability of the area; raised concerns about tower height and materials.
• Christopher Lopez (opposed Agenda 293 – 322 Sheryl Rd.): Expressed concerns about property tax increases and pest control mitigation for the proposed rezoning.
• Rose (Hickorify Neighborhood Association, opposed Agenda 318): Requested postponement to allow the representative to present to the neighborhood association, as the proposal was first seen that day.
• First Tip (voicemail, opposed Agenda 25 – 1523 N. Alamo St.): Asserted that notification was insufficient because only land owners, not all property owners in condominiums, were notified, and requested a postponement.
• Roberto Rabón (opposed Agenda 4 – 343 street): Objected to the rezoning for a bar/tavern, citing trash, dumpster issues, and public urination from the existing business.
• Filipe Pereiro (supported Agenda 7 – San Antonio): Supported rezoning for new housing, stating the area suffers from vacant lots, abandoned houses, drug activity, and a recent fire destroyed four homes.
• Wills (supported Agenda 11 – Surf Flores): Neighbor spoke in favor, no concerns.
• Lucía Oyervides (opposed postponement for Agenda 16 – 5102 Hemhill Dr.): Opposed the rezoning due to lack of sidewalks, poor visibility, parking issues, and fear of Section 8 housing.
• Patricia Chadwell (opposed Agenda 1 – 607 Comal St.): Opposed changing from I2 to IDZ3 for a lumberyard, as it could open the door to incompatible heavy industrial uses.
• Rebeca Flores Pérez (opposed Agenda 2 and 3 – Easterling and Mount Hood areas): Representing West Improvement / Westover Valley Head Meadows Neighborhood Association, opposed due to decades of code violations, environmental concerns, and lack of trust in the applicant. She provided photos and videos of ongoing dumping and unsafe conditions.
• William McDonnell (opposed Agenda 3 – Mount Hood area): Raised safety concerns about heavy equipment crossing Culebra Road, and noted that the property sits on a former landfill requiring gas monitoring, making development risky.
• Leticia Sánchez (voicemail, opposed Agenda 26 – 401/417 San Marcos St.): Opposed IDZ2 rezoning, stating the area is all R4 single-family and the applicant did not consult the neighborhood.
• Martin Ochoa (supported Agenda 26 – San Marcos St.): Supported the project as a place for military families to gather during graduation, noting the lack of family-friendly accommodations near Lackland and the Alamo.

Discussion Items

• Agenda 1 (607 Comal St.): Request to change from I2 (heavy industrial) to IDZ3 for a construction materials yard. Staff recommended approval. The applicant stated the lot is too small (55×75 ft) for I2 setbacks. A nearby resident who initially opposed changed position after speaking with the applicant. The commission approved the request (10–0).
• Agenda 2 (5682 Easterling Dr.): Request to change from R6 to C2NA (commercial, no alcohol) for a cement plant site. The applicant (River City ReadyMix) plans to clean the site and sell it. The neighborhood association opposed, citing past code violations and broken promises. Staff recommended approval. The commission voted 10–1 to approve, with Commissioner Dugo dissenting, arguing commercial use in a residential donut was inappropriate.
• Agenda 3 (5682 Easterling Dr. – adjacent lot): Request to change from R6 to C1 (light commercial) as an alternative to C2. The applicant reduced the request from C2 to C1 after discussions. The neighborhood association remained opposed. Staff recommended approval. The commission approved 10–1, with Commissioner Saipes dissenting, noting the C1 uses would create an island incompatible with surrounding residential.
• Agenda 4 (343 Street – bar/tavern): Request to change from R4 to IDZ1 for a bar/tavern with live entertainment. The Lone Star Neighborhood Association was in favor. The commission approved unanimously.
• Agenda 6 (201 Cortland Pl.): Request to change from RN4 to IDZ2 for a five-unit residential development. Staff recommended denial, citing incompatibility with the residential block. The applicant, Andre Weaver, argued the property is surrounded by MF33 uses and the request would allow a safe, consistent development. The commission overruled staff and approved 9–1 (Commissioner Dugo dissented).
• Agenda 8 (4131 Culebra Rd.): Postponed to February 13, 2026, after the applicant clarified the request was to maintain C2 with a revised use.
• Agenda 10 (12698/722 Menefee Blvd.): Request to change from R6 to R6 CD for a two-unit accessory dwelling. The owner had built an ADU without proper permits. Staff recommended approval with conditions. The commission approved 9–1 (Commissioner Dugo dissented), noting the owner had made efforts to comply.
• Agenda 18 (13526 Nacogdoches Rd.): Request to change from C2 to C2 CD for a construction contractor business. Staff recommended approval with a 15-foot landscape buffer. The applicant argued the buffer would eliminate 50 parking spaces and was unnecessary given 40 years of existing use. The commission approved without the buffer but with a condition for downward-facing lighting, over the objection of the applicant’s representative. Vote: 10–0.
• Agenda 21 (446 Mia Dr.): Request to change from R6 to MLOD-2 for a two-unit rental property. The owner explained the property was originally built for his parents. Staff recommended approval. The commission approved 9–1 (Commissioner Dugo dissented).
• Agenda 24 (2601 Guadalupe St.): Request to change from R4 to C2PNA (with conditional use for vehicle repair). The applicant amended from C2 to C2NA. The neighborhood association supported the change. The commission approved unanimously.
• Agenda 26 (401/417 San Marcos St.): Request to change from R4 to IDZ2 for an eight-bedroom bed-and-breakfast for military families. Staff recommended denial, citing incompatibility with the industrial surroundings and density. The applicant argued the property is a peninsula between industrial and commercial uses, and the project would revitalize the area. The commission approved 10–0, praising the innovative concept.

Key Outcomes

• Approved on consent calendar: Items 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20 (as amended to 12 units), 23, 25, 28, 29.
• Approved after individual hearings: Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 18, 21, 24, 26.
• Postponed: Item 8 to February 13, 2026; Items 9, 16, 17, 22, 27 to February 17, 2026.
• Vote tallies:
  • Item 1: 10–0
  • Item 2: 10–1 (Dugo dissenting)
  • Item 3: 10–1 (Saipes dissenting)
  • Item 4: Unanimous
  • Item 6: 9–1 (Dugo dissenting)
  • Item 10: 9–1 (Dugo dissenting)
  • Item 18: 10–0
  • Item 21: 9–1 (Dugo dissenting)
  • Item 24: Unanimous
  • Item 26: 10–0
• Minutes approved: The minutes of the December 6, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Next steps: All approved cases will be forwarded to the City Council for final decision. Postponed cases will be heard at the February 13 or 17, 2026 commission meetings.