San Antonio Board of Adjustment Meeting - February 23, 2026

The San Antonio Board of Adjustment (BOA) met on February 23, 2026, to hear a range of variance, special exception, and appeal requests, primarily related to short-term rentals (STRs), fence heights, setbacks, and accessory structures. The meeting lasted from approximately 2:03 PM to 5:41 PM. Chair Orion presided until recusal, after which Vice Chair Azuna took over. Roll call showed 10 members present, establishing a quorum.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case 510 Booker Alley: Lulu Francois, chairperson of the Dignowity Hill Historic Neighborhood Review Committee, called to oppose the lot layout variance, citing safety concerns for emergency vehicles and inconsistent development character. She urged denial.
• Case 602-606 N. New Braunfels Ave. / 1513 Dawson St.: Lulu Francois (Dignity Hill HNR Committee) again called to oppose the mobile food court variance, arguing the area concerns (parking, noise, lighting) remain unchanged. She recommended the applicant use the two lots by right with four food trucks.
• Case 519 N. San Marcos: The Gardendale Neighborhood Association was recorded as supportive of the special exception for a taller front yard fence.
• Case 9310 Magnolia Grove: Two neighbors (Mr. and Mrs. Frank Melendez) testified in support of the privacy fence, describing safety and property concerns related to neighboring tenants.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – UDC Update Work Session: The board tabled discussion on scheduling a work session to recommend UDC updates, deferring to a later meeting in May to align with the 2027 application window.
• Item 2 – 626 Delmar St. Unit 202 (STR): Applicant Rob McClellan requested a special exception for one additional Type 2 STR on a block face already at 7% density (one active STR). Staff recommended denial. The applicant noted the Denver Heights Neighborhood Association is in favor. The board questioned and approved the request.
• Item 3 – 8201 Meadow Post (STR Permit Appeal): Applicant Francis Inhisaba appealed the revocation of a Type 2 STR permit due to delinquent HOT taxes. Staff confirmed unpaid taxes and missing filings from December 2024 through May 2025. The board granted a continuance to March 23, 2026, to allow the applicant to resolve outstanding payments and filings.
• Item 4 – 424 A Street (STR Special Exception): Applicant Skyhawk Custom Homes requested three additional Type 2 STRs on a block face. Staff recommended approval, noting the units had operated since 2019, all taxes were paid, and there were no complaints. The board approved the request 9-1.
• Item 5 – 326 Lexington Ave. Unit 101 (STR): Applicant Manuel Martinez requested one additional Type 2 STR. Staff recommended approval. The board approved 9-1.
• Item 7 – 3022 Reformatima Drive (Variance): Applicant Alamo Architects (representing Southwest ISD) requested a 2.5-foot variance from the 14.5-foot site distance decision point for a school driveway, citing a new wrought-iron fence installed for safety (TEA requirement) and a speed bump. Staff recommended approval. The board unanimously approved the variance.
• Item 9 – 9310 Magnolia Grove (Fence & Clear Vision): Applicant Judith Solis Gonzalez requested a special exception for a 6-foot privacy fence and a variance for 10-foot driveway clear vision. Staff recommended denial for the fence height but approval for the clear vision. After hearing testimony from the applicant and neighbors, the board approved both the fence height special exception (3-foot variance) and the clear vision variance (5-foot variance) unanimously.
• Item 10 – 116 E. Agarita Ave. (Carport Setback): Applicant Don McDonald requested a 4-foot 8-inch variance to build a carport at 4 inches from the side property line. Staff recommended denial. The board unanimously approved the variance.
• Item 13 – 327 Rainbow Drive (Setback Variance): Applicant Juan Osorio requested a variance for a structure built too close to the property line. Staff recommended denial. The board unanimously approved a 3-foot 6-inch variance (amended from 4-foot 6-inch) after the applicant agreed to reduce the overhang.
• Item 14 – 1514 W. Salina St. (Carport & Accessory Structure): Applicant Juan Carlos Talavera requested variances for an existing carport and a future accessory structure. Staff recommended denial. The board unanimously approved the variances, limiting the accessory structure to 18 feet along the side property line.
• Item 15 – 137 University Ave. (NCD Variances): Applicant Mint Development LLC requested three variances from the NCD 5 standards for a proposed multifamily development. Staff recommended denial. The Beacon Hill Area Neighborhood Association supported the driveway and garage variances but opposed the window variance. The board unanimously approved all three variances.
• Item 16 – 143 Globe Ave. (Carport/Front Yard Structure): Applicant Anna Gurrera requested a front setback variance, a variance to allow an accessory structure in the front yard, and a clear vision variance. Staff recommended denial for the structure but approval for the clear vision. The board approved the front setback variance (9-foot 11-inch) and clear vision variance (5-foot) but did not approve the second variance (accessory structure in front yard).
• Item 17 – 7106 Cloverfield Lane (Carport Setback): Applicant Albert Trevino requested a variance for a carport close to the side property line. Staff recommended denial. The board unanimously approved the variance, limiting the carport to 25 feet in depth and requiring a slope toward the street.
• Item 18 – 519 N. San Marcos (Fence Height): Applicant Deborah Wilson requested a special exception for a 6-foot solid front yard fence. Staff recommended denial. The board approved a 6-foot predominantly open fence (1-foot special exception), citing security concerns and minimal visual impact.
• Item 19 – Minutes: Approved.
• Director's Report: Announced that voicemail submissions for public meetings will cease on April 1st. Reminded commissioners to file their financial disclosure forms by April 4th.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2 – STR Special Exception (626 Delmar St.): Approved (10-0). The board found the exception would not endanger public health or safety, create a nuisance, or alter the character of the district.
• Item 3 – STR Permit Appeal (8201 Meadow Post): Continued to March 23, 2026, to allow the applicant to resolve outstanding HOT tax payments and filings.
• Item 4 – STR Special Exception (424 A St.): Approved (9-1). The board found the three additional STRs would not alter the character of the district or injure neighboring properties.
• Item 5 – STR Special Exception (326 Lexington Ave.): Approved (9-1). The board found the exception would not endanger public health or safety or alter the character of the district.
• Item 7 – Site Distance Variance (3022 Reformatima Dr.): Approved (9-0). The board found the variance, combined with the speed bump, adequately supports safety without causing hardship.
• Item 9a – Fence Height Special Exception (9310 Magnolia Grove): Approved (10-0). The board found the fence would not alter the character of the neighborhood or injure neighboring properties.
• Item 9b – Driveway Clear Vision Variance (9310 Magnolia Grove): Approved (10-0). The board found the variance does not compromise traffic or pedestrian safety.
• Item 10 – Carport Setback Variance (116 E. Agarita Ave.): Approved (10-0). The board found the variance was not contrary to public interest and would not injure adjacent properties.
• Item 13 – Side Setback Variance (327 Rainbow Dr.): Approved (10-0). The board found the variance was not contrary to public interest and the special condition of the existing home and driveway created an unnecessary hardship.
• Item 14 – Carport & Accessory Structure Variances (1514 W. Salina St.): Approved (10-0). The board found the old home's location limited usable space, and the variances would not alter the essential character of the district.
• Item 15 – NCD 5 Variances (137 University Ave.): Approved (10-0). The board found that strict application of the standards would create hardship for multifamily development, and variances were not contrary to public interest.
• Item 16 – Front Setback & Clear Vision Variances (143 Globe Ave.): Approved (10-0). The board approved the front setback variance and clear vision variance; the accessory structure variance was not brought to a vote.
• Item 17 – Carport Setback Variance (7106 Cloverfield Ln.): Approved (10-0). The board found the variance was not contrary to public interest and the hardship was due to unique property conditions.
• Item 18 – Fence Height Special Exception (519 N. San Marcos): Approved (10-0). The board approved a 6-foot predominantly open fence, finding it aligns with the spirit of the ordinance and provides necessary security.
• Motion to approve minutes: Passed.
• Director's Report: Administrative announcements.