San Antonio Board of Adjustment Meeting - March 9, 2026

The Board of Adjustment met on March 9, 2026, at 1:05 PM with nine members present (quorum). The meeting addressed several variance requests, appeals, and continuances, primarily related to short-term rental permits, carport setbacks, and lot size variances. The meeting lasted until 3:19 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (515 Belmont Street): Ben Shoenbaum, a neighbor, spoke in support of the applicant, stating the neighbor was a good neighbor and that the city should allow the applicant to come into compliance rather than revoke the permit.
• Item 11 (1027 Southwest Military Drive): Becky Ruiz, president of the Harland El McCullum Neighborhood Association, spoke in support of the buffer variance, citing improved safety and reduction of homeless encampments.
• Item 7 (1038 Sherman Street): A voicemail from Lou Francois, Chairperson of the Dignity Hill Historic Neighborhood Review Committee, was played. The committee agreed with OHP's recommendation to deny the nine-foot entrance height request, citing the need for neutrality and fairness.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 (2751 Spur Street): Request for continuance to April 6, 2026, granted unanimously.
• Item 3 (515 Belmont Street): Request for continuance to March 23, 2026, granted unanimously. One speaker (Ben Shoenbaum) spoke in support.
• Item 2 (2110 Chitam Trail Drive): Appeal of revocation of a short-term rental permit due to unpaid hotel occupancy taxes. Applicant Jeff Bryson stated he was unaware of the county tax requirement and had mailbox issues. Staff recommended denial. The board initially voted 7-2 to grant the appeal (Commissioners Dean and Ozuna dissenting), but then a motion for reconsideration passed, and the item was continued to March 23, 2026.
• Item 5 (154 Babcock Road): Variance request for an accessory structure and barbed wire fence. Applicant Gilbert Vargas amended the request to reduce the rear setback from 5 feet to 15 feet after negotiations with the neighborhood association. The Maverick Neighborhood Association remained opposed. Staff recommended denial. The item was continued to March 23, 2026, to allow the applicant to obtain a letter of support from the neighborhood association.
• Item 7 (1038 Sherman Street): The applicant did not appear. The board considered the item after tabling earlier. Staff recommended approval for a 12-foot variance from the minimum 25-foot corner clear vision (to allow 13 feet) and denial for a 4-foot special exemption for fence height (to allow 9 feet). The board approved the clear vision variance (9-0) and approved a modified 1-foot special exemption for a 7-foot fence entrance height (9-0), rather than the requested 9 feet.
• Item 8 (3402 Meadow Drive): Variance request for an 8-foot 9-inch variance from the minimum 10-foot front setback to allow a carport with a 1-foot 3-inch setback. The Piper's Meadow Neighborhood Association and neighbors were in support. Staff recommended denial. The board approved the variance (9-0).
• Item 9 (1505 Wyoming Street): Multiple variance requests including a 3-foot 8-inch side setback variance for an addition, a variance to allow two doghouses in the front yard, and side and rear setback variances for a carport. Staff recommended denial. The board approved the motions for items 1, 3, and 4 (addition and carport setbacks) (9-0), but did not consider the doghouse variance (item 2) after a friendly amendment to pull it.
• Item 10 (224 Canoga Park Avenue): Variance request for a 9-foot 11-inch front setback variance and a 4-foot 11-inch side setback variance for a carport. Staff recommended denial. The applicant amended the request to include gutters on the east side to mitigate water runoff. The board approved the variances (9-0).
• Item 11 (1027 Southwest Military Drive): Variance request for a 9-foot variance from the required 15-foot landscape buffer for an oil change facility. Staff recommended denial. The Harland El McCullum Neighborhood Association supported the request. The board approved the variance (9-0).
• Item 12 (2026 Beachhaven Drive): Variance request for a 4-foot 11-inch side setback variance for a carport. Staff recommended denial. The board approved the variance (9-0).
• Item 13 (124 Parkview Drive): Variance request for a 492 square foot lot size variance and an 11-foot lot width variance for a residential remodel. The Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association supported. Staff recommended approval. The board approved the variance (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Continued to April 6, 2026.
• Item 3: Continued to March 23, 2026.
• Item 2: Continued to March 23, 2026, after reconsideration.
• Item 5: Continued to March 23, 2026.
• Item 7: Approved 12-foot variance from corner clear vision (9-0) and 1-foot special exception for 7-foot fence height (9-0).
• Item 8: Approved 8-foot 9-inch front setback variance for carport (9-0).
• Item 9: Approved variances for addition and carport setbacks (items 1,3,4) (9-0); doghouse variance not considered.
• Item 10: Approved 9-foot 11-inch front and 4-foot 11-inch side setback variances for carport with gutters (9-0).
• Item 11: Approved 9-foot variance from 15-foot buffer for landscape buffer (9-0).
• Item 12: Approved 4-foot 11-inch side setback variance for carport (9-0).
• Item 13: Approved 492 sq ft lot size variance and 11-foot lot width variance (9-0).
• Minutes approved.
• Director's report: Voicemail submissions will no longer be accepted after April 1, 2026. Financial disclosure reports are due April 1, 2026.