San Antonio Planning Commission Meeting - March 11, 2026

The San Antonio Planning Commission convened on March 11, 2026, with all commissioners present. The meeting covered a consent agenda and three individual items, including a controversial request to rezone land near Camp Stanley from agricultural to light industrial. Following public opposition, the commission voted to continue the item to April 8 for further discussion with the community. Two other items were also continued to allow for neighborhood outreach.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, consisting of routine items read in a single motion, was approved unanimously by all commissioners present (Commissioner Orion left briefly but returned).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 12 (ETJ amendment at Ralph Fair Road): Multiple residents opposed the change from agricultural to light industrial for a 5.6-acre property. Callers and in-person speakers cited concerns about:
  • Loss of natural habitat, mature trees, and wildlife (deer, owls, foxes).
  • Increased noise, light pollution, and heavy truck traffic incompatible with the residential area.
  • Potential environmental impacts, including stormwater runoff and threats to well water quality.
  • One speaker, Steve Olsen (adjacent property owner, 18-year resident), described damage to his fence and sedimentation issues from nearby construction and asked for a stormwater management study.
• Item 13 (3730 Baychall Rose rezoning): Wendelin Venderfo, a resident of Paloma subdivision, opposed the change from low-density commercial to C-2 commercial, citing existing traffic, flooding, homeless activity, and a promise of green space. She requested a postponement to study impacts.
• Item 14 (5334 San Pedro Ave postponement): Betty Ecker, on behalf of a neighborhood society, requested a two-week delay to hold better-informed meetings with the six affected neighborhoods.

Discussion Items

• Item 12 – Snatcher Steel (barbed wire manufacturing) request to amend ETJ land use category from Agricultural to Light Industrial:
  • The property is 5.6 acres near Ralph Fair Road and Camp Stanley (Joint Base San Antonio). 56 notices sent, 0 in favor, 2 against.
  • Staff recommended denial due to incompatibility with existing residential neighborhoods and lack of use limitations.
  • The applicant (Reid Schneider) argued the site is within Camp Stanley’s protection area, that operations would be indoor (cutting/bending rebar, no heat or fire), and that they would preserve trees and use downward lighting to avoid interfering with night training. They plan 3 truck trips per day and 16 employees, with operations ending by 5 PM.
  • Commissioners expressed concerns about lack of homeowner association outreach, absence of tree preservation or stormwater plans, and the need for coordination with JBSA regarding communications and lighting.
  • A motion was made to continue the case to the April 8 meeting to allow the applicant to meet with the neighborhood and address compatibility concerns. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 13 – Amendment at 3730 Baychall Rose (community commercial):
  • The petitioner was not present; the applicant was called. The resident, Wendelin Venderfo, spoke in opposition and requested a two-week postponement to allow for further study. The commission voted to continue to March 25.
• Item 14 – Request for postponement at 5334 San Pedro Ave:
  • The applicant (likely the neighborhood) requested a two-week delay to hold more discussions with neighboring associations. The commission granted the postponement to March 25.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Item 12 (Ralph Fair Road / Snatcher Steel): Continued to the April 8, 2026 meeting by a unanimous vote (8-0) to allow for community dialogue and additional planning.
• Item 13 (3730 Baychall Rose): Continued to March 25, 2026 meeting to enable further environmental and traffic impact review.
• Item 14 (5334 San Pedro Ave): Continued to March 25, 2026 meeting to permit neighborhood outreach.
• No director’s report was given. The meeting adjourned at 2:54 PM.