San Antonio Board of Adjustments Meeting - April 20, 2026

The San Antonio Board of Adjustments convened on April 20, 2026, at 1:03 PM, with 10 commissioners present (Commissioner Bragman joined online later, but left before the end). The meeting adjourned at 5:47 PM. The board heard 14 agenda items including continuances, variances, special exceptions for short-term rentals (STRs), fence height/material variances, and appeals of administrative decisions. A total of 11 cases were decided with votes; several were continued to May 4, 2026. The board also approved the minutes from the previous meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Item 11 (BOA 261030055): Request to continue to May 4, 2026 – Approved unanimously.
• Item 16 (BOA 26103065): Request to continue to May 4, 2026 – Approved unanimously.
• Minutes from previous meeting: Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (221 IRA Avenue) – Bruce Martin (former board chair, Mankey Park resident) and Sandra Burge (220 IRA Avenue) spoke in opposition to granting an additional STR. Martin argued no unique circumstances justified doubling the density on a two-block street. Burge cited the loss of a permanent neighbor, garbage can issues, and parking problems caused by short-term renters.
• Item 4 (810 Dakota Street) – No public opposition; the neighborhood association (Aubrey Lewis) was in support.
• Item 6 (443 North Trail Drive) – No public comments.
• Item 13 (5115 Gwendolia Street) – No public comments; six neighbors opposed as per staff notices.
• Other items had no public speakers.

Discussion Items and Key Outcomes

Item 1 – 519 West Kings Highway (Felice De Novo)

• Request: 2-foot-11-inch variance for rear setback to allow an ADU addition 1 inch from property line.
• Staff recommended denial. Applicant argued the structure was built prior and would not affect neighbors. Commissioners expressed concern about fire risk and maintenance access. Motion to grant failed 1-10. Denied.

Item 2 – 335 East Park Avenue (Killing Griffin & Farramon)

• Request: Special exception for one additional Type 2 STR in a historic district. Block face currently at 12.1% density; request would bring to 15%.
• Staff recommended denial. Applicant cited historic restoration (distressed structure) and financial hardship—property purchased for $520k, $201k renovation, unable to sell or rent profitably. Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association opposed. Motion to grant failed 7-4. Denied.

Item 3 – 221 IRA Avenue (Tim Hendricks)

• Request: Special exception for an additional STR on a duplex. Current density 11%; request would bring to 22%.
• Staff recommended denial due to code violations (operating without permit, right-of-way issues). Mankey Park Neighborhood Association opposed. Motion to grant failed 0-11. Denied.

Item 4 – 810 Dakota Street (Marisa Gamez)

• Request: Special exception for an additional STR. Current density 12.1%; request would bring to 16.6%.
• Staff recommended denial. Applicant explained financial hardship—unable to sell or long-term rent while expecting a baby; neighbors and neighborhood association supported. Motion to grant passed 10-0-1 (Commissioner Dean abstained). Granted.

Item 5 – 122 Rio Vista (Enrique Lavinman)

• Request: Special exception for an additional STR. Applicant had a previous permit that lapsed; new application triggered opposition.
• Staff recommended denial. Applicant requested continuance to meet with neighborhood association (Cherry Hills Ridgeview). Motion to continue to May 4, 2026 passed unanimously.

Item 6 – 443 North Trail Drive (Rogelio Peña)

• Appeal: Appeal of revocation of STR permit for non-payment of county hotel taxes. Applicant argued he missed emails due to incorrect email address and thought notices were scams.
• Staff recommended denial. Board noted miscommunication and that density (5.5%) would remain under cap. Motion to grant appeal passed 10-1 (Commissioner Dean abstained). Granted – permit reinstated.

Item 7 – 619 Barb Street (Deborah Raina)

• Request: 4-foot-11-inch variance for side setback to allow carport + gutters 1 inch from property line. OHP approved design; King William Neighborhood Association opposed.
• Staff recommended denial. Applicant met with neighborhood but they refused to support. Commissioners split: safety concerns vs. minimal impact. Motion to grant passed 9-2. Granted.

Item 8 – Withdrawn by applicant.

Item 9 – 224 Dora Street (Ricardo Valdez)

• Request: Four variances – lot frontage on arterial street, side setback (from 5 ft to 3 ft), rear setback (20 ft to 15 ft), and impervious cover (from 50% to 70%).
• Staff recommended approval for frontage, denial for others. Applicant argued lot lost 6 ft to public dedication, limited buildable area. Board compromised on 3 ft side, 70% impervious. Motion to grant all four passed 11-0. Granted.

Item 10 – 155 Holly Street (Alberto Garcia)

• Request: (1) Fence material variance for corrugated metal, (2) special exception for 6-ft fence in front yard (limited to west side), (3) special exception for 6-ft stone columns, (4) variance for 10-ft driveway clear vision (instead of 15 ft).
• Staff recommended denial for fence material and height, approval for clear vision. Applicant has Dobermans, needs tall fence. Board approved in two motions: first (height/columns) unanimous; second (fence material + clear vision) unanimous. Granted.

Item 12 – 210 Country Lane (Reed Homes LLC)

• Request: 143 sq ft variance to allow ADU of 1,725 sq ft (max 1,582 sq ft). Lot 1.079 acres.
• Staff recommended approval. Applicant’s aunt (owner) wants to age in place; lot can accommodate. No opposition. Motion passed 11-0. Granted.

Item 13 – 5115 Gwendolia Street (Lydia Cotrell)

• Request: Six variances: (1) side setback for shade structure, (2) fence height, (3) front setback for shade structure, (4) additional side setback for shade structure, (5) side setback for existing accessory structure, (6) total accessory structure square footage (increase to 5,000 sq ft).
• Staff recommended denial. Some structures existed before applicant purchased. Board split the motion: Items 5 & 6 (existing structures) passed unanimously; Items 4 (shade structure by pool) and 3 (front shade structure) passed 10-0; fence height special exception passed 10-0. Item 1 (side shade structure near neighbor) was not moved and failed by default. Denied for that item.

Item 14 – 330 Helena Street (Linda Stone)

• Request: 18 ft variance from 20 ft required rear setback to allow second-story addition on existing footprint.
• Staff recommended denial. Applicant has small house (880 sq ft) and needs room for family; addition does not change existing 2-ft setback. Motion passed 10-0. Granted. (Findings were later corrected by reopening the item.)

Item 15 – 422 Presa Street (Jonathan Smith for Beethoven's)

• Request: 28 ft 9 in variance from 30 ft side setback for 313 sq ft addition to commercial property in King William District.
• Staff recommended approval. Same application as approved in January 2025 but expired due to project delay. King William Neighborhood Association supported. Motion passed 10-0. Granted.

Item 17 – 118 East Rische Street (Blue Line Housing)

• Request: 4 ft variance from 5 ft side setback for a 500 sq ft addition to a historic home.
• Staff recommended approval. Neighbors and King William Neighborhood Association supported. Fire-rated wall and gutters planned. Motion passed 10-0. Granted.

Key Outcomes

• Continuances: Items 11, 16, and 5 moved to May 4, 2026.
• Denials: Items 1, 2, 3; part of Item 13 (one shade structure).
• Grants: Items 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 (partial), 14, 15, 17; Item 4 granted with one abstention.
• Appeal granted: Item 6.
• Withdrawn: Item 8.
• The meeting concluded with a reminder about flooded roadways from recent rain.