San Antonio Board of Adjustment Meeting Summary - April 20, 2026

The San Antonio Board of Adjustment (BOA) held a regular meeting on April 20, 2026, beginning shortly after 2:00 PM and adjourning at 5:47 PM. A quorum of 11 members was present. The Board heard 13 agenda items concerning variances and special exceptions, with a heavy focus on short-term rental (STR) regulations and residential property development challenges.

Postponements

• Item 11 (539 Calumet Place): Postponed to May 4, 2026.
• Item 16 (330 Mission Street): Postponed to May 4, 2026.
• Item 5 (122 Rilla Vista Drive): Postponed to May 4, 2026, to allow the applicant to meet with the opposing Shadow Hills Ridge Neighborhood Association.

Short-Term Rental (STR) Cases

Item 2: 335 East Park Avenue A special exception request for an additional Type 2 STR unit was denied (7-4). The applicant argued it was necessary due to a massive historic renovation ($201,000) and financial hardship. The Board, however, cited saturation concerns within the block and opposition from the Tobin Hill Neighborhood Association despite the historical restoration arguments.

Item 3: 221 Ayr Avenue A special exception for a Type 2 STR was denied (0-11). The applicant, Jim Hendrix, operated the unit without a permit and had code compliance issues. The Maincom Park Neighborhood Association and adjacent residents strongly opposed the application, citing density and negative impacts on the residential character.

Item 4: 810 Dakota Street A special exception for a Type 2 STR was approved (10-1). The applicant, Marisa Gámez, a homeowner unable to sell or long-term rent the property, demonstrated significant personal financial hardship. The Mer High Neighborhood Association supported the application as a temporary financial bridge, with the understanding the permit would end upon a future sale of the home.

Item 6: 443 North Rail Drive An appeal of a STR permit revocation was approved (10-1). The applicant, Rogelio Peña, argued his permit was revoked due to non-payment of hotel occupancy taxes because of a confusion with the City's new online payment portal and an incorrect email address on file. The Board found the revocation was based on a communication breakdown and granted the appeal.

Property Development Cases

Item 1: 519 West Kings Highway A variance for a rear yard setback to convert an accessory structure into an ADU was denied (1-10). The Board found the 1-inch separation from the property line posed significant fire safety risks and a hardship for maintenance access.

Item 7: 619 Barbie Street A variance for a 4-foot, 11-inch side yard setback for an open carport was approved (9-2). The board found the inclusion of gutters and the open design adequately mitigated drainage and fire spread concerns, even as the King Williams Neighborhood Association opposed setting a precedent.

Item 8: 224 Dora Street Multiple variances for a new single-family residence on a constrained lot were approved (11-0). Variances were granted for arterial street frontage, reduced side and rear setbacks, and increased impervious cover. The owner, Ricardo Valdez, demonstrated the lot lost 6 feet to city right-of-way, creating a unique hardship that made standard development unfeasible.

Item 10: 155 Holly Street Variances for a fence were approved (11-0). The Board granted a special exception for a privacy fence using corrugated metal on the side and rear, a reduced clear vision area, and wrought iron in the front yard. The applicant successfully argued the materials and height were necessary for security, including containing large dogs and protecting a trailer.

Item 12: 21 Country Lane A variance to allow a larger ADU (1,725 sq. ft. vs. 1,500 sq. ft. max) was approved (11-0). The applicant demonstrated the larger size was needed to house a caregiver for an elderly family member, and the property's lot size easily accommodated the structure without impacting neighbors.

Item 13: 515 Wendale Street Six variance requests were considered in a series of votes. The Board approved variances for historic accessory structures and a shade structure by the pool. A special exception for a taller fence was also approved. The Board did not bring forward a motion for the variances for the front-yard shade structure and the covered carport encroaching on the property line, effectively denying them.

Item 14: 330 Elena Street A variance for an 18-foot rear setback (instead of 20 feet) to add a second story was approved (10-0). The Board accepted that the odd lot configuration and the non-conforming nature of the existing structure justified the minimal encroachment.

Item 15: 422 Pereida Street A variance for a rear yard setback (28 feet, 9 inches of 30 feet) for an addition to a commercial building in the King William Historic District was approved (10-0). The Office of Historic Preservation and the neighborhood association supported the project.

Item 17: 118 Rich Street A variance for a reduced side setback (1 ft. instead of 5 ft.) for a residential addition in the King William District was approved (10-0). The Board relied on the applicant's plan for gutters to mitigate drainage, the historic nature of the lot, and support from the King William Neighborhood Association.

Key Meeting Actions & Outcomes

• Minutes: The meeting minutes were unanimously approved.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:47 PM with a reminder that parts of the city were experiencing flooding.