San Antonio Zoning Commission Meeting – April 21, 2026

The San Antonio Zoning Commission met on April 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM, chaired by John Bustamante. The commission reviewed a consent calendar, several continuance requests, and individual zoning cases. Key decisions included approval of a consent calendar, denial of a vape shop near a school, and a split vote on a controversial commercial rezoning involving past permitting violations. Multiple items were continued to May 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Items 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 were approved unanimously. These included rezonings for office/warehouse, commercial, residential, and mixed-use districts, with no public opposition and neighborhood association support or no response.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jane Schaefer (address 505 Costano Avenue) spoke against item 8 (125 Stonewall Avenue, withdrawn from this meeting but discussed as a continuance). She argued that the proposed change from residential to commercial/industrial constitutes spot zoning, increases traffic and noise, and the applicant has ongoing UDC violations. She urged denial of both the zoning and the continuance.
• Trisha Fayad (Vilas Esperanza neighborhood) opposed item 12 (2007 Frio City Road), stating that another industrial use at the entrance of her neighborhood would harm beautification efforts and that she would prefer a restaurant or office space.

Discussion Items

• Item 8 (125 Stonewall Avenue) – withdrawn; the process will restart.
• Continuance to May 5, 2026 – Items 8 and 11 were continued despite public comment. The commission noted that a continuance would not risk granting non‑conforming use rights. Motion passed 8‑2 (Commissioners Sipes and Wetzett opposed).
• Item 1 – Continued to May 19, 2026, without opposition.
• Item 2 (6603 N IH‑35) – No applicant present; continued to May 5, 2026, at Commissioner Pete Rodriguez’s request.
• Item 3 (519 B Street, R6 to R6 CD for four dwelling units) – Heated debate. Commissioner Pana raised concerns about insufficient outreach (only two residents contacted). Applicant Alvin Peters described modifications made after meeting with a community organization (no rentals). Two registered neighborhood associations supported; a third organization opposed. Motion for denial failed for lack of a second. Motion for approval passed 8‑1 (Commissioner Pana opposed).
• Item 5 (2408 El Paso Street, R4 to IDZ1 with C1 uses) – Applicant Joshua Zapata proposed a small office and coffee cart. Staff recommended denial due to commercial encroachment, but the commission approved unanimously, noting support from neighbors and the neighborhood association.
• Item 6 (13527 SW Loop 410, MF‑25 to C2‑CD for long‑term parking/storage) – Applicant Mark Elisondo described a 55‑acre site with a 50‑foot buffer for Methodist Hospital. Staff recommended denial. Motion for approval as amended passed 8‑2 (Commissioners Sipes and Chair Bustamante opposed).
• Item 7 (1005 N Sauston Mortar, R6 to IDZ3 for lumber yard/building materials) – Complex case with multiple unpermitted structures, floodplain issues, and code violations. Staff recommended denial. Motion for approval failed on a 5‑4 vote (Chair Bustamante, Kellum, Inohosa, Duval, Wetzett in favor; Pete Rodriguez, Sipes, Kelly, Pana against). A subsequent motion for reconsideration passed 8‑1, then the item was continued to May 19, 2026, with the expectation that the applicant would remove razor wire and show good faith.
• Item 9 (1904 Nogalito Street, C3R to C3RS for vape shop within 1,000 ft of a school) – Staff recommended denial. Motion for denial passed unanimously.
• Item 12 (2007 Frio City Road, C2 to C2‑CD for vehicle storage) – Applicant Janie Aretta sought to continue a tow‑company operation. Neighbor Trisha Fayad opposed. Commissioner Duval noted that the current C2 zoning already permits auto‑related uses. The chair moved for a four‑week continuance to May 19, 2026, to allow further discussion. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 18 (6543 Callahan Road, C2 to C2‑S for gas station) – Applicant Patrick Christensen explained that the property had been a gas station until 2019, and permits were issued before a zoning issue was discovered. Staff recommended denial due to proximity to multifamily residences. The commission approved the request 8‑0, noting the historical use and coexistence.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar (items 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19) – Approved unanimously.
• Item 8 and 11 – Continued to May 5, 2026 (8‑2).
• Item 1 – Continued to May 19, 2026 (unanimous).
• Item 2 – Continued to May 5, 2026 (unanimous).
• Item 3 – Approved as amended (8‑1).
• Item 5 – Approved unanimously.
• Item 6 – Approved as amended (8‑2).
• Item 7 – Motion for approval failed (5‑4); reconsideration granted (8‑1); continued to May 19, 2026 (unanimous).
• Item 9 – Denied unanimously.
• Item 12 – Continued to May 19, 2026 (unanimous).
• Item 18 – Approved unanimously.
• Minutes of April 7, 2026 – Approved as amended (by combining two paragraphs under Logan Sparrow’s presentation).

The meeting adjourned at 3:36 PM.