City of San Antonio Zoning Commission Meeting Summary – May 5, 2026

The San Antonio Zoning Commission met on May 5, 2026, at 1:01 PM (recess 2:47–2:56 PM, adjourned 4:31 PM) to consider nine agenda items. The meeting featured a contentious debate over a request to rezone a residence to allow a community kosher kitchen (Item 1), a denial of a request for oversized vehicle storage in a residential area (Item 2), approval of a commercial transition zone (Item 4), and a split vote that ultimately approved a triplex conversion (Item 5). The consent calendar and continuances were handled with minimal opposition.

Consent Calendar

• Item 8 (6502 Callahan Road): Approved change from C2 C D (conditional auto repair) to C3 S (auto paint/body repair with outside storage screened). 14 notices, 0 in favor, 1 opposed. Vote: unanimous.
• Item 11 (100 Proband Street): Approved change from IDZ to IDZ (C1 uses, MF18, bar/tavern). 16 notices, 0 in favor, 0 opposed; Lone Star Neighborhood Association in favor. Vote: unanimous.
• Item 12 (1021-1 Summers Drive): Approved change from R4 to I-1. 15 notices, 3 in favor, 0 opposed. Vote: unanimous.

Continuances

• Items 3 and 6: Continued to May 19, 2026, due to a notice mailing error. No public comment. Vote: unanimous.
• Item 9 (12139 Jones Maltzburger Road): Continued to May 19, 2026, at applicant's request. No public comment. Vote: unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 1 (15511 Oak Grove Drive): Supporters (including Rabbi Tal Shaoul, community members, and the CEO of the Jewish Federation) argued that the facility is a religiously necessary community kitchen, not a commercial restaurant, and serves a critical need for kosher food. Opponents (Hills and Dales neighborhood board member Harrison Axon and residents) cited traffic congestion, parking overflow, noise, trash, and the potential for future commercial encroachment. Several speakers noted that emergency vehicles (ambulances) have been blocked by parked cars. The applicant acknowledged past zoning and code violations but attributed them to confusion.
• Item 2 (3200 block South Foster Road): Applicant Efrain Rios sought C3 with conditional use for manufactured home/oversized vehicle storage. Jane Schaefer, a neighboring landowner, opposed, stating the owner began operating illegally in 2022 and that the intense commercial use was incompatible with the residential entrance. Staff recommended denial.
• Item 4 (Jones Maltzburger Road area): Applicant representative presented a C2 commercial request for a transitional lot near a Whataburger and McDonald's. Gwen Vanderpool (Paloma Park resident) opposed, raising concerns about light/sound pollution, drainage, and traffic. She suggested a nursery or park instead. Staff recommended approval, noting the downzoning from regional commercial.
• Item 5 (1210 Caton Avenue): Owner Diego Rodriguez requested a conditional use for a third dwelling unit (triplex). He argued for middle housing and sufficient onsite parking. Opponents (including Rachel Rohr, Eddie Rohr, Denise Martin, and Greg Ripps) cited overcrowded street parking, emergency vehicle access problems, and a desire to preserve single-family character. Highland Park Neighborhood Association opposed.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Kosher Kitchen (15511 Oak Grove Drive): Extensive discussion followed public testimony. Commissioners questioned staff on the definition of a food service establishment, the existence of open code violations (two pending for operating without a certificate of occupancy, with citations since 2023), and whether the operation constituted a restaurant. Commissioner Kelly suggested a continuance to allow mediation between the neighborhood and the applicant. Motion to continue to June 2, 2026, passed (8–1–1, with Commissioner Woodsett dissenting?). Vote count: 8 ayes, 1 nay (Commissioner Woodsett?), 1 abstention? Actually roll call: Kelly yes, Hinojosa yes, Kellum yes, Losef yes, Pete Rodriguez yes, Huey aye, Duval aye, Woodsett yes, Pana yes, Bustamante aye. All yes except one? That's 10 ayes. So motion carried.
• Item 2 – Vehicle Storage (3200 block South Foster Road): Staff recommended denial based on incompatibility with the residential context and history of violations. Commissioner Losef made a motion to deny, citing lack of documented neighborhood support and the intense nature of C3. Motion carried 10–0 (Commissioner Kelly had left). All commissioners voted aye.
• Item 4 – Commercial Transition (Jones Maltzburger area): Staff supported the C2 rezoning as a logical transition. Commissioner Losef moved to approve, noting the downzoning and the need for neighborhood services. Commissioner Duval supported, citing the existing regional commercial designation. Motion carried 10–0.
• Item 5 – Triplex (1210 Caton Avenue): A lengthy debate ensued. Initial motion to deny by Commissioner Hinojosa failed (5–5 with Chair Bustamante voting no). A motion for reconsideration passed (6–4). Then a motion to continue to June 2 failed (4–6). A second motion for reconsideration passed (7–3). Finally, a motion to approve by Commissioner Pete Rodriguez passed (7–3). Vote on approval: Pete Rodriguez yes, Kellum yes, Losef yes, Hinojosa no, Huey yes, Duval nay, Woodsett yes, Pana no, Bustamante aye. Motion carried 7–3. The conditional use for three dwelling units was approved.
• Item 7 – Auto Sales (1315 Basi Road): The applicant amended the request from C3 to C2 with a conditional use for auto/motor vehicle sales, which staff supported. Commissioner Kellum moved to approve as amended. No public comment. Vote: unanimous.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Continued to June 2, 2026, for further negotiation between the applicant and neighborhood.
• Item 2: Recommended denial (10–0). The applicant may still appeal to City Council.
• Item 4: Recommended approval of C2 commercial (10–0).
• Item 5: Recommended approval of R4 C D for three dwelling units (7–3). The Highland Park Neighborhood Association opposed; the property owner may proceed to City Council.
• Item 7: Recommended approval as amended to C2 C D for auto sales (unanimous).
• Consent Calendar & Continuances: Approved as routine.
• Meeting adjourned at 4:31 PM.