San Antonio Board of Adjustments Meeting - May 18, 2026

The Board of Adjustments met on May 18, 2026, at 1:00 PM to hear ten cases involving variances and special exceptions. The board, consisting of ten commissioners, granted most requests after deliberation, with one continuance and one item tabled due to applicant absence. Key topics included short-term rental density, fence heights, building setbacks, lot dimensions, and neighborhood conservation district standards.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Diana Snyder (resident near 310 Del Via Alley): Expressed support for development of a vacant, trash-filled lot but voiced concerns about narrow alley access for emergency vehicles and potential fire risk.
• April Ramirez (neighbor of 3823 South Mittman Street): Raised concerns about unpermitted construction, parking of tractor-trailers in the alley behind a meat market, and safety issues related to blocked visibility and fire risk.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 (BOA-26-1030079) – 247 Princeton: Applicant Elvis Trevino requested a special exception to allow an additional type 2 short-term rental on a block face where density would increase from 6.6% to 13.3% (exceeding the 12.5% limit). Trevino presented support from neighbors and the Uptown Neighborhood Association president. Staff recommended denial.
• Item 2 (BOA-26-1030055) – 539 Calumet Place: Applicant Justin Diggs requested a one-foot fence height special exception (4-foot solid front yard fence) and a five-foot driveway clear vision variance (10-foot clear vision area). Staff recommended denial for fence height but approval for clear vision. The applicant explained the fence replaced a chain-link fence and provided neighbor support.
• Item 3 (BOA-26-1030??) – 607 Mackelvane Street: Applicant not present; the case was tabled and later continued to June 1, 2026.
• Item 4 (BOA-26-1030249) – 214 North Sars of Mora Street: Applicant sought variances for a 5-foot rear setback (from required 30), 5-foot landscape buffer (from 15), and use of corrugated metal fence. The property had an unpermitted metal structure used as a tire shop. Staff recommended denial. The applicant amended the request to include a cap on the corrugated metal, and the motion was approved with a 40-foot length limitation for the structure.
• Item 5 (BOA-26-1030081) – 9102 Broxton Drive: Applicant Philip Baltazar requested variances for an accessory structure encroaching into side and rear setbacks. Staff recommended denial for side setback (fire and water runoff concerns) and approval for rear setback. The board granted a continuance to June 15, 2026, to allow the applicant to consult with CPS and neighbors.
• Item 6 (BOA-26-1030083) – 234 Myers Boulevard: Applicant Rosalinda Valdez requested a variance to allow 75% impervious cover in the front yard (from 50% maximum) due to an unpermitted concrete driveway. Staff recommended denial. The board granted a 10% variance to allow 60% impervious cover.
• Item 7 (BOA-26-1030084) – 262 Fulton Avenue: Applicant David Vogel (architect) requested six variances from NCD2 standards, including reduced setbacks, elimination of 18-inch eave requirement, 45-foot gable length, metal siding accents, and side-yard ADU placement. Staff recommended denial. The applicant presented a redesigned plan with neighborhood association support. The board granted all variances.
• Item 8 (BOA-26-1030085) – 310 Del Via Alley: Applicant Zach Duquevis requested variances for lot access via alley, reduced rear setback (16 feet vs. 20), reduced lot size (2,100 sq. ft. vs. 4,000), and reduced lot width (26 ft. vs. 35). Staff recommended denial due to fire access concerns (narrow alley, insufficient hose lay distance). The applicant offered to meet the 20-foot setback. The board granted all variances.
• Item 9 (BOA-26-1030086) – 3823 South Mittman Street: Applicant requested variances for a 1-foot 6-inch side setback (from 5) and a 5-foot 3-inch rear setback (from 20). Staff recommended denial for side setback but approval for rear setback. The board amended the motion to require a 3-foot side setback and a 13-foot 3-inch rear setback (accounting for alley credit), then approved.
• Item 10 (BOA-26-1030087) – 15919 Purple Sage Road: Applicant Victor Nohosa requested a half-story variance to allow a three-story home (max 2.5 stories) on a lot with significant elevation drop. Staff recommended approval. The board granted the variance as designed.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Motion to grant the special exception passed 9-0-1 (Commissioner Dean abstained). The block face density will be 13.3%.
• Item 2 (Fence height): Motion to grant the special exception passed 9-1 (Commissioner Dean opposed). Clear vision variance: Motion to grant passed 9-1 (Commissioner Dean opposed).
• Item 3: Continued to June 1, 2026.
• Item 4: Motion to grant variances (including 5-foot rear setback, 5-foot landscape buffer behind 40-foot structure, and corrugated metal fence with cap) passed 10-0.
• Item 5: Continued to June 15, 2026.
• Item 6: Motion to grant a 10% variance (60% impervious cover) passed 10-0.
• Item 7: Motion to grant all six variances passed 10-0.
• Item 8: Motion to grant all four variances passed 10-0.
• Item 9: Motion to grant amended variances (3-foot side setback, 13-foot 3-inch rear setback) passed 10-0.
• Item 10: Motion to grant the half-story variance passed 10-0.
• Minutes: Approved unanimously.
• Director's Report: Staff reported a new SharePoint system for public responses is being finalized. No update on board vacancies; two positions remain open.