San Antonio Board of Adjustments Meeting – June 1, 2026

The San Antonio Board of Adjustments convened on June 1, 2026, at 10:02 AM with nine members present (later rising to ten) to hear ten cases involving variances, special exceptions, and appeals related to zoning and development codes. The meeting included a continuance, approval of previous minutes, and votes on numerous requests for setbacks, fence heights, buffers, and accessory dwelling unit placements. Decisions were based on findings of fact regarding unnecessary hardship and public interest. The meeting adjourned at 4:42 PM after a break and concluding announcements.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Brackman, second by Commissioner Manna).
• Continuance (Item 2 – BOA-26-103008): A request by Fernando de Leon for accessory dwelling unit variances at 219 Palo Grande was continued to June 15, 2026, by unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (13649 Forest Rock Drive): Speaker Robert Weimer, the applicant, described structural issues and requested a continuance to hire an architect; the board granted a continuance to July 6, 2026.
• Item 4 (929 Rice Road): Two neighbors spoke in favor: Suzanne Martinez (932 Rice Road) praised the gate and its positive impact; Diane Quayar (202 Glen Oak Drive) expressed safety concerns related to the property's future use but clarified she supported the gate itself. The applicant, Carolyn Randall, explained the gate's height (13 ft) was due to budget constraints and a desire to beautify the neighborhood after the property had been abandoned.
• Item 5 (1726 Nolan Street): Neighbor Leroy Davila (1730 Nolan Street) spoke about the carport and gutter, confirming he had no issues and that the applicant maintained the fence well.
• Item 6 (22315 Roman Forest): Two speakers from the HOA ACC committee, Ken Albrecht and Randall Holt, opposed the side-yard ADU, citing HOA covenants requiring detached garages behind the house and concerns about scale and aesthetics.
• Item 10 (8209 Landing Avenue): No public speakers; one written opposition (item 3 only) cited an easement concern.
• Item 11 (8042 Pinebrook Drive): No public speakers.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (202 Wilkins Avenue – ADU Variance): Applicant Susan Haime (SG Construction) and owner Ramona Montoya Coyot requested a side-yard ADU and a 1-inch side setback for a shed. The property has limited rear yard due to interstate right-of-way. Staff recommended approval; board unanimously granted the variance (10-0).
• Item 1 (607 McElvain Street – Fence and Clear Vision Variance): Applicant Adrian Zertuce requested a corrugated metal fence (side/rear) and an 11-ft clear vision area (vs. 15-ft). Staff recommended denial for the fence (material and safety concerns) but approval for the clear vision. The applicant amended to include a cap on the fence. Board granted both variances unanimously (10-0).
• Item 3 (13649 Forest Rock Drive – Side Setback Variance): Applicant Robert Weimer requested a variance for a patio/deck addition built without a permit near a zero-lot-line. Staff recommended denial due to fire and water runoff concerns. After discussion, the board granted a continuance to July 6, 2026, for the applicant to obtain a survey and architect.
• Item 4 (929 Rice Road – Fence Height Variance): Applicant Carolyn Randall requested an 8-ft variance to allow a 13-ft gate (predominantly open). Staff recommended denial but the board granted the variance (10-0), limiting it to the gate only, citing neighborhood support and improved security.
• Item 5 (1726 Nolan Street – Multiple Variances): Applicant Carmina Flores sought variances for a carport, home addition, accessory structure, impervious cover (artificial turf), fence height, and clear vision. Staff recommended denial for most, approval for clear vision. Board voted separately: first, the fence height special exception (6 ft 2 in) was granted unanimously (10-0); second, all remaining variances (setbacks, impervious cover, clear vision) were granted unanimously (10-0) with the condition that the impervious cover remains as currently configured with artificial turf over gravel.
• Item 6 (22315 Roman Forest – ADU Side Yard Variance): Applicant Elizabeth Campbell requested a variance to place an ADU in the side yard due to mature trees, slope, and a drainage easement in the rear. Staff recommended approval. Despite opposition from HOA representatives, the board granted the variance (10-0), citing tree preservation and reduced impervious cover.
• Item 7 (10903 Lazy Oaks Drive – Carport Variance): Applicant Jose Esquivel Vega requested variances for a carport (front and side setbacks) that had been previously approved but permits expired. Staff recommended denial, but after applicant amended to include gutters, the board granted the variances (10-0), noting other carports in the area and the applicant's willingness to complete inspections.
• Item 8 (1730 Nolan Street – Carport and Clear Vision Variance): Applicant Leroy Davila requested variances for a carport (6-in side setback) and an 11-ft 6-in clear vision area. Staff recommended denial for the carport, approval for clear vision. The board granted both (10-0) after applicant agreed to add gutters.
• Item 10 (8209 Landing Avenue – Commercial Setback and Buffer Variance): Applicant David Garcia requested a 20-ft rear setback reduction (to 10 ft) and buffer reductions (north to 6 ft, east to 12 ft) for a print shop. Staff recommended approval for the setback, denial for buffers. Board granted all variances (10-0), emphasizing that the property is adjacent to a vacant lot and the buffer requirements would still be met with landscaping.
• Item 11 (8042 Pinebrook Drive – Car Wash Buffer Variance): Applicant Emily Weissler requested a 5-ft reduction (from 15 ft to 10 ft) of the Type C landscape buffer for a new express car wash. Staff recommended denial, citing inadequate screening. The board granted the variance (10-0), noting the existing absence of any buffer and the improvement in screening and aesthetics.

Key Outcomes

• All decisions were unanimous (10-0 or 9-0 when only nine members were present).
• Continuances: Item 3 continued to July 6, 2026; Item 2 continued to June 15, 2026.
• Variances granted with specific conditions (e.g., gutters on carports, caps on metal fences, artificial turf configuration).
• Board discussed a letter from the Short Term Rental Association of San Antonio requesting stricter enforcement, and the upcoming UDC rewrite process expected in 2027. Board members noted vacancies on the board and encouraged applications.