San Antonio Board of Adjustments Meeting - July 6, 2026

The San Antonio Board of Adjustments met on July 6, 2026, at 1:02 PM and adjourned at 3:35 PM. Eleven commissioners were present. The Board considered six agenda items, including variances and special exceptions for short-term rentals, setbacks, fence heights, and carports. Several items involved structures built without permits. Public comments were heard from residents opposing a commercial variance on Belgium Lane and supporting a short-term rental on Fairfax Street. The Board approved most requests with conditions, denied several variances in one case, and noted a procedural requirement for nine votes (75% of nine members), though the chair stated nine votes needed regardless of attendance.

Consent Calendar

• None. All items were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case 1 (112 Fairfax St): One letter in support and one in opposition were received. No live public testimony.
• Case 3 (3751 Belgium Lane): Multiple residents spoke in opposition:
  • Oscar Vex (12-14 Picard) described long-standing issues with dust, noise, and trucks, stating the area has over 300 homes and the business has grown excessively.
  • Shirley Deploma (3452 Shadow Drive), secretary of a neighborhood improvement association, opposed due to noise, escaped guard dogs, and visual blight from corrugated metal fencing.
  • Jacqueline Ali, president of the neighborhood association, emphasized cumulative impacts on residential character, loss of landscaping, increased traffic, and urged the Board to evaluate each variance separately and protect the neighborhood.
• Case 4 (1223 West Cio Ave): Three letters in favor, zero in opposition, one neutral. No live testimony.
• Case 5 (338 Wolf Road): No public comments (14 notices sent, no responses).
• Case 6 (6027 C Cumber Place): One letter in favor, zero in opposition. No live testimony.

Discussion Items

• Case 1 – BOA 26-1030111 (112 Fairfax St): Applicant Malcolm Duncan requested a special exception to renew a Type 2 short-term rental permit that had lapsed due to oversight. Staff recommended denial due to density (two existing permits in block, 20% cap). Applicant argued no complaints, police calls, or changes in three years of operation; he uses the unit 25% of the time. The Board granted the exception (9–2) finding that literal code enforcement would cause unnecessary hardship and that the use would not harm public safety or adjacent properties.
• Case 2 – BOA 26-1030089 (13649 Forest Rock Dr): Applicant Robert Weiner sought a 4 ft 11 in side setback variance for a carport built without permit. He stated he would demolish and rebuild in full compliance, thus the case was effectively withdrawn. No vote taken.
• Case 3 – BOA 26-1030014 (3751 Belgium Lane): Applicant René Morales requested six variances: side setbacks (8 ft 6 in reduction), rear setbacks (29 ft 11 in reduction), elimination of Type B buffer, throat length reduction (20 ft to 15 ft), corrugated metal fence material, and front fence height increase (3 ft to 6 ft 6 in). Staff recommended denial except for throat length. After public opposition and discussions, the Board approved solely the throat length variance (5 ft reduction) and a special exception for a 6 ft 6 in predominantly open front fence (both unanimously). All other variances were denied.
• Case 4 – BOA 26-1030116 (1223 West Cio Ave): Applicant Mary Cynthia Treviño requested a 5 ft setback variance for a carport and a special exception for a 6 ft 6 in fence (predominantly open). Carport fence were built without permit. Staff recommended denial due to insufficient roof clearance and sight visibility concerns. Applicant explained fence was to contain dogs and protect public safety. She amended to add gutters. Board granted both variances unanimously (11–0).
• Case 5 – BOA 26-1030017 (338 Wolf Road): Applicant Terawatt Infrastructure sought a special exception for an 8 ft fence (5 ft over maximum) around an EV charging station. Staff recommended denial for front fence, approval for side/rear. Applicant argued security needs and proposed 20% open panels. After discussion, applicant amended to request an 8 ft predominantly open fence around the entire perimeter. Board granted the exception unanimously (11–0), noting the fence would be predominantly open (at least 70% open).
• Case 6 – BOA 26-1030018 (6027 C Cumber Place): Applicant Andrés García requested a 5 ft 6 in front setback variance for a carport built without permit. Staff recommended denial. Similar carports exist in the neighborhood. Board granted the variance unanimously (11–0), citing that literal enforcement would cause unnecessary hardship and that the carport preserves open space.

Key Outcomes

• Case 1 – Motion to grant special exception passed 9–2. (Commissioners in opposition: Dean and Mena.) The chair noted the requirement of nine votes (75% of nine members) was met.
• Case 2 – Withdrawn by applicant; no vote.
• Case 3 – Motion to grant throat length variance (5 ft reduction) passed 11–0. Motion to grant front fence special exception (6 ft 6 in, predominantly open) passed 11–0. All other requested variances were effectively denied.
• Case 4 – Motion to grant carport setback variance passed 11–0. Motion to grant fence exception (6 ft 6 in, predominantly open) passed 11–0.
• Case 5 – Motion to grant special exception for 8 ft predominantly open fence passed 11–0.
• Case 6 – Motion to grant front setback variance passed 11–0.
• Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. No director’s report.