San Antonio Zoning Commission Meeting - July 21, 2026

The San Antonio Zoning Commission met on July 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM (adjourned at 2:21 PM). Vice Chair Ken Huey chaired the meeting in the absence of Chair John Bustamante. The commission considered a consent agenda of 9 items, two continuances, and two individual zoning cases. All votes were recorded.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 were approved as a consent agenda with a motion by Commissioner Danny Kellum and second by Commissioner George Inohosa. The vote was 11-0. Item 14 (715-723 South Flora Street) was amended by the applicant to add a condition: hours of operation 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days per week. The commission approved the consent agenda as amended.

Continuances

• Items 6 and 7 were continued to the August 4, 2026 meeting on a motion by Commissioner Kellum, second by Commissioner Moshgan Pana. The vote was 11-0. No public comment was heard on continuances.

Discussion Items

Item 10 – 3100 block of South Giefer Street

• Request: Change from MF18 and R6 to C3 CD (General Commercial District with conditional use for construction trades contractors, screening required for outdoor storage).
• Staff recommendation: Denial, citing incompatibility with the established residential pattern and that the request would extend commercial activity into the interior of a block.
• Applicant (Mr. Ramirez): Argued that the site is currently vacant, overgrown, and attracts homeless encampments. He proposed 15 flex-space units (1,300 sq ft each) for contractors, with office and roll-up doors. He stated he spoke with neighbors and received no opposition. He offered to accept conditions: non-alcoholic (NA) overlay, limited hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week), downward-facing lighting, and no temporary signage.
• Commission discussion: Commissioner Inohosa (District 3) noted the lack of registered support or opposition but expressed concern that C3 zoning could later allow more intense uses (e.g., bars, amusement parks). He moved to approve with conditions: NA overlay, hours Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m.–6 p.m., downward-facing lighting, and no temporary signage. Commissioner DeVall noted that satellite imagery showed the site is contiguous with existing commercial uses along Gevers Street, reducing the concern of a commercial island. The motion passed 11-0.

Item 13 – 245 and 257 West Josephine Street

• Request: Change from IDZ3 (uses permitted: C2 commercial, 900 dwelling units, bar/tavern) to C2 CD with conditional use for taxi service, parking and dispatch (no washing or mechanical services). The applicant sought to allow a Tesla robo-taxi charging station (56 spaces) on a portion of a site approved for a mixed-use development that has not been built due to economic conditions.
• Staff recommendation: Denial, stating the use is inconsistent with the Midtown Area Regional Center Plan which promotes mixed-use, walkable development. Staff noted the existing IDZ3 zoning already allows a parking lot with charging stations if open to the public; the proposed zoning would make it private.
• Applicant (Patrick Christensen): Argued the use is temporary and less intense than the approved 5-story building. He said the site has sufficient power infrastructure and that Tesla cars can be programmed to avoid crossing in front of Hawthorne Elementary School. He noted the property is a paper street (Cosgrove) that will not be developed.
• Commission discussion: Commissioner Kellum (District 1) moved for approval, citing the ability to program cars to avoid school traffic and the complementary nature of the use to walkability (fewer private cars). Commissioner Losaf opposed, arguing the area has been zoned for density and walkability, and a parking lot contradicts that vision. Commissioner DeVall supported, noting autonomous taxis could reduce vehicle miles traveled. Commissioner Rodriguez opposed, stating the site is better suited for apartments. Commissioner Inohosa supported but requested Tesla communicate with SAISD (Hawthorne Elementary). The motion passed 8-3 (Commissioners Losaf, Pete Rodriguez, and possibly others? Counting: Kellum yes, Hinosa yes, Losaf no, Rodriguez no, Sipes yes, Kelly yes, Duval aye, Whitsett yes, Pana yes, Chair Huey aye = 8 yes, 2 no? Wait, roll call: Kellum yes, Hinosa yes, Losaf no, Pete Rodriguez no, Sipes yes, Kelly yes, Duval aye, Whitsett yes, Pana yes, Chair Huey aye. That's 9 yes? Actually count: 1 Kellum, 2 Hinosa, 3 Losaf (no), 4 Rodriguez (no), 5 Sipes, 6 Kelly, 7 Duval, 8 Whitsett, 9 Pana, 10 Chair Huey = 8 yes, 2 no. Commissioner Inohosa voted yes but he is District 3? He seconded the motion. So 8-2. The transcript says