San Antonio Planning Commission Meeting - August 26, 2026

The San Antonio Planning Commission met on August 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM (meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM) to consider a consent agenda and four individual items: three variance requests related to irrigation requirements for green areas, and a land use amendment in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) for an assisted living facility. The meeting was conducted in Spanish with interpretation provided.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, consisting of all items except Articles 10, 12, 14, and 17, was approved unanimously by voice vote. Note: The chair initially stated that Articles 13 and 14 were withdrawn, but Article 14 was subsequently discussed and voted on separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Linda Guerrero (neighbor of the proposed assisted living facility under Article 17) opposed the project. She cited concerns about traffic on a single-lane county road, lack of infrastructure (wells, septic tanks), inadequate parking, and emergency vehicle access. She stated that the current facility on the opposite side of the street has caused friction with neighbors. She argued that the use is a business, not a residential use, and that it would negatively impact the neighborhood.

Discussion Items

• Article 10 – Irrigation Variance (4102 North 1604)

  • Applicant Daniel Lansley (representing Barbaco) requested a variance to waive the installation of an irrigation system for a 4,200-square-foot project. He presented a letter from the San Antonio Water Conservation Department indicating that customers who remove irrigation after a rebate program are allowed to maintain landscaping manually. He argued that manual watering is more cost-effective and that the irrigation system would be removed after installation. The staff recommended denial, stating that the proposed variance does not meet code requirements and that no hardship was identified beyond the applicant's preference.
  • A motion to approve the variance was made by Commissioner Suki and seconded by Commissioner Miller. The motion passed with a vote of 7 in favor (De Suki, Miller, Sánchez, Orion, Prophet, Peck, and one other) and 3 against (Cooper, Wallston, Sigo). Commissioner López was not recorded as voting.

• Article 12 – Green Area Variance (88743 Highway 151)

  • Applicant Mike Brown McDanum (HDR One) requested a variance to waive the irrigation requirement for a 4,300-square-foot project. He argued that the cost of installing irrigation ($50,000) would force him to abandon a $45,000 existing landscaping program, and that manual watering is more efficient. He noted that similar variances were granted administratively in the past. Staff recommended denial, citing that the project exceeds the threshold for required irrigation and that the hardship was financial, not geographic.
  • A motion to approve the variance was made by Commissioner Sánchez and seconded by Commissioner Prophet. The motion passed with a vote of 8 in favor (Sánchez, De Suki, López, Cooper, Miller, Orion, Prophet, Peck) and 1 against (Wallston). Commissioner López's vote was not clearly recorded but appears to be in favor.

• Article 14 – Green Area Variance (1920 South Loop 410)

  • Applicant Price Beckway (representing I40 Group Partnership) requested a variance to waive irrigation for a pavilion project. He cited economic hardship and the location behind the frontage road, making irrigation access difficult. He also noted that heavy equipment would damage any irrigation system. The applicant agreed to maintain the landscaping manually. Staff recommended denial.
  • A motion to approve the variance was made by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Prophet. The motion passed unanimously (8-0). Commissioner López was not recorded but is presumed to have voted yes.

• Article 17 – Land Use Amendment (ETJ, T B Lane)

  • Emily Weiss and Victoria Tejeda (applicant and owner) requested approval of a resolution to amend the land use plan from low-density residential to allow a 16-bed assisted living facility (a replica of an existing facility across the street). They argued that the use is residential, not commercial, and that it serves a community need. They noted that the existing facility has operated for three years with minimal traffic (two staff, occasional visitors) and that the property is a cul-de-sac with no through traffic. The Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) joint land use study (2017) was cited as supportive of compatible residential uses. Staff recommended denial.
  • Public commenter Linda Guerrero opposed the project, citing the above concerns.
  • A motion to approve the amendment was made by Commissioner Sigo and seconded by Commissioner Cooper. The motion passed with a vote of 8 in favor (Sigo, Cooper, Sánchez, De Suki, López, Orion, Prophet, Peck) and 2 against (Wallston and another commissioner not named, possibly Miller). Commissioner Miller's vote was not recorded.

Key Outcomes

• Article 10: Variance approved (7-3). The applicant is not required to install an irrigation system; manual watering and a maintenance agreement with the city will be accepted.
• Article 12: Variance approved (8-1). The applicant may proceed without an irrigation system, subject to manual watering and a maintenance agreement.
• Article 14: Variance approved (8-0). The pavilion project may use manual watering instead of an irrigation system.
• Article 17: Resolution to amend the land use plan approved (8-2). The property in the ETJ may be developed as a 16-bed assisted living facility, subject to county and state permitting.
• No director's report was given, and the meeting adjourned at 2:55 PM.