San Antonio Planning Commission Meeting – September 9, 2026

The Planning Commission met on September 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. to consider a consent agenda, the FY2027 proposed budget, and two land-use plan amendments. Commissioner Bustamonte recused himself from consent items 1, 5, and 7. The meeting concluded at 3:32 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve the combined hearing agenda (items 1–11, except 12, 13, and 15) carried unanimously (7–0). Commissioner Bustamonte was not present for the vote due to recusal.

Discussion Items

FY2027 Proposed Budget (Item 15)

• Craig Dudek, Interim Assistant Director of Management and Budget, presented a $4.4 billion total budget with a $1.76 billion general fund. The city faced a $158 million shortfall over two years due to revenue growth of 2.3% versus expenditure growth of 6.9%.
• Strategies to close the gap included: $90 million in spending reductions (101 civilian positions targeted, 54 filled – no layoffs planned), use of the 3.5% property tax increment authority (adding $28M in FY27 and $64M in FY28), and $30 million in fee increases (notably police/fire EMS fees, towing, and a $20 non-resident library card fee).
• Average homeowner impact: $2.95/month increase in property taxes; 47% of homesteads exempt due to existing exemptions or frozen values.
• Investments: $38.8M for homeless services (including $9M capital for emergency relocation); $37.7M for housing (targeting 29 units, 50% completion of 14,000 home repairs); animal care services (10 new positions, 5.2% increase in spay/neuter surgeries); 27 new airport police officers; conversion of 22 park police vacancies to police officers; $5.4M police overtime reductions; and 9 new fire uniform positions.
• Capital budget (Christy Chapman): $1.4 billion, 61% for airport Terminal C. Public Works will deliver 534 street miles, 22 miles of sidewalks, 36 channel restorations, and 44,000 gutter miles swept. Capital Delivery reported 78% of the 2022 bond program complete or under construction; the 2027 bond program will be presented to council on September 30.
• Commission vote: Motion to approve passed 7–0 (Bustamonte abstained).

I-10 East Corridor Plan Amendment (Item 12) – 4400 block of Nanto Drive

• Staff recommendation: Approve the change from urban living to community commercial. The property is adjacent to I-10 and currently has three zoning stripes; the amendment would align with surrounding commercial designations.
• Public opposition (three speakers): Joe Most, Amelia Peacock, and Candice Breland argued the change would harm the residential character, increase traffic, and pose safety risks. They noted the land is physically inside their neighborhood and that a previous proposal for a 24-hour gas station/convenience store was incompatible.
• Applicant (Hernan Jaramillo): Stated the property was always planned for commercial in the master plan (2009); they withdrew a special-use request for a car wash and now seek only standard C2 zoning (permits retail, restaurants, medical offices – not heavy commercial).
• Commission actions: Motion to continue to September 23 failed (4–4). Motion to deny failed (2–6). Motion to approve passed 5–3 (Orion, Cooper, Miller, Siegel, Peck yes; DeSucci, Wallersted, Bustamonte no).

Arena District Eastside Community Plan Amendment (Item 13) – 142 Gembler Road

• Staff recommendation: Deny the change from community commercial to light industrial, stating the property currently serves as a buffer between residential and industrial uses; eliminating the buffer would allow industrial encroachment.
• Applicant (Ken, rodeo representative): The property is used for overflow parking for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo (about one month/year). They need light industrial to accommodate permanent agricultural structures for year-round rodeo activities. The applicant noted the neighborhood association supports the IDZ (infill development zone) request after earlier opposition to full industrial zoning.
• Commission discussion: Some commissioners expressed reluctance without written neighborhood support. A motion to continue to September 23 (to obtain a letter of support from the neighborhood association) passed 4–2 (Siegel, Cooper, DeSucci, Miller yes; Orion, Peck no; Bustamonte not recorded; Wallersted had left the meeting at 3:26).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously (7–0).
• FY2027 budget approved (7–0, with one abstention).
• Item 12 (I-10 East Corridor) approved (5–3).
• Item 13 (Arena District) continued to September 23, 2026, to allow the applicant to provide a letter of support from the neighborhood association.