San Antonio Board of Adjustment Meeting Summary - October 26, 2026

The San Antonio Board of Adjustment convened on October 26, 2026, at 1:02 PM. A quorum of 11 members was present, with Chair O'Reilly presiding. The board addressed seven cases involving appeals of short-term rental (STR) permit revocations, variances for residential and commercial development, and fence height special exceptions. A 75% concurrence vote (9 votes) is required for motions to carry. The meeting adjourned at 3:37 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tyrone Fields (Item 1): Applicant for 1439 Lamar Street stated he was unaware of the monthly HOT reporting requirements, relying solely on platform remittances. He dedicated the STR to his late mother and argued a lack of direct correspondence.
• Michael Fernandez (Item 2): Applicant for 10214 Grenadier admitted to a breakdown in communication with his wife regarding HOT payments, calling it their fault. He noted the property income supports his special needs children and expressed remorse.
• Angelina Trujillo (Neighbor, Item 3): Owner of 206 McNarney Street testified that modifications to the applicant's carport and rear shed caused significant water runoff onto her property. She expressed dissatisfaction with the placement of gutters on her side of the fence.
• Michelle & Albert Ariaga (Item 3): Applicants for 202 McNarney Street stated the carport was built over a decade ago and they attempted to mitigate the neighbor's issues.
• Jamie Barrera (Item 5): Applicant for 811 Theo Parkway argued that the chain-link fencing and lot configurations were consistent with the historic neighborhood.
• Michelle & Ortha Putnam (Item 4): Applicants for 6326 Railway requested an 8-foot fence with barbed wire for a planned auto service center, citing high vehicle theft rates in the area.
• George Shilabad (Item 6): Applicant for 222 Sam Myers Street, planning a full rehab of a 1910 home, noted he owns the adjacent lot and sought variances for the substandard lot.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – STR Revocation Appeal (1439 Lamar St): Staff detailed the revocation due to non-payment of HOT taxes. Commissioners noted the applicant did not receive notices as they were sent to the property owner. The board discussed systemic issues with contact information for operators versus owners. Staff recommended denial.
• Item 2 – STR Revocation Appeal (10214 Grenadier): Commissioners questioned the applicant on 10 missed notices and neighborhood opposition from the HOA. The board offered a continuance to November 23, 2026, which the applicant accepted. Staff recommended denial.
• Item 3 – Comprehensive Variance (202 McNarney St): The board extensively debated the multiple variance requests for a carport, sheds, and fences. The neighbor's water runoff concerns were central. The applicant amended the application to include gutters on the carport and ancillary structures. The board crafted specific limits on the fence height special exception to match neighborhood scale. Staff recommended denial for the structures and fence, approval for clear vision.
• Item 5 – Variance for Renovation (811 Theo Parkway): Staff recommended denial of the clear vision variance due to safety concerns. Commissioners proposed and the applicant accepted a condition limiting the fence height in the clear vision area to 4 feet to mitigate the risk. Staff recommended denial for clear vision.
• Item 4 – Fence Height Special Exception (6326 Railway): Staff recommended a split decision (approve sides/rear, deny front). Commissioners struggled with the 9-foot total height (8ft fence + 1ft barbed wire) at a business on an arterial. A compromise was reached to require the front fence to be set back 20 feet from the property line. Staff recommended denial for the front yard fence.
• Item 7 – Buffer Elimination (1118 Fisher Rd): The landscape designer explained constraints from a CPS gas line and detention pond. Staff and the Chair proposed a compromise to provide a 15-foot buffer on the west side of the driveway and eliminate the buffer requirement elsewhere. Staff recommended denial of full elimination.
• Item 6 – Variance for Rehab (222 Sam Myers St): Commissioners focused on preventing a 2-story wall on the 1-inch western setback line. The motion was carefully worded to limit the 1-inch setback to the first story only and require gutters for the new carport. Staff recommended denial.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Appeal Granted (Motion by Manna, Seconded by Braggman). Vote: 10 for, 0 against, 1 abstention.
• Item 2: Appeal Continued to November 23, 2026. Vote: Unanimous.
• Item 3 (Part 1 - Fence): Special Exception Granted. Vote: 11-0.
• Item 3 (Part 2 - Remaining Variances): Variances Granted with conditions for gutters and specified setbacks. Vote: 11-0.
• Item 5: Variances Granted with condition limiting fence height to 4 feet in the clear vision space. Vote: 11-0.
• Item 4: Special Exception Granted with condition restricting the front fence to no closer than 20 feet from the property line. Vote: 10-1.
• Item 7: Partial Buffer Elimination Granted (with 15-foot buffer required on the west side). Vote: 11-0.
• Item 6: Variances Granted with conditions limiting the second story and requiring carport gutters. Vote: 11-0.
• Minutes: Approved from the previous meeting.
• New Alternate Board Members: Welcomed to their first meeting.