San Antonio City Council Zoning and Land Use Session - September 4, 2025

The San Antonio City Council held a zoning and land use session on Thursday, September 4, 2025, beginning at 2:11 p.m. and adjourning at 3:01 p.m. The meeting included a roll call establishing a quorum, continuation of two items to the September 18 meeting, a consent agenda with multiple routine approvals, and individual consideration of several zoning cases. Public comments were heard on multiple items, and the council voted on each agenda item.

Consent Calendar

• Items continued to September 18, 2025: Items 15 and 16 were moved to the next meeting without discussion. A motion to continue carried unanimously.
• Consent agenda approval: The council approved the consent agenda items (1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29) by a single vote. No items were pulled for individual consideration.
• Public speakers on consent agenda: Three individuals signed up to speak:
  • Jack Finger opposed item 1 (alcohol variance), arguing it would allow alcohol sales within 300 feet of Northwest Crossing Elementary School.
  • Sister Veronica Cahill spoke in favor of the rezoning of a congregational cemetery at 301 Yucca Street, thanking council members.
  • Jay Michael Jeffers did not speak beyond stating he signed up for "guess."

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Alcohol variance at 7280 UTSA Boulevard, Suite 101: Staff reported that UTSA opposed the waiver of the 30% limitation for alcohol sales. Five public speakers testified:

  • Andrew Wangler urged denial, citing past crime, noise, and safety issues from prior bars at the location. He requested quarterly alcohol sales verification if approved.
  • Jill Lehman (homeowner since 1983) opposed the variance, stating previous bar owners failed to be good neighbors and caused shootings, stabbings, and break-ins.
  • Doug Mueller cited specific incidents (defecation, urination, property damage) and requested restrictions on alcohol percentage and hours of operation.
  • Jack Finger opposed, referencing a newspaper article about the city council's "culture of alcohol" and urging denial.
  • Arun Hassana, representing the applicant, requested approval, noting negotiations with the neighborhood and the difference from past nightclubs.
  • Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez moved to approve with conditions: alcohol sales capped at 30% of annual gross revenues, annual verification, hours of operation (Sunday–Wednesday 11 a.m. to midnight; Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.) with alcohol sales ending at midnight daily, variance nontransferable, termination after 12 months of nonuse, and no outside amplification. The motion carried.

• Items 5 & 6 – Plan amendment and zoning change at 1921 and 1923 Burnett Street: Staff recommended denial, but planning and zoning commissions recommended approval. Two speakers:

  • Randy Warmley (property owner) described plans for a co-working space, coffee bar, ministry, professional offices, and community outreach (classes for financial literacy, homeless services, partnerships with local ministries and colleges).
  • Jack Finger opposed, noting staff and zoning staff opposition and that the commercial use would be placed in the middle of a residential block.
  • Councilmember Castillo Anguiano moved to approve, citing extensive neighborhood engagement. The motion carried.

• Item 13 – Zoning case at 227 and 2235 West South Cross Boulevard: Staff and zoning commission recommended approval, but the Quintana Community Neighborhood Association opposed. Due to 30% written opposition, a supermajority was required. Five speakers:

  • Elizabeth Russell (attorney for adjacent property owner Danny's Auto Recycling) opposed, citing the applicant's history of code violations (tearing down structures without permits, unauthorized driveways, operating without permission) and traffic safety concerns.
  • Mauricio Castillo (LULAC president, nonprofit founder) supported the rezoning, calling it a correction of a zoning mistake and noting that 98% of surrounding area is industrial/commercial.
  • Jack Finger opposed, noting neighborhood association opposition and the request for another used car lot.
  • Larry Garcia (Thomson Neighborhood Association) opposed, citing a history of violations (bandit signs, unpermitted retaining wall) and fear the property would be used for parking for an adjacent metal recycling facility.
  • Jerry Adondo opposed, detailing 13 and 26 code violations on the two properties, open violations, and past denied rezoning attempts.
  • Councilmember Castillo moved to deny, citing environmental overburden and health/equity concerns. The motion to deny carried.

• Items 20 & 21 – Plan amendment and zoning change at 13790 Judson Road: Staff and planning commission recommended denial; zoning commission recommended approval. Three speakers:

  • Jack Finger opposed, citing planning and zoning staff recommendations and the expansion of industrial uses next to multifamily residential.
  • David Dye (applicant's representative) explained the property has been used for outdoor storage (leased to a Home Depot subsidiary, Core & Main) since 2006, is screened from the road, and the owner does not want a downzone to C2.
  • Yvonne Isell (adjacent resident) opposed, citing concerns about chemicals, proximity to her home, and a school/childcare across the street, asking who would pay for damages.
  • Councilmember White moved to approve as amended (plan amendment changed to regional center). The motion carried.

• Item 22 – Zoning case at 6000 block of Royal Ridge Drive: Staff and zoning commission recommended approval. No public speakers. Councilmember White moved to approve as amended. The motion carried.

• Items 25 & 26 – Plan amendment and zoning change at 13639 Bulverde Road: Staff recommended denial with an alternate recommendation (community commercial and C2-CD with conditional use); zoning commission recommended approval. One speaker:

  • Jack Finger opposed, quoting staff that the request "would allow for intensive commercial encroachment" abutting a large residentially zoned parcel.
  • Councilmember White moved to approve as amended. The motion carried.

Key Outcomes

• Items continued: Items 15 and 16 were continued to September 18, 2025 by unanimous consent.
• Consent agenda approved (29 items) without dissent.
• Item 2 approved with the 30% alcohol sales cap and other conditions.
• Items 5 & 6 approved (plan amendment and zoning change at Burnett Street).
• Item 13 denied (zoning change at West South Cross Boulevard).
• Items 20 & 21 approved as amended (Judson Road).
• Item 22 approved as amended (Royal Ridge Drive).
• Items 25 & 26 approved as amended (Bulverde Road).
• The meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m.