San Antonio City Council Zoning and Land Use Session - March 19, 2026

The San Antonio City Council held a zoning and land use session on March 19, 2026, starting at 2:07 PM. The meeting included postponements, a consent calendar, and individual hearings on several zoning requests. Public comment was heard from Jack Finger, who opposed multiple items, and from applicants supporting their proposals. The council voted to approve all individual items after discussion.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved a consent calendar that included several zoning items not individually discussed. The specific items were not enumerated in the transcript, but the motion passed without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Finger (frequent public commenter) spoke on multiple agenda items:
  • Opposed item 16 (zoning change from residential to multifamily) citing flooding concerns and lack of buffering between residential and industrial uses.
  • Opposed item 2 (alcohol variance near Laclan Elementary) due to proximity to schools.
  • Opposed items 8 and 9 (zoning change from residential to commercial on Rich Avenue) arguing it would encroach on single-family homes.
  • Opposed item 7 (industrial to IDZ) because 27% of notified residents opposed (exceeding the 5% threshold) and the neighborhood association opposed it.
  • Opposed items 3 and 4 (IDZ2 allowing five units where maximum is four) stating staff recommended denial and the area was inappropriate.
  • Opposed items 10 and 11 (commercial to residential parking lot) citing no buffering and traffic concerns.
  • Opposed items 14 and 15 (commercial medical clinic on West Hart Avenue) due to traffic, noise, and lack of buffering.
  • Opposed items 17 and 18 (mobile homes on West Military Drive) arguing staff recommended denial due to lack of industrial buffering.
  • Opposed item 20 (parking for food trucks on Watkins Lane) as inconsistent with land use.
• Applicant for items 3 and 4 (owner of property at 201) spoke in favor, stating the zoning correction was needed and that the Tobin Hill community supported the change. He noted the Zoning Commission approved the request unanimously.
• For items 14 and 15, Councilmember Castillo acknowledged the Gonzalva (Gonzalez) family for commitments to provide additional parking, maintain cleanliness, and communicate with the neighborhood.

Discussion Items

• Items 3 and 4 (201 and Tobin Hill): Amendment to the downtown plan for mixed-use IDZ2 to allow five units. Staff recommended denial, but the Zoning Commission approved. Councilmember Carr's district. The applicant spoke. The council voted to approve.
• Items 10 and 11 (904 Placenta Road and 347 Cedars Avenue): Change from residential low-density to commercial and reunify property for nine parking spaces requiring demolition. Staff recommended denial for the first location and approval for the second. Councilmember Villagrán spoke in favor, noting the applicant met with her. Motion to approve passed.
• Items 14 and 15 (206 West Hart Avenue): Change from residential low-density to neighborhood commercial with specific use for a medical clinic. Staff recommended denial, Zoning Commission approved. Councilmember Castillo spoke in favor, citing commitments from the applicant. Motion to approve passed.
• Items 17 and 18 (77439 West Military Drive): Amendment to master plan for mixed-use center, changing from C3 to C3-CD with conditional use for manufactured homes and sales. Staff recommended denial, Planning Commission approved. Condition: no temporary signage. Councilmember Galván moved to approve, noting community support. Passed.
• Item 19 (6464 Highway): Zoning change from C3 to AC12D for truck repair and maintenance, with condition of no signage. Councilmember Galván moved to approve. Passed.
• Item 20 (1403 Watkins Lane): Zoning change from R5 to R5-CD with conditional use for parking. Staff recommended approval. Councilmember (acting for Alderete Gavito) moved to approve, noting support from Culebra Park Neighborhood Association. Passed.

Key Outcomes

• Postponements: Item 2 (alcohol variance) postponed to April 2, 2026; Items 8 and 9 (commercial zoning on Rich Avenue) postponed to April 16, 2026.
• Consent calendar approved without objection.
• All individual items (3,4,10,11,14,15,17,18,19,20) were approved by voice vote.
• The meeting adjourned at 2:36 PM.