Planning and Community Development Committee - 2026-02-24
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Planning and Community Development Committee received briefings on two major initiatives: a special housing supply task force recommending 3,200+ new homes for veterans, disabled individuals, older adults, and LGBTQ+ youth, and proposed amendments to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) policy to strengthen displacement protections. The TIF policy changes would add a two-year look-back period for displacement and require displacement impact assessments within a quarter-mile radius of all projects, addressing concerns raised by the recent baseball stadium project.
Key Decisions (4)
Consent Agenda District 4
Consent agenda item for District 4 was approved by the committee.
Special Housing Supply Task Force Recommendations
Committee received briefing on task force recommendations to add 3,200+ homes for special populations: 300 homes accessible to veteran voucher holders near medical center and transit, 500 homes for people with disabilities (deaf and blind), 2,400 age-restricted homes for older adults, and housing for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. Committee members expressed support for recommendations and requested inclusion of universal design ordinance language.
TIF Policy Displacement Language Amendments
Committee reviewed proposed amendments to Tax Increment Financing policy to strengthen displacement protections. Changes include: adding future phases of development to displacement review, implementing two-year look-back period from application date, requiring displacement impact assessment for all construction projects within quarter-mile radius, and requiring mitigation plans for medium or high risk scores.
Home Fire Assistance Process Review
Committee reviewed CCR from Council members Rocha Garcia and Castillo on establishing process for city assistance after residential fires. Enhancements already implemented include city fee waivers for fire victims and house fire checklist. Committee requested exploration of policy to avoid placing liens on homestead properties for demolition costs when residents intend to rebuild.
Development Activity (4)
Charlie Bush Building
Repurposed former public school into affordable housing for veterans and their families - cited as case study model
Pa Hyland Apartments
Apartment designed for deaf and blind community with multi-sensory alarms, ASL fluent events, sensory play features - cited as case study model
The Appleton
Adaptive reuse of former city-owned building for older adults with on-site services - cited as case study model
Ali Forney Center
Permanent supportive housing for LGBTQ+ youth with shared common spaces and ongoing rental assistance - cited as case study model
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
San Antonio has the highest rate of home fire response of any city in Texas, averaging 8 responses per day, with strong correlation between home fires and low socioeconomic status areas.
Housing Demand
Veterans with VASH vouchers face limited housing options - currently around 200 places compared to potential 2,000-3,000 if more landlords accepted vouchers.
Housing Demand
City has $9 million set aside from current housing bond for strategic land acquisition for affordable housing, with Housing Trust working on identifying parcels.
Sentiment
Committee members expressed strong support for a second housing bond, with plans to complete recap of 2022 bond by May-June to demonstrate progress ahead of potential new bond.
Infrastructure
Updated FEMA flood plain maps will incorporate more properties in District 5, creating additional barriers and costs for rebuilding within flood zones.