Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting - 2025-12-15
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The San Antonio Board of Adjustment approved multiple variance and special exception requests on December 15, 2025, including carport setback variances at 5902 Lake Nakoma and 4338 Greco Drive, a fence height special exception at 718 Trafalgar Road, and shipping container/accessory structure variances at 2769 Nacogdoches Road. A mobile food court separation variance at 602-606 North New Braunfels was continued to January 26 for further neighborhood discussions, and a storage shed variance at 154 Babcock Road was continued to February 3 pending applicant meetings with the Monticello Park Neighborhood Association.
Key Decisions (12)
Fence Height Special Exception at 2007 West Martin Street
LiftFund granted a one foot fence height special exception to allow a six foot predominantly open fence in the front yard, extending existing approved fencing for employee and school safety purposes. Vote was unanimous 11-0.
Rear Setback Variance at 120 East Agarita Avenue
Don B McDonald Architects granted a 19 foot 11 inch variance from the 20 foot rear setback to allow an attached carport with bedroom addition at one inch from rear property line in Monte Vista Historic District. Property abuts 20 foot alley.
Accessory Structure and Shipping Container Variances at 2769 Nacogdoches Road
Colt Smith granted variances for side and rear setbacks (3 foot 6 inch from required 10 foot side and 30 foot rear), shipping container design variance to allow containers without siding and roof, and fence material variance for corrugated metal. Property is former restaurant with existing structures predating current ownership.
Fence Height Special Exception at 718 Trafalgar Road
Ivan Rubalcaba granted a 3 foot 8 inch special exception to allow 5 foot 6 inch solid fence with 6 foot 8 inch columns in front yard. Applicant obtained 50 neighbor signatures in support. Property located near natatorium with significant traffic.
Clear Vision Variances at 718 Trafalgar Road
Ivan Rubalcaba granted 7 foot variance from 25 foot corner clear vision and 4 foot variance from 15 foot driveway clear vision. Jones Malzberger Access Road provides buffer from main arterial.
Fence Height Special Exceptions at 843 Brady Boulevard
New Look LLC granted 3 foot special exception for 6 foot solid fence on east side property line (limited to 15 feet from curb) and 1 foot special exception for 5 foot predominantly open fence with 6 foot posts. Code enforcement case for unpermitted construction.
Clear Vision Variance at 843 Brady Boulevard
New Look LLC granted 8 foot variance from 15 foot driveway clear vision to allow 7 foot clear vision area.
Carport Setback Variances at 4338 Greco Drive
Elizabeth Valenzuela granted 9 foot 11 inch front setback variance and 3 foot 6 inch side setback variance for carport. Zero lot line subdivision with existing home limiting placement options.
Carport Setback Variance at 5902 Lake Nakoma
Carl Lampkin granted 5 foot variance from 10 foot front setback for carport. Property owner of 38 years seeking vehicle protection from hail damage. Carport already partially constructed without permit.
Mobile Food Court Separation Variance at 602-606 North New Braunfels
Iskander Skahil requested elimination of 200 foot separation requirement for mobile food court within 200 feet of residential. Dignity Hills Historic Neighborhood Association opposed. Applicant agreed to continue discussions with neighborhood.
Carport Side Setback Variance at 116 East Agarita Avenue
Don B McDonald Architects requested 3 foot 6 inch variance for carport. Case postponed due to advertising discrepancy - carport attachment to existing CMU wall changes setback calculation from 18 inches to 6 inches.
Storage Shed Setback Variance at 154 Babcock Road
Gilbert Vargas requested 25 foot rear setback variance and 10 foot buffer variance for accessory structure at real estate services office. Monticello Park Neighborhood Association opposed citing fire safety concerns after September 2025 fire on property.
Development Activity (4)
Mobile Food Court Development
Proposed mobile food court on three vacant lots, initially planning 8-10 food trucks. Neighborhood association requested starting with 4 trucks. Applicant owns additional lot at 1517 Dawson for potential parking.
Monte Vista Bedroom Addition
New bedroom addition at split level above new carport at rear of 1918 home. Office of Historic Preservation approved design on October 15, 2025.
Restaurant Property Renovation
Former restaurant property purchased late 2024 with existing shipping containers, outdoor dining areas, playground, and barbecue pit. Restaurant operations ceased October 2025.
Real Estate Services Office
Office building under renovation with proposed 300-600 square foot storage shed. Property sold March 3, 2025. Fire damaged existing accessory structure in September 2025.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Multiple carport variance requests indicate homeowners investing in vehicle protection improvements, with one applicant citing 38 years of residence and recent hail damage costs.
Commercial Demand
Mobile food court proposal at North New Braunfels reflects demand for food service in underserved residential areas, with applicant noting lack of nearby restaurants.
Infrastructure
Traffic concerns raised at 718 Trafalgar Road due to natatorium activities causing parking overflow and a 350-unit apartment complex approved across Jones Malzberger Road.
Sentiment
Monticello Park Neighborhood Association expressed significant fire safety concerns following multiple fires within 15 months including at 154 Babcock, Fredericksburg Road Place Apartments, and 100 Block of Vance Jackson.
Housing Demand
Crown Hill Park area experiencing development pressure with 350-unit apartment complex approved across from residential properties, prompting fencing and privacy concerns from existing homeowners.