[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6094058,"mediaKeyId","2845015-68a464ff15d2d135cdfa72a3b0dc2b0a","parentId",2845015,"title","Meeting roundup: council approves grant waiver, sidewalk variance and animal‑care agreements; consent items pass","audioSeconds",4044,"startMs",3786000,"endMs",7830000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845015-68a464ff15d2d135cdfa72a3b0dc2b0a&start=3786&end=7830","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845015-68a464ff15d2d135cdfa72a3b0dc2b0a/thumbnail_3786000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094058/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Meeting-roundup-council-approves-grant-waiver-sidewalk-variance-and-animalcare-agreements-consent-items-pass","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094058-7f53c55cc3894ba9b8c4366ff44f939d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588116&Signature=UbT7vBN5DoS-VKf27drkOv1Kk7aKkSVuFnoJO3Ap7OWZTcqYm8iuCqcLZXKhVUSy-3DnqPgz5bU~YprRPmRtVtikJpoGXKJFopKXAPIo3zup0lD8B20QDuyqwUXMcndR9hcnpHhgiXLDm1O~SbB~dX4Kn5F2ybZroVZIbzQABC5BAQdjXe4nhmmEWku2w8YG2EHog7~9vbNrd-BojqqEjLSGinBv0c0mBZVrmFh~K0akXCta8Lz5ED88NOyDyRaz9dnUG8YHA8uTdQ3GgYss~KS-q0KNz5ELaQ8SKHQIHDpH-KtPXLi4ltnESrCYHKFo5nhv5N3qFs0~EaXHGjcH8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Leon Valley, TX","date","2025-04-02T06:05:12Z","article","The City of Leon Valley City Council approved several consent and regular‑agenda items Tuesday evening besides the water and sewer rate motion and the Sawyer Road first reading.

Key votes and actions at a glance

- John Marshall High School in‑kind grant (Agenda 7.1): Council approved a request from the John Marshall Orchestra Band to use the Leon Valley Conference Center for a May banquet and waived building deposit and some fees while asking the band to cover cleaning and security costs. Motion by Councilor Martinez; second by Councilor Heil; unanimous approval.

- Linkwood amending plat and sidewalk variance (Agenda 7.2): Council approved an amending plat to combine two lots into one at 514 Linkside/Link Crest and granted a variance to the city’s subdivision sidewalk requirement limited to building sidewalk where the new driveway will be installed. Owner Jim Garcia said the property topography would make construction of a full sidewalk along the entire frontage a hardship. Motion by Councilor Orozco; second by Councilor Bradshaw; motion carried (vote not roll‑called in transcript).

- Two animal‑care MOUs (Agendas 7.5 and 7.6): Council authorized a memorandum of understanding with the city of Converse to obtain lower‑cost vaccination and spay/neuter scheduling for animals Leon Valley takes into custody, and separately authorized an MOU with San Antonio Pets Alive to accept intake of up to 25 animals over 12 months and to transfer ownership of those animals for placement. Both agreements were approved by council vote; the San Antonio Pets Alive MOU includes a $10,000 city payment to support intake and processing.

- Consent agenda (Items 6.1–6.5): Approved as presented.

What the council said: City staff emphasized that the city lacks a full municipal animal shelter and currently uses third‑party boarding and adoptions, which is expensive and limits options. The MOUs aim to expand intake options and reduce the need for euthanasia when the city’s own kennels are full. On the John Marshall request, staff noted the group’s willingness to pay cleaning and security fees.

What’s next: Several items will return to council if additional approvals or ordinances are required (for example, the rate ordinance for utilities and any second readings for rezoning); staff will implement the animal MOUs and schedule vet appointments per the Converse arrangement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting 4/1/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Tuesday’s Leon Valley council meeting included approval of several routine and administrative items: an in‑kind grant waiver for John Marshall High School orchestra; an amending plat and sidewalk variance in Linkwood; two memorandum‑of‑understanding agreements for animal veterinary and intake services; and the consent agenda.","taxTitle","Leon Valley, Bexar County, Texas","taxId",69409,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094062,"Residents press council on Sawyer Road rezoning as developer seeks PDD for townhouse-style project",474,4991000,5465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845015-68a464ff15d2d135cdfa72a3b0dc2b0a&start=4991&end=5465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845015-68a464ff15d2d135cdfa72a3b0dc2b0a/thumbnail_4991000.jpg","/articles/6094062/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Residents-press-council-on-Sawyer-Road-rezoning-as-developer-seeks-PDD-for-townhouse-style-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094062-b63c8f4f63c99e00634656025307551b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588116&Signature=PNF2XqrNfioO4bxaor0Y3FJAlRkXGxgZkGs6rTySxOqekPQtZrkTlrMDKYRTs95yYUYzOUg4eBdGcaOKGOZ0QMMtdWPhchDDS3gHy6cQLnFAVVxTARhIb4Zo1arPdT~QI9KUHFQ6yyNrt6-~~1CB3Qmk337cuFkyGX4~c~iOzxxFLiosFzFudGjN9svReGXzr24s7fwdPYFqcy40U~PFxoOFimiwh21KCCvdnH9CqeHczZwT6VsLEbu7t5Xu0u-ajVhrFVxV10oZhjaIge1v36zsuqFtyoovzuTxdI9uNJedUIZVHxWw9xXpSejBoYtcvKidBSi99I05m1tWXDVDGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposed zone change and plan‑development district for roughly 6.8 acres on Sawyer Road drew lengthy public comment at the Leon Valley City Council meeting, with neighbors urging the council to slow the process and raise traffic, safety and drainage concerns.

The application submitted by developer representatives requests a change from R‑1 (single‑family) to a PDD with a base R‑3 (multiple‑family) zoning allowing townhouse‑style, stacked units and up to roughly 150 to 165 units on the property. The applicant said the design includes stacked three‑ and four‑story units, interior garages and on‑site open space, and that the lot’s shape and easements make other commercial uses impractical.

Planning staff noted the proposed project is generally consistent with the city’s master plan designation for the corridor, but recommended several clarifications and edits to the PDD application, and advised the council that some requested code changes — tree preservation variances and several broad “unstated” code modifications — should be removed or handled as separate requests. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial at its hearing (5–2), staff reported.

More than a dozen neighbors and property owners spoke at the meeting. Speakers described Sawyer Road as a narrow, curving country street used by families and daily walkers and said it already experiences heavy local cut‑through traffic. Neighbors cited two blind curves, children walking to nearby parks, and existing delivery and commercial traffic near business properties along the corridor. “Adding more units, more residents, unfortunately, in that area will cause a real increase in a safety action or some sort of accident to happen,” one resident said.

Developer representative Mohamad Shahadi and his design team responded with a detailed site plan presentation, saying the proposed units would include enclosed garages, interior parking and on‑site amenities, and that the design attempts to limit traffic impacts to Sawyer and nearby streets. Shahadi said the team had revised the plan after staff feedback and noted there are precedents elsewhere in the city for multi‑family and townhouse projects. He also said the applicant has investigated possible future connection points (private easements and a paved but lightly used “crisscross” lane behind nearby commercial properties) that could provide secondary access if neighboring owners agree.

Councilmembers did not take a final vote; this was a first reading and a public hearing. Mayor and staff reminded residents that the item will return to a later meeting for additional consideration, at which point council will have the chance to adopt, amend or reject the ordinance. Several councilmembers encouraged the applicant to work with neighbors and staff on the concerns raised about traffic, visibility, drainage and tree preservation before the second reading.

Why it matters: The project would change the character and density of a portion of Sawyer Road and could increase traffic on a street neighbors describe as narrow and curved. It also tests the city’s checklist for handling PDDs that request multiple variances and separate tree‑preservation actions.

What’s next: The item will return for additional review and a second reading; council and staff asked the applicant to provide clarified setback language, a full tree preservation/mitigation plan or separate variance request, and updated traffic and drainage responses before voting.","At its first reading the council heard detailed opposition from neighbors to a proposed PDD rezoning at 6602 Sawyer Road to allow townhouse/multi-family development. The item received significant public comment and no council vote was taken.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094064,"Leon Valley council approves two-year water and sewer rate increase plan to fund $1M annual infrastructure work",2431,679000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2845015-68a464ff15d2d135cdfa72a3b0dc2b0a&start=679&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2845015-68a464ff15d2d135cdfa72a3b0dc2b0a/thumbnail_679000.jpg","/articles/6094064/Leon-Valley/Bexar-County/Texas/Leon-Valley-council-approves-two-year-water-and-sewer-rate-increase-plan-to-fund-1M-annual-infrastructure-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094064-524b6dbe925c29eb76563725ffb4403f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773588116&Signature=OuxlC21G2yRqYza641yLLoh~5Tlul0LbDRQRCsy-4NLEnmZ7FBQvRlE~DUGssp14~LMC0hcG8Dls2x2kA1LgQwvIX6ofWuV1wq2n3bMZpHFCXTBxbvxzR3-AO0y4RgctaYDhNssmMzl8EZliR0z1uXFdrVV8khH9dMccNQDA7Djg2ibmwNdE7yxiW~O1PB0Hw0BDJu4gCUTuGs2EMF8zRIlStAlrzlesp7qsKXJdFnertN5Meppq3jwWpZV8fwNqycnmjiwG8V7-CwHExAFxi0BLf1AFSN22id~f82V-OCVmdydZVPFEsU78n-IMwg86nbyGdnFMfMeygGVN0rHitQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leon Valley city council on Tuesday approved the start of a multi-year increase to water and sewer rates aimed at funding an estimated $1 million per year in capital improvements to the system.

Consulting engineer James Helcher of Ardura told the council the city’s water and sewer capital improvement plan could require “an additional $500,000 per year” for both water and sewer — “so and a million dollars total annually.” He presented a multi-year option that would raise volumetric (usage) charges steeply while increasing the base fee modestly.

The proposal shown to council would shift usage billing and base fees gradually so the city reaches the CIP funding goal over several years. Helcher said the approach keeps year‑one bills close to current levels and ramps revenue up over time: “raising the usage billing charges 66.6% per year for 4 years and raising your base rates 2% per year would help us reach that revenue goal,” he said. Under the plan an average residential customer using about 5,000 gallons per month would see a small first‑year increase (about $3) and could pay roughly $20 more per month by year five if the full schedule is adopted.

City manager Dr. Caldera and Public Works Director Melinda Mortz described frequent, aging pipe failures and televised sewer lines with “very big issues,” saying that the system has been sustained with patchwork repairs and that the proposed increases are intended to pay for prioritized projects, borrowing or grant matches and to avoid emergency failures.

Councilman Campos moved the measure, asking the council to adopt rate increases now but return after two years for review. “I’ll make the motion that we do start the increase in our water and sewer rates, but with the caveat to come back and then revisit after year 2,” Campos said. Councilman Martinez seconded the motion.

A roll‑call vote returned three ayes and two nays: Councilman Martinez, Councilman Campos and Councilman Orozco voted yes; Councilman Heil and Councilman Bridal voted no. The motion passed, and Mayor announced it carried 3–2. Council directed staff to prepare an implementing ordinance for the next meeting.

Why it matters: Leon Valley’s water and sewer mains are decades old, and staff and outside engineers told the council the system requires sustained capital investment to reduce leaks, failures and sewer line defects. Council members and staff stressed that the increases are intended to avoid large emergency costs and to keep the system functional while the city pursues grants and other funding.

What’s next: Staff will prepare ordinance language reflecting the adopted rate approach for a future meeting and return with a report at the two‑year review point requested in the motion.","City council voted 3-2 to begin a multiyear rate plan that aims to fund a five-year capital improvement program requiring about $500,000 a year each for water and sewer. Council directed staff to return after two years to reassess.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Meeting roundup: council approves grant waiver, sidewalk variance and animal‑care agreements; consent items pass

Residents press council on Sawyer Road rezoning as developer seeks PDD for townhouse-style project

Leon Valley council approves two-year water and sewer rate increase plan to fund $1M annual infrastructure work