Planning commission recommends rezoning 19-acre Old Wiederstein site to R-5 for proposed senior housing

The Schertz Planning & Zoning Commission on June 4 voted to recommend City Council approve a rezoning request that would change roughly 19 acres along Old Wiederstein Road from single-family residential/agricultural (RA) to middle-density residential (R‑5).

Daisy Marquez, Planner, said the property is in Guadalupe County and described R‑5 as a straight zoning district allowing up to 12 dwelling units per acre with multifamily site-design requirements and a 10% minimum common usable open-space requirement. Marquez said staff sent 19 notices for the hearing and received three responses in opposition and four in favor.

Patrick Christiansen, an attorney for the applicant (Thomas Group), told the commission the developer proposes a rental senior-living community and said the developer would consider deed restrictions to limit the community to seniors if a homeowners association or other entity would enforce them. “They only do senior housing,” Christiansen said, describing the concept as single-story cottage-style rental units with garages and a planned internal thoroughfare. He said the project would dedicate right-of-way along Old Wiederstein and construct half of the required north–south roadway when the property is platted.

Property owner and nearby resident John Jasick spoke in favor. Jasick said his family has owned the property for decades and he supports the proposed senior development. “I obviously support this development. I think there’s a huge need in this area for senior development,” he said.

Several nearby residents opposed the rezoning at the public hearing. Resident Mark Tudyk said prior rezoning attempts for the parcel had failed and that surrounding residents who live on Old Wiederstein do not support the change, arguing it would increase stress and traffic in the area. Resident Ruben Hernandez, who lives directly across the property, said crime and safety are his primary concerns and stated, “We’re both a strong no.” Theresa Gomez and a companion also said they oppose the request, citing traffic, damage to personal property and potential loss of driveway/front-yard area from future right-of-way widening.

Commissioners discussed building separation and fire- and building-code implications for multi-unit developments on a single lot. Marquez said the R‑5 district was reviewed by the fire marshal and that building-code and fire-code provisions (for example, firewalls or sprinklers) would govern separation where multiple dwelling units are sited on a single lot rather than separate platted lots.

Commissioner McMaster moved to recommend approval and Commissioner Carbone seconded. The commission recorded a 6–1 recommendation in favor of forwarding the rezoning to City Council; the planner’s staff report recommended approval.

The item will next appear on a City Council agenda, where final zoning authority rests and where residents will have another opportunity to comment.