San Antonio planning commissioners postpone rezoning request at Cross Mountain after residents raise traffic, water and property concerns

San Antonio Planning Commission commissioners voted on Sept. 24 to postpone consideration of a request to amend the plan and rezone a property in the Cross Mountain area until the commission's Oct. 8 meeting after the applicant asked for a two-week delay and several nearby residents expressed concerns about traffic, water supply and the scope of permissible commercial uses.

The proposal, listed as item 9 on the agenda, would amend the applicable plan for a site described in the staff report and used recently as an event venue. Applicant representatives Kellen Griffin and Ferman told the commission they had begun outreach and “respetuosamente solicitamos unos 2 semanas adicionales” to meet with neighbors and address their concerns.

Commissioners heard seven public speakers who said the property’s commercial use has created traffic and safety risks on narrow local roads, has local wildlife and dark-sky character that would be harmed by increased lighting and signage, and raises groundwater concerns for neighboring private wells. Several speakers said they believe the site has been used for large events and that allowing rezoning could permit other commercial activities such as auto repair, tire shops or liquor stores.

Resident George Richmond told the commission he has lived in the Cross Mountain area for 37 years and cited recent crashes near the site. Rafael Arroyo (listed in the record as Rafael Goico) said the property “has been used recently as a place for events and does not meet requirements.” Narly Mason and Joaquín Mira also spoke about risks to neighborhood safety, nighttime lighting, wildlife crossings and potential declines in property values. One resident said the cost to replace or service a private well in the neighborhood could be about $75,000 if it runs dry.

Several speakers questioned the property’s legal description and address. One commenter said tax and mapping records list the house at 800 Crosmer Trail and that the lot is shown on Cross Mountain Ranch maps as Lot 1, while the rezoning request referenced Lot 8; speakers asked staff to clarify ownership and address inconsistencies. Staff answered that the application uses the legal description tied to the request and that an address must be used for filings; staff also said they could answer some questions and would provide additional documents before the Oct. 8 hearing.

Commissioner discussion touched on historical deed restrictions. One commissioner said restrictions recorded earlier were removed in 2013 and asked whether that removal was valid and whether the neighborhood—or a former developer—had standing regarding those restrictions. Planning staff explained the parcel’s platting and that the lot in question was not part of Cross Mountain Ranch as originally recorded, and they said they would provide supporting documents before the continued hearing.

With no substantive objection from the commission to granting a short continuance, Commissioner Bustamante moved to postpone the matter to Oct. 8; Commissioner Maylo seconded. Recorded votes of "yes" were given by Commissioners Bustamante, Maylo, de Suki, Blett, Oriant and Seagle. The motion carried and the item was continued. The commission chair encouraged speakers to return to the Oct. 8 meeting so the item could be heard with a full quorum.

The postponement means the commission will next consider the applicant’s outreach results, any additional staff materials or documentary evidence regarding deed restrictions and lot descriptions, and any further public testimony on Oct. 8. The record on Sept. 24 shows the primary outstanding issues for commissioners and neighbors were traffic and road safety, private well reliability and legal questions about past restrictive covenants.