San Antonio planning commissioners continue rezoning request for Cross Mountain property after residents raise water, traffic and neighborhood-character worries

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Planning Commission on Wednesday voted to continue to Oct. 8 a request to amend the Camp Bullis extraterritorial-jurisdiction military protection area land use plan for 8860 Crossmount Trail from low-density residential to community commercial, after staff said the proposed designation would allow uses inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhood and residents urged denial.

The commission’s continued action follows a staff recommendation to deny the plan amendment and several hours of public comment from Cross Mountain Ranch residents who described water-well shortages, safety and traffic problems on Cross Mountain Trail, and worries about property values if the site is rezoned for community commercial uses.

Staff Planner Clayton Wallace told commissioners the property is located on Cross Mountain Trail, a local road surrounded by residential lots, and that community commercial zoning is intended for major intersections and commercial corridors. “While the event venue itself could be compatible with the existing neighborhood, it's the other uses that are allowed in community commercial that would be detrimental to the existing character of the neighborhood,” Wallace said, explaining why staff recommended denial. Wallace also said Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) submitted standard notes and no objections.

Emily Weisler, representing the applicant and the law firm Killen Griffin & Fairmont, asked the commission for a two-week continuance to allow more community outreach. “We have finally gotten some traction,” Weisler said. “We would respectfully request some additional time now that we have some traction to continue those conversations to really sit down together, and address those concerns that have been raised by the community.” The continuance motion passed.

Several residents described recent and ongoing use of the property as an event venue and said the operations are already bringing additional traffic and occasional large gatherings. George Richmond, a Cross Mountain Ranch resident of 37 years, asked whether the venue’s current activity constituted illegal operation and whether enforcement was occurring. “Is this not illegal? Are they being fined?” Richmond asked.

Residents also pressed zoning and covenant questions. Commissioner questions and staff comments clarified that the property lies within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), meaning the planning commission reviews the land-use plan amendment but cannot impose zoning-use limitations the way municipal zoning might. Commissioner Bustamante noted that private parties could enter restrictive covenants, but the city would not be a party to enforcing such private agreements.

Other speakers highlighted local conditions they said make commercial use problematic: Rafael Goico called the neighborhood “a gem” and described recent truck and speeding problems on Cross Mountain Trail; Natalie Nathan, a resident, said conserving groundwater is a priority and reported a private-well company estimate that replenishing a dried well could cost about $75,000. Several speakers said notice and property-addressing issues added confusion about whether the parcel is part of Cross Mountain Ranch covenants.

Commissioners asked for documentation on the property’s platting history and restrictive-covenant status; staff and the applicant said they would provide records before the Oct. 8 meeting. The item was originally heard Aug. 27 and had already been continued once.

Votes at a glance

• Consent agenda: The commission approved the combined consent agenda (motion by Commissioner Milam; second by Commissioner Ourian). Commissioners voting yes included Milam, Ourian, DeSouki, Lopez, Ouellette and Siegel. Commissioner Bustamante recused from that item and temporarily left the meeting. Motion passed.

• Item 9 continuance: The commission approved a continuance of item 9 to Oct. 8 (motion by Commissioner Bustamante; second by Commissioner Milam). Commissioners voting yes included Bustamante, Milam, DeSouki, Lopez, Ouellette, Orian and Siegel. Motion passed.

What’s next

The item will return to the Planning Commission on Oct. 8. Staff said that if the commission is unable to consider the item at that meeting due to quorum loss, it will automatically continue to the next scheduled meeting. The applicant said it intends to use the extra time to meet with neighbors and the Cross Mountain Ranch homeowners association.