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Commission approves rezoning to allow cell tower near Perea Avenue with reduced setback
Summary
The Zoning Commission voted to rezone a property on Perea Avenue to allow a wireless communications tower (requested heights ~165–190 ft), granting a small reduction to the 200‑foot residential setback and sending the case to City Council.
The San Antonio Zoning Commission approved a rezoning request for 603 Perea Avenue on Tuesday that would permit a wireless communications tower and a mixed‑use designation, including authorization for a tower the applicants described as roughly 165 to 190 feet tall.
Planning staff, represented by Samantha Benavides, recommended denial, noting the proposed change would alter the residential character of the lot. The applicant team said they had met with nearby residents and presented radio‑coverage maps showing gaps the tower would fill; an AT&T representative said the facility would host multiple carriers and support FirstNet for first responders.
Applicants asked the commission to reduce the code‑required 200‑foot separation between a tower and the nearest single‑family residence by about 3.5 feet and to adjust the measurement line 10 feet north as part of an amended site plan. The commission considered whether the tower would allow future residential redevelopment on the parcel and whether the requested setback reduction was appropriate under the zoning code. Commissioners also noted federal and state laws limit municipal review of radiofrequency (RF) safety, and staff said the city is prohibited from ruling on RF health issues under telecommunications law.
The applicant’s representative, Vince Heming, and Paige Johnson of AT&T presented neighborhood outreach, coverage maps and said the tower would increase service capacity and support emergency‑services communications. Commissioners heard that the parcel sits in a triangular pocket surrounded by commercial zoning on multiple sides, which the applicants cited as support for a mixed‑use designation.
Following discussion, the commission approved the rezoning with the amendment to adjust the setback and measurement line; commissioners voted to send the case to City Council. The motion passed on the recorded vote shown in the record.
The transcript records that commissioners debated code section 35‑5‑2 (the zoning code provision allowing council discretion on setback reductions) and that staff reiterated limits on municipal authority to evaluate RF emissions. The case will be transmitted to City Council for final action.
