Residents urge San Antonio council to deny proposed cemetery in Mission Del Lago; item continued to Oct. 2

On Sept. 18, 2025, during the San Antonio zoning and land use session, multiple residents urged the City Council to deny a rezoning request that would allow a commercial cemetery in the Mission Del Lago area; the council continued the item to the Oct. 2 meeting.

Residents said the proposed cemetery would remove taxable land from the rolls and deprive schools and city services of revenue. Mary Ann Smith, a Mission Del Lago resident, said the neighborhood submitted a petition opposing the rezoning. “I stand here today representing the voices of our community. I have 661 households that have signed our petition in opposition to this rezoning,” Smith said.

Why it matters: speakers said the loss of taxable land would shift costs to neighboring property owners and hurt local services, including schools. Andrew Nichols (public commenter) cited a provision he described as Texas Property Code 11 17 and argued that cemeteries do not generate property-tax revenue: “Cemeteries do not pay taxes under Texas property code 11 17.”

Several speakers said South Side neighborhoods already lack community amenities and that a cemetery would not advance local priorities. Maite Gudino, who identified herself as a homeowner and mother of two elementary‑school children, said she is opposed “because they don't provide tax revenue.” Teresa Cantu recounted long‑running infrastructure deficits in La Vie Coronado and said the area needs a library and recreation center, not a cemetery. Julian Cruz, a real‑estate agent, told the council he collected signatures from neighbors and noted the South Side Independent School District voted against the cemetery at a trustees meeting.

Council action: the council announced the item would be continued to Oct. 2. During the meeting staff and council invited commenters to preserve remarks for the continued hearing; several residents still presented oral statements at the Sept. 18 session. No final zoning decision on the cemetery was made at this meeting.

Details and context: commenters repeatedly referenced the loss of property‑tax revenue as the core objection. Several speakers said many cemeteries already operate in Bexar County and District 3; one speaker said “there are 20 in District 3.” Commenters also said the proposal is from a publicly traded applicant and argued that commercial cemeteries do not provide sales tax or property‑tax benefits to the district.

What’s next: the item is set for continued public hearing and council consideration on Oct. 2, 2025. The council did not vote on the rezoning at the Sept. 18 meeting; further testimony and staff analysis are expected at the continued hearing.