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Board approves mobile food‑court use near Zachary Middle School, waives 200‑foot separation
Summary
The board granted an exception to the Unified Development Code to allow a proposed mobile food court on Culebra Road within 200 feet of a residentially zoned lot occupied by a middle school property, finding the adjacent school reduces likelihood of future residential development.
The San Antonio Board of Adjustment voted to allow a proposed mobile food‑court development at 9823 Culebra Road to proceed within the Unified Development Code’s usual 200‑foot separation from single‑family zoning.
Why it matters: The site is adjacent to Zachary Middle School (a public education campus on land zoned R6). The board concluded the adjacent school campus and the existing commercial context along Culebra make future residential development on the abutting lot unlikely; commissioners also cited planned landscaping and buffering in the project materials.
What the board decided
- Case BOA‑25‑10300151 (9823 Culebra Road / applicant Ibrahim Tamer): The board approved a request to eliminate the 200‑foot separation requirement that would otherwise prohibit mobile food courts inside that buffer. Staff had recommended approval based on the property’s context (commercial corridor and school use on adjacent lot) and a traffic review that found no sight‑distance issues.
Why the board approved it
Staff presented the site plan, explained the R6 zoning of the adjacent school parcel and noted the closest single‑family residence was approximately 240 feet away when measured property line to property line. The traffic reviewer reported no site‑distance concerns. Commissioners said a well‑managed, well‑landscaped mobile food court would be compatible with the corridor and would not threaten sight lines to the school.
Quotes and testimony
Applicant Ibrahim Tamer described a small‑scale, mixed‑menu mobile food court and emphasized design and hours would fit neighborhood patterns: he said he wanted the site to be “really nice…clean” and planned hours to avoid late‑night disturbance.
Nut graf and context
San Antonio’s UDC requires a 200‑foot separation between mobile food courts and single‑family zoning or uses; the variance was evaluated on whether the adjacent land’s use (a school) and the commercial nature of Culebra Road justified an exception. The board treated the nearby school as a nonresidential use for purposes of this relief and approved the elimination of the required separation.
Next steps
- Applicant to follow other city permitting steps (site plan and business permits). Staff noted landscaping and buffering conditions in the record.
Ending
Commissioners said they were comfortable with the waiver because of the school’s presence, the commercial frontage along Culebra and planned site improvements; the motion carried by voice vote.
