San Antonio planning commission postpones decision on Crossmountain event‑venue land‑use amendment

The San Antonio Planning Commission on Aug. 27 postponed consideration of a land‑use amendment that would allow an existing private event venue on about 8.5 acres in the Crossmountain area to be designated commercial, after dozens of residents spoke against the change citing traffic, noise and safety concerns.

The item would amend the jurisdiction's land‑use plan for property the applicant said is within five miles of a nearby military installation and therefore subject to a 2017 local land‑use compatibility requirement. The commission voted to continue the matter to its Sept. 24 meeting so the applicant can hold additional outreach with neighbors and staff can clarify deed‑restriction and neighborhood‑association questions.

Commission staff introduced item 13 as a request to amend the plan for a parcel the applicant said currently operates as a small private event venue. The staff report noted that 15 mailed notifications were delivered within 200 feet of the site. The applicant’s representative and the property owners said the venue hosts about one wedding per month and limits attendance to under 100 guests. The owners said the venue has operated without county commercial approvals for roughly a year and is seeking the amendment now because of an updated requirement related to properties within five miles of the military facility.

More than a dozen residents testified in opposition. Sheila Gómez, a Crossmountain resident, said the neighborhood was chosen for its low‑density, rural character and that increased traffic and noise from commercial events would harm that character. “We are not trying to change or expand; we simply want to continue operating,” said Sheila Gómez, a resident who spoke during the public comment period. Other speakers cited narrow, curving roads, prior vehicle crashes on Crossmountain, higher speeds, and concerns that commercial zoning could allow other uses in the future.

Jennifer Sáez, who identified herself as a property owner of the event venue, told commissioners the family moved to the site in 2008 and built the venue to help cover property costs while preserving the land. “We have never had a single noise complaint from neighbors,” Jennifer Sáez said, adding that attendees do not park outside the venue’s boundaries and that the owners live on the property. The applicants said they were willing to negotiate deed restrictions and to meet again with neighbors.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant a number of procedural and factual questions. Commissioners sought clarity on whether the subject parcel is subject to recorded neighborhood covenants or deed restrictions, whether the parcel is separate from nearby residential lots, and why the venue had operated without prior county approval. Staff explained the county’s 2017 land‑use guidance for properties within five miles of the military installation and said the venue now needs a compatibility certificate for approvals tied to that guidance.

After commissioners discussed neighborhood opposition, deed‑restriction questions and community outreach, Commissioner Bustamante moved to continue the matter to Sept. 24 for the Planning Commission; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Mizuki. The roll call recorded unanimous support for the continuance and the motion passed.

The commission closed the public hearing and continued the item. The applicants agreed to pursue neighborhood discussions and to return with additional documentation about any applicable neighborhood association restrictions and proposed deed limitations before the continued hearing.