San Antonio planning commissioners approve land-use change at 1921–1923 Burnett Street despite staff recommendation

The San Antonio Planning Commission on July 23 voted to approve a resolution amending the East Side Community Area Plan designation for 1921 and 1923 Burnett Street from medium-density residential to urban mixed use and to allow development under an IDZ-1 limited-intensity infill development zone with uses permitted in a C-1 light commercial district.

The change was approved after a motion by Commissioner Siegel, seconded by Commissioner Milam, and carried by recorded “yes” votes from Commissioners Siegel, Milam, Sanchez, Garcia, DeSueck, Lopez, Lett, Orian and Prophet. Staff had recommended denial, saying the requested urban mixed-use classification was inconsistent with surrounding medium-density residential designations in the East Side Community Area Plan adopted in 2024.

Planner with Development Services presented the request and told commissioners the applicant sought the amendment to permit conversion of the existing building on the two lots at 1921 and 1923 Burnett Street to mixed commercial uses. Staff noted 28 mailed notices, with 3 in favor and 0 opposed within 200 feet; 11 in favor and 0 opposed outside 200 feet, and recommended denial because the proposed land use would introduce more intense uses in the middle of a block designated medium-density residential.

Raymond Williams, who said he spoke on behalf of his daughter, offered public comment and said the property is adjacent to his daughter’s backyard and that he opposed the change in that he “prefer[s] they didn’t,” citing loss of existing views from the yard. The planner closed public comment after confirming the submitted plat met development requirements and state regulations.

Applicants Andrea Wormley and Randy Wormley, representing Renlund Investment Group LLC, described plans to use the existing building with a roughly 60/40 split between a coffee shop and small professional office rentals. “It's gonna be just a regular coffee shop,” Andrea Wormley said, and the applicants said they would host community-oriented activities — prayer services, spoken-word nights, gallery art nights, entrepreneurship and leadership training for students, support services for veterans and outreach to people experiencing homelessness. The Wormleys said they have partnerships with local community groups and intend to direct a share of earnings to charitable groups serving the East Side.

Applicants and their contractor told commissioners they plan interior renovations, fence repairs for privacy and safety, and reconstruction of a failing asphalt parking lot (applicants said they plan to replace it with a more durable surface). Applicants also said they began purchase negotiations while the property was still being used commercially and that the adopted 2024 East Side plan later designated the parcel medium-density residential; staff clarified that the zoning remained multifamily and that a conditional use had previously allowed a medical clinic on the site.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether structural or new exterior work was planned; applicants said no new freestanding structures are planned, only parking and interior renovations and fence work. Commissioner Siegel said she supported the proposal, calling the planned use “a fabulous use for that old building.”

The commission approved the applicant’s request by voice roll call and recorded yes votes from the commissioners listed above. The meeting then heard no director updates and adjourned at about 2:21 p.m.

Votes recorded at the meeting included an earlier approval of the combined/consent hearing agenda and the later approval of this land-use amendment. The formal motions recorded in the meeting were: a motion to approve the combined hearing (consent) agenda, and a motion to approve the applicant's request for the Burnett Street plan amendment and associated zoning/intensity designation.

The commission did not attach budgetary or deadline conditions to its approval in the public record during the meeting, and staff retains the position that the requested land-use classification is inconsistent with the adopted East Side Community Area Plan.