Board of Adjustment denies large digital sign, approves several setback and fence variances

The San Antonio Board of Adjustment on April 7 considered a series of zoning variance requests, denying a request for a large digital sign and approving multiple variances for building setbacks and fences after public testimony and staff reports.

The most contested item was a request for a digital freestanding sign near I-1604 (case referred to in the hearing as an application for a roughly 238–242-square-foot digital sign). Staff recommended denial, saying the requested size would “alter the essential character of the area.” The applicant’s representative, Raúl Franco, said the owner, Dr. Elizabeth Hernández, sought a larger sign to remain competitive and to provide community messages in English and Spanish. Franco told the board the business “needs to be competitive” and that the sign could be used for multilingual community alerts.

Several residents and commenters opposed the digital sign. A member of the public argued the corridor’s gateway rules historically limit digital signage because of driver distraction; another speaker, Colin Taylor, urged approval and said…