San Antonio Planning Commission continues proposed land‑use change for 608 South Park Boulevard

The City of San Antonio Planning Commission on March 12 continued consideration of a plan‑amendment request to change the Nogalitos and South Sassamora community plan designation for 608 South Park Boulevard from low‑density residential to mixed use.

Planner Samantha Benavides of Development Services told the commission the applicant seeks a mixed‑use designation that would allow rezoning to IDZ‑2 (medium intensity infill development zone) and up to four dwelling units, and that staff recommended denial. Benavides said staff mailed 27 notices, with two in favor and three opposed within 200 feet, and that the Collins Garden Neighborhood Association opposed the change.

Russell Filan, the applicant’s representative, described work to convert an existing building that had been altered without permits and the applicant’s plan “to turn it into a fourplex” and make the building meet fire and structural standards. Filan said his structural engineer, Luis Veracos, would verify fire separation between units. Filan acknowledged neighborhood concern over the prior conversion and said the owner bought the property ‘‘as is.’’

Commissioners questioned whether the applicant could instead pursue an R‑5 conditional use (R‑5 CD) to allow four units while retaining the low‑density land‑use designation. Commissioner Siegel explained to the applicant that the R‑5 conditional use path would keep the property in the existing plan designation and avoid a plan amendment, and staff confirmed that R‑5 with a conditional use would require 1.5 parking spaces per unit (six spaces for a fourplex). Filan described five spaces in the rear and two in front and said legal property ownership creates six on‑site spaces.

At the applicant’s request to consult with the neighborhood association and the owner about whether to pursue a zoning conditional‑use path rather than the plan amendment, Commissioner Siegel moved to continue the item to the March 26 meeting; Commissioner Dasuki seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The commission did not make a final decision on the plan amendment.

The continuance gives the applicant time to confer with staff and the Collins Garden Neighborhood Association and, if desired, file for an R‑5 conditional use rather than a plan amendment. The item will return to the commission March 26.