Council approves specific-use authorization for wireless facility at 601 Pruitt Avenue with preservation condition

The San Antonio City Council on March 5, 2026 approved a specific-use rezoning for a wireless communications system at 601 Pruitt Avenue that includes a reduced setback of 24 feet from residential property. Councilwoman Castillo moved to approve the item and the motion carried.

The staff caption indicated the request would rezone the property from R-5 to R-5-S to authorize a wireless facility with a 24-foot reduced setback; staff recommended denial while the Zoning Commission recommended approval and the Collins Garden Neighborhood Association registered in favor. Staff mailed 16 notices and reported one additional favoring notice outside the 200-foot notification boundary.

Vince Heavinger, who identified himself as representing the applicant for technical questions, said he was present to answer technical inquiries. In public comment, Jack Finger described the proposed 120-foot structure as a "monstrosity" and argued the project would represent commercial encroachment into a residential neighborhood, urging the council to deny the request.

Councilwoman Castillo said applicant representatives and neighborhood stakeholders worked to preserve the existing structure and cited a lease provision requiring approximately $30,000 in improvements by the lessee as a condition of the lease option. "We're also sticking to our strategic housing implementation plan," she said, noting the effort to preserve affordable housing and the proximity of schools, libraries and transit.

The council carried the motion to approve Item 8. The approved action authorizes the specific use and reduced setback as described; staff had recommended denial and the zoning commission recommendation differed. The item will proceed under the conditions the council recorded during the motion.

The meeting concluded after additional procedural items and adjourned at 2:21 p.m.