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San Antonio council approves ordinance to regulate private detention facilities after heated debate
Summary
The City Council adopted code amendments requiring notification, new definitions and location limits for proposed detention facilities, prompting divided council debate and public testimony from civil-rights groups, business leaders and residents. Supporters said the changes add oversight; critics warned of legal limits on local authority.
San Antonio — The City Council on April 16 approved amendments to the city building, fire and unified development codes that create new notification requirements, a specific definition for “detention facility,” and a use-authorization review intended to give the city earlier oversight of any entity seeking to construct, convert or operate a facility that holds people without free will.
The ordinance, pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration, drew public testimony from civil-rights advocates and residents and sharp debate among council members before a motion to approve carried. The clerk read two letters of business support submitted for the record from Leo Gomez of Brooks and James Norte of SAGE San Antonio.
“This new ordinance here doesn't do anything,” Council member White said during deliberations, arguing the measure is largely…
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