Planning commission backs amended rezoning for auto sales at 1315 Bassi Road

San Antonio — The Planning Commission on April 8 approved a plan amendment and zoning change for 1315 Bassi Road that will allow motor vehicle sales under a community commercial (C-2 CD) classification after the applicant narrowed a prior request.

Joe Palinas, zoning planner with Development Services, said staff opposed a change to regional commercial because that classification allows higher-intensity development typical of regional centers — shopping malls, hospitals and wholesale operations — and is inconsistent with surrounding neighborhood commercial and low-density residential uses. Palinas said the applicant amended the request at the zoning hearing to C-2 CD with a conditional use for automotive sales, which staff said better aligns with the community plan.

The applicant confirmed sales would be conducted from a small existing office building on site, with vehicles stored in the rear and no planned egress onto the alley. Commissioners asked whether paving in the backyard had been permitted and whether impervious surface limits had been exceeded; the applicant said a contractor had handled the paving and that neighbors had agreed to planting cypress trees along a shared property line to help drainage.

Commissioner Sanchez moved to approve the applicant’s request as amended to community commercial, seconded by Commissioner DeSuki. A roll-call vote approved the motion unanimously in the recorded sequence.

Commissioners asked staff to follow up to confirm any required permits for recent paving and to verify impervious-cover limits during subsequent permit review. The vote approved the amended classification; separate permits and any enforcement or corrective actions, if required, will be handled through the city’s permitting process.

Next steps: staff will reflect the amendment in the plan records and continue standard permitting checks for site improvements and development activity.