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Board of Adjustments rounds up variances: carport and fence variances granted; two setback and fence proposals fail
Summary
The San Antonio Board of Adjustments approved variances for a corrugated‑metal fence and a carport needed for an applicant's disabled spouse, and granted a reduced rear‑setback for conversion of a backyard structure into a primary residence for a disabled veteran. Other requests, including a proposal to waive a solid opaque fence requirement and a rear‑setback for duplexes on McDonough Street, failed or did not pass.
The San Antonio Board of Adjustments decided several zoning variance requests on Thursday, approving three and denying or failing to pass others.
Fence and security variance approved: The board voted unanimously (10-0) to allow a corrugated‑metal fence and a 2‑foot height variance at 1206 & 1200 West Avenue for an established auto‑repair business. Owner Calvin Medrano told the board he replaced a degraded fence and agreed to add a cap on sharp edges; the board's motion included the cap as a condition.
Carport and impervious‑cover variances approved for accessibility: In a separate unanimous action (10-0), the board granted Anna Estrada a 9‑foot‑2‑inch variance to reduce a front setback to allow an attached carport and a 15% variance to increase front‑yard impervious cover to 65%. Estrada said the work provides safe, covered access for her disabled husband and presented a physician's letter documenting medical necessity; the board required gutters to manage runoff as part of the approval.
Fence opacity waiver failed after neighbor opposition: Alamo 1 (applicant Rick Nanez) sought to eliminate the city's 100% opaque fence requirement where a nonresidential site abuts single‑family homes, proposing chain link with privacy slats to preserve existing vegetation. Neighbors and the Forest Oak Neighborhood Association opposed the change, citing years of construction impacts and mistrust about promised plantings; the board's motion to grant the variance did not receive sufficient votes and the request failed.
Setback and parking proposals split: The board considered a developer request to reduce rear setbacks for two proposed duplexes at 5703 McDonough Street to accommodate front‑yard head‑in parking. Staff said the project could be redesigned to meet setbacks, and neighborhood concerns led the board to defeat the motion; staff advised the applicant to pursue a parking variance or redesign.
Veteran homeowner granted reduced setback to legalize primary residence: The board amended and approved a reduced rear‑setback (5 ft 6 in variance) for the property at 2710 Erwin Drive to let owner Jorge Lozano convert an existing rear structure into his primary residence. Alamo Consulting Services presented a survey showing the structure was closer to the property line than earlier measured; Lozano, a disabled veteran, described investments in plumbing and an apron and asked for a practical path to habitable status. The motion passed with nine votes in favor and one abstention.
Votes at a glance: - BOA-2510300157 (1206 & 1200 West Ave): variance for corrugated‑metal fence and 10 ft height (2‑ft variance) — Approved, 10‑0. - BOA-25‑10300219 (4314 Greco Dr): front setback and 65% impervious cover — Approved with gutters, 10‑0. - BOA‑25‑10300229 (2876 Nacogdoches Rd): elimination of 100% opaque fence — Motion failed; variance not granted. - BOA‑23020030 (5703 McDonough St): 10‑ft rear setback request — Motion failed. - BOA‑25‑10300231 (2710 Erwin Dr): reduced rear setback (amended to 5 ft 6 in variance) — Approved, 9 in favor, 1 abstention.
What happens next: Approved applicants were instructed to follow standard permitting steps with Development Services and to meet any conditions set by the board (for example, gutters or caps on fencing). Applicants whose motions failed were advised to consult staff about redesigns, required buffers or alternative variance paths (for example, parking variances).
