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Board of Adjustment approves several variances, denies McDonough parking request
Summary
At its July meeting the San Antonio Board of Adjustment approved multiple site-specific variances and fence exceptions — including for additions at 371 Everest and a carport at 4028 Colonial Sun Drive — but denied a requested 50% parking reduction for a two‑duplex project at 5703 McDonough Street.
The San Antonio Board of Adjustment on July 19 approved a slate of variances and special exceptions affecting residential and commercial properties across the city, while rejecting a contested parking variance for a proposed duplex project on McDonough Street.
The board approved a variance for a rear-yard addition at 371 Everest Avenue that reduces the required 20-foot rear setback to a 6-foot setback limited to the north 28 feet of the primary structure. The applicant, property owner Artemus Moore, told the board the project would add roughly 300–350 square feet and would not be visible from the street; staff had noted potential privacy and fire-spread concerns but commissioners found the request met hardship criteria and the motion passed unanimously.
A separate set of variances for 118 Parkview Drive allowing development on a narrower lot (37-foot width) and reduced minimum lot area were also granted after staff and the homeowner, Annalisa Alvarado, described prior approvals and neighborhood context.
At 4028 Colonial Sun Drive, the board approved a modified carport variance after a lengthy discussion about drainage, footer/post placement and neighborhood sightlines. The applicant agreed to shorten the proposed carport from 23 feet to 20 feet and submit the applicant’s plans as part of the record; the board granted a reduced side setback (to no closer than 6 inches) and a front setback variance as conditioned to the submitted plans.
The board unanimously approved a driveway clear-vision variance and—after amendments settled the height question—allowed a 6-foot predominantly open front-yard fence at 9218 Echo Port Drive, rejecting the applicant’s initial request for 8-foot gates but concluding a six-foot front fence balanced safety concerns and streetscape impacts.
A commercial request for a 6-foot predominantly open front fence at 7830 Louis Pasteur Drive was also approved: applicant Edward Diaz said the fence would reduce trespass and illicit activity near a medical‑service corridor.
The board declined to grant a 50% reduction in required off-street parking for a proposed two‑duplex development at 5703 McDonough Street. The applicant, Raul Garcia, said lot configuration made four on-site spaces infeasible; some commissioners raised concerns about service access, precedent and neighborhood association opposition. The motion to allow two off-street spaces failed (recorded as 7 in favor, 3 opposed, 1 abstention), and the applicant was advised to pursue alternatives with staff, such as a ribbon drive in the rear or modest on-site adjustments.
Most approvals were conditioned by the board on specific plans or limits noted during the hearing; where the board expanded or narrowed requests, it recorded those changes on the public record. The board also voted to waive a 12‑month limitation to hear new-evidence for a parking request so that an applicant could present updated materials at this meeting.
The Board approved the minutes, and staff announced that voicemail public comments will no longer be accepted after April 1 per City Clerk/City Manager guidance. The board adjourned at 3:54 p.m.
