San Antonio Board of Adjustment elects officers, approves multiple variances and denies a parking waiver

The San Antonio Board of Adjustment elected Donald Oren as board president and Andrew Ozuna as vice president and then considered a slate of variance requests, approving multiple setback and fence exceptions while denying one request to reduce required off‑street parking for a four‑unit proposal.

The meeting opened with the chair explaining the board’s role under state and city law, including Chapter 111 of the Texas Government Code and the city’s Unified Development Code. After brief nominations and votes that the board recorded as unanimous, the board moved into case hearings.

On BVA 26‑103‑0007 (118 Park View Drive), applicant Ana Luisa Alvarado introduced herself to the board and described a proposed new construction project. Staff and commissioners found that the lot’s narrow dimensions would cause an unnecessary hardship under a strict reading of the code; the board voted to grant the requested variances. Ana Luisa Alvarado stated, “Yo soy la dueña de la propiedad en 118 Park View Drive.”

At 371 Evers Avenue (B0A 26‑103‑00028), the board heard from applicant Marc Artuus More, who said the project would add roughly “300 pies cuadrados” as a master bedroom addition and explained that the design would not alter the neighborhood’s appearance. After questions about window placement and drainage, commissioners approved the requested rear‑setback relief.

A contested case at 5703 McDonald’s Street (B0A 26‑103‑00002) sought a 50 percent reduction in required off‑street parking (from four spaces to two) for a four‑unit development. Applicant Abel García (who indicated notices were sent to surrounding property owners) argued the street can accommodate the additional demand and that two on‑site spaces plus on‑street parking would be adequate. Staff recommended denial, citing potential congestion and safety impacts. Commissioners debated on‑street capacity and access; the motion to grant the parking variance failed (the board recorded the result as not passing, with a 7–3 vote and 1 abstention reported during the roll call). That outcome leaves the applicant to work with staff on alternatives or return at a later date.

At 92‑18 Ecoport Drive (B0A 26‑103‑00004), Erasmo González requested exceptions for clear‑vision and for an elevated front fence. After commissioners weighed safety, neighborhood consistency and administrative limits on fence height, the board approved a reduced clear‑vision variance and allowed a front fence up to 6 feet (with staff able to administratively consider up to 6.5 feet), recording the motion as passing 10–0 with one abstention.

Other approvals included a garage/setback variance for a site in Colonial Sundrave and a renovation‑related setback variance for a property where termite damage required structural work; in those cases the board added conditions to ensure drainage and property‑line limits would be observed.

On commercial property at 78‑30 Louis Pasteur Drive (B0A 26‑103‑00006), a request to raise a front fence from 5 feet to 6 feet to address loitering near a medical center won unanimous approval after the applicant described consultations with VIA and traffic staff.

Staff closed with administrative announcements: beginning April 1 the board will accept voicemail public comments under a city office policy change, and staff plans a workshop on changes to the Unified Development Code; the board noted there were 17 cases on the next agenda and adjourned at 3:54 p.m.

What’s next: Applicants denied or postponed may meet with staff to revise plans or return to the board. The city’s planned UDC workshop will be scheduled in the coming weeks and the voicemail public‑comment policy will take effect April 1.