Commission approves plan amendment to community commercial on 8000 block of Gilbell Road

The San Antonio Planning Commission approved a plan amendment on Feb. 25, 2026, to change the Northwest Community Perimeter Plan designation on the 8000 block of Gilbell Road from low‑density residential to community commercial.

Gomez, senior planner with Development Services, told commissioners the proposed land-use change is consistent with surrounding properties and appropriate given the site fronts Gilbell Road, a minor secondary arterial. He said 53 notices were mailed; staff recorded one in favor and one opposed and noted a non-opposition letter from Braun Station West Community Improvement Neighborhood Association.

Attorney Mia Marie Pew of Brown and McDonald, representing the applicant, said the request seeks rezoning from R6 to C2 to allow a small retail strip center offering neighborhood-serving uses such as a bakery, bookstore or professional offices. Pew said the applicant has met with Braun Station West and would follow the Unified Development Code and the planning process, with a zoning commission hearing scheduled the following week.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify permitted uses in C2 (staff listed small retail, restaurants, professional and medical offices and said big-box and bars are not permitted in C2), whether an auto shop would require a separate zoning action, and how traffic impacts and buffering would be addressed during subsequent review and a traffic impact analysis.

Commissioner Prophet moved to approve the plan amendment; Commissioner Orian seconded. The clerk performed a roll-call vote and the motion passed.

The matter will proceed through the standard planning and zoning steps identified by staff.