Council approves extended bar hours at 550 W. Military Drive despite nearby school concerns

The San Antonio zoning and land-use session approved a variance on April 2 allowing a bar at 550 W. Military Drive to extend on-premises alcohol-service hours until 2 a.m.

The request was presented as an amendment to operational hours; staff noted that letters from “Lachland ISD” support the update and that the location sits roughly 300 feet from nearby school sites. During public comment, Jacken Finger urged the Council to deny the change because of the proximity to schools, saying: "Por favor, digan que no a esto." Concejal Munguía, recognized for the item, said the two schools in question are on the base and "no van a pasar por ahí," moved to approve the request with conditions (including adjusted opening hours to avoid student-hours conflicts), and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The decision balances neighborhood-safety concerns raised by a public commenter with staff notes and a school-district communication that the Council cited in voting. The transcript shows Council opted for conditional approval rather than denial.

What was said: Jacken Finger told the Council he opposed alcohol sales within 300 feet of school playgrounds and walking routes, referencing the Texas alcohol regulators’ rationale for denying licenses near schools. Councilmembers discussed conditions to limit the establishment's operations during school-related hours. Concejal Munguía noted the schools' location on the base and expressed support for the conditional approval.

Next steps: The motion to approve was seconded and passed during the meeting; no roll-call vote tally with individual member votes is recorded in the transcript.