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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL ZONING AGENDA. THE TIME 205 ON THE 4TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024.
QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. WE HAVE A FULL ZONING AGENDA TODAY.
I WANT TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD AND ANYONE HERE WHO IS ON ITEMS 9 AND 10, THOSE ITEMS HAVE BEEN -- ACTUALLY, I'M SORRY, ITEM 10 HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
ITEM 9 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. IF YOU ARE HERE FOR EITHER OF THOSE ITEMS, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE HEARD TODAY. WE HAVE ITEM NUMBER 12, WHICH WILL BE CONTINUED TO MAY 2ND. AND THEN WE'VE GOT ITEM 6, 7, 9, 13 AND 14 THAT WILL BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY -- I'M SORRY, 9 IS WITHDRAWN. ITEM 6, 7, 13 AND 14 THAT WILL BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY. EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE ON CONSENT.
SO FIRST LET ME TAKE -- LET ME ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM NUMBER 12 TO BE
CONTINUED TO MAY 2ND. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR CONTINUING ITEM 12 TO MAY 2ND MUCH. THERE ARE NO CITIZENS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 12.
MOTION AND SECOND FOR CONTINUING ITEM 12 TO MAY 2ND.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL BE HEARD ON CONSENT AND SO WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ACTION ON THEM ALL AT ONCE.
ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 16, AND 17. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO PULL OFF OF THAT CONSENT AGENDA? IF THERE ARE NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE
ITEMS. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA. ALL THE ITEMS I JUST READ. WE HAVE ONE PERSON SIGNED UP
TO SPEAK ON ITEMS 1 AND 15. JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. A COUPLE ITEMS I WISH TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.
ITEM NUMBER 1 IN COUNCILWOMAN KAUR, THIS IS IN YOUR DISTRICT.
IT'S ABOUT AN ALCOHOL VARIANCE, ABOUT THE IDEA OF SELLING ALCOHOL WITHIN 300 FEET OF A SCHOOL. AND IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE AND JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION, ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN KNOWING THAT TEXAS ALCOHOL AND BEVERAGE COMMISSION DOES NOT LIKE ALCOHOL BEING SOLD WITHIN 300 FEET OF WHERE SCHOOL KIDS PLAY. SO THAT'S WHY THIS ONE IS ON THE AGENDA HERE AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE'S A BIG QUESTION MARK ABOUT IT. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR, THIS IS IN YOUR DISTRICT, BLANCO ROAD NEAR AGNES COTTON ELEMENTARY.
YES, MA'AM, THE QUESTION IS DO YOU REALLY WANT ALCOHOL TO BE TOLD WITHIN 300 FEET OF WHERE SCHOOL KIDS PLAY. I WOULD ASK YOU TO SAY NO TO THAT ONE, MA'AM.
SO WOULD A LOT OF OTHER PARENTS. ITEM NUMBER 15 IS IN -- I BELIEVE IN MR. PELÁEZ, YOUR DISTRICT, SIR. THIS IS ABOUT THE IDEA OF PUTTING A CAR WASH OVER ON WALZEM ROAD. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ROSE UP IN OPPOSITION TO THIS, AT LEAST FIVE OF THEM. IF YOU GET ANYTHING MORE THAN ONE OR TWO, THAT'S QUITE A CONTROVERSY THERE, SIR.
APPARENTLY THEY DID NOT LIKE THE PROSPECT OF MORE TRAFFIC BEING TAKING PLACE RIGHT NEXT TO THIS CAR WASH AND RIGHT WHERE THEY LIVE, WHERE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE
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TO LIVE RIGHT NEXT TO IT, SIR. ALSO I NOTICE THAT THE SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEM SAYS THAT THEY WILL ALLOW 50% IMPERVIOUS COVER FOR THESE AREAS. THIS IS ALWAYS BRINGS UP A QUESTION.ANY TIME YOU GET MORE THAN 10% IMPERVIOUS COVER IN THAT AREA, YOU'RE PRESENTING A BIG CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SIR. YEAH.
IMPERVIOUS COVER PREVENTS WATER FROM RUNNING OFF AND INTO THE GROUND, ALLOWING THE AQUIFER TO PERCOLATE WITH SOME OF OUR DRINKING WATER.
AND THIS IS A BAD IDEA WHEN YOU SAY, WELL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO CONCRETE OVER EVERYTHING. NO, I SAY FOR THOSE REASONS ABOVE, SIR, SAY NO TO THIS
ONE. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE
CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF MY STAFF MEMBERS WHO TODAY FUNCTIONED IN ROLE OF CHIEF OF STAFF AND POLICY AND ZONING DIRECTOR BECAUSE WE CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE ONE PERSON SERVING IN THOSE ROLES.
RYAN WENT TO TALKED TO THE PRINCIPAL OF COTTON ACADEMY. SHE SAID SHE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THIS APPROVING THIS ALCOHOL VARIANCE. THANK YOU TO MY TEAM AND THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THEIR
SUPPORT. THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 16 AND 17. PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
WE'LL GO NOW TO ITEM NUMBER 6. >> CLERK: CASE] THERE ARE 31 NOTICES MAILED, EIGHT IN FAVOR, SIX OPPOSED.
ZIG WITTY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS OPPOSED. THERE'S SIX IN FAVOR AND FOUR OPPOSED. THIS REQUIRES A SUPER MAJORITY VOTE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE SEVERAL FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 6. I'LL CALL FOLKS IN ORDER.
DEE SMITH. YOU'LL BE FOLLOWED BY LAUREN BARTHOLOMEW.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I'M DEE SMITH AND I LIVE AT 515 HAYS STREET DIRECTLY BEHIND THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS BILL -- FIRST HE TOLD US THERE WOULD BE FOUR BUILDINGS BUILT ON A PROPERTY WHICH ALREADY HAS ONE HOUSE. SO YOU WANT TO BUILD FOUR ADDITIONAL HOUSES. HE APPROACHED ME AND TOLD ME IT WOULD BE ONE HOUSE THAT WAS GOING TO BE BUILT. SO I SIGNED OFF ON IT. SO AT THIS POINT I FEEL LIKE HE KEEPS CHANGING HIS STORY. I DON'T TRUST HIM. HE HAS MAYBE 20 PROPERTIES OR 25 PROPERTIES BETWEEN DENVER HEIGHTS AND DIG ANY WITTY HILL SO HE'S HERE FOR BUSINESS TO MAKE A BUSINESS VENTURE IN OUR COMMUNITY. FOUR HOUSES DON'T GET IT -- WELL, FIVE HOUSES. I DON'T TRUST ANYTHING THAT HE SAYS AT THIS POINT.
HE IS PUSHING THIS THING DOWN THE ROAD. SO EVERY MONTH THERE'S A NEW DATE AND WE JUST SEEM LIKE WE CAN'T GET IT SOLVED. I JUST DON'T TRUST HIM, ANYTHING HE SAYS. AND I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT FIVE HOUSES -- PROBABLY BE AIRBNBS BECAUSE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD EVERYONE WANTS TO MAKE MONEY BECAUSE IT'S CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN SO THEY ARE PUTTING AIRBNBS EVERYWHERE.
I HAVE THEM ALL AROUND ME AND IT'S A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY, NOT A HOTEL
DISTRICT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU. LAUREN BARTHOLOMEW. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY
EVELYN BROWN. >> HI, MY NAME IS LAUREN BARTHOLOMEW AND I'VE LIVED AT 416 LAMAR IMMEDIATELY WEST OF THE 420 PROPERTY IN QUESTION SINCE 2016.
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WHEN I PURCHASED MY HOME, I UNDERSTOOD THAT LIVING IN AN HISTORIC DISTRICT INCLUDED A HEARING TO OHP GUIDELINES -- ADD ADHERING, AS WELL AS THE 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN VOTED ON AND APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL? 2012.THIS IS WHY I WANTED TO LIVE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO LIVE ON MY BLOCK WITH NOTHING BUT SINGLE-FAMILY HISTORIC HOMES. IN THE EIGHT YEARS I'VE LIVED AT 416 LAMAR, THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS ENVELOPED ME AND WE'VE CREATED A BLOCK WHERE NEIGHBORS LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. THEY HELP ME MAKE MY HOME ROAD FOR HOSPICE CARE PORE MY LATE HUSBAND AND SUPPORTED ME AFTER HIS DEATH. THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING ME MEET MY CURRENT HUSBAND AND OTHER NEIGHBORS CARED FOR THE FORMER OWNER FOR 20 WHO NEEDED LOTS -- YEARS OF END OF LIFE CARE AND DIED FINALLY AT THE AGE OF 102 HAVING SURVIVED TWO PANDEMICS. AND WITHOUT PROVIDING A SITE PLAN, THE APPLICANT RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM ZONING TO BUILD ANOTHER HOUSE ON THE BACKYARD OF 420 LA MORE.
NOT THE ADU WHICH IS ALREADY COVERED BY THE THINGS I MENTIONED.
HE WANTS TO BUILD A TWO AND A HALF STORY HOUSE WHICH WILL CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF MY BLOCK AND MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN WAYS NOT LAID OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDELINES.
IT'S VERY INTRUSIVE. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR NEIGHBOR BUILT A TWO AND A HALF STORY HOUSE IN THEIR BACKYARD PREVENTING YOU FROM --U FROM ENJOYING YOUR BACKYARD? FOR MONTHS MR. RODRIGUEZ DIDN'T SECURE HIS BACK GATE WHICH ATTRACTED SCORINGS OF UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS AND SCAVENGERS AND GAVE THIEVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO STEAL FROM US AND OTHER NEIGHBORS. HE KEPT A PILE OF BRUSH IN THE YARD THE SIZE OF A SUBURBAN FOR MONTHS. HE'S GOT BROKEN WINDOWS IN THE HOUSE.
HE IS NOT A NEIGHBOR AND NOT A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY. HE WOULD BE WELCOMED IF HE WAS BUT HE'S FLIPPING A HOUSE AND WANTS TO DOUBLE HIS MONEY.
HE SEEKS TO CHANGE THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR HIS PERSONAL ADVANTAGE AND I FEEL PROBABLY TO THE DETRIMENT OF MY PROPERTY. I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE DEVELOPER'S REQUEST TO CHANGE THE ZONING AND ASK THAT YOU PLEASE VOTE IN
OPPOSITION. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. BARTHOLOMEW. EVELYN BROWN. [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL PEOPLE. MY NAME IS EVELYN BROWN AND I LIVE AT 527 BURNET STREET WHICH IS IN THE DIGNOWITY HILL NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'M GOING TO YIELD MY TWO MINUTES TO PHYLLIS MCNEIL THAT HAS A LETTER FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE THAT WE'RE ALL ON. I HOPE THAT'S OKAY.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: PHYLLIS MCNAIR? >> YES.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COME ON UP, MS. MCNAIR. >> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS PHYLLIS MCNAIR AND I REPRESENT THE DIGNOWITY HILL FOR THE ZONING CASE. WE SENT YOU AND YOUR PROSPECTIVE ZONING DIRECTORS A PACKET OF INFORMATION THAT CONTAINS THE ORIGINAL ZONING DEPARTMENT LETTER SIGNED IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ZONING CASE AND A NEW PETITION TO FIND IN OPPOSITION AFTER A MEETING WAS HELD BETWEEN THE APPLICANT AND RESIDENTS ON FEBRUARY 3RD.
WE HOPE YOU TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW THE INFORMATION. WE ARE IN OPPOSITION TO THIS ZONING CASE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS. MANY RESIDENTS WITHIN THE 200-FOOT RADIUS ARE AGAINST THE ZONING. THERE ARE -- THERE ARE 14 SIGNATURES IN OPPOSITION WITH 11 SIGNATURES FROM WITHIN THE 200-FOOT RADIUS AND THREE FROM OUTSIDE THE 200-FOOT RADIUS. LACK OF COMMUNICATION BY THE ZONING DEPARTMENT. THE ORIGINAL OCTOBER 17TH DATE WAS CONTINUED.
THE ZONING DEPARTMENT NEVER NOTIFIED OUR ZONING CHAIRWOMAN OR THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEW DATE THIS CASE WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH IN FRONT OF THE ZONING COMMISSION. BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DATE UNTIL AFTER THE ZONING MEETING STARTED, 14 SIGNED LETTERS IN OPPOSITION AND OUR COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION WERE NEVER SEEN BY THE ZONING COMMISSIONERS. WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION THE
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ZONING COMMISSIONERS APPROVED ONE ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNIT TO BE BUILT.A SITE PLAN THAT WAS NEVER SUBMITTED TO THE ZONING DEPARTMENT WHICH MEANS THIS CASE SHOULD HAVE NEVER GONE IN FRONT OF THE ZONING COMMISSION UNTIL A SITE PLAN WAS PROVIDED. THE APPLICANT PROVIDED VARYING STORIES ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO BE BUILT. HE TOLD THE ZONING CHAIRWOMAN AND NEIGHBORS THAT THE ADDITIONAL HOUSE WOULD BE A SINGLE-STORY HOUSE.
AT THE FEBRUARY 3RD RESIDENT MEETING WE LEARNED HE WAS PLANNING ON BUILDING A TWO-STORY HOUSE WHEN HE SHOWED US HIS SITE PLAN. THE APPLICANT TOLD DIFFERENT STORIES AS TO WHO WAS GOING TO LIVE IN BOTH HOUSES. HE TOLD OUR ZONING CHAIRWOMAN HE WAS GOING TO MOVE INTO 420 LAMAR AFTER HIS DAUGHTER GRADUATED FOR HIGH SCHOOL BUT HE WANTED A HOUSE IN THE BACK FOR HIS SON AND FAMILY.
AT THE FEBRUARY 3RD MEETING HE TOLD THE RESIDENTS END TO BUILD AN ADDITIONAL HOUSE SO HIS SON COULD LIVE IN ONE OF THE HOSPITALS AND HIS DAUGHTER COULD LIVE IN THE OTHER ONE. THERE HAS BEEN HARASSMENT OF RESIDENTS.
SEVERAL NEIGHBORS TOLD US THEY FELT THE APPLICANT WAS HARASSING THEM INTO SIGNING HIS PETITION. AND THOUGH THERE WAS SEVERAL NEIGHBORS WHO DONE SIGN IT, THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHERS WHO DID JUST TO GET THE APPLICANT TO LEAVE.
NOTICE THEY SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNED A PETITION IN OPPOSITION BECAUSE THEY NEVER WANTED THE HOUSE TO BE BUILT IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE NUMBER OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES THE APPLICANT OWNS IS 12. IF HE OR HIS SON IS THE OWNER OF SOUTHERLAND MANAGEMENT COMPANY, HE MAY OWN UP TO ANOTHER SEVEN FOR A TOTAL OF 19 PROPERTIES WHICH MOST OF THEM LOCATED IN DIGNOWITY HILL AND DENVER HEIGHTS. FINALLY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THIS TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT GOES AGAINST THE DIGNOWITY HILL NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2012. WE ASK YOU TO CONSIDER WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR NEIGHBOR BUILD ANOTHER TWO-STORY SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE IN THEIR BACKYARD. WE THINK THE ANSWER WOULD BE NO.
IT IS FOR THIS REASON AND ALL THE REASONS JUST LISTED THAT WE ASK YOU TO VOTE
AGAINST THIS ZONING CASE. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. MCNAIR. RANDY-MEN. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LIZ
FRANKLIN. >> MY NAME IS RANDY OMAN. MY WIFE AND I LIVE AT 416 LAMAR DIRECTLY TO THE WEST. I OPPOSE THE REZONING OF 420 LA MORE AB I HOPE YOU WILL SEE WHY IN A MOMENT. WE LIVE THERE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THINGS LIKE THE HISTORIC HOMES, EXISTING POPULATION, DENSITY AND BALANCE WITH THE LOCAL COMMERCE, DIVERSE MAKEUP OF RESIDENTS AND PROXIMITY TO SAN ANTONIO ACTIVITIES WE ENGAGE IN MEAN A LOT TO US. BOTH 416 AND 420 ARE MID-BLOCK WITH ADJACENT LOTS THEREIN BEHAVING AS IT WERE IN THE SAME WAYS.
WE ARE ALL OBSERVING THE NATURE OF THIS HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD AND FOLLOW THE RULES AND GUIDELINES OF THE ZONING THAT KEEPS THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE WAY WE ENVISIONED WHEN WE MOVED HERE. THERE'S EXISTING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AT THE END OF THE BLOCK, BOTH A CONVENIENCE STORE AND AN UPCOMING MINI FAMILY HOUSING COMPLEX. BOTH THAT DO OR WILL SHARE THE STREET AND ALLEY ACCESS TO OUR AREA. THAT'S MORE THAN ENOUGH ALREADY.
I DON'T THINK A LANDLORD, A DEVELOPER OF ANY SORT SHOULD BE ABLE TO AFFECT OUR LIVES BY CHERRY PICKING HISTORIC PROPERTY AND CHANGING IT INTO A MULTI-FAMILY, MULTI MULTI-HOUSE BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE TO THEM. THE DEVELOPER TO DATE HAS SHOWN TO BE LESS THAN REPUTABLE IN OWNERSHIP OF THE PROPERTY AND REGARD FOR THE NEIGHBORS. HE SHOULD NOT BE ENTRUSTED WITH A FAVOR THAT POTENTIALLY HE COULD USE TO FLIP THE PROPERTY FOR INCREASED VALUE THE ZONE CHANGE WOULD MEAN TO THE NEXT DEVELOPABLE BUYER. STORIES HE MAKES OF HIS PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY ARE IRRELEVANT AND DO NOT EXCUSE THIS.
THE CITY HAS RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR ADDITIONAL STRUCTURES ON PROPERTIES SUCH AS OURS. HE SHOULD BE HELD TO THOSE BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMPLIES AND THEY WERE IN PLACE WHEN HE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY.
AGAIN, I OPPOSE THE REZONING OF 420 LAMAR AND HOPE YOU WILL VOTE THAT WAY.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. OMAN.
LIZ FRANKLIN. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JOSE RODRIGUEZ.
>> HI. CAN YOU HEAR ME? LIZ FRANKLIN, 515 HAYS
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STREET. I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT IN THE 30-MINUTES THAT YOU ARE GIVING ME. SO OKAY? YOU MISSED ME, DIDN'T YOU? ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S GET ON WITH THIS. I LIVE CATTY CORNER, OKAY, AND 100% OF THE TIME I DON'T REALLY CARE WHAT GOES IN YOUR FOUR SQUARE AREA.I CARE WHAT THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU THINKS, I CARE WHAT THE PERSON CATTY CORNER THINKS, I CARE ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN ALL STAY NEIGHBORLY.
OKAY? WE DIDN'T REALLY GET THAT. AND I FEEL LIKE OUR FIRST STEP IN NOT BLAMING ANYBODY WAS ZONING AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY DID IT ON PURPOSE SO DON'T YELL AT THEM, BUT THEY LEFT OUT A FEW KEY CRITICALS WHEN THEY BROUGHT THAT BEFORE THE ZONING COMMISSION. BASICALLY THE ZONING COMMISSION, WHICH IS WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN HERE, THE ZONING COMMISSION DIDN'T GO FORWARD WITH ENOUGH INFORMATION. THERE WERE JUST A FEW TWEAKY THINGS THAT WERE DONE WRONG. NO SITE PLAN OR CONDITIONAL USE OF A RESIDENTIAL AREA, FOR WHAT? LET'S GET A LITTLE DETAIL IN WHAT YOU'RE EXPECTING AND THE DISTRICT 2 REPRESENTATIVE AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR FOLKS WAS EXPECTING TO GO UP THERE. SO WE DIDN'T REALLY GET A GOOD FEEL.
YOU KNOW, WHETHER OR NOT HE'S KIND OF RIGHT BEHIND ME SO I DON'T WANT TO REALLY TALK ABOUT HIM. I DON'T CARE THAT HE'S A DEVELOPER.
I DON'T CARE ABOUT ALL THAT STUFF. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO KNOW TO BEGIN WITH. BUT THE POINT IS I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH ANYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED. WE NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE SITE PLAN, TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PROPOSAL, BUT VERBALLY I'M HEARING FROM YOU OR YOU, HEY, HE TOLD ME HE WILL GO DOWN TO THREE. HEY, HE TOLD ME HE WILL GO DOWN TO ONE. HEY, WITHIN THE SYSTEM YOU DIDN'T EVEN NEED OUR PERMISSION. YOU COULD HAVE GONE WITH A CASITA OR AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION. NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN WE GOT PEOPLE TAKING OFF WORK TO INCLUDE MR. RODRIGUEZ. HE DIDN'T EXPECT THIS, I DON'T THINK. WE'RE IN A VERY -- I'VE GOT 38 SECONDS.
I WANTED TO BRING UP WE'RE IN A SKETCHY NEIGHBORHOOD STILL.
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE ON THE MOVE. THE ECOSYSTEM AUDIO] THAT LEFT US ALL PREY FOR THREE WEEKS. OKAY.
FIVE HOUSES, WE CAN'T AFFORD THE PARKING THERE. FOUR? WHATEVER HE'S DOING NOW. THAT'S THE PROBLEM. WE WERE NEVER PRIVY TO THAT UP FRONT. PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC PUSH AND PULL.
AND WHEN I HEAR SOMETHING ON THE PORCH THAT YOU HEARD THERE WERE THREE AND HE TELLS ME HE WILL GO DOWN TO ONE, I'M NOT SURE. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MS. FRANKLIN. JOSE RODRIGUEZ.
MR. RODRIGUEZ, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY RUSSELL NELSON. >> HELLO.
MY NAME IS JOSE RODRIGUEZ AND I'M THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY ON 420 LAMAR.
I'M HERE TO STATE MY SIDE ON THE ROW ZONING. WHEN I PURCHASED THE PROPERTY I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I MET WITH DSD AND ASKED WHAT ARE THE POTENTIALS TO BUILD ON THIS PROPERTY.
THEY SAID THEY FELT THAT CONDITIONAL USE FOR FOUR UNITS WAS VERY, VERY REASONABLE. SO I WENT FORWARD WITH THAT. I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE ZONING, THEY SAID BEFORE I APPLY, SEND AN EMAIL TO THE DIGNOWITY PRESIDENT.
I DID THAT. I SPOKE TO MANY NEIGHBORS AND THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT MORE DWELLINGS AND MORE LIVING AND HOMES INSIDE SAN ANTONIO CLOSE TO THE CENTER OF THE CITY. HOWEVER, THERE WERE A FEW THAT WERE OPPOSED TO IT.
AND THEIR CONDITION WAS AND MANY OF THEM ARE HERE TODAY, SAID I WOULD SUPPORT YOU BUT ONLY IF YOU WILL DO ONE ADDITIONAL UNIT. AFTER TAKING THEIR FEELINGS INTO -- I CHANGED MY ZONING REQUEST WITH THEIR FEELINGS TO ONE EXTRA UNIT.
AND THAT'S WHY I DID THAT. SO AFTER DOING THAT, I MEAN I WASN'T FORCED TO DO THAT, I DID THAT ON MY OWN FREE WILL. AFTER I DID THAT, THE SAME PEOPLE THAT SAID THEY SUPPORT ME ON ONE UNIT ARE AGAINST ME.
I'M SHOCKED WITH THAT BECAUSE HONESTLY THERE'S NO CONFUSION.
I WAS GOING TO GO WITH FOUR UNITS, AFTER HEARING THEIR CONCERNS I CHANGED IT TO ONE UNIT. IT'S CLEAR WRITTEN. AND NOW THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE DESIGN, I GAVE THEM A MORE DETAILED SITE PLAN AND I UNDERSTAND THAT BEFORE ANYTHING GETS BUILT, I HAVE TO GO TO OHP AND IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY OHP AND I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO DO THAT. SO ALL I'M ASKING IS FOR
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FAIR SANTORUM. THERE'S PROPERTIES NEXT TO ME ON 909 HACKBERRY, SMALLER THAN MY PROPERTY AND THEY BEGINR UNITS ON THAT PROPERTY. IT'S 20 FEET AWAY FROM MY PROPERTY. NEXT DOOR ON 420 LAMAR, IT'S BEEN REZONED TO IDZ, LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT TO ME. SO I'M ASKING FOR MY ADDITIONAL HOME, PLUS ONE ADDITIONAL UNIT ON THE SAME SIZE PROPERTY THEY ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN UNITS 20 FEET AWAY FROM MY PROPERTY. WHY FEEL I'M ASKING FOR ANYTHING OUTRAGEOUS.MANY PEOPLE SUPPORT ME AND STILL DO. I'VE BEEN ATTACKED SAYING I WAS A LIAR. I'VE EVEN HAD PEOPLE SAY IF YOU HAVE SO MANY HOMES BECAUSE MY DREAM IS ONE DAY FOR MY FAMILY, MY PLAN IS COME BACK.
THEY SAY YOU OWN OTHER PROPERTIES. IT'S NOT MY INTENTION TO COME BACK WHERE I GREW UP AND THAT'S WHAT I FIND KIND OF -- SO MY STORY IS BASICALLY I'VE BEEN MARRIED 4 YEARS. I HAVE A SON THAT'S 22 YEARS OLD THAT GRADUATES IN MAY. HE'S IS SON I HOPE MOVES BACK.
I HAVE A DAUGHTER AT YLA AND SON THAT'S A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL.
THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING FOR. IT'S NOT UNREASONABLE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, MR. RODRIGUEZ. RUSSELL NELSON. >> YEAH, I'M ACTUALLY THE APPLICANT FOR THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM SO I THINK I WAS PUT DOWN ON THE WRONG ONE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WHICH ITEM ARE YOU INTENDING TO SPEAK ON?
>> 7. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YEAH, YOU ARE LISTED ON 6.
I'LL CALL YOU UP AT 7. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU, MR. RODRIGUEZ FOR BEING HERE AS WELL AS ALL THE REPRESENTATIVES OF DIGNOWITY HILL.
THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING TIME OUT. I'LL BE PRETTY BRIEF.
I DON'T BELIEVE THIS PROPOSAL CONFORMS WITH THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT PATTERN OF THE AREA. ADDITIONALLY THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CLEAR THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT VISION FOR THIS PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS AREA HAS BEEN UNDERGOING SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE OVER THE LAST DECADE AND I RECOGNIZE RESIDENTS ARE ASKING FOR A BIT MORE STABILITY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FOR THAT REASON I INTEND TO VOTE AGAINST THIS REQUEST SO I MOVE TO DENY.
>> SECOND. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR DENIAL OF ITEM NUMBER 6. ANY DISCUSSION? CAN I ASK A QUESTION HERE? SO OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS TO BE BUILT. AND THERE'S NOW ONE ADDITIONAL DWELLING UNIT ON THE SITE PLAN. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, SIR, SO THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION STARTED WITH FOUR UNITS ON THE PROPERTY WITH ONE EXISTING AND THEN ADDING THREE MORE. AND WITH THE CHANGES THAT OCCURRED AT ZONING COMMISSION, THEY -- THE APPLICANT ALONG WITH THE COMMISSION AGREED TO CHANGE IT TO TWO UNITS. SO THE EXISTING HOME WILL STAY AND THEN THE ADDITIONAL HOME WILL BE ALLOWED ACCORDING TO THE SITE PLAN
THAT'S PROPOSED TODAY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: OKAY. NOW, I UNDERSTAND IN OUR POLICY WE HAVE NOW ALLOWED ADUS BY RIGHT. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THIS PROPERTY AND SAY AN ADU?
>> AN ADU IS ALLOWED IF THE IMPORTANT LIVES ON THE PROPERTY.
IN THIS SITUATION THE PROPERTY OWNER DOESN'T LIVE ON THE PROPERTY SO HE DOES
NEED TO COME TO ZONING AND ASK FOR ADDITIONAL -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I SEE.
GOT IT. THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR DENIAL OF ITEM NUMBER 6.
PLEASE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 7.
>> CLERK: NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS IN FAVOR. OUTSIDE THE 200-FOOT THREE IN FAVOR, EIGHT OPPOSED. EAST VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS OPPOSED.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WE HAVE TWO FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 7.
JACK FINGER. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS MUCH COUNCIL, MY NAME IS JACK FINGER. AND I WISH -- ACTUALLY I WISH TO MAKE A CORRECTION ON
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SOMETHING. WHEN I CAME UP EARLIER, I WAS -- IT'S EASY TO MAKE THESE MISTAKES WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH THIS MANY ITEMS AND DETAILS.EARLIER I MENTIONED IN MR. PELÁEZ'S DISTRICT ABOUT THE -- WHAT IS NOW BEING DEALT WITH A CAR WASH IN DISTRICT 2. BUT YES, I MISTAKENLY THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A CAR WASH AND IT WAS ON WALZEM ROAD, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY MR. MR. PELÁEZ AREA ON KYLE SEALE AND IT WAS AN APARTMENT COMPLEX.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ITEM NUMBER 7, JACK. >> OKAY.
I'LL DEAL WITH NUMBER -- NUMBER -- THE ITEM THAT WE'RE ON HERE.
NUMBER 7. ITEM NUMBER 7 IS ABOUT PUTTING A CAR WASH AND IT'S IN MR. JALEN MCKEE RODRIGUEZ'S DISTRICT. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, HERE I DO NOTICE THAT THERE'S STILL THIS ONE YOU HAVE QUITE A BIT OF OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED CAR WASH. YOU HAD AS MUCH AS 72%.
72% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING AREA SAID THEY DID NOT WANT IT.
THAT'S RIGHT. THOSE BEING ASKED ABOUT IT WITHIN THE 200-FOOT RADIUS.
ANOTHER EIGHT PERSONS FROM OUTSIDE THE 200-FOOT RADIUS SAY THEY DIDN'T WANT IT EITHER. AND I GUESS IN PURSUING THE -- SOME QUESTIONS ON THIS, I ASKED ABOUT IT AND BASICALLY I WAS TOLD IT WAS ABOUT THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AROUND THERE, SIR. SO YEAH, MY SUGGESTION, SIR, IS THAT YOU WOULD JUST SAY NO TO THIS CAR WASH. I MEAN QUITE FRANKLY THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT TRAFFIC AND ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS COMMENSURATE WITH IT THERE.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER.
RUSSELL NELSON. >> THANK YOU. RUSSELL NELSON, I'M THE APPLICANT. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERN WITH THIS CAR WASH SO I WANTED TO TOUCH ON A FEW THINGS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE THE DEVELOPER FOR QUICK WALK, ONE OF THE FASTEST CAR WASH COMPANIES IN TEXAS. AND THAT'S DUE TO THE QUALITY OF COMPANY THEY ARE AND THE AMAZING SERVICE THEY PROVIDE.
AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE RECEIVED CONCERNS OFTEN AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US AS A COMPANY TO RESOLVE THESE CONCERNS AND WE HAVE WORKED HEAVILY WITH JAMES NAUGLE AND WITH STAFF TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS. I WANTED TO TOUCH ON A FEW OF THE MAIN CONCERNS THAT DID COME THROUGH. PROBABLY THE MAIN ONE IS TOO MANY CAR WASHES. WE HEAR THAT A LOT. WE HAVE OVER 200 CAR WASHES RIGHT NOW. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT ON FEASIBILITY OF CAR WASHES. AND THE STANDARD WE LOOK AT IS A POPULATION DENSITY OF 15,000 PEOPLE PER CAR WASH. WITH THIS CAR WASH, AND THAT'S WITHIN THREE MILES, WITH THIS CAR WASH, EVEN IF IT DID GO THROUGH, THERE WOULD BE A POPULATION OF 22,000 PER CAR WASH. IN OUR 200 CAR WASHES, THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY LOW CAR WASH DENSE AREA. SOMETHING ELSE TO ADD, WE JUST FOUND OUT, THE SELLER REACHED OUT, HE WAS AT THE CAR WASH DOWN THE STREET AND THEY HAVE A SIGN OUT THERE THAT SAYS THEY WASH 324,000 CARS LAST YEAR. I THINK THEY HAD AN AWARD FOR THE SITE OF THEIR COMPANY THAT HAD THE MOST WASHES.
THERE IS A HUGE DEMAND IN THIS AREA. HE POINTED OUT THE ONE GOING THE OTHER WAY ON WALZEM HAD EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL SITES ARE MAYBE EVEN HALF THAT CONCERNS AND ISSUES. THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT TURN AWAY AND DON'T GO TO THOSE CAR WASHES. THERE'S DEFINITELY A NEED HERE. COMPETITION IS GOOD. IT CAUSES US, ESPECIALLY AS THE NEWCOMER, HAVE TO HAVE THE BEST SERVICE, PRICING, KEEP OUR EXPERIENCE EXCELLENT FOR OUR CUSTOMERS. SO WE BELIEVE COMPETITION IS GOOD AND ESPECIALLY IN AN AREA LIKE THIS WHERE THERE'S RELATIVELY FEW CAR WASHES. TRAFFIC, WE'RE REDUCING THE ACCESSES SIGNIFICANTLY ON THIS SITE MAKING IT SAFER THAN USUAL.
[00:35:01]
THE ZONING IN THIS AREA, C-3 IS ZONED ALL AROUND IT, EVEN CLOSER TO RESIDENCES.AND THAT CAR WASH IS AN ALLOWED USE IN A C-3 ZONE. WE'VE LOOKED AT SOME OF THESE OTHERS WHERE IT WOULD JUST BE A PERMITTED USE, BUT THEY ARE CLOSER TO RESIDENCES AND CLOSER TO THE OTHER CAR WASHES. THIS IS THE IDEAL SPOT FOR A CAR WASH. IT'S SITUATED RIGHT IN BETWEEN THE CAR WASHES, IT'S
SPACED OUT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. NELSON.
>> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: JAMES NAUGLE.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
I APPRECIATE YOU HEARING ME. I BELIEVE THE CAR WASH IS A REASONABLE USE FOR THE PROPERTY. I AM FOR IT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN QUALITY A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO DUBIOUS IN THE BUSH, TWO DUBIOUS BIRDS.
SCUTTLEBUTT ON THE STREET IS THE CVS CLOSED BECAUSE OF SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER SECURITY CONCERNS. SO I DON'T THINK A RETAILER WOULD WANT TO OPEN THERE.
ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE HEARD FROM THE POTENTIAL SELLER IS THAT SOME OF THE OTHER INTERESTS IN THE PROPERTY HAVE COME FROM LIQUOR STORES, CONVENIENCE STORES. AND, YOU KNOW, I COULD SEE EASILY LIKE SOMEBODY WANTING TO PUT A CBD OR VAPE SHOP, TATOO PARLOR, JUST BUSINESSES THAT, YOU KNOW, DO NOT SEEM PROPER TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE TWO MAJOR -- NOT THOROUGHFARES, COLLECTOR STREETS RUNNING NORTH TOWARD WALZEM, TOWARD THE TWO CAR WASHES. THIS PROPOSED CAR WASH WOULD ACTUALLY INTERCEPT A LOT OF THAT TRAFFIC. SO WHAT WE HAVE IS WE HAVE TRAFFIC ALREADY COMING FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT IS VERY DENSELY POPULATED SOUTH OF WALZEM.
SO WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAFFIC ALREADY COMING UP THOSE TWO COLLECTOR STREETS.
ONE GOING TO -- AND BOTH OF THESE EXISTING CAR WASHES ARE IN WINDCREST.
ONE GOING TO THE EAST AND THEN THE OTHER ONE GOING TO THE WEST.
THE CAR WASH BY THE HOME DEPOT. THIS ONE I BELIEVE WOULD INTERCEPT SOME OF THAT TRAFFIC, KEEP TAX REVENUES IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.
AND IN DISTRICT 2. AND SO I THINK THIS IS -- THE ARGUMENT ABOUT TOO MANY CAR WASHES ALREADY AND PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC, WELL, IF THERE WERE A RESTAURANT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT WOULD GENERATE A LOT OF TRAFFIC.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT A CAR WASH, THEY WILL BE MOSTLY CLOSED DURING WET WEATHER.
SO -- I THINK A LOT OF THE YOUNG WORKING FOLKS THERE DON'T NEED ANY OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND MONEY ON THINGS THAT DO NOT PROFIT THEIR LIVES SUCH AS ALCOHOL, CBD, TATOOS, BUT I DO THINK A CAR WASH IS A REASONABLE USE FOR THAT AREA.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. NAUGLE. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU AND THANK YOU MR. NAUGLE FOR BEING HERE AND THE APPLICANT. I WANT TO THANK MR. NELSON FOR HIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED, ONE OF MY FIRST MEETINGS I HAD WAS WITH MR. GORDON GRAYBILL, YOUR PREDECESSOR WHO PASSED THIS PAST YEAR. HE WAS PART OF THE WALZEM ROAD REVITALIZATION GROUP AND I GOT TO ASK WHAT IS IT YOU WOULD LIKE TO REVITALIZE. THERE'S INTEREST IN THINGS LIKE RESTAURANTS, BOOKSTORES, MOM AND POP SHOPS, MORE OF THAT. A LOT OF THE AMENITIES AND RESOURCES THAT WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
AND I'VE SAID IT BEFORE AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO SAY IT DISTRICT 2 HAS ENOUGH GAS STATIONS AND CAR WASHES. THERE ARE ABOUT FIVE CAR WASHES WITHIN TWO MILES OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING ONE ON ONE SIDE AS NOTED AND ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE. I ACTUALLY GO TO WATERSHED DOWN THE STREET AND I NEVER HAVE AN ISSUE PULLING UP AND GETTING A CAR WASH. THAT -- SAYING THAT BECAUSE THE AREA IS OVERSATURATED AND ADDING ANOTHER ONE WON'T BRING DIVERSE BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, BOOKSTORES AND MOM AND POP SHOPS. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A
[00:40:03]
PARTICULARLY THOUGHTFUL PROPOSAL FOR CAR WASH, CAR WASHES ARE DIFFICULT TO ADAPT TO OTHER USES. IF THIS BUSINESS SHOULD FALL THROUGH OR THIS BUSINESS MOVES ON, IT'S GOING TO BE CHALLENGING TO CONVERT IT INTO A DIFFERENT KIND OF BUSINESS. SINCE THE LOT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR SOME TIME, THE COMMUNITY WOULD RATHER IT STAY VACANT UNTIL A MORE DESIRABLE PROPOSAL COMES ALONG AND I'LL SAY THE EAST VILLAGE ASSOCIATION IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS.THOSE ZONING COMMISSION VOTED TO APPROVE MY ZONING COMMISSIONER VOTED NO, WHICH IS A CONSISTENT PRACTICE WHERE THE DISTRICT 2 COMMISSIONER VOTES NO ON A PROJECT OR A PARTICULAR WAY AND THE ENTIRE BOARD CONTINUES TO VOTE IN OPPOSITION TO MY DISTRICT VOICE. AND SO THAT'S A CHALLENGE, IT'S ONE I WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY TO MY COLLEAGUES SO YOU MIGHT HAVE A WORD WITH YOUR ZONING COMMISSIONER. FOR ALL THOSE REASONS I LISTED BEFORE, I MOVE TO
DENY IT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE WAS A MOTION FOR DENIAL.
THERE'S A SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, PLEASE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES. ITEMS 13 AND 14. >> CLERK: CASES] 56 NOTICES MAILED, FOUR IN FAVOR, ZERO OPPOSED.
21 IN FAVOR OUTSIDE THE 200-FOOT BOUNDARY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ITEMS 13 AND 14 WILL BE TAKEN TOGETHER. THERE ARE A FEW FOLKS WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THESE ITEMS. WE'LL START WITH BOBBY HERRERA. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER.
>> RATHER HIM GO FIRST. ANYWAY, BOBBY HERRERA, U.S. NAVY SEBIES RETIRED.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MY NEIGHBOR, MR. ORTEGA, 1621 CALLAGHAN ROAD.
HIS DAUGHTER LIVES DOWN THE STREET FROM ME, HE'S ON RICHLAND WE'VE BEEN PROCEEDING ON THIS A YEAR AND A HALF. FIRST TIME AROUND WE WERE LOOKING THROUGH EVERYTHING AND THE FIRST TIME AROUND 20 NOTICES WERE MAILED OUT, THREE CAME BACK AND MR. [INAUDIBLE] WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION MR. ORTEGA OWNED ALL THAT PROPERTY IN THE BACK. MR. ORTEGA DOES NOT OWN ALL THE PROPERTY. WHEN WE DROVE TO THE BACK, I SHOWED HER WHAT SHE ACTUALLY OWNED. SHE SAID WHAT ABOUT THIS UP HERE? HE DOESN'T OWN THAT. TWO WEEKS AGO YOUR INSPECTORS WENT BACK OVER THERE FOR A REINSPECTION AND THEY WERE LIKE HANDS DOWN. THEY SAID WE THOUGHT HE OWNED ALL THIS. I GO NO, HE DOESN'T OWN ALL THIS, HE ONLY OWNS THIS PORTION HERE. I'M JUST SAYING I HOPE THAT OUR COUNCIL PERSON CAN RECONSIDER. NOW MS. CHAVEZ IS ON BOARD. 56 NOTICES WERE MAILED OUT, ZERO CAME BACK. I TOOK IN 45 TO 55 SIGNATURES DOWN THAT BLOCK WITH MS. CHAVEZ SAYING YES, HE CAN DO IT. WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION ALL OF THAT BELONGED TO HIM. WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT A VETERAN.
WE HAVE VETERAN DRIVERS THAT ARE COMMERCIAL DRIVERS NOW AND NOW THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO PARK IF THIS PLACE IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM. THE NEAREST PLACE WOULD BE DOWN I-10 EAST. THAT'S TOO FAR FOR THESE GUYS.
THEY CAN'T PARK IN THE STREETS BECAUSE YOU HAVE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 50 TO $500 FINE AND IF THEY TOW THEIR RIG, IT'S NEARLY $2,000 TO GET THEIR RIG BACK.
SO WE'RE ASKING FOR CONSIDERATION. EVEN IF WE GIVE THEM A TEMPORARY OCCUPATIONAL PERMIT IS TO SEE HOW IT GOES, SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR, HE'S NOT A BAD GUY. IT'S EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF THAT AREA.
IF YOU GO BACK OVER THE PLAN RIGHT THERE, GO BACK TO THIS AREA OVER HERE.
THEIR CASE BECAUSE NOW THEY STARTED CLEANING UP THE AREA.
IT'S CHANGED OVERNIGHT. NOW THEY ARE DOING IT. THE OWNER LIVES IN CALIFORNIA. THESE GUYS MADE IT INTO A PICK AND PULL AND THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT BECAUSE THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A -- IT'S UP TO THE INSPECTORS TO FIND OUT. ALL MY NEIGHBOR IS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND GO FOR THE LOWEST CONDITIONAL USE. IT'S NOT MECHANICAL, IT'S NOT AUTO, IT'S JUST TIRE REPAIR. THAT IS IT.
[00:45:07]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. HERRERA. JACK FINGER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, MY NAME IS JACK FINGER AND ON THIS ITEM WE SEEM TO HAVE SOME CONFLICTING CLAIMS HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA, YOU MAY WANT TO -- BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION, I GUESS YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE THE ZONING STAFF COME UP AND FIND OUT IF THERE ARE BACKUP DOCUMENTS STILL HOLD FROM WHAT THEY ASCERTAINED SOME MONTHS AGO. THE IDEA IS THAT THIS -- WHAT WE CAN SEE IS THIS PROSPECT OF HAVING A -- YES, THE STAFF SAID IT IS A TRUCK REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE WITH OVERSIZED VEHICLE STORAGE. IS THAT STILL THE CASE? IF IT IS, THEN IT RAISES A NUMBER OF RED FLAGS. BOTH THE PLANNING STAFF AND ZONING COMMISSION THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD IDEA, AND BOTH THE ZONING STAFF AND COMMISSION THINKS IT'S A BAD IDEA.
IF -- WHY? WELL, IF THE REASONS STILL HOLD WHICH ARE THESE, QUOTE, IT WILL BRING HEAVY TRUCKS, NOISE AND POLLUTION TO THE AREA.
ALSO, QUOTE, IT BRINGS INDUSTRIAL USES ADJACENT TO RESIDENCES.
AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT MAP, EVERYONE CAN SEE THE MAP AS DEPICTED EARLIER, YOU CAN SEE ALL THE ROW, THE ROW OF SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES RIGHT NEXT TO THAT DRIVEWAY FOR THIS PROPOSAL. SO I -- AND I WOULD ASK COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA IF THAT IS STILL THE CASE UPON CLARIFICATION HERE, WHY NOT JUST SAY NO TO THE DARN
THING. THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. FINGER. ROY AGUILL OH. N. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED BY
ALBERT MORE MOORHOUSE NO. >> THANK YOU. I'M HERE -- I'M RETIRED NAVY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, ALSO NATIONAL COMMANDER FOR NAVY SEE VETERANS IN AMERICA.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT VETERANS. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT MY VETERAN TO PARK HIS CAR THERE. I'M GOING TO FIELD THE REST OF MY TIME TO MR. HERNANDEZ IF THAT'S OKAY. I'M SORRY, --
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: I'M SORRY, WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> BEN HERNANDEZ.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU ARE NOT SIGNED UP. >> I'M SHARING TIME.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU HAVE TO BE SIGNED UP, BUT GO AHEAD.
>> I LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOWN THE ROAD AND I JUST WANT TO SUPPORT THE VETERANS. AS MR. [INAUDIBLE] WAS SAYING, POLLUTION FOR VEHICLES. WELL, THERE'S POLLUTION DOWN THE ROAD ON HIGHWAY 90 WITHOUT PEOPLE LIVING THERE TOO, SIR. THERE'S THE DIFFERENCE IS HE'S TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING. THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE IN THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS. WHERE I LIVE AT. YOU KNOW, THIS -- IF IT'S BECAUSE OF A POLLUTION ISSUE, THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER PLACES THAT CAN BE PROPOSED THE SAME WAY. SO THE OTHER PERSON ON THE OTHER PROPERTY THAT CAN BE DEALT WITH WERE THE ZONING PEOPLE. BUT THIS GENTLEMAN HERE IS ONLY LETTING PEOPLE PARK BECAUSE THEY NEED TO SLEEP AROUND THE CORNER.
THEY ARE PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEN. THIS GENTLEMAN LIVES IN THAT
AREA AS WELL AS WE DO TOO. >> CHAIR: THANK YOU, MR. PEÑA.
ALBERT MORANO, FOLLOWED BY JAVIER TORRES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
COUNCIL PERSONS, AND IT'S MORANO. I'M A RETIRED ARMY OFFICER VETERAN AND I'M HERE BASICALLY -- I'M NOT REPRESENTING ANYBODY, ANY
[00:50:04]
ASSOCIATION. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MR. ORTEGA.JUST A VETERAN. SUPPORTING ANOTHER VETERAN. YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME VETERANS IN THE COUNCIL CAN ATTEST TO. JUST, YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR YOU ALL TO VOTE TO ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE HIS HONEST BUSINESS.
UNLIKE THE OTHER BUSINESS THAT'S NEXT TO HIM. SO AGAIN, JUST A VETERAN
SUPPORTING ANOTHER VETERAN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. MORANO. JAVIER TORRES. YOU WILL BE FOLLOWED --
ACTUALLY YOU ARE THE LAST SPEAKER, MR. TORRES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M JAVIER TORRES, I'M A VETERAN. I'M ALSO A COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVER. I LIVE IN THE VICINITY OF MR. ORTEGA'S TRUCK PARKING.
I'VE BEEN PARKING MY TRUCK THERE THREE-MUST YEARS. I CANNOT PARK IN MY SUBDIVISION, IT'S A NO-TRUCK ZONE. I'LL BE FINED IF I DO.
I GO TO WORK AT 7:00 A.M., MY WIFE DROPS ME AT 7:00, I GO OUT TO DIFFERENT COMMODITIES IN SAN ANTONIO, BACK BY 7:00 P.M. MY WIFE PICKS ME UP, GO HOME AND PREPARE FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. I DO THIS SIX DAYS A WEEK AND I REALLY DEPEND ON THIS PARKING. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS PARKING, I WOULDN'T HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO PARK MY TRUCK.
I AM A VETERAN AND I SUPPORT THESE OTHER VETERANS AND I APPRECIATE THEIR HELP.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. TORRES.
COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'M GOING TO INVITE MELISSA UP TO SPEAK FOR A MOMENT.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> HAVRDA: DO YOU HAVE SOME CLARIFICATIONS?
>> THE ONLY THING I WAS GOING TO CLARIFY IS THIS CASE HAS COME TO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME. SO THE FIRST TIME IT CAME IN WAS IN 2018. IT CAME IN AGAIN AT 2021, BUT BOTH CASES HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN. THIS HAS STEMMED FROM CODE VIOLATIONS.
THERE IS SEVERAL CODE VIOLATIONS GOING ON AT THE MOMENT.
THERE IS A C OF O THAT NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO.
IT'S STILL GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING, BUT DEPENDING UPON WHAT HAPPENS HERE, THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO HAVE CODE
COMPLIANCE GO OUT AND ISSUE TO CLOSE THE PROPERTY. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MELISSA. THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR YOU. AGAIN, MAYOR, ALLOWING THE REPAIR OF OVERSIZED VEHICLES TO OPERATE NEAR BACKYARDS OF NEARBY RESIDENTS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I APPRECIATE ALL THE VETERANS WHO COME TO SUPPORT THEIR FELLOW VETERAN. BUT WHETHER HE IS A VETERAN, HE'S BEEN IN VIOLATION AND THEY'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM. THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN OPERATING IN VIOLATION. THE ZONING COMMISSION AND THE COUNCIL REGULARLY DENIES THESE TYPES OF CASES AND DID SO RECENTLY ON A CASE NEAR ABE LINCOLN IN DISTRICT 7.
THE ARGUMENT MADE BY THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE AT THE ZONING HEARING WAS THE HOMES IN THE DISTRICT 6 NEIGHBORHOOD WERE BETWEEN 50 AND 60,000.
WHILE THE HOMES ON ABE LINCOLN WERE OVER $300,000 IN WORTH T IMPLICATION THAT FOLKS WHO LIVE IN LOWER VALUE HOMES DON'T DESERVE THE SAME CONSIDERATION IS OFFENSIVE AND I WON'T SUPPORT IT. I'VE HEARD FROM PLENTY OF NEIGHBORS NEAR THE AREA AND I'VE WRITTEN SOME OF THE COMMENTS DOWN.
THE TRUCKS COME IN AND OUT AT ALL HOURS. THEY DISRUPT NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE NEIGHBORS HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OR HAVE BEEN MISINFORMED BY THE APPLICANT AND THE REPRESENTATIVE. AND I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT TRUCKERS NEED PARKING, BUT NO TO DETRIMENT OF A NEARBY NEIGHBORHOOD. AS YOU SAW IN THE DRAWING -- THE PHOTO, RIGHT BEHIND A NEIGHBORHOOD. RIGHT BEHIND PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS. SO IF IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE RESIDENTS OF ABE LINCOLN, IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE RESIDENTS OF MAY O AND I ASK FOR MY
COLLEAGUE'S SUPPORT IN DENYING THIS APPLICATION. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COULD
YOU MAKE THE MOTION. >> HAVRDA: I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE DENIAL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR DENIAL OF ITEMS 13 AND 14. ANY DISCUSSION? COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
>> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MIKE. I DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU GOT HERE. I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE. BUT I DO -- I DO APPRECIATE
YOU >> VIAGRAN: THERE WERE VIOLATIONS THERE AND I THINK WE AS A CITY PROBABLY NEED TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT HOW WE LET A LOT ABOUT PARKING SPACES, WHERE WE LET PEOPLE STORE THEIR OVERSIDES VEHICLES. AND IF WE COULD JUST START GETTING THAT MESSAGE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WHERE THESE LOTS ARE, WHO HAS PERMISSION
[00:55:06]
IN AUDIO] WHAT ARE OUR EXPECTATIONS. BECAUSE I THINK THAT THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS POPPING UP THAT DON'T LET PEOPLE PARK THEIR VEHICLES THERE, BUT THAT'S PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS.I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE DENIAL BUT I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF KIND OF GETTING THE INFORMATION OF EXPECTATIONS. AND THEN IF WE FIND THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE HAVING PARKING LOTS THAT AREN'T WORKING, MAKING SURE THAT THEY COME INTO CODE AND THEY COME INTO COMPLIANCE. IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THIS HAPPENED THERE.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN.
COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: I USUALLY DON'T TALK ABOUT ANYBODY ELSE'S ZONING CASES BECAUSE I LIKE TO SEE THIS STUFF MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY, BUT IN THIS INSTANCE I HAVE TO INTERVENE AND TELL YOU THIS IS PART OF LARGER CONVERSATION REGARDING TRUCK PARKING CONVERSATION ABOUT TRUCK PARKING. VERY GRATEFUL THAT OUR COMMITTEE IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AND LOOKING AT IT. WE'RE TRYING TO FIND A CITYWIDE SOLUTION TO THIS BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT SOLUTION WILL NEVER INCLUDE PARKING AN 18-WHEELER BEHIND SOMEBODY'S HOUSE. THAT'S JUST IMPOSSIBLE.
AND I
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.