[00:00:07]
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.
WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL B SESSION -- GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.
I HAVE A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN MY TIME AND THE COMPUTER TIME SO I'M GOING TO LOOK AT MY IPHONE TIME. IT'S 3:05 P.M. ON THE 17TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025.
WE'LL CALL OUR COMMITTEE MEETING TO ORDER. MADAME CLERK.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE THREE ITEMS -- FOUR ITEMS TODAY, STARTS WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES FROM JANUARY 15, 2025.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THOSE. OKAY.
THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM NO. 1. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?
HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >>
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF CCRS BUT FIRST WE HAVE THE CONSIDERATION OF FIVE AT-LARGE APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. I KNOW WE HAD OUR SUBCOMMITTEE BRING UP OUR FINALISTS AND SO THE WAY WE WILL DO THIS IS TYPICAL TO ALL OF OUR COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THE APPLICANTS WAIT IN THE WAITING ROOM.
WE'LL BRING EACH PERSON BACK IN ORDER ONE AT A TIME. APPLICANTS WILL THEN GIVE A TWO-MINUTE OPENING STATEMENT. WE'LL GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE AND THEN WE'LL PROCEED, JUST LIKE THAT, THROUGH EACH OF THE APPLICANTS WHO ARE PRESENT.
THE COMMITTEE WILL THEN CONVENE INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR A BRIEF DISCUSSION AND WE'LL COME BACK AND MAKE OUR DECISION IN TERMS OF RECOMMENDATION OF THE FULL COUNCIL TO CONSIDER.
BEFORE BEFORE WE START THAT PROCESS, IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON PROCESS? ALL RIGHT. AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE NINE APPLICANTS, ONE HAS WITHDRAWN. WENDELLYN MILLER. WE HAVE THREE OF THE APPLICANTS, ALL OF WHICH ARE SEEKING -- I'M SORRY. WE HAVE THREE APPLICANTS, TWO OF WHICH ARE SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT, WHO HAVE SUBMITTED STATEMENTS.
WE'LL READ THOSE MOMENTARILY. AND THEN WE'VE GOT FIVE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE IN PERSON.
ALL RIGHT. SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND START WITH OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS.
SO IF WE CAN HAVE OUR APPLICANTS STEP BACK INTO THE WAITING AREA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CORIN HOOPER. CORIN WILL BE FIRST. ALL RIGHT.
MR. HOOPER, WE'LL WAIT FOR EVERYBODY TO EXIT FOR. WELCOME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE PLANNING COMMITTEE.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL GO AHEAD AND TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO YOU.
YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A STATEMENT. >> THANK YOU, ESTEEMED COLLEAGUES OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. MY NAME IS CORIN HOOPER AND I AM INTERESTED IN BEING A PLANNING COMMISSIONER FOR ONE OF THE AT-LARGE SEATS.
I HAVE A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA AND A MASTER IN PLANNING FROM THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY NINE YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE IN PLANNING. I'M CURRENTLY A NOISE ANALYST AT JBSA LACKLAND. AND I AM DEFINITELY INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION.
I HAVE PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO DEPARTMENT OF THE DSD.
AND I AM INTERESTED IN EVALUATING PLAN AMENDMENTS. I'M INTERESTED IN EVALUATING PLATS FROM A COMMISSIONER'S SIDE. AND I'M INTERESTED IN REALLY USING ALL OF MY KNOWLEDGE, BOTH FROM MY AICP, FROM MY EDUCATION, AND FROM MY YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE TO BETTER THE COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE SO MUCH, WHICH IS THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND THANK YOU FOR POTENTIALLY EVALUATING MY CANDIDACY TO BE A PLANNING COMMISSIONER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, HOOPER. WITH THAT, LET ME TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR MY QUESTIONS. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.
>> PELAEZ: YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES, PLEASE UNPACK THAT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. SO IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION EVALUATES WHETHER A PLAN IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL PLAN.
IF SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO, SAY, DEVELOP A PROPERTY. SAY THAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO
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PUT IN SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL INTO SOMETHING THAT IS PRIMARILY A COMMERCIAL SETTING. WE LOOK FOR CONFORMANCE TO THE GENERAL PLAN AND SEE IF A PLAN AMENDMENT WOULD BE WARRANTED IN THE APPLICANT'S CASE.IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ALSO EVALUATE PLATTING AND RELATED AMENDMENTS TO THE
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE AS WELL AS THE PLAN ITSELF. >> PELAEZ: YOU PASSED THE
TEST. THANKS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. HOOPER, FOR APPLYING. THERE'S A WAVE OF GROWTH THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND SO PORT SAN ANTONIO, BROOKS, YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH NAVISTAR.
I JUST WANT TO SEE HOW YOU ARE AWARE, WHAT YOUR FAMILIARITY IS, WHAT AWARENESS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE GROWTH AND PLANNING EFFORTS SPECIFICALLY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO .
>> I CURRENTLY LIVE IN THE SOUTHEAST SECTION OF SAN ANTONIO.
ABOUT 410 AND SINCLAIR. SO THAT IS THAT SOUTH SIDE THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, KIND OF BY BROOKS CITY-BASE. I'M VERY AWARE OF THE LEVEL OF GROWTH.
A LOT OF THE GROWTH IS ACTUALLY COMING IN THE FORM OF RESIDENTIAL, WHICH IS A DOWN ZONING BECAUSE WHEN WE BOUGHT OUR HOUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF IT WAS THAT PURPLE INDUSTRIAL THAT YOU SEE TYPICALLY ALONG A FREEWAY CORRIDOR.
SO IN REGARDS TO GROWTH, GROWTH IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING AND WE ARE IN NEED OF A WATCHFUL EYE IN TERMS OF HOW DOES IT FIT IN WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, THE ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO KEEP A KEEN EYE ON AND WE NEED TO FOSTER AND FACILITATE GROWTH BECAUSE IT WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN BUT CAN WE FORM IT IN A WAY IN WHICH IT IS HEALTHIEST FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE LIVING ON THE SOUTH
SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. >> GARCIA: WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. HOOPER.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA
GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU FOR APPLYING. CAN YOU TELL ME YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON TRANSIT-ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ROLE IN OUR CITY'S FUTURE? >> ABSOLUTELY.
SO I HAVE BEEN A TRANSIT PLANNER AND I BELIEVE THAT TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT WE REALLY DO NEED TO BUCKLE DOWN AND FOCUS ON.
I BELIEVE THAT TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS SOMETHING THAT ABSOLUTELY CAN BE BETTER ACCOMPLISHED OFTEN THROUGH INFILL DEVELOPMENT. A LOT OF EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENT IS PRIMARILY GOING TO BE MORE HEAVILY AUTO-FOCUSED. HOWEVER, IN AREAS WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO CREATE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DENSITY AROUND THAT AREA, THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE BETTER ABLE TO REALLY GROW IN A HEALTHY MANNER IN TERMS OF -- IF I'M ALLOWED TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW. SAY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO UP ZONE THE AREAS AROUND A BUS STOP. SO IT GOES FROM A PREDOMINANTLY SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD TO INCORPORATING EITHER ADUS OR UPZONE THAT INTO, SAY, A LIGHT MF IN THAT BEING A MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT. YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE.
AND WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE CUSTOMERS IN WALKING RANGE FOR WHATEVER A BUSINESS MIGHT BE. AND SO IF YOU'RE ABLE TO INTEGRATE MIXED-USE, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO INTEGRATE COMMERCIAL INTO A QUARTER MILE OF, SAY A BUS STOP OR A BUS IN GENERAL, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREATER AMOUNT OF TRANSIT-ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT KIND OF FILL IN. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. MY COLLEAGUES ASKED GREAT QUESTIONS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. HOOPER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL NOW BRING BACK MATTHEW PROFFITT. MR. PROFFITT IS SEEKING
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REAPPOINTMENT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. PROFFITT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND FOR YOUR INTEREST IN CONTINUING.YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A STATEMENT AND THEN WE'LL GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS.
>> GREAT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR, DISTINGUISHED COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY STAFF, DEVELOPMENT SERVICE STAFF. IT IS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE AGAIN SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO SERVE THE CITY AND CITIZENS ON THE COMMISSION -- ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION SINCE 2020 AND WAS ELECTED BY MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS TO SERVE TWO TERMS AS CHAIR. ONE YEAR WAS IN 2022 WHERE WE SUCCESSFULLY CONSIDERED AND SET FORTH RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL ON OVER 500 UDC AMENDMENTS.
AS YOU KNOW THIS WAS A PROCESS THAT WAS DELAYED FROM 2020. WE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED EACH AMENDMENT AND WEIGHED ITS NECESSITY BY REVIEWING THE SPONSOR'S REQUEST, THE PTAC RECOMMENDATION, STAFF INPUT, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY LISTENING TO THE CITIZENS WHO PRESENTED THEIR SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION VIA WRITTEN RESPONSES, VOICE MAIL, AND ATTENDANCE.
I'M PROUD OF THE EFFICIENCY, FAIRNESS, AND BALANCE WE APPLIED TO EACH DECISION.
SAN ANTONIO IS A CITY ON THE RISE. OUR RICH CULTURAL HISTORY, DIVERSE AND GROWING WORKFORCE, AND DESIRABLE QUALITY OF LIVING CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT THAT AMENDMENT DEVELOPMENT SO THAT SAN ANTONIO CONTINUES TO BE A DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR NEW BUSINESS AND RESIDENTS. WE DO THIS WHILE RESPECTING OUR HISTORICAL HERITAGE AND BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT LIVES SO VIBRANTLY IN OUR UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS. TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE. WE CAN GROW AND WE CAN PRESERVE. WE CAN WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO ADVANCE THE PROMISE AND COMMITMENT OF SA TOMORROW, TO BUILD RESPONSIBLY AND SEEK SUPPORT OF OUR RESIDENTS THAT THEY HAVE OWNERSHIP AND THE PROCESS TO ALLOW THEM TO HELP DESIGN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THEY WORK, LIVE, AND PLAY. IF REAPPOINTED, I'LL CONTINUE TO BALANCE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DSD AGAINST THE WANTS AND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE MOST INFORMED DECISIONS TO PRESENT TO COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. PROFFITT. I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE IN THE OPENING STATEMENT. I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAPTURE EVERY SINGLE WORD OF THAT AND IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU'RE LEADING THE COMMISSION, THEN I THINK WE'RE IN VERY GOOD HANDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON
THAT. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: QUESTIONS
FROM MY COLLEAGUES? COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MR. PROFFITT AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO LEAD THE COMMITTEE.
WHY DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE OF CONTINUED IMPORTANCE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE REPRESENTATION FOR EVERY PART OF THE CITY -- AND YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON THIS A LITTLE BIT.
BUT IF YOU COULD ELABORATE OF HOW YOU THINK WE COULD HELP INCREASE THAT PARTICIPATION AS
WELL. >> I THINK THERE WAS A CONCERTED EFFORT IN THIS NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS. AND I THINK WE PRODUCED 29 APPLICANTS, WHICH IS PROBABLY MORE THAN WE HAVE HAD IN RECENT CYCLES.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT -- THESE ARE AT-LARGE POSITIONS, WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT THINGS THAT MAY NOT SPECIFICALLY AFFECT EACH COUNCIL DISTRICT BUT THE CITY AT-LARGE. I APPLAUD THE CCR BY COMMISSIONER VIAGRAN AND I THINK IT DID PRODUCE A GOOD BATCH OF NEW APPLICANTS FROM SOME OF THESE DISTRICTS THAT MAYBE HADN'T BEEN REPRESENTED ON THE COMMISSION BEFORE. BUT I DO THINK AGAIN WE HAVE TO BLEND THAT WITH, YOU KNOW, FINDING DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCE AND TO BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE
THROUGH AS WE GROW. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA
GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: SO TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, PLEASE DESCRIBE FOR US WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES.
YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF IT. >> WHAT WE DO? SO WE ARE A RECOMMENDING BODY TO THE CITY COUNCIL. OUR MAIN FOCUS IS TO CONSIDER A VARIETY OF AMENDMENTS PUT
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FORTH. WE REALLY -- IT'S KIND OF ALMOST A CATCH-ALL.ZONING IS SPECIFICALLY ZONING WHEREAS ADJUSTMENTS ARE ADJUSTMENTS.
PLANNING, WE APPROVE PLATS. WE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL ON PLAN AMENDMENTS.
WE APPROVE TREE VARIANCES, STREET NAMES, CHANGES, DEDICATIONS.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE LOOK AT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE REGIONAL CENTERS, TAKE THOSE UNDER CONSIDERATION, MAKE ADVICE. WE'RE CONSTANTLY INVOLVED IN BOTH THE CURRENT REQUEST AND LOOKING AT THE FUTURE PLANNING.
>> PELAEZ: THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ.
COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: HI. WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ROLE IN OUR CITY'S FUTURE?
>> VERY IMPORTANT. AND WE JUST RECENTLY APPROVED A UDC A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.
I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE WAY TO REALLY INCREASE DEVELOPMENT IS TO PROVIDE THAT AVENUE, LITERALLY I GUESS IN THIS CASE. IF DONE PROPERLY, YOU KNOW, I THINK TOD IS AN IMPORTANT MECHANISM TO GROW DENSITY, TO DO IT RESPONSIBLY, TO CREATE NODES WHERE WE DON'T HAVE KIND OF DISJOINTED NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT CREATE SOME COMMUNITY IN PLACE. BECAUSE THOSE NODES TEND TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT NOT JUST FOR THE RESIDENTIAL BUT COMMERCIAL. AND RETAIL USE.
I APPLAUD ADDING TOD AS A MECHANISM FOR ZONING AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING IT COME TO
FRUITION. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
MR. PROFFITT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST IN THE PLANNING
COMMITTEE. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. OUR NEXT APPLICANT TO HEAR FROM IS JACOB SANCHEZ.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. SANCHEZ. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST IN SERVING ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION. AS YOU HEARD, YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR AN OPENING
STATEMENT AND THEN WE'LL GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS INTRODUCTION.
MY NAME IS JACOB SANCHEZ. I'M 48 YEARS OLD, BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO.
I GREW UP ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF SAN ANTONIO, ATTENDED BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL.
SHORTLY AFTER, I STARTED A FAMILY, WHICH LED ME TO THE WORKFORCE IMMEDIATELY.
I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO 1999 WITH ANIMAL CARE SERVICES. ROUGHLY BETWEEN 2001 AND 20004, DIRECTOR BOZMAN CREATED THE FIRST HELPLINE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF 311. AT THAT TIME I WAS PART OF THE DIVISION WHERE WE INCORPORATED ANIMAL CON CONTROL -- CODE COMPLIANCE, I'M SORRY, AND PUBLIC WORKS. AND WE TOOK NON-EMERGENCY PHONE CALLS FOR CITY RESOURCES AND DISPATCH FOR ANIMAL CARE. CONTINUING IN MY JOURNAL WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, I JOINED DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN 2003 AS A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE.
I QUICKLY EXCELLED AND JOIN THE RESIDENTIAL PLAN REVIEW AND CONSULTATIONS .
IN MY ROLE AS -- SORRY. BY 2016 I WAS ONE OF TWO ASSISTANT CITY ARBORISTS.
IN MY ROLE AS ASSISTANT CITY ARBORIST, I FACILITATED IN PLAN REVIEW, CONSULTATION, CITY COUNCIL, AND PUBLIC INQUIRIES. A MAJORITY OF MY POSITION WAS SUPPORTING THE CITY ARBITER.
AFTER 22 YEARS I RETIRED WITH 25.5 YEARS WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO .
DURING THAT TIME WITH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY DIVISION SIDE, MAINLY THE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND REGULATIONS DEALING WITH DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING. I WAS BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE ON OUR DEVELOPMENT -- WITH OUR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCE REQUESTS. THOSE REQUESTS CONSISTED OF TREE LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION. THEY WERE FACILITATED THROUGH THE VARIANCE PROCESS THAT INCLUDED BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND PLANNING COMMISSION. THAT IS WHERE MY INTEREST
STARTED IN THE PLANNING COMMISSION SIDE. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SANCHEZ. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS
NOW. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU FOR APPLYING. WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
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AND ITS ROLE IN OUR CITY'S FUTURE? >> WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF THE CONCEPT, IT WAS DEALING STRICTLY WITH A CERTAIN BOULEVARD AND IT WAS REALLY LIKE FRONTAGE DEVELOPMENT. I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THAT BOULEVARD FULLY DEVELOPED HOW IS THAT GOING TO BE INCORPORATED INTO EXISTING BOULEVARDS, EXISTING SIDEWALKS, AND EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS. I DO SEE IT AS A CHALLENGE. I JUST WANT TO SEE HOW A LOT OF THE ORDINANCES AND A LOT OF THE REGULATIONS ARE GOING TO BE INCORPORATED INTO SUCH AN AREA -- SUCH A TIGHT AREA THAT, AGAIN, THAT MAINLY DEALS WITH THE FRONTAGE OF THAT ONE
BOULEVARD. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO
HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. SANCHEZ, FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS POSITION.
ONE OF MY QUESTIONS -- OR THE ONE QUESTION I WANT TO ASK YOU TODAY HAS TO DO WITH GROWTH ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND IF YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE PLANNING EFFORTS.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GROWTH HAPPENING WITH PALO ALTO COLLEGE, TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO, THE MULTIFAMILY HOUSING THAT'S OUT THERE TO JCB, NAVISTAR NOW INTERNATIONAL.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANNING PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING NOW FOR THE LAST FEW
YEARS AND MAYBE THE ISSUES? >> I WAS BLESSED TO BE INVOLVED WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS FROM THE PROJECT BLACK TO NAVISTAR ON 281 ALL THE WAY TO JAGUAR BOULEVARD WITH THE MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL BEING DEVELOPED AND ALSO THE HOSPITAL DOWN THE STREET FROM THERE, ALONG WITH A&M BACK WHEN THAT WAS BEING INITIALLY DEVELOPED. TOYOTA HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROJECT. I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHEN THAT STARTED.
BUT THEY DO HAVE ADDITIONAL NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE STREET THAT WE HAVE BEEN -- THAT I FACILITATED WITH ON THEIR DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS A GOOD TIE TO TOYOTA.
SO I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE BOOM RIGHT NOW IN THE SOUTH SIDE. AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT.
>> GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. SANCHEZ. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: HI, MR. SANCHEZ. CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR US, IN
YOUR OPINION, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES, ITS FUNCTION. >> THE PLANNING COMMISSION FACILITATES THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT, ULTIMATELY WHETHER IT'S AT A LEVEL TRYING TO GAIN A ZONE OR REZONE. OR EXPAND ON DENSITY, WHICH IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEN THEY ARE -- YOU'RE TOUCHING YOUR NEIGHBOR. NOW YOU'RE REACHING OUT TO ANOTHER PERSON'S PROPERTY, PROPERTY LINE. SO IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAKING THOSE DECISIONS, ESPECIALLY AT AN EARLY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT WHEN NOTHING HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. NOTHING HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTHING HAS EVEN BEEN MAYBE PUT ON PAPER AS FAR AS WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
BUT THE BEGINNING INFRASTRUCTURE IS VERY IMPORTANT.
SO THEY PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE -- THE COMMUNITY IS VERY INTERESTED IN THAT AS WELL SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT PROCESS REMAINS TRANSPARENT, REGARDLESS OF WHAT AVENUE IT TAKES. REZONING, ANNEXATION,
DEANNEXATION. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MR. SANCHEZ, YOU INTRIGUED ME BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF DIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH SOME OF THESE RESIDENTIAL PLANS AND THEN AS YOU EXITED THE CITY YOU SAID YOU WERE INTERESTED IN THE POLICY SIDE OF THINGS. SO I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IT'S THE EXPERIENCE THAT LEADS YOU TO THAT DIRECTION. CAN YOU TELL ME SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU THINK MIGHT NEED TO BE IMPROVED UPON HOW WE HANDLE THE PLANS AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN? OR THINGS THAT ARE PERHAPS GOING VERY WELL THAT SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED?
>> I THINK ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT -- I'M GOING TO START REAL SIMPLE.
AS FAR AS WHEN I DID PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING COMMISSION AND I HEARD A LOT OF THE FEEDBACK FROM THAT DIVISION THAT WAS PRESENTING, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE, WHATEVER IT WAS LOOKING FOR FROM THE COMMISSION, A LOT OF TIMES THE OUTREACH, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS A LITTLE LATE IN THE PROCESS TO WHERE I DON'T THINK NOT EVERYBODY, WHETHER IT BE CITYWIDE OR IN THAT PARTICULAR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT WAS GETTING THE MESSAGE.
AND A LOT OF TIMES I BECAUSE THERE'S AN OLDER -- THERE'S OBVIOUSLY GENERATIONS AND THE
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OLDER GENERATION SOMETIMES ARE BY THEMSELVES AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO COMMUNICATE.THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY JUST RECEIVED IN THE MAIL.
WHAT'S ON THE TELEVISION EXPLAINING WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE OUTREACH ON THE CITY'S PART, REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER THE AGENDA MIGHT BE. BUT TAKING IT TO THE HOMEOWNERS PERSONALLY AND EXPLAINING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE BACK SIDE OF THAT IS A LOT OF UPSET CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF MAYBE SOMETHING WAS TOO CLOSE TO THEIR HOUSE.
THEY CAN HEAR THE HIGHWAY NOW. THEY CAN SEE LIGHTS. WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, BECAUSE WE'RE KIND OF PULLED IN ALL SORTS OF DIRECTIONS AS FAR AS TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST TREE AND LANDSCAPE BUT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND A LOT OF TIMES I HEAR WE'RE JUST KIND OF LATE TO -- WE'RE EITHER TOO LITTLE TOO LATE PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION OR NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DO YOU THINK THERE'S A ROLE FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN THAT?
>> I'M SORRY? >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: DO YOU THINK THERE'S A ROLE FOR THE
PLANNING COMMISSION IN THAT PROCESS? >> ABSOLUTELY, YES.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THE NO NOTICES ARE SENT OUT AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THAT SUPPORT. WHETHER IT BE A CITY DIVISION OR DEVELOPER, THAT MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE SIMPLIFIED AS MUCH AS IT CAN TO THE COMMUNITY. SO WE CAN HAVE SUPPORT IN IT AND IT'S A SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT OR IT'S A SUCCESSFUL DECISION ON THE
CITY'S PART. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
MR. SANCHEZ FOR YOUR APPLICATION. >> YES, SIR.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE NEXT APPLICANT NOW. >> THANK YOU, ALL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
THE NEXT PERSON WE HAVE IS MEREDITH SIEGEL. AND MS. SIEGEL IS ALSO SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MS. SIEGEL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST IN SERVICE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION. YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR AN OPENING STATEMENT AND THEN WE'LL GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS.
>> OKAY. MY MIC'S ALREADY ON? OKAY.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND OTHERS HERE ON THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT MY PAST EXPERIENCE ON THE COMMISSION AND BE PART OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN SAN ANTONIO. THERE ARE MANY NEW IDEAS AND FRAMEWORKS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE THE COMMISSION OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
TWO IN PARTICULAR THAT WILL HELP TO MAKE OUR CITY MORE LIVABLE AND VIBRANT ARE THE TOD FRAMEWORK AND THE BIKE NETWORK PLAN, BOTH OF WHICH I AM A PROPONENT OF.
I SUPPORT THOSE. AS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROFESSIONAL AND A PROPONENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I THINK I BRING A VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE TO THE COMMISSION AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED TO PRIORITIZE THE VALUES AND COMMITMENTS OF THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, WHICH STRIVE TO HELP PEOPLE LIVE WITH SECURITY AND DIGNITY. MY OWN WORK IN OWNER-OCCUPIED HOME REPAIR GRANTS ME ACCESS TO COMMUNITIES WHERE AFFORDABILITY PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN PRESERVING NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY, A FAMILY'S LEGACY OF WEALTH, AND THE CONTINUITY OF RELATIONSHIPS THAT MAKE LIFE SO RICH. IN APPLYING THAT AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY OF MY WORK TO THE COMMISSION, I AM ABLE TO SERVE SAN ANTONIANS WHO MAY NOT FEEL THEY HAVE A VOICE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S A ROLE I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. SIEGEL.
WE'LL GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS NOW. I'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER
PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: TELL US WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES, ITS
FUNCTION. >> WELL, OUR FUNCTION IS TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS TO AMEND MINOR PLANS OR AREA PLANS AROUND THE CITY. WE ALSO LISTEN TO PRESENTATIONS OF STAFF AND ASK QUESTIONS AND REVIEW PLANS THAT ARE BEING PUT FORWARD TO SHAPE THE MASTER PLANNING IN THE CITY AND THEN MAKE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INTEREST IN THE PLANNING COMMISSION. WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
AND ITS ROLE IN OUR CITY'S FUTURE? >> I THINK TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO BE A POWERFUL TOOL TO MAKE LIVABILITY IN SAN ANTONIO AFFORDABLE AND TO CONTINUE AFFORDABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN CENTER-CITY NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE LAND VALUES HAVE RISEN OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS. I THINK IF YOU CAN SUBTRACT THE COST OF HAVING AN AUTOMOBILE FROM THE OVERALL COST OF LIVING, THEN IT REALLY MAKES
[00:30:02]
YOUR LIFE MORE TENABLE AND RICHER. AND MY HUSBAND LAUGHS WHEN I SEE THIS. I'M A RECREATIONAL BUS USER. I LOVE TO RIDE THE BUS AND MEET PEOPLE AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND TOWN AND JUST BE A PASSENGER INSTEAD OF DRIVING.I GET TO VIEW THE CITY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO
HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. SIEGEL, FOR WANTING TO CONTINUE THE WORK.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT SPECIFICALLY FOCUSES ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND THERE'S A LOT OF GROWTH AND PLANNING EFFORTS SINCE YOU'VE BEEN ON. I'M SURE YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT. CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU FIND ARE THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GROWTH ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE TO
HELP ADVANCE THE INTEREST OF SOUTH SIDE RESIDENTS. >> SURE.
I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THERE IS VERY FAST GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING ON THE SOUTH SIDE, OKAY. AND IT CAN BE DISMAYING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT GROWTH, TO SEE THINGS CHANGING AROUND THEM THAT MAYBE OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES HAVEN'T CHANGED THAT MUCH AT ALL AND NOW THEY'RE SEEING A LOT OF CHANGE VERY QUICKLY.
ONE THING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT IS TO BE ABLE TO GET IN FRONT OF THAT CHANGE AND MAKE DECISIONS AHEAD OF TIME ABOUT HOW WE WANT THAT AREA TO GROW AND TO BRING VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY IN SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A ROLE AND SOME OWNERSHIP IN SHAPING THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENTS AND THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS. SO IT CAN KIND OF SOFTEN THAT QUICKNESS OF CHANGING IF PEOPLE FEEL THEY HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE. THERE'S A LOT OF -- I DON'T KNOW IF CONFLICT, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF TENSION WHERE WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, RAPID RESIDENTIAL GROWTH AT THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN AND WE ALSO HAVE MORE INTENSIVE USES LIKE INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL USES AND THEY DON'T NECESSARILY BLEND WELL. THAT'S WHY PLANS ARE IMPORTANT AND THAT'S WHY THE PUBLIC INPUT PROCESS IS IMPORTANT SO WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER AND MAKE GOOD DECISIONS TOGETHER.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE, MS. SIEGEL. APPRECIATE YOUR APPLICATION.
>> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
OUR NEXT APPLICANT IN PERSON IS OUR LAST. MARYANN SMITH.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MS. SMITH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR APPLICATION. YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES, AS YOU HEARD, FOR AN OPENING STATEMENT AND THEN WE'LL GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS.
WITH THAT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS MARYANN SMITH AND I RESIDE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS I HAVE WORKED IN THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY AND RECENTLY PASSED THE TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION SALES AGENT EXAM. I AM A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AND DEVOTED PARTNER OF 22 YEARS.
THROUGHOUT MY LIFE I HAVE SOUGHT OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE TO MY COMMUNITY, LEVERAGING MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO BENEFIT OTHERS AND FOSTER PERSONAL GROWTH.
I BELIEVE THAT JOINING THE PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENTS THE IDEAL OPPORTUNITY I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THAT LISTENING AND HAVING HONEST CONVERSATIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO ANY ORGANIZATION'S SUCCESS. IN THE PAST COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, I HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE ABILITY TO LISTEN TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, GATHER RESEARCH, AND DIVERSE COLLABORATION. UNDERSTANDING THAT WHAT WORKS IN ONE AREA MAY NOT ALWAYS BE THE SOLUTION IN ANOTHER. ADDITIONALLY, I AM DEEPLY COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE CHARACTER OF RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. I BELIEVE IN THE UNIQUE CHARM AND IDENTITY OF EACH NEIGHBORHOOD SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE OVERALL SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ITS RESIDENTS. MY PASSION EXTENDS TO THOUGHTFULLY CREATING SPACES WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, ENSURING THAT NEW DEVELOPMENTS COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND MEET THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS AND FOSTER I AM TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AND HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT THAT RESPECTS THE AREA'S HERITAGE AND CHARACTER. AS WITH ANY LARGE CITY, GROWTH IS INEVITABLE BUT IT MUST BE INTENTIONAL AND WELL PLANNED. THE CITY DESERVES DEVELOPMENT THAT ENHANCES OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. BY PRIORITIZING STRATEGIC PLANNING, SUSTAINABLE LAND USE, AND THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE, WE CAN FOSTER THRIVING, LIVABLE COMMUNITIES.
I'M EAGER TO BE A PART OF THAT GROWTH. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU
[00:35:01]
VERY MUCH, MS. SMITH. WE'LL NOW GO AROUND WITH QUESTIONS.WE'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. >> PELAEZ: MS. SMITH, HI.
WELCOME. YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB. >> THANK YOU.
>> PELAEZ: DESCRIBE FOR US, IN YOUR VIEW, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES AND ITS
FUNCTIONS. >> IN MY VIEW WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION DOES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS WOULD BE -- WOW. THERE'S SO MUCH THAT Y'ALL DO. SO ENSURING THAT THE COMMUNITIES ARE DEVELOPED IN THOUGHTFUL, WELL THOUGHT-OUT WAYS.
ENSURING THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE WHEN IT COMES TO ROADS, UTILITIES, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. ENSURING THAT THE -- WE TAKE THE BENEFIT AND WEIGH THOSE
AGAINST THE EXPENSE OR COST. >> PELAEZ: OKAY. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER PELAEZ. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST ON THIS COMMISSION.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ROLE IN OUR CITY'S
FUTURE? >> TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS ESSENTIAL.
SO I COME FROM SEATTLE WHERE WE RECENTLY HAVE DONE A LOT OF THAT EXPANSION.
PUTTING IN A DIVERSIFIED APPROACH TO TRANSIT, WHETHER IT'S TRAINS, UNDERGROUND BUS SYSTEMS, ABOVE-GROUND BUS SYSTEMS, MASS TRANSIT, EXPRESSWAYS ON FREEWAYS.
SO IT'S INTEGRAL TO KEEP THE CITY MOVING TO HAVE EFFECTIVE TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR
EVERYONE. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO
HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. SMITH, FOR APPLYING. MY QUESTION FOCUSES ON GROWTH ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND WITH YOUR FAMILIARITY WITH THE PLANNING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON.
WE HAVE A LOT OF GROWTH. WE HAVE PALO ALTO COLLEGE, TEXAS A&M SAN ANTONIO, NAVISTAR, JCB, ALL OF THESE MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING UP.
AND SO DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILIARITY WITH THE CURRENT PLANS AND WHAT DO YOU SEE AS MAYBE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU WOULD COME ACROSS?
>> WHAT I SEE AS CHALLENGES FOR THE SOUTH SIDE IS TO HAVE THAT THOUGHTFUL DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW, HOW TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS NEIGHBORHOODS. HOW TO KEEP OUR COMMERCIAL AREAS COMMERCIAL. THE SOUTH SIDE IS VERY UNIQUE IN THAT YOU HAVE THAT MIX, RIGHT. RIGHT NEXT TO A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT YOU HAVE THAT COMMERCIAL USE. WHETHER IT'S TOYOTA, NAVISTAR, T.J. MAXX, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. HOW TO INCORPORATE THAT, KEEP THE TRAFFIC FLOWING, RIGHT, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GET HOME OR GET TO WORK. SO HAVING THAT THOUGHTFUL PLAN OF WHERE THAT DEVELOPMENT GOES AND HOW IT GROWS IS KEY TO KEEPING THE SOUTH SIDE MOVING,
RIGHT. >> GARCIA: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE SOUTH SIDE?
>> WHAT MADE ME CHOOSE THE SOUTH SIDE? SO EIGHT YEARS AGO MY PARTNER AND I DECIDED WE WANTED TO RELOCATE SOME PLACE WARM TO RETIRE.
SO WE'VE SPENT THE LAST EIGHT YEARS TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTRY GOING TO DIFFERENT PLACES AND TRYING TO FIND SOME PLACE THAT WAS EFFECTIVELY, ONE, MY PARTNER IS WHEELCHAIR BOUND SO THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE. AND OF COURSE A NICE CLIMATE.
THE SOUTH SIDE CAME TO US BECAUSE THERE IS THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH THERE.
WE'VE GOT THE GOLF COURSE, THE LAKE, THE BIRD SANCTUARY, BOATING, FISHING, THAT BEAUTIFUL TRAIL SYSTEM THROUGH THERE IS WONDERFUL AND IT KEYS TO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE LIKE TO DO, ALONG WITH THE ACCESSIBILITY. SO WE CAN COME DOWNTOWN.
WE CAN VISIT. WE CAN SHOW OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHAT A WONDERFUL CITY IT
IS. AND GO FROM THERE. >> GARCIA: WONDERFUL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. SMITH. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: MS. SMITH, YOU DID A GREAT JOB KIND OF DESCRIBING THE TENSION BETWEEN PRESERVATION AND, YOU KNOW, NEIGHBORHOOD INTEGRITY AND THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN GROWTH.
I'M TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE YOU ARE -- WHAT YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS WILL BE AS YOU CONFRONT INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS ON A PARCEL BY PARCEL BASIS. HOW DO YOU -- WHAT WOULD YOUR APPROACH BE IN TERMS OF FIGURING OUT WHERE THAT LINE IS AND HOW YOU JUDGE A SPECIFIC
PARCEL TO MAKE A DECISION LIKE THAT? >> IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS, RIGHT? WE'VE GOT TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WANT AND WHAT WILL BEST SERVE THEM, AS WELL AS PRESERVING,
[00:40:04]
YOU KNOW, THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT. SO THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, GROCERY STORES AND STRIP MALLS ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE NEED BUT HOW DO WE PLACE THEM EFFECTIVELY SO WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON TRAFFIC GOING TO BE. WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON ACCESSIBILITY. HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO GET THERE QUICKLY, EFFICIENTLY? IS IT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC DURING PEAK HOURS SO WE'RE UTILIZING MORE SPACEEFFECTIVELY. DOES IT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: IT DOES BUT I'M TRYING TO GET MORE SPECIFICALLY AT THIS ISSUE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD INTEGRITY THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE A TRAFFIC ISSUE OR A SERVICE ISSUE BUT IT'S MORE INTANGIBLE, THE WAY PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF THOSE
KINDS OF HERITAGE CONCERNS. >> SO RECENTLY I WORKED WITH THE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE AND WENT TO AN OLDER HOME AND I WAS ABLE TO TALK TO THE WOMAN WHO LIVED THERE.
SHE'S BEEN IN THE HOUSE SINCE 40 YEARS-ISH AND THAT WAS HER HOME.
THAT WAS HER FOREVER HOME. SO EVEN THOUGH THE COMMUNITY -- AND THERE'S APARTMENTS BEHIND HER -- HAS GROWN UP, THAT IS STILL HER HOME. AND WE NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THAT. HOW DO WE KEEP HER HOME EFFECTIVE -- I WANT TO SAY MODERNIZED, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE KEEP IT PRESERVED SO THAT THOSE OLD-TIME NEIGHBORHOODS STAY THERE AND WE DON'T PUSH THEM OUT WITH NEW APARTMENTS OR NEW GROCERY STORES OR THINGS LIKE
THAT. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: WELL, THERE'S NO RIGHT ANSWER AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MORE DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT COMMISSIONS FACE.
SO IT'S HELPFUL TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE YOU ARE ON THAT. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE GIVEN A
LOT OF THOUGHT TO IT, SO APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. SMITH. ALL RIGHT.
WE WILL NOW PROCEED INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE DO HAVE THREE APPLICANTS AGAIN WHO HAVE SUBMITTED STATEMENTS. THEY'RE QUITE LENGTHY.
THEY ARE IN YOUR PACKETS SO WE WON'T NEED TO READ THOSE OUT LOUD BUT PLEASE BRING THEM WITH YOU. THE STATEMENTS WERE SUBMITTED BY SAMER DESSOUKY, GEORGE PECK, AND TOMAS URESTI. PECK AND DESSOUKY ARE BOTH SEEKING REAPPOINTMENTS BUT ALL THREE OF THOSE STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR PACKET. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE BEFORE WE GO TO EXEC? ALL RIGHT.
SO LET'S DO THAT REAL QUICK AND WE'LL GO TO THE PRESIDIO ROOM. IF YOU'RE IN HERE, YOU CAN STAY HERE. THE COUNCIL WILL GO TO THE OTHER ROOM.
THE TIME IS NOW 3:52 P.M. ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2025 THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO'S GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE IS RECONVENING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REVIEW THE APPOINTMENTS OF APPLICANTS AND TO DISCUSS RELATED LEGAL ISSUES PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT
CODE 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. IS EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM? THE TIME IS 3:59 P.M. ON THE 17TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025. WE'LL CALL OUR GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEETING TO ORDER.
LET ME JUST START, BEFORE I GIVE THE FLOOR TO COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA, ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE HEARD FROM TODAY, WHETHER YOU ARE SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT OR SEEKING A NEW APPOINTMENT WERE VERY IMPRESSIVE. AND, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE MORE APPLICANTS THAN WE HAVE APPOINTMENTS TO FILL. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU, IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY, TO WORK WITH US TO FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU COULD SLOT IN ON SIMILAR ISSUES, LAND USE AND PLANNING. BECAUSE YOU ALL CLEARLY HAVE A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO PLANNING THE CITY THAT YOU LOVE, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED WITH THESE COMMISSIONS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST AND CONSIDER THIS A FIRST STEP IN YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY, WHETHER THAT'S ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION OR NOT.
SO, WITH THAT, LET ME TURN IT OVER TO COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I MOVE TO RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING APPLICANTS TO BE FORWARDED TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL. SAMER DESSOUKY, GEORGE PECK,
JACOB SANCHEZ, AND MEREDITH SIEGEL. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR RECOMMENDATIONS AS STATED BY COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA ON
[00:45:02]
THE PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS TO BE AGENDIZED AT THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY
AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME AND FOR YOUR INTEREST. AND WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR INTEREST WITH THE CITY. ALL RIGHT.
LET'S MOVE NOW O TO ITEM NO. 3 AND 4. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
REGARDING FEE WAIVER PROGRAMS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT EXPERIENCE A FIRE AT THEIR HOUSE AND WHAT TYPE OF RELIEF WE CAN PROVIDE FOR THEM.
SO THE FIRST ITEM WAS A CCR REFERRED TO AS REBILLING DREAMS CCR .
ACCORDING TO THAT CCR THERE ARE AN AVERAGE OF 43 RESIDENTIAL FIRES PER MONTH OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. AND IT DISCUSSED HOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE REBUILDING THEIR HOMES, THEY ACCUMULATE CITY FEES THAT CAN BE PRETTY EXPENSIVE TO A HOMEOWNER.
SOMETIMES UP TO $5,000 TO $6,000, DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE OF IMPROVEMENTS THEY NEED TO DO. AND THERE AREN'T ANY FEE WAIVER PROGRAMS OR HOME REHAB PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING FIRE-DAMAGED PROPERTIES. AND SO THE CCR WENT ON TO REQUEST THAT WE LOOK AT FEE WAIVERS THAT CAN GO TOWARDS THIS EFFORT.
LOOK AT OTHER PROGRAMS WITHIN THE HOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES PORTFOLIO TO SEE WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMS WE CAN EXTEND TO THESE TYPES OF HOMES.
LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AND THEN COME UP WITH AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
THIS WAS SUBMITTED BY DISTRICT 5 WITH SUPPORT FROM DISTRICTS 2, 4, 6, AND 9.
WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING IS THAT WE EXPLORE THIS, ALONG WITH OUR OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT FOR OUR COSA FEE WAIVER PROGRAM POLICY. WE'RE ABOUT TO ENTER INTO THAT PROCESS RIGHT NOW AND SO LOOKING AT THIS ON HOW THE LENS OF HOW WE CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO LOSE THEIR HOME DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE. WE COULD EASILY ADD A SECTION REGARDING CATASTROPHES. WE CAN PUT UP THE SPECIFIC PARAMETERS BUT WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE WOULD COME UP WITH THAT POLICY, BUNDLE IT ALL TOGETHER WITH OTHER FEE WAIVER AMENDMENTS, AND RETURN TO PCDC FOR THE REVIEW AND DIRECTION ON NEXT STEPS.
AND THE NEXT CCR THAT WAS SUBMITTED WAS ESTABLISHING A PROCESS FOR CITY ASSISTANCE AFTER A HOME FIRE. THIS ONE WAS SUBMITTED BY DISTRICTS 4 AND 5 IN FEBRUARY OF 2025 AND THERE WAS SUPPORT BY DISTRICTS 10, 3, AND 9. IT'S SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS ONE BUT LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN ESTABLISH A RESPONSE SYSTEM TO COORDINATE EFFORTS OF AGENCIES THAT CAN HELP A FAMILY AFTER A HOME FIRE. AND THIS MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO JUST HOUSING ASSISTANCE. IT COULD BE EXPANDED TO DHS AND HUMAN SERVICES.
AND SO OUR CURRENT EFFORTS IS THAT NHSD GETS INVOLVED IN A HOME FIRE, IF REQUESTED BY DSD. IF THEY FEEL LIKE THERE MIGHT BE PROGRAMS THAT THE RESIDENT CAN TAP INTO. BUT IT'S NOT A PROACTIVE, IT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT COMES FROM MICHAEL SHANNON AND HIS TEAM TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY PROGRAMS TO HELP WITH THIS SPECIAL CASE. WE DO HAVE A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE OF UP TO $3,000 FOR MOVING EXPENSES, BUT THAT'S FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND IT'S NOT FOR HOMEOWNERS.
SO THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT WE COULD LOOK AT AND MAYBE EXPANDING IT FOR THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE SUCH A CATASTROPHE. SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO BRING THIS FORWARD THROUGH THE PREVIOUS PROCESS I DISCUSSED, GO THROUGH OUR FEE WAIVER POLICY.
EXPAND THAT TO LOOK AT OTHER TYPES OF PROGRAMS, LIKE HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN TAP INTO FOR THESE FAMILIES AND ALSO BRING THAT FORWARD TO PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. I DON'T SEE COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO HERE. IS SHE? IF NOT, THEN LET'S JUST GO AHEAD AND GET RIGHT INTO DISCUSSION. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEMS 3 AND 4. OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND
FOR ITEMS 3 AND 4. COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU.
AND I'LL START OFF WITH ITEM NO. 3 AND THAT WAS A CCR BY COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO.
I FEEL LIKE THE ONE THAT I SUBMITTED SHORTLY AFTER IS JUST COMPLEMENTARY AND SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PROCESS AS A WHOLE. HOME FIRES OBVIOUSLY CAN BE
[00:50:07]
DEVASTATING BUT FOR THOSE ESPECIALLY WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE, IT'S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT. AND SO I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN KIND OF LOOK AT THE PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH.MURRAY TELLING ME ABOUT A HOUSE FIRE IN MY DISTRICT . AND IT WAS A FAMILY OF THREE WHO WAS DISPLACED AND THEY LOST THEIR THREE PETS. AND SO IT WAS JUST SO SAD.
AND THE SON OF COURSE HE WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND SO WE DIDN'T INCLUDE PETS IN THERE OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT, BUT SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER. OBVIOUSLY THE HEARTBREAK THERE. A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE NEW YEAR WE HAD A FAMILY TRYING TO KEEP WARM WITH CANDLES AND IT STARTED A FIRE. SO LOST THE HOME.
BUT WE TRIED TO TRACK THEM DOWN. IT WAS SO DIFFICULT TO TRACK THEM DOWN BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORS DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY HAD GONE.
SO THAT'S THE REASON THAT I WAS FOCUSED -- AND, AGAIN, THANKS TO DEPUTY CHIEF MURRAY BECAUSE IMMEDIATELY WE WERE NOTIFIED THROUGH OUR COUNCIL OFFICE. THE PREVIOUS FAMILY, THE ONE I WAS TALKING ABOUT IN JANUARY, THEY WENT FROM ESSENTIALLY -- IT WAS A FAMILY OF SIX.
THEY MOVED IN WITH THEIR PARENTS WHO HAD ANOTHER CHILD. SO FROM A FAMILY OF THREE TO A FAMILY OF NINE. THAT FAMILY, IT WAS REALLY COLD THAT FOLLOWING WEEK AND THEIR AC AND HEATER UNIT HAD BEEN OUT FOR TEN YEARS, THEY SAID. ESSENTIALLY THEY WENT FROM GOING TO SCHOOL WITH SMELLING LIKE ASHES, THE KIDS THE NEXT DAY, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD PUT ON. THEY STILL WENT TO SCHOOL. BUT THEN THEY WENT AND ARE STILL CRAMMED INTO A SMALL HOME. THEY WERE SLEEPING ON SOFAS, ET CETERA, AND THEY WERE STILL COLD INSIDE THAT HOME. SO WE DELIVERED SOME HEATERS.
WE HAD SOME COMMUNITY OUTREACH, DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT JUST WANTED TO HELP OUT THE FAMILY.
BUT WE NOTICED THERE WASN'T A COORDINATED EFFORT AND THAT WAS THE FIRST PART OF IT.
WE KNEW COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO WAS WORKING ON THE OTHER PART OF IT, LIKE THE AFTER.
BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAD THAT IMMEDIATE REACH OUT. WE KNOW THEY COORDINATED WITH THE RED CROSS IMMEDIATELY BUT WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE? CAN WE PARTNER UP WITH GOODWILL TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND CLOTHES FOR THE KIDS. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TO CONSIDER THIS AND I JUST APPRECIATE ALL MY COLLEAGUES' SUPPORT ON THIS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA
GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
AND THANKS TO THE COUNCILWOMAN CASTILLO AND DR. ROCHA GARCIA FOR BRINGING THE ISSUE TO THE TABLE. I SIGNED THE REBUILDING CCR BECAUSE IT SHINES A LIGHT ON THAT GAP IN SERVICES THAT WE HAVE TO FILL. AND I APPRECIATE COUNCILWOMAN SHARING THOSE STORIES. I ALSO WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THIS ISN'T JUST THE IMPACT ON THE FAMILY BUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THERE'S A NEIGHBORHOOD IN MY DISTRICT THAT YEARS AGO THERE WAS A FIRE AND IT'S JUST KIND OF A PLACE WHERE YOU KNOW AND IT'S BEEN A BLIGHT. IT'S BEEN REBUILT BUT THE OWNER DIDN'T HAVE ANY OWNER.
I REMEMBER THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE ONE FAMILY, ALTHOUGH THAT IS IMPACTFUL, BUT IT'S THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY THAT'S AFFECTED. SO I APPRECIATE THIS PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING GAPS AND PROVIDING SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THESE ITEMS? SO BOTH THEN WILL BE GOING TO PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
SEEM LIKE GREAT POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR PROCESS. I'LL SUPPORT THAT AND IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR FORWARDING THESE CCRS FOR DISCUSSION AND DEVELOPMENT ON TO PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.
WITHOUT ANY FURTHER BUSINESS, THE TIME IS 4:10 P.M. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2025 AND WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANKS, EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.