[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6627218,"mediaKeyId","2729983-9d500c25266bda3c93b841ff7bb15b85","parentId",2729983,"title","Committee approves limited two-year pilot for digital \"urban entertainment\" displays after heated public debate","audioSeconds",3150,"startMs",64000,"endMs",3214000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2729983-9d500c25266bda3c93b841ff7bb15b85&start=64&end=3214","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2729983-9d500c25266bda3c93b841ff7bb15b85/thumbnail_64000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6627218/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Committee-approves-limited-two-year-pilot-for-digital-urban-entertainment-displays-after-heated-public-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627218-a0740808dcd67dec54246117c9c8eba5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437911&Signature=XRS1RmLVq2MtxBS0XxSgagkmCeiXfGBpA38BcleNDzwk7Xx5R~3~73Xax78p7QAV~DeeKlG8FOiD0CqSM0C6nJAWhn4cNqFMAWJWCx9wMlzvwjkDpUf2M-MkhWfwRPQUJIUlEjC4HWEHQRKUPzuTAyY~IIoWqrRZ62aYl36pBa1-rTOaCIstvfvE8w2b536PHN-acCtH0FkuqCR6W~TY6xZQYQgCD4cp9hAjGNXY2U-qpLkkcjl2VmZhyrYo6t0m72qnwrsK2xK0W44cl7rodBLHg5YzFsm9RCWSdzFojgMENY-joHOa0yFEbhYkL3ClWbTVh7YzTdAPLlzh46wg8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Antonio","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Planning and Community Development Committee advanced a two-year pilot program for downtown and targeted San Antonio corridors that would allow a limited number of large-format digital displays paired with public art, voting to move the proposal forward while asking staff to return with two to three implementation options on revenue sharing and city use of the screens.

The vote came after more than an hour of public comment, with opponents — including multiple speakers from the Conservation Society of San Antonio — urging the committee to reject the plan on preservation, visual-clutter and First Amendment grounds. Proponents including OutFront Media and downtown business groups told the committee the program could bring revenue and curated civic messaging and art to underlit parts of the city.

Why it matters: The program would change how off-premise advertising is used in parts of San Antonio, and staff said the pilot is intended to pair digital displays with a substantial art component and contractual restrictions. That combination — and the council’s decision to advance a pilot — sets the framework for later contract negotiations on content, hours, revenue shares and siting that could affect downtown, historic districts and neighborhood corridors.

What staff proposed: Amin Thomas, deputy director of Development Services, said staff’s draft recommendation would cap the program at a maximum of 10 digital displays citywide, with no more than two displays in any single designated area. Staff recommended a two-year pilot that would: limit display size to no more than 25% of the building façade where installed; require a minimum dedicated art fund for each display; and include a proposed 20% revenue share to the city plus 20% of display time reserved for city messaging, Thomas said. He also summarized outreach: four public meetings, multiple stakeholder meetings, and an online survey (544 responses) in which about 75% of respondents chose “no” to a question about adding large digital displays across the city.

Public comments: Speakers from the Conservation Society and allied historic-preservation speakers said the signs would undermine downtown character and could not be reliably content-restricted. Louis Vetter, president of the Conservation Society of San Antonio, said the pilot would “install some number of these, and they will not go away,” and warned the pilot could be expanded after the initial phase. Mary Heathcotte, executive director of Contemporary at Blue Star and spokesperson for CAUSA (Culture and Arts United for San Antonio), urged strict placement and content limits and that any city revenue be dedicated “in perpetuity exclusively to the Department of Arts and Culture.” Several speakers also noted previous city-installed kiosks that they said had become advertising rather than wayfinding.

Supporters’ pitch: OutFront Media and other proponents emphasized potential community benefits: local-arts promotion, civic messaging and added nighttime lighting in dark blocks. Lani Faro of OutFront said the company “partners with counties, municipalities, and communities to provide signage solutions that create revenue opportunities for important programming, community and emergency messaging,” and said contracts can require media companies to comply with municipal content restrictions.

Legal and content control: Joseph Harney of the City Attorney’s Office and other presenters explained the legal approach. Harney said cities generally regulate the time, place and manner of signage and that contractual agreements with media companies are the mechanism other cities have used to impose content restrictions (for example, restricting political advertising or certain categories of commercial ads) while avoiding First Amendment pitfalls. Staff and legal counsel told the committee that a contract-based governance approach — with participating media companies signing binding terms — is the path used by Denver and Atlanta and is what the city would pursue if a pilot is approved.

Council discussion and direction: After extended council member debate about preservation, economic benefit and public safety, Councilwoman Villagran moved to advance the program as a pilot and direct staff to return with two to three options for revenue sharing and city display utilization; Councilman Courage seconded the motion for further discussion. The motion passed on a voice tally recorded as three in favor and one abstention. Committee members directed staff to negotiate details with multiple media companies, refine siting areas (staff had proposed 10 geographic areas), and prepare draft contract terms for later review.

Key clarifying details from the hearing and staff report:
- Proposed maximum signs: 10 digital displays citywide; no more than two in any designated area.
- Size limit: proposed cap at 25% of building façade for the digital display.
- Revenue/time proposal (staff starting point): 20% revenue share to the city and 20% of display time reserved for city messaging; council requested options.
- Minimum art fund: staff said each location would pair a physical art component funded at a minimum level (staff cited a $100,000 art fund per site as the approach in other cities).
- Pilot length: two years for the initial pilot, with performance review before expansion.
- Public survey: 544 respondents; approximately 410 (≈75%) answered “no” to adding large digital displays citywide; respondents who chose “yes” proceeded to follow-up questions on placement and restrictions.
- Stakeholder outreach: staff reported roughly 10–15 stakeholder meetings with 10–15 participants typical per meeting.

Next steps: Staff will work with legal counsel, arts stakeholders and multiple media firms to produce two to three implementation options that vary the revenue-sharing and city-use terms and the proposed siting, then return to PCDC for further review and likely a B-session for broader council consideration. If the pilot proceeds, staff said they will draft the contractual terms that would govern participating media firms and the public-art requirements.

Votes at a glance: The committee recorded the motion as passing with three votes in favor and one abstention; the roll-call names were not recorded in the meeting transcript. The committee’s action was to advance the pilot concept and direct staff to develop options for council consideration.

Ending: Committee members and many speakers said they expect additional rounds of public and stakeholder review as staff returns with concrete contract language and final siting options. The committee emphasized that any pilot would need enforceable contract terms before installations began.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Antonio - Planning and Community Development - Mar 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning and Community Development Committee advanced a two-year pilot program for downtown and targeted San Antonio corridors that would allow a limited number of large-format digital displays paired with public art, voting to move the proposal forward while asking staff to return with two to three implementation options on revenue sharing and city use of the screens.","taxTitle","San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas","taxId",2771,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6627209,"Staff briefs committee on cemetery rules as state bill could restrict future burials within city limits",202,3186000,3388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2729983-9d500c25266bda3c93b841ff7bb15b85&start=3186&end=3388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2729983-9d500c25266bda3c93b841ff7bb15b85/thumbnail_3186000.jpg","/articles/6627209/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/Staff-briefs-committee-on-cemetery-rules-as-state-bill-could-restrict-future-burials-within-city-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627209-40caf899c23b4baf22c9351bbd4d70f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437911&Signature=YCgadXoez3iEvJpgInZY6JLAe3DTEnDflZw~WuV4y-FJWRSKwZqCxkHf-W9IQd7FxhzB4FVzDbnoJp-OePa8SFrWOGamHbXBabur-dbuJX59AbVaxa~uQyoPSqUuUabb2T6N0fTx9msXiyCoGFUsYln3M9zobrW0WKz-2xaaNjHSpWA-m19-XKwuS22Ue5HDHixMCWHNEU86Hf3sQE1HbiEDfun1xqoXHE~3Z5uLCDM5PFXGppjsCCxZSct2OJj1q48UGoHaQv5rHTgYCOKME~b8Oto7ELETDF-SyivNQWHiKQ9LQ0HqaseS7MMWKFJ8DFQ5MRsI85e51aq09PhUUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning and Community Development Committee received a briefing on local regulations for cemeteries and was told the city is monitoring House Bill 2673 at the state Legislature, which would, if enacted, prohibit new cemeteries within municipal boundaries and within five miles of those limits.

Why it matters: Passage of HB 2673 would change the city’s ability to review and approve new cemetery developments; the committee asked for a follow-up coordination with Parks and other departments to inventory existing cemetery sites and clarify city roles if the legislation advances.

What staff said: Melissa Ramirez, assistant director of the Development Services Department, explained current local process: new cemeteries require specific-use zoning authorization approved by council, notification procedures follow state law (notice to property owners within 200 feet and other stakeholders), and plats and site approvals require review by multiple subject-matter agencies including streets, traffic, CPS Energy, SAWS, Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation. Ramirez told the committee staff found about 45 cemeteries inside the city limits using an external listing (Find a Grave) and then mapped them by council district.

Pending state action: Ramirez said House Bill 2673, filed in the legislative session, would reverse a prior provision and would prohibit cemeteries in city limits and within five miles of those limits. Staff recommended continuing to monitor the bill and did not recommend immediate changes to local regulations. Committee members asked for additional detail about ownership, stewardship and location of existing cemeteries and expressed interest in returning to the committee for a closer inventory and for Parks Department input once the state bill’s status is clearer.

Next steps: Councilmembers asked staff to coordinate a follow-up meeting that includes Parks and legal staff to examine which cemeteries are city-owned or otherwise maintained and to determine how to respond if state legislation changes the local permitting landscape.","The Planning and Community Development Committee received a briefing on local cemetery permitting and zoning procedures and was told staff is monitoring House Bill 2673, a state measure that would prohibit new cemeteries within city limits and within five miles of those limits if enacted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6627213,"City reports steady progress on 10-year Strategic Housing Implementation Plan; 5,330 homes completed or preserved so far",1164,3514000,4678000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2729983-9d500c25266bda3c93b841ff7bb15b85&start=3514&end=4678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2729983-9d500c25266bda3c93b841ff7bb15b85/thumbnail_3514000.jpg","/articles/6627213/San-Antonio/Bexar-County/Texas/City-reports-steady-progress-on-10-year-Strategic-Housing-Implementation-Plan-5330-homes-completed-or-preserved-so-far","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6627213-b388da0b5e1b73d3245591b9a619920e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437911&Signature=LOxa8ZqUnqVkPLyTfkEodiNsDZe9SbTRbkUfXxmTrllSQd3P179uPPvweVW6l0f20bhtL3ThX0xy9NrCa2Z-GRlQCO6LEeV5dnQ6x12pxE~rDyeoBICoQBqyt0BA-Zbmhemux4cqiTJU40Yx0gYv99E~vAnSyQYdyNiE6Rn9CndwZYwwQrol0x8FN~sjs0kF6MBQ-PCWGUCctbA6n9ocnbAjWPD6mxsJN4cbnFj-hnpNbgB9amKbVYqcLC43bU-F2w0VEHkHiHcKsYMgLi6qHIat0HX28R8mBksB5Es0cKSrEbiuC5tDWxUWPjWisQfq9prUKnPmKQg~O5RsmTuTUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and SHIP partners told the Planning and Community Development Committee that implementation of the city’s 10-year Strategic Housing Implementation Plan is on track in several areas, reporting 5,330 affordable homes completed since SHIP adoption and about 2,500 additional homes under construction.

Why it matters: The SHIP sets multi-year goals for affordable housing production, preservation and supportive services. Progress on the plan affects homelessness prevention, housing affordability across multiple income bands and delivery of voter-approved housing bond funds.

Key figures and progress: Veronica Garcia, director of the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department (NHSD), said the city and partners are about 34% of the way to the SHIP’s 10-year production target, with 9,604 homes completed or in progress in total. The presentation listed 477 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units complete, under construction, or in the pipeline, and NHSD highlighted 425 San Pedro (District 1), an 80-unit permanent supportive housing project scheduled to open in December. The department said it is on track to complete 1,000 homes by the end of next month and 2,000 homes by the end of the year, driven largely by housing bond investments and partner activity.

Funding and pipeline: Since the 2022 affordable housing bond passed, staff said $115 million in bond funds have been committed across multiple rounds and projects, and additional federal and county funds are layered into developments. NHSD said the department is in another RFP round and will present project recommendations in May. Pete Alaniz, executive director of the San Antonio Housing Trust, said the trust has 18 communities under construction representing about 4,400 homes, and a predevelopment pipeline of 12 communities; he also described recent land-acquisition activity to support new projects.

Programs and policy actions: NHSD briefed the committee on several SHIP strategies underway: a public-information campaign about housing and homelessness, a library of permit-ready accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plans to speed permitting, continued support for community land trusts (CLTs) to preserve affordable homeownership, and coordination with the transportation department on transit-oriented housing policy. NHSD said the most recent RFP increased minimum requirements for very-low-income units (30% AMI) in recognition of remaining gaps.

Partners and advocacy: Opportunity Home and the San Antonio Housing Trust presented project updates. Lorraine Robles of Opportunity Home described expanded homeownership closings and the agency’s use of vouchers to support new permanent supportive housing projects. Mark Carmona, the city’s chief housing officer, reviewed statewide and federal legislative issues affecting housing finance, including bills focused on housing finance corporations and heirs-property reforms; he also described a recent advocacy trip by local housing stakeholders to Washington, D.C.

Challenges noted: Staff and partners acknowledged continuing affordability pressures: rising home prices and rents, increased eviction filings, and a persistent shortfall in the lowest-income (30% AMI) units. NHSD said the city is prioritizing 30% AMI units in recent funding rounds because that band lags the most behind targets.

Next steps: NHSD will bring housing-project funding recommendations to the committee and council in coming months, continue public-information work and present additional implementation steps for the transit-oriented development framework. The housing trust said it will continue land acquisition and rehabilitation awards to preserve units at risk of loss from the affordable inventory.

Ending: Committee members praised the progress and reiterated interest in broader funding strategies, including additional bond measures, to scale the city’s affordable-housing response.

","City staff and SHIP partners told the Planning and Community Development Committee that implementation of the city’s 10-year Strategic Housing Implementation Plan is on track in several areas, reporting 5,330 affordable homes completed since SHIP adoption and about 2,500 additional homes under construction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves limited two-year pilot for digital "urban entertainment" displays after heated public debate

Staff briefs committee on cemetery rules as state bill could restrict future burials within city limits

City reports steady progress on 10-year Strategic Housing Implementation Plan; 5,330 homes completed or preserved so far