The San Antonio City Council on Jan. 16 approved multiple zoning and land‑use items, passed a broad consent agenda and continued several items to Feb. 6, while hearing public comments opposing an alcohol sales variance near a local preparatory school.

In public comment, Jack Finger, identified as a resident, urged the council to deny a variance to allow the sale of alcohol within three feet of Jubilee Lake View University Preparatory. Finger said, “la idea es que se tenga venta de alcohol dentro de tres pies de distancia… Me gustaría ver, en lugar de aplazarlo, simplemente negarlo.”

Resident Sara Olivares, who said she represents the business Don Harvest and lives in District 2, expressed thanks for council support of her business: “Estoy muy contenta… Les agradezco a todos.” Alex Horner also spoke in favor of the item tied to District 2.

On zoning and land‑use votes, councilmembers moved and passed several items (motions and specific vote tallies were not recorded in the provided transcript):

- Item 20: Rezoning from NP15 to C2‑CD with a conditional use for light auto and truck repair on lots P15G and P15A. The record read that 13 notifications were sent, three in favor and one in opposition. A motion to approve with the read conditions passed.

- Item 28: Rezoning from R4 to R4‑CD to allow a four‑unit residence on a small lot. The transcript records multiple public comments opposing the four‑unit proposal and discussion that staff advised it was “not characteristic” of the neighborhood. A motion to approve with conditions passed.

- Item 30: Amendment to the future land‑use plan changing a portion of low‑density residential to neighborhood commercial at 8489 Bugskin Drive. The change was described as a substantial shift by one councilmember, who said planning staff recommended against it; nonetheless the motion to approve passed.

- Item 31: Rezoning from C12 to C12‑A with a conditional use for a tattoo salon at 6563 Babcock. Staff recommended approval with conditions (hours and door procedures were clarified). Public comment opposed adding another tattoo shop to the neighborhood; the motion to approve with conditions passed.

- Item 33: Ordinance rezoning I1 to C3 at 2227 West Nucoma (transcript location) as amended to prohibit alcohol sales. Staff and the zoning commission recommended approval; the council voted to approve the ordinance as amended.

The council also approved a large consent agenda of numerous listed items (items 2–38 as read on the record) after public comment and with no separate roll call results recorded in the transcript excerpt.

Council leadership opened the meeting by noting that articles 34, 35 and 37 would be continued to Feb. 6; a motion to continue those items passed.

Why this matters: The approved rezonings, conditional uses and the land‑use map amendment change how specific parcels can be developed and operated, affecting nearby residents, businesses and neighborhood character. Public comments highlighted local concerns about alcohol sales near a school and the cumulative effects of denser housing and commercial uses in residential areas.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes as recorded in the transcript excerpt):
- Continue articles 34, 35 and 37 to Feb. 6 — motion passed (vote tally not specified in transcript).
- Item 20 (NP15 → C2‑CD; conditional auto repair) — approved with conditions (vote tally not specified).
- Item 28 (R4 → R4‑CD; four‑unit residence) — approved with conditions (vote tally not specified).
- Item 30 (future land‑use amendment: low‑density residential → neighborhood commercial at 8489 Bugskin Dr.) — approved (vote tally not specified).
- Item 31 (C12 → C12‑A; conditional for tattoo salon at 6563 Babcock) — approved with conditions (vote tally not specified).
- Item 33 (I1 → C3 at West Nucoma; ordinance as amended to prohibit alcohol sales) — approved (vote tally not specified).
- Consent agenda (items listed by council) — approved (vote tally not specified).

Councilmembers and public speakers emphasized neighborhood impacts: concerns about traffic, noise and the proximity of alcohol sales to school grounds, and support for a local small business (Don Harvest). Several councilmembers thanked applicants for negotiating with neighbors to reach conditions staff and council read into the record before voting.

The council adjourned at approximately 2:26 p.m. according to the meeting record segment.

Sources: excerpts from the Jan. 16 meeting transcript provided in the agenda packet.