The San Antonio Board of Adjustment on an item related to property at 12307 Humener (case BVA-2410300243) voted to grant a setback variance and to limit the use of barbed wire around an industrial quarry owned by Vulkan (represented at the hearing by Bill Kaufman).

The board approved a 3-foot variance to permit a 2-foot lateral setback where the Unified Development Code requires a larger minimum distance, and limited barbed wire to the lateral and rear property lines; the board removed the proposed height increase and required the fence remain at 6 feet. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mena and passed by the board.

Staff had recommended approval, citing public-safety findings and existing site conditions. Staff noted the quarry had been on the site before annexation in 1985 and that unauthorized entry, vandalism and safety hazards had increased as housing developed around the quarry. Staff reported 193 mailed notices, one in favor and five in opposition, and that the Shabano Forest neighborhood association had submitted a letter of support.

Applicant Bill Kaufman described outreach with neighboring subdivisions and said he and the owner had negotiated with neighbors to remove the most visually prominent elements of the original request (he said the applicants withdrew a request for barbed wire along some neighboring sides). Kaufman showed photos he said documented vandalism, equipment being turned on, and people entering the property without authorization.

Several commissioners expressed support based on the safety evidence and the applicant’s outreach to affected neighborhoods; no commissioner recorded a dissenting vote in the roll call that followed the motion. The board’s approval limited barbed wire to the lateral and rear property lines and stated there would be no increased fence height beyond the existing 6 feet.

The board’s approval included findings that granting the variance would provide additional security, would not permit uses beyond those allowed in the zoning district, and would not substantially impair adjacent property uses as long as the conditions (limits on barbed wire placement and maximum fence height) are met.

The applicant and staff were instructed to record the standard conditions with staff and the applicant was told to work with neighbors to finalize details.