Council approves contested rezoning at 5050 Hemphill Drive over staff objection

The City of San Antonio zoning and land use session approved a rezoning request for 5050 Hemphill Drive on Oct. 1, changing the property from R5 to R3 despite a staff recommendation to deny the change.

City staff told the council that 34 notices were mailed, with none returned in favor and three in opposition, and that the Culebra Park Neighborhood Association opposed the request. Don Rios, who identified himself as president of the neighborhood association, urged the council to vote no, saying the narrow lot should not be split into two single-family lots and that the proposal conflicted with neighborhood character: "I ask you to protect the community, by voting no on this proposed zoning change for Fiftyfifty Hemphill Drive." Councilwoman Adoreta Gavito responded that the applicant had worked with neighbors and noted nearby sidewalk investments funded by the 2022 bond; she moved to approve the item and the council carried the motion by voice vote.