Council approves rezoning for fencing contractor at Western Oak Drive with lighting condition

The San Antonio City Council approved a plan amendment and rezoning for 13406 Western Oak Drive that will allow a construction contractor (fencing) facility, and the planning and zoning commission’s recommended condition — that installed lighting be downward-facing — was noted.

Staff presented the item as a plan amendment to reclassify the property from suburban tier to regional center and to rezone the parcel from C-3 NAS for an electrical contractor facility to C-3 NAS with specific use authorization for a construction contractor/fencing facility. Staff recommended denial; the planning and zoning commission recommended approval with the lighting condition. Staff reported 32 mailed notices with no returns in favor or opposition and that the Bavarian Forest Homeowners Association did not respond.

Resident Jack Finger spoke at length against the change, repeating concerns about cumulative "commercial encroachment" and warning that approving several similar items could push long-term residents to the outskirts. Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez welcomed the new business (from Lubbock Fencing), cited the existing vacant structure, thanked the commissions and moved for approval with conditions as read; the motion carried.

Why it matters: The approval permits a construction contractor use on a site previously described for different contractor activity and may add daytime industrial activity near residences. The council accepted the commission’s condition on lighting; staff’s recommendation to deny the change was not adopted.

What’s next: The transcript records the approval but does not show a roll-call tally or the details of permits; the condition on lighting will be relevant at permit review.