San Antonio Planning Commission approves returning César Chávez name to Durango, OKs 2-month continuance on separate item

San Antonio — The Planning Commission voted Wednesday to restore the name Durango Street to the segment of roadway previously known as César Chávez Boulevard and granted a two-month continuance on a separate agenda item.

Clay Wells, a planner with the city's development services, told the commission the request covers the stretch from 36th Street to Hackberry Street, involves 299 addresses and carries an estimated cost of $305,000 "incluyendo los letreros de la calle y los letreros de la carretera." He said staff had notified residents and eight neighborhood associations and planned to forward the item to the City Council for a final decision on Aug. 18.

The vote followed several public comments. María Cárdenas, a resident who said she opposed the change, told commissioners: "Yo me opongo a quitar el nombre de la calle y gastar 300000 dólares." Elba Flores described the logistical burden for her disabled daughter, saying an address change would force in-person trips to banks, the motor vehicle office and other agencies: "Todo se lo tenemos que cambiar en sus documentos... Es un gran batallar." Gabriel Hernández Garentines told the panel he had collected signatures from neighbors seeking a new name, and Rosa García urged restoring Durango to honor local heritage while referencing community concerns about allegations against César Chávez.

Commissioners asked staff whether the city would provide direct assistance to residents for updating records. In response, a staff member identified in the transcript as "Seor Alex" said the City Council request presently does not include funds for resident assistance and recommended residents contact the council office or the district office for help; staff said funding sources for any assistance were not yet confirmed.

Commissioners expressed divided practical concerns about the projected cost and about imposing a burdensome administrative task on low-income and elderly residents. One commissioner suggested the city consider alternative memorial designations as a way to honor individuals without requiring broad address changes.

Votes at a glance

- Item: Two-month continuance (Item 16). Motion to continue to Aug. 26: Passed by roll call (affirmative recorded by multiple commissioners). The motion's second is recorded in the transcript as "el senor Dezuki." (Funding for the continued item was not specified.)

- Item: Street-name change (César Chávez '1 Durango). Motion to return the name to Durango: Passed. The transcript records Comisionado Snchez voting no; the motion otherwise carried by roll call.

What happens next

The commission will forward the street-name recommendation to the City Council for final action on Aug. 18. The transcript indicates staff will continue coordination with council offices; the record does not specify how or whether the city will subsidize address-change costs for affected residents.

The meeting adjourned shortly after the vote.