Council approves Blanco Corridor rezoning after residents press for protections

The San Antonio zoning and land use session on Sept. 3 approved plan amendments and rezoning along the Blanco Corridor, adopting RM4 and other commercial designations for selected parcels after substantial public comment and council questions about standards and outreach.

Residents and neighborhood leaders urged the council to preserve the single‑family character of blocks behind Blanco Road. April Maldonado, a realtor and resident of 825 Westwood, told the council: "The rezoning of the R 4 to R M 4 in the Edison area directly contradicts that plan." North Central Neighborhood Association president Lisa Talley said the association "stands with" residents opposed to encroachment into rear residential streets.

Development Services staff said 306 notices were mailed for the proposal; 10 were returned in favor and 24 opposed within the notified area, with an additional 26 out‑of‑boundary opposition notices. Councilmember Kor pressed staff to clarify RM4 rules. Staff explained RM4 allows duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes on lots of at least 4,000 square feet, limits height to 35 feet ("the same as the single family districts"), and requires a demolition permit reviewed by the Office of Historic Preservation before a home can be demolished.

After the exchange, Councilmember Kor moved to approve items 1 and 2 as amended. The motion received a second and the chair announced, "Motion carries." The council did not record a roll‑call vote tally in the spoken transcript; the motion was carried on the floor.