Southwest Community Association

Imminent, Large Zoning Change Proposal Within SWCA Boundaries

Sep 24, 2002

On Tue, Oct 1st, starting at 1 PM, in City Council Chambers, the San Antonio Zoning Commission will decide whether or not to approve a zoning change request making approximately 15 acres of land zoned for ?“multi-family housing?” development instead of the current ?“commercial?” development. The land is along Old Pearsall Rd (OPR), between Loop 410 and the Air Force railroad spur right-of-way. It is on the same side of OPR as McDonald?’s and Texaco.
Specifically, the purpose of this change would be for the construction of a 176-unit, government low-income apartment complex. Apartment sizes range from 2?– to 4-bedrooms. Although we can anticipate hundreds of children living there and attending SWISD schools, the owners of this property would be exempt from property taxes. Therefore, any additional costs normally funded through property taxes would have to be made up by current property taxpayers.
After intense research, the SWCA board believes this project would increase property taxes while adversely affecting area property values. Through great effort, true market values for our homes had been increasing (even discounting the seemingly arbitrary increases of county appraisals). A formal SWCA general membership vote is to be taken at the Sep 23rd mtg. Any SWCA member who did not make that meeting, but wants her/his input received, should call 623-4965, prior to Mon, Sep 30th. Any area property owner who is available to attend the Oct 1st Zoning Commission hearing, may also call that same number for more information and, perhaps, to arrange carpooling.
To insure we stay on top of these issues, SWCA is forming a standing Zoning Committee. If you are concerned about the future of our area, call 623-4965 for more information or to volunteer.