E-blast sent 8/16/2021
| IDZ vs IDZ 1, 2, 3 Additional note: IDZ was adopted in 2011 by City of San Antonio to encourage inner city development. Victoria Courts was one of the first properties designated IDZ. However, it became clear that IDZ was too broad, allowing for indiscriminate development. In 2017, a task force was created to review IDZ designation. In 2018, IDZ was adjusted to include levels 1, 2, and 3 each of which had more restrictions than IDZ. However, properties designated IDZ prior to 2018 were allowed to maintain that designation. |
| The areas within Victoria Commons up for consideration in the proposed zoning change: Administration building, which includes the basketball courts and a portion of Labor St Park Artisan Park, the area between the current townhomes and Leigh St single family homes. North and South Basins All these are currently zoned IDZ.   The current zoning allows for zero lot line building, zero off-street parking, and no site plan to be approved in advance. The builders do have to adhere to two of the five requirements and can choose which two they want. The proposed zoning changes to IDZ-2 and IDZ-3 is a downzoning. Parking: Both IDZ-2 and IDZ-3 require off-street parking while the current zoning does not. “50% reduction” is a reduction from IDZ-1 requirements. The land is not currently zoned IDZ-1. The zoning request includes an increase in parking requirements. Traffic Study: The current IDZ zoning does not require a traffic analysis. Building Height: The current IDZ allows the developer to adhere to a 10% difference in building height, but if the developer chooses any two of the other four options, there are no height restrictions. IDZ-2 limits building height to 4 stories. IDZ 3 allows additional stories but must adhere to the site plan as originally proposed and approved. Setback: IDZ allows for building to the edge of the property line on either side. IDZ-2 and IDZ-3 require at least a 5 foot setback from the property line. More explanations of the IDZ-1, 2, and 3 categories below:  Because the Administration building includes a significant portion of the park, and because green space is essential, In October of 2020, the LNA recommended SAHA reconsider the plans for this building in such a way that it would maintain the entire park for public use. See items 2 and 7 here.  The LNA continues to work with SAHA, Catellus and the City of San Antonio to discuss possible uses of the Administration building the preserve both its historic integrity and allows for maximum utilization of the park space. In sum, the zoning request is as follows, from IDZ to:The Townhomes Site will now be classified as IDZ-2. The North and South Basin Sites and Administration Building Site will be classified as IDZ-3 with no ground-floor commercial but uses such as daycare, community/civic, educational or amenities are allowed. While the ultimate use of the Administration Building Site is still to be determined, by including it as IDZ-3 in this rezone process, it allows greater flexibility for future discussions while providing the restrictions included in IDZ-3. The Child Care Site will not be included in this rezoning application and will remain IDZ with all current allowable uses. For the Child Care Site, during preliminary meetings with City staff on the zoning, they noted that the current zoning is sufficient for the planned uses and they did not advise including it in the re-zone process. This does not change the planned use of the site; it is still planned for townhomes with a density of 20 units per acre and heights up to three stories. Should the zoning commission choose to support the zoning request, this would lead to: Decreased density Increase in parking requirements Increase in setbacks Limits on height Should the zoning commission choose to oppose the zoning request, this would allow: Increased density Zero off-street parking Zero setbacks Minimal limits on height Traffic and the impact of density on existing infrastructure continue to be a concern for the LNA, as noted in items 3 & 6 on October 23, 2020. In its letter on July 1, 2021, the LNA recommended that a an updated traffic study be conducted and a 4-way stop be considered at Labor and Leigh St. The LNA continues in discussions regarding alternate access to I-37 and additional outlets onto Labor St, provided these do not impact the use of the park. |