In a decisive move, San Antonio's Zoning Commission has given the nod to a supportive housing project by SAMMinistries aimed to help the homeless on the city's South Side. The Commons at Acequia Trails is set to rise on a 56-acre tract at the 6000 block of South Presa Street, which was rezoned from single-family residential to IDZ-3 for multifamily housing use. This development, according to a report by the San Antonio Business Journal, is part of a larger plan to transform five parcels of Brooks Development Authority land, with 219 units planned for approximately seven acres.
Despite the commission's 6-2 vote to push the request to the San Antonio City Council, some concern lingers about the potential uniformity of public housing in the area. Zoning Commission Chair Robert Sipes reportedly told the San Antonio Business Journal, "I just see this as an opportunity that could be missed if we don't carefully delineate the types of housing." He elaborated on his fears of the development becoming "one single type" of housing without a mix, acknowledging support for permanent supportive housing but also emphasizing the need for diversity in the local housing stock.
Funding for The Commons at Acequia Trails, which the City Council had previously greenlit with a substantial $15 million from its Affordable Housing Bond in 2023, is a significant financial endorsement for the initiative. Yet, the approval didn't come without a hitch. Local residents and Hot Wells Neighborhood Association members voiced their need for more public engagement, something that had not been fully addressed, as indicated by several voicemails left with the commission. It was made clear that prior to the project's next step at City Council, further dialogue with the community is essential.
