DEPARTMENT: Development Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Michael Shannon
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2
SUBJECT:
Zoning Case Z-2021-10700136 HL
SUMMARY:
Current Zoning: “R-5" Residential Single-Family District
Requested Zoning: "R-5 HL" Residential Single-Family Historic District
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Zoning Commission Hearing Date: July 6, 2021
Case Manager: Lorianne Thennes, Senior Planner
Property Owner: Cynthia Voorhees
Applicant: Office of Historic Preservation
Representative: Office of Historic Preservation
Location: 222 Brooks Street
Legal Description: Lot 26, Block 19, NCB 495
Total Acreage: 0.0599
Notices Mailed
Owners of Property within 200 feet: 28
Registered Neighborhood Associations within 200 feet: Government Hill Alliance Association
Applicable Agencies: Office of Historic Preservation
Property Details
Property History: Pending further review.
Topography: The property does not include any abnormal physical features such as slope or incursion in a flood plain.
Adjacent Base Zoning and Land Uses
Direction: North
Current Base Zoning: “R-6”
Current Land Uses: single-family homes
Direction: South
Current Base Zoning: “R-6”
Current Land Uses: single-family homes
Direction: East
Current Base Zoning: “RM-4”
Current Land Uses: residential units
Direction: West
Current Base Zoning: “R-6”
Current Land Uses: residential units
Overlay and Special District Information:
"HS" or “HL”
A number of surrounding properties carry the “HS” Historic Significant landmark designation or “HL” Historic Landmark designation, signifying the historic architectural character or cultural significance of the structure or location. Historic Landmark designations do not affect the possible uses of the property but do regulate the exterior aesthetic of the structure. Building plans and permit applications will be subject to review by the Office of Historic Preservation and the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) prior to any permits being issued.
Transportation
Thoroughfare: Brooks Street
Existing Character: Local Street
Proposed Changes: None
Public Transit: There are no VIA bus routes are within walking distance of the subject property.
Route Served: N/A
Traffic Impact: A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) is not required. The traffic generated by the proposed development does not exceed the threshold requirements. Right-of-way dedication and improvement may be required along Leopold.
Parking Information: The minimum parking requirement for residential is one (1) space per unit. However, there is no minimum parking requirement for a historic landmark designation.
ISSUE:
None.
ALTERNATIVES:
Current: The “R-5” Residential Single-family dwelling (detached) provides for a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet and a minimum lot width of 50 feet, as well as foster family home, public and/or private schools.
Proposed: The proposed “R-5 HL” provides as noted above and add the “HL” Historic Landmark designation overlay.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
PROXIMITY TO REGIONAL CENTER/PREMIUM TRANSIT CORRIDOR:
The subject property is not within a Regional Center and is not located within a Premium Transit Corridor.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Analysis and Recommendation: Staff recommends Approval.
Criteria for Review: According to Section 35-421, zoning amendments shall be based on the approval criteria below.
1. Consistency:
The subject property is located within the Government Hill Community Plan and is currently designated as “Low Density Mixed Use” in the future land use component of the plan. Application of a Historic Overlay is consistent with the goals and objectives of the plan for historic designation.
2. Adverse Impacts on Neighboring Lands:
Staff does not find evidence of likely adverse impacts on neighboring lands in relation to this zoning change request.
3. Suitability as Presently Zoned:
The current “R-5” Residential Single-Family district is an appropriate zoning for the property and surrounding area. The base zone remains the same and the “HL” is simply the addition of a historic overlay.
4. Health, Safety and Welfare:
Staff has not found indication of likely adverse effects on the public health, safety, or welfare.
5. Public Policy:
The proposed rezoning does not appear to conflict with the following goals, principles, and objectives of the Government Hill Community Plan. The Land Use goals support the preservation of existing singlefamily residential structures in established single-family areas.
6. Size of Tract:
The subject property is 0.0599, which reasonably accommodates the existing residential use.
7. Other Factors:
The property owner is in support of the landmark designation.
On May 5, 2021, the Historic and Design Review Commission (HDRC) approved a Finding of Historic Significance, identifying the property as historically significant based on criteria listed in Section 35-607(b) of the Unified Development Code. The criteria identified as being applicable to the subject property are specified below.
HDRC concurred with the applicant that 222 Brooks St met UDC criterion [35-607(b)5], [35-607(b)11], and [35-607(b)13] for a finding of historic significance in the process of seeking designation as a local historic landmark. In order to be eligible for landmark designation, a property must meet at least three of the criteria; 222 Brooks St meets three.
5. Its embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for
the study of a period, type, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials; the
house is built in the National Folk style, popular in the U.S. from c. 1850-1930, with Folk
Victorian influence.
11. It is distinctive in character, interest or value; strongly exemplifies the cultural,
economic, social, ethnic or historical heritage of San Antonio, Texas or the United
States; 222 Brooks is situated just north of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks and served as
housing for SPRR employees for at least its first two decades.
13. It bears an important and significant relationship to other distinctive structures, sites,
or areas, either as an important collection of properties or architectural style or
craftsmanship with few intrusions, or by contributing to the overall character of the
area according to the plan based on architectural, historic or cultural motif; the property
is situated directly between two local historic districts, Dignowity Hill and Government Hill,
and contributes to an understanding of the development of the neighborhood.