The stretch of Blanco Road near Fresno – north of downtown by a few miles – has become a bit of an industrial zone. For several blocks, a smattering of auto repair shops and vehicle resale lots line the Northside street, separated by family dollars or small local shops. But behind them are rows and rows of single-family homes (some a century old). But a big decision made by San Antonio City Council could reshape the area, and that’s got residents crying foul.
From Fresno Street down to West Hildebrand Avenue (about nine city blocks), the city has approved a sweeping rezoning effort at the behest of District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur. The business lots along Blanco Road face more restrictive uses, with many switching from industrial zoning to commercial.
For the most part, existing businesses may continue. But the zoning shift creates more room for a neighborhood-oriented business corridor and a reduction in industrial use (think Broadway’s business district and less Somerset Road on the Southwest Side).
But it’s the housing changes that have the neighborhood most upset. April Moldonado, speaking on behalf of the Edison Neighborhood Association, said a majority of residents opposed the change, mostly because they objected to rezoning dozens of single-family homes to multifamily housing – a change that would allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhomes…