Feature Photo (above): The commercial building at 114 W. Carolina St. must be demolished to make way for a planned 10-unit, multi-story live/work residential structure. Image: Google Streets.
Posted: 1-5-2021
by Adolfo Pesquera
San Antonio (Bexar County) — A local developer known for urban projects has a zoning request pending to construct a 10-unit live/work complex in the Lavaca neighborhood.
The project would redevelop a third-acre city block at 114 W. Carolina Street, with is bordered also by Marplay, Playmoor and Presmoor streets.
The request would change the block from General Commercial to Medium Intensity Development Zone (IDZ-2). The project site and the surrounding lots are all part of an old commercial neighborhood district in Lavaca where the neighborhood borders the King William district.
The case first appeared before the Zoning Commission in December but was continued at the developer’s request to January. Staff has recommended approval, because a medium intensity residential development would meet the city’s goals for revitalizing underdeveloped inner city neighborhoods such as this one.
The Development Services staff analysis noted that, “The proposed “IDZ-2” holds the applicant to the submitted site plan with a density of 10 units and caps the height at four stories. ”
A site plan on file states the intension is to construction 10 live/work units totaling 24,000 square feet, with varying areas and layouts. It further states:
“Each unit will provide an opportunity for the user to live and work within the local area helping to restore and revitalize the surrounding community.”
The building pad (foundation) will have an area of approximately 8,250 square feet. The structure has a zero lot line and has an inverted U shape.
The front of the building would face Playmoor Street and the entrance would be secured with a 6-foot metal fence. Inside the fence would be a crushed granite driveway that extends north up to a 94-foot by 20-foot concrete pad designed to accommodate 10 parking spaces. The pad will also serve as a foundation to a small storage structure.
The property owner is identified on the site plan as Carolina Partners LLC. However, the property owner on the zoning request is Patrick Shearer.
Shearer is a real estate developer who has been involved in numerous urban projects, including the construction of the Canopy by Hilton hotel tower on the River Walk that was developed by Crockett Urban Ventures.
A 5,835-square-foot office building that was built in 1940 is on the project site and will have to be demolished. The application notes that Shearer has not yet submitted an application to raze the building.
adolfo@virtualbx.com
