San Antonio Unified Development Code § 35-301 Purpose.
Sec. 35-301. - Purpose.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Pursuant to V.T.C.A. Local Government Code § 211.001, the purpose of this article is to promote the public health, safety, morals, or general welfare and to protect and preserve places and areas of historical, cultural, or architectural importance and significance. Pursuant to V.T.C.A. Local Government Code § 211.004, these regulations are adopted in accordance with the master plan and are designed to:
• Lessen congestion in the streets;
• Secure safety from fire, panic, and other dangers;
• Promote health and the general welfare;
• Provide adequate light and air;
• Prevent the overcrowding of land;
• Avoid undue concentration of population; or
• Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewers, schools, parks, and other public requirements.
Consistent with the master plan, these regulations are designed to foster the following subsidiary purposes:
• Distribute land uses to meet the physical, social, cultural, economic, and energy needs of present and future populations; and
• Ensure that new development is compatible with surrounding development in use, character and size; and
• Provide for land uses which serve important public needs, such as affordable housing and employment generators, including community gardens and urban farms; and
• Promote mixed-use buildings and mixed-use neighborhoods; and
• Promote infill housing and downtown retail and residential development; and
• Integrate civic uses into neighborhoods; and
• Protect natural resources; and
• Encourage retail development downtown; and
• Promote equity and community food security; and
• Promote urban farming as a means to achieve food security and crop diversification; promote environmental awareness and repair including soil enhancement, reduction of urban heat islands, and alternative stormwater management; and promote economic generation and community building. Urban farming has also been shown to lead to healthier food choices and extend life expectancy.
In accordance with the foregoing purposes, this article establishes regulations governing the following:
• The height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures;
• The percentage of a lot that may be occupied;
• The size of yards, courts, and other open spaces;
• Population density; and
• The location and use of buildings, other structures, and land for business, industrial, residential, or other purposes.
• In the case of designated places and areas of historical, cultural, or architectural importance and significance, this article regulates the construction, reconstruction, alteration, or razing of buildings and other structures.
• The bulk of buildings.
(Ord. No. 2022-11-03-0831, § 2, 11-3-22, eff. 1-1-23)