San Antonio City Council approved a measure Dec. 13 that would reward developers for building housing as expensive as $360,000, after city staff spent months in private meetings with for profit and nonprofit developers, but did not hold a single public hearing.
What could possibly go wrong? These exclusive videos show what your neighbors think of the plan that was wrritten without public input:
- Watch Video: Community leaders comment during an invitation-only briefing Dec. 4
- Watch Video: COPS/Metro recommends changes and a public hearing on incentives Dec. 12
- Watch Video: Public Comment after B Session in Council Chambers, Dec. 12
- Watch Video: Public Comment before Council vote, Dec. 13
- Read Commentary by Housing Policy Task Force member Jim Bailey
The new policy passed by an 8-2 vote on Dec. 12, 2018.
In her dissent, District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval said: "I made a promise to my constituents that they would have a voice .. I think having public engagement is really key to earning that trust and keeping it...And I'm going to keep it."
In hiis dissent, District 4 Councilman Rey Saldaña said, "This just feels too much like inside baseball. Like we're telling our constituents, 'We know better. Just trust us.' "