San Antonio officials announced on Mar. 18 a draft of the Stone Oak Area Regional Center Plan, which proposes a shift toward higher-density development in the traditionally suburban Stone Oak area.
The plan is part of the city’s SA Tomorrow initiative and outlines a long-term vision for growth across a 24-square-mile region north of Loop 1604 along U.S. Highway 281. The goal is to guide land use and infrastructure decisions through 2040 while adapting to ongoing population growth and changing housing needs.
According to the San Antonio Business Journal, the draft plan maintains much of Stone Oak’s suburban character but introduces more urban elements in select areas. City planners are advocating for walkable, mixed-use nodes along major corridors such as U.S. 281, Loop 1604, and Bulverde Road. These nodes would cluster residential, retail, and office spaces together to reduce reliance on car-dependent strip centers.
Key sites identified for potential transformation include the Martin Marietta quarry near Encino Rio on U.S. 281, which could become a mixed-use district after mining operations end. Early concepts suggest this area could feature higher-density housing, commercial space, and entertainment venues. Another focus is the approximately 946-acre Yates property near Bulverde Road—a largely undeveloped tract that planners envision as a hub for housing, retail, public gathering spaces, parks, and preserved natural areas.
The plan also addresses Stone Oak’s limited housing diversity by encouraging more “missing middle” options such as townhomes, duplexes, and smaller-lot residences to improve affordability and attract a broader range of residents. However, development faces constraints due to the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone beneath much of the study area; this requires careful environmental management and limits impervious cover.
Infrastructure improvements—including roadway extensions and safer pedestrian crossings—are highlighted as necessary steps to support future growth. While the plan does not allocate funding or commit to specific projects at this stage, it will serve as a policy guide for zoning decisions and capital planning moving forward.
City officials plan to gather additional public input later this month before finalizing how much density should be introduced in one of San Antonio’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.
