San Antonio City Council Faces Division Over Proposed Phase-Out of Horse-Drawn Carriages

City Council in San Antonio Divided Over Horse-Drawn Carriages Phase-Out

San Antonio finds itself at a crossroads with a hot debate brewing among city council members regarding the proposed phase-out of horse-drawn carriages in the bustling downtown area. During a special session on Thursday, council members were briefed for the first time on a plan that suggests gradually removing these charming carriages over a period of one to three years.

The proposal stems from a previous decision made by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which voted unanimously two months ago to have city staff draft options for phasing out the carriages. The new recommendations examine potential changes to the city’s code, financial assistance for the horse carriage business owners, and strategies to support workforce transitions for the operators who could be affected.

A Split in Opinions

As the council discussed the plan, a divide emerged among its members. All but District 9 Councilman John Courage expressed support for the eventual ban. However, they struggled to agree on specifics like the timeline and how such a ban might impact animal welfare and local businesses.

District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez advocated for a 12-month phase-out, citing frustration over the lengthy discussion. “We handled airport negotiations faster than this. Why has it taken two years just to talk about what people in San Antonio want?” he remarked. He believes the council should take action rather than dragging its feet.

Concerns About Jobs and Business Owners

On the other side, District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo expressed deep concern regarding the potential job losses involved in this phase-out. She emphasized the impact removing the carriages would have on the livelihoods of those earning substantial incomes from these jobs. “Phasing out these carriages means killing 81 Texas jobs and wiping out five small businesses,” Castillo stated passionately. She pointed out that many carriage operators earn over $50,000 annually, with some making close to $90,000.

Castillo urged that an expedited phase-out could push these business owners into greater debt, highlighting an operator survey revealing debts ranging from $67,000 to $700,000 for affected owners. She stressed that moving too quickly could be remarkably detrimental to those involved.

Next Steps and Future Considerations

While the council did not reach a decisive vote, Mayor Ron Nirenberg emphasized the importance of transitioning thoughtfully and compassionately. He expressed the city’s commitment to finding a suitable solution as quickly as possible, but without overlooking the needs of the operators and their businesses.

A final vote on the fate of the horse-drawn carriages is anticipated in early December. This debate comes on the heels of an online survey that gathered an impressive 50,500 responses, with 52% supporting the ban and the remainder divided between maintaining current operations, expanding carriages to other areas, or relocating them entirely to parks.

Looking Ahead

District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez spoke in favor of including measures to support transitioning to electric, “horseless” carriages, which he believes could be a reasonable alternative. These electric carriages come with a price tag of around $20,000, and he stresses the need to be fair to business owners during this transition.

As this debate unfolds, it’s clear that while the charm of horse-drawn carriages has long been a symbol of San Antonio, the council must carefully weave together concerns of animal welfare, business viability, and community sentiment.

As San Antonio moves towards a decision, the outcome could reshape the character of downtown and the lives of those who depend on these beloved carriages for their livelihood.