AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a staff presentation, hold a Public Hearing regarding, and discuss the possible adoption on October 15, 2024 of the “Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan” as the Comprehensive Plan of the City of San Marcos, including the Preferred Scenario Map therein as the future land use map of the City, to replace the previous Comprehensive Plan, “Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us” and the associated Preferred Scenario Map; and provide direction to the City Manager.
Body
Meeting date: October 2, 2024
Department: Planning & Development Services
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: n/a
Account Number: n/a
Funds Available: n/a
Account Name: n/a
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: In 2020, City Council provided direction to rewrite the Comprehensive Plan. On October 17, 2023 City Council approved the Ordinance adopting the Comprehensive Plan on the first of two readings. Additional process summary can be found in the attached memo.
City Council Strategic Initiative:
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Mobility & Connectivity
Environmental Protection
Comprehensive Plan Element (s):
☒ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☒ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☒ Land Use - Choose an item.
☒ Neighborhoods & Housing - Choose an item.
☒ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Choose an item.
☒ Transportation - Choose an item.
☒ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan:
Vision San Marcos - A River Runs Through Us
Background Information:
The City Council provided direction to rewrite the City’s current comprehensive plan, Vision San Marcos, originally adopted in 2013. The Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan kicked off in 2020 and is a vision and policy document intended to guide the growth and evolution of the City for the next 20-30 years. The Draft Plan includes the community's vision for topics such as housing, transportation, arts and culture, land use, economic development, parks, community character, and preferred growth and the types of places created for our community.
The Plan development included significant engagement from the public, stakeholders, and organizations in San Marcos throughout the planning process. The project has received over 6,100 community comments throughout the plan development and represent over 100 meetings and engagement events. The Comprehensive Plan is an instrumental document in defining and achieving the community’s vision for the future. As a growing community, the plan is a tool to be used by city leaders, businesses, organizations, and residents for the next 20-30 years and will help shape future programs, projects, policies, regulations, and provide a foundational document that can be used to seek funding and grants for initiatives.
The Draft Plan and all prior versions of the Plan can be downloaded at the following link:
• <http://www.visionsmtx.com/comprehensive-plan/>
A paper copy of the Plan can be requested by emailing planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
The adoption process for Vision SMTX began with informational meetings, required by the San Marcos Development Code, in February of 2023. In February, April and May the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) postponed action on the Plan and held a workshop in June 2023. During that time a P&Z Committee reviewed the document in detail and provided recommended amendments to the Plan. In August 2023 Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Plan with recommended amendments.
City Council held the required two public hearings and approved the plan, on first reading of the ordinance on October 17, 2023. On November 6, 2023, City Council postponed action of the 2nd reading of the ordinance and appointed a Committee consisting of Mayor Hughson and Councilmembers Garza and Scott. In January, 2024 the City Council approved an outreach campaign to gather community input on the Plan through a survey. The Committee met for a total of 9 committee meetings in 2024 to discuss the survey results and made recommendations on the Final Draft Markup of the Plan. On September 18, 2024, the Committee provided direction that the “Vision SMTX Final Draft Markup” be presented to the City Council and approved the adoption schedule.
Alternatives:
n/a
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the “Vision SMTX Final Draft Markup” as presented in the Council Packet.
October 2, 2024 is a public hearing with no action. Action and 2nd reading of the Ordinance will occur at the October 15, 2024 Meeting.