AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and hold a Public Hearing to receive comments for or against proposed Resolution 2025-44R, regarding the approval of Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan, and provide direction to staff.
Body
Meeting date: March 4, 2025
Department: Planning and Development Services Department
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: City Council provided direction to create seven Area Plans in 2020 as part of the Comprehensive Plan effort. The boundaries for the Area Plans were approved in August 2022 and the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan kicked off in October 2022.
City Council Strategic Initiative:
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Mobility & Connectivity
Economic Vitality
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:
As part of the Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan, the City Council directed staff to create seven Area Plans to focus on the needs and challenges of smaller geographies around the city. The boundaries of these Area Plans were approved by City Council in the summer of 2022. The second of the seven Area Plans, the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan kicked off in Fall 2022. Seven key topics, with recommendations found within each, are included in the Plan:
• Getting Around
• History, Arts, and Culture
• Public Spaces and Amenities
• Streetscape Enhancement
• Business and Economy
• Housing
• Building Form and Development
The Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan reflects the needs and desires of a diverse range of stakeholders from the neighborhoods, including an 8-member Steering Committee, residents, property owners, and business owners. Several opportunities for input were provided. This involved five Steering Committee meetings, including a walking tour, two community open houses, pop-up events, 1-on-1 conversations, and presentations at city-sponsored events in the neighborhood. Learning from the community’s insights, the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan recommends actions which strike a balance between achieving the goal of preserving the Neighborhood’s unique existing and historical assets, and addressing the challenges, opportunities, and gaps that community members identified.
Comments were collected on the Public Review Draft in November 2023 and were incorporated into the Final Draft of the Plan. Staff worked with the Steering Committee to refine the plan throughout 2024. Following the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, the Plan was finalized and prepared for final vote by the Steering Committee. The adoption schedule is as follows:
• Update to Planning and Zoning Commission - January 14
• Update to Neighborhood Commission - January 15
• Update to City Council - January 21
• Neighborhood Presentation Meeting - January 22
• Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing & Action - February 11
• City Council Public Hearing (no action) - March 4
• City Council Public Hearing & Adoption - March 18
The Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan is included within the Council Packet and can also be downloaded at the following link: <https://arcg.is/0ryPzW>. A paper copy of the Plan can be requested by emailing planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov <mailto:planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov>
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
• January 14, 2025: The Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) received an informational presentation on the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan.
• January 15, 2025: The Neighborhood Commission received an informational presentation on the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan.
• January 21, 2025: City Council received an informational presentation on the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan.
• February 11, 2025: The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan with the following amendments:
o Page 61, fourth paragraph: A definition of Section 8 voucher shall be provided within the paragraph.
o Page 119, second paragraph: The fifth sentence shall be removed.
o Page 121, second paragraph, first sentence: The text shall be updated as follows: “To mitigate future flooding events of this scale and larger, the City completed the Blanco Riverine Flood Mitigation Project and the Blanco Gardens Drainage Improvements Project, as noted in the Infrastructure and Public Works section above.”
o Page 135, second paragraph, first sentence: The text shall be updated to reflect language used on page 121 regarding the same topic.
Alternatives:
n/a
Recommendation:
The Planning and Zoning Commission Amendments have been included in The Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan in the Council packet. No action will occur at this meeting. Action will occur at the March 18 City Council Meeting.