AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a staff presentation and hold discussion on the Draft Historic Preservation Plan.
Body
Meeting date: October 14, 2025
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: On April 2, 2024, City Council awarded a contract to Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for the purposes of preparing a community-wide Historic Preservation Plan. The City was awarded a $5,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation which is partly funding the project. The grant requires the adoption of the Final Historic Preservation Plan no later than February 2026.
City Council Strategic Initiative:
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Economic Vitality
Comprehensive Plan Element (s):
☒ Economic Development - Sports Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Retail Tourism & 13,000 year heritage
☐ Environment & Resource Protection
☒ Land Use - Direct Growth, Compatible with Surrounding Uses
☒ Neighborhoods & Housing - Protected Neighborhoods in order to maintain high quality of life and stable property values
☒ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities - Vibrant Arts district & robust arts and cultural opportunities for everyone
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: Choose an item.
Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan
Background Information:
The San Marcos River, fed by nearly 200 individual springs at Spring Lake, is the heart of the community, both geographically and historically. Archaeological evidence from Spring Lake confirms continuous human habitation for over 12,000 years, making San Marcos one of the oldest known settlements in North America. Yet, the city’s preserved history does not fully reflect the diversity of the community. Of the seven local historic districts and nine designated landmarks, only one district, the Dunbar Historic District, represents the African American community. There are no local designations recognizing the contributions of Hispanic or Latino communities, women, or the LGBTQ community.
This lack of representation underscores the need for a comprehensive framework to guide inclusive preservation. Following the City’s progress with the 2019 historic resources survey which updated past surveys, identified new resources, and offered policy recommendations, adoption of a Historic Preservation Plan is an important next step in preservation efforts in San Marcos. In 2023, the City adopted a new Comprehensive Plan that includes recommendations supportive of historic preservation, reinforcing the need for a dedicated strategy. Until a preservation plan is in place, the 2019 survey serves as an interim measure rather than a long-term strategic framework. Establishing a preservation plan would provide the necessary structure to establish historic preservation efforts in San Marcos that are inclusive, intentional, and forward-looking.
The goal of preservation is to manage change thoughtfully. San Marcos has a strong opportunity to build a preservation program that reflects its full heritage. The City’s first Historic Preservation Plan will serve as a strategic tool over the next 5 to 10-years to guide decisions in urban design, economic development, land-use planning, heritage tourism, and place-making, ensuring that preservation is integrated into the city’s future.
The Draft Historic Preservation Plan, which kicked off in the spring of 2024, represents a collaborative effort between City staff and consultants from Stantec, shaped by extensive community input. Stakeholder interviews, a citywide survey, and two public Open Houses, held in September 2024 and July 2025, helped inform the plan’s vision.
Comments were collected on the Public Review Draft, including from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Steering Committee (Commissioners Rogers, Baker, and Speed), from June through July 2025 and incorporated into the Final Draft of the Historic Preservation Plan.
The adoption schedule is as follows:
• Update to Historic Preservation Commission - October 2
• Update to Planning and Zoning Commission - October 14 (tonight)
• Update to Neighborhood Commission - October 15
• Update to City Council - October 21
• Historic Preservation Commission Public Hearing & Action - December 4
• Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing & Action - December 9
• City Council Public Hearing & Action - January 20, 2026
• City Council 2nd Reading & Adoption - February 3, 2026
The Final Draft Historic Preservation Plan is included in the packet and can also be downloaded at the following link: www.sanmarcostx.gov/hpp <http://www.sanmarcostx.gov/hpp>. A paper copy of the Plan can be requested by emailing planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov <mailto:planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov>.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
The Historic Preservation Commission received an informational update at the October 2 Regular Meeting; no action occurred at that meeting.
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommendation:
N/A - This item is an informational update; no action is occurring at this meeting.