AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Hold a public hearing and consider a recommendation on the San Marcos Historic Preservation Plan.
Body
Meeting date: December 9, 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. A key requirement of the grant is that the Historic Preservation Plan must be formally adopted by the end of 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
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: Choose an item.
Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan
Background Information:
The San Marcos River, sustained by nearly 200 springs at Spring Lake, has been the heart of the community for over 12,000 years, as confirmed by archaeological evidence of continuous human habitation. Despite this deep history, the city’s preserved landmarks and districts do not fully reflect the diversity of its residents - only the Dunbar Historic District represents the African American community, with no local designations honoring Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino communities, women, or the LGBTQ community. This underrepresentation highlights the need for a comprehensive and inclusive preservation framework. Building on the 2019 historic resources survey and the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, the adoption of a Historic Preservation Plan is a critical next step to ensure San Marcos’s preservation efforts are intentional, equitable, 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 Historic Preservation Plan, which kicked off in the spring of 2024, represents a collaborative effort between City staff and consultants from Stantec Consulting Services, 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.
The Final Draft Plan was presented to various boards and commissions and City Council in October and November 2025, including updates to the Historic Preservation Commission on October 2, Planning and Zoning Commission on October 14, City Council on October 21, and the Neighborhood Commission on November 19. Comments received following the updates were incorporated into the Final Historic Preservation Plan, which 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>.
The adoption schedule is as follows:
• Historic Preservation Commission Public Hearing & Action - December 4
• Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing & Action - December 9 (tonight)
• City Council Public Hearing & Action - January 20, 2026
• City Council Public Hearing & Adoption - February 3, 2026
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
December 4, 2025: The Historic Preservation Commission will consider a recommendation on the Plan at their regular meeting on December 4. The HPC recommendation information will not be available at the time of the Planning and Zoning Commission packet posting due to agenda posting requirements. Staff will present the HPC recommendation during the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on December 9, 2025.
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the San Marcos Historic Preservation Plan.