AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation and hold a public hearing to receive comments for or against Ordinance 2025-35, amending the Official Zoning Map of the city in Case No. ZC-25-02, by rezoning approximately 199.49 acres of land, generally located at the 900 block of Francis Harris Lane, south of the intersection between Grant Harris Road and Francis Harris Lane in Hays County, Texas, from Future Development (“FD”) District and Character District 2.5 (“CD-2.5”) to Light Industrial (“LI”) District, or, subject to consent of the owner, another less intense zoning district classification, and subject to the recording of a restrictive covenant agreement prohibiting certain uses on the property; including procedural provisions; and declaring an effective date; and consider approval of Ordinance 2025-35 on the first of two readings.
Body
Meeting date: August 19, 2025
Department: Planning and Development Services
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Background Information:
This zoning change covers 199.49 acres of land on the western side of Francis Harris Lane and is accompanied by the following applications:
• PSA-25-01 - Preferred Scenario Amendment from Conservation/ Cluster to Commercial/Employment - Low.
• AN-25-02 - Annexation request for the southwestern part of the site located outside of the city limits (approx. 64 acres).
The applicant is requesting this zoning change in order to construct a data center. Data centers are considered a Light Industrial use and so would only be permitted under either Light Industrial or Heavy Industrial zoning. No proposed site plans have been received at this time.
Per Table 4.1 of the Land Development Code, Light Industrial zoning is not permitted within Conservation/Cluster Place Types. Approval of the associated Preferred Scenario Amendment to Commercial/Employment - Low (PSA-25-01) is required before this zoning change can be approved.
Grant Harris Rd, a private driveway/ access easement with several residential structures, runs along the northwestern boundary of the property. These properties do not currently have any direct roadway frontage - the City of San Marcos Thoroughfare Plan would require the developer to dedicate Right of Way at the time of platting which would provide direct road frontage to these properties.
Staff is proposing to designate a 50’ Character District-1 (CD-1) buffer along the northwestern boundary of the property adjacent Grant Harris Rd. The applicant agrees with this modification of the request.
The applicant has created a website in support of their project at this link - <https://sanmarcosdatacenterproject.com/>.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
At their March 25 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8-1 to recommend denial of ZC-25-02.
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Recommendation:
• Staff recommends partial approval of ZC-25-02 for all of the requested tract with the exception of a 50 ft buffer along the northwestern property line of the Highlander, SM One, LLC Tract adjacent the private driveway (Grant Harris Rd). This 50 ft buffer is recommended for the less intense zoning district of Character District-1 (with the consent of the applicant).
• This recommendation for approval is also subject to the approval of the associated Preferred Scenario Amendment PSA-25-01.