AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a staff presentation and hold discussion on the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan.
Body
Meeting date: January 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: 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 Area Plan kicked off in Fall 2022.
City Council Strategic Initiative:
Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Economic Vitality
Mobility & Connectivity
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 SMTX Comprehensive Plan
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. 7 Key Concepts, 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 Neighborhoods’ 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 & Action - March 18
• City Council 2nd Reading & Adoption - April 1
The Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan is included in the Planning and Zoning Commission 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:
4 Steering Committee members voted “Yes” to recommending the Area Plan move forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council for consideration, while 4 did not comment. A copy of the final comments from Committee members may be found in the packet.
Alternatives:
n/a
Recommendation:
n/a - This is item is an informational update, no action is occurring at this meeting.