AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Hold a public hearing, receive a staff presentation, and consider a recommendation on the San Marcos Downtown Area Plan.
Body
Meeting date: September 26, 2023
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 a Downtown Area Plan in 2020 as part of Comprehensive Plan effort and the Downtown Plan kicked off in May of 2022. Council received an informational presentation on the Plan at their August 2, 2022 and February 7, 2023 meetings.
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 San Marcos - A River Runs Through Us
Background Information:
As part of the Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan, the City Council directed staff to create a Downtown Area Plan to take a closer look at the future of downtown. San Marcos’ existing Downtown Master Plan, adopted in 2008, is nearing 15 years old. The Downtown Area Plan kicked off in May of 2022. 7 Key concepts and recommendations are included in the Plan:
• Historic and Cultural Character
• Multimodal Connectivity and Parking
• Public Spaces and Amenities
• Priority Streetscape Enhancements
• Downtown Housing Options
• Fostering Small Businesses
• Building Form and Infill Development
The Downtown Area Plan reflects the needs and desires of a diverse range of stakeholders and perspectives and several opportunities for input were provided. This included three open houses, an online survey, a series of Downtown Stakeholder Committee meetings, Comprehensive Plan Downtown Oversight Committee Meetings, pop-up intercept events, 1-on-1 conversations, and presentations to organizations and commissions. Through the work of the Downtown Area Plan, the San Marcos community envisions downtown as the cultural and economic heart of San Marcos where all community members are welcomed to gather, live, work, and enjoy the charm, walkability, and vibrancy of downtown.
Comments were collected on the Public Review Draft during the month of January, 2023, and were incorporated into the Final Draft of the Plan. Both the Downtown Plan and the Downtown Plan+ (referenced below) can be downloaded at the following link:
• <https://www.visionsmtx.com/downtown-plan/>
A paper copy of the Plan(s) can be requested by emailing planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov <mailto:planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov>
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
• February 14, 2023: The Commission received an informational presentation on the Downtown Area Plan.
• February 28, 2023: The Commission held a Public Hearing and voted to postpone action on the plan to the April 25, 2023 meeting.
• April 25, 2023: The Commission voted to postpone action on the plan to the July 25, 2023 meeting. In addition, Chair Garber stated that the P&Z subcommittee consisting of Chair Garber, Commissioner Meeks, Commissioner Agnew, Commissioner Case, and Mayor Hughson would develop a redline of revisions to the Plan.
• In June, staff received a redline of revisions to the Downtown Area Plan from the P&Z subcommittee consisting of Chair Garber, Commissioner Meeks, Commissioner Agnew, Commissioner Case, and Mayor Hughson.
• July 25, 2023: Staff recommended that action on the Downtown Area Plan be postponed to the September 26 Planning Commission meeting, to align with the proposed Comprehensive Plan approval process and to allow staff time to analyze the subcommittee redlines and discuss any comments and questions with representatives from the subcommittee.
o Staff met with Mayor Hughson and Chair Garber to discuss staff comments and questions related to the redlines.
o Staff prepared the Downtown Plan+ for the Commission’s consideration.
Alternatives:
n/a
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Downtown Plan+ with the following amendment:
- CM Allen Parkway, Option 3, be recommended for approval and all references to this option be updated accordingly in the Downtown Plan+