AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Receive a Staff presentation, hold discussion, and consider approval of My Historic SMTX, the City’s historic resources survey.
Body
Meeting date: August 20, 2019
Department: Planning and 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: Council approved a contract with Hicks & Company, Inc. the historic resources survey for an estimated amount of $39,500.00 on August 7, 2018.
City Council Strategic Initiative: N/A
Comprehensive Plan Element (s):
☐ Economic Development
☐ Environment & Resource Protection
☐ Land Use
☒ Neighborhoods & Housing - Protected Neighborhoods in order to maintain high quality of life and stable property values.
☐ Parks, Public Spaces & Facilities
☐ Transportation
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: N/A
Background Information:
My Historic SMTX, the City’s Historic Resources Survey, was officially kicked off in November 2018. Based upon the size of the survey area and the number of historic-age resources present, the project was divided into two phases; 2,080 properties were surveyed in the field. The survey boundary includes all seven of the existing historic districts and:
• Areas with high level of development pressure;
• Areas previously surveyed but have not been included in a historic district or designated as a landmark; and
• Areas platted prior to 1975 or have building(s) on them built prior to 1975.
Funded in part through a 2018 Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from the Texas Historical Commission (THC), the purpose of the survey is:
• To evaluate and update to the three existing historic surveys (the last was conducted in 1997)
• Identification, documentation, and prioritization of new resources that had not been surveyed, and
• Development of a survey report with valuable recommendations to assist the city with future designations, to review and assess future planning initiatives and development proposals, and to provide guidance on resources that are most threatened.
The historic resources survey does not provide historic designations for any property, it does not require access to the interior of any property, nor does it impose any restrictions or obligations on property owners. The survey will serve as a guiding document to help facilitate planning efforts and initiatives to protect the historic, cultural, and architectural legacy of the City for generations.
The following recommendations are contained within the survey:
• 208 properties identified with a High preservation priority (they can be individually designated as a landmark and are considered contributing to a district)
• 473 properties identified with a Medium preservation priority (they cannot be individually designated as a landmark but are considered contributing to a district)
• Potential expansion of existing districts
• Potential new districts
• Landmarking Initiatives
• Alternative Designation Options
• Policy Recommendation
While there is no requirement in the San Marcos Development Code or San Marcos City Code for the City Council to formally adopt the recent historic resources survey, this project is important enough to warrant a formal resolution adopting the survey; the last historic resources survey was conducted over 20 years ago in 1997.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved and adopted My Historic SMTX at their July 11, 2019 Regular Meeting. Staff presented My Historic SMTX to the Planning and Zoning Commission at their July 23, 2019 Regular Meeting.
Alternatives: N/A
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of My Historic SMTX.