AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Downtown Design Standards. Hold a public hearing and consider a recommendation to the City Council regarding text amendments to Chapters 3 and 4 of the San Marcos Development Code and to Appendix A, Article 1 of the Design Manual, that, among other things, would update provisions concerning nonconforming streetscapes, the Character District 5 Downtown description, the minimum two story building height in downtown, and the downtown architectural design standards and guidelines related to varied massing, transparency, blank wall area, expression elements, building elements, and contextual height stepdown. (A.Villalobos)
Body
Meeting date: February 9, 2021
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: n/a
City Council Strategic Initiative:
N/A
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:
Project Background
In 2012, the City contracted with Winter & Company to develop and adopt Downtown Design Guidelines and Architectural Standards to regulate the look and feel of new buildings in the downtown area. The standards and guidelines adopted in 2012 were carried over into the new San Marcos Development Code and into Appendix A of the San Marcos Design Manual in 2018. Both standards and guidelines are utilized when reviewing new development in the downtown area.
In January, 2020, the San Marcos City Council provided direction to update the design standards and guidelines using the guidance of the previous consultants, Winter & Company. The u...
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