You're Invited: February 25 Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan Kickoff!

Join us at our first Virtual Community Workshop as we kick-off the Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan! The City of San Marcos adopted our current Comprehensive Plan, Vision San Marcos, in 2013. The goal of rewriting our existing plan is to reflect the growth and changes our city has experienced since the original plan was adopted, while continuing to strengthen a San Marcos that is attractive, active, inclusive, safe, vibrant, and true to its character.

Vision SMTX will establish the goals and vision for the future of San Marcos for the next 20 years. Vision SMTX will create a visionary document that guides long-term decision-making for key components such as housing, the environment, economic development, transportation, and land use. Join the Virtual Community Workshop to participate!

Virtual Community Workshop
Thursday, February 25, 2021
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
RSVP: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n19iqIPMSh-NowxHrzvHpw

To learn more about the project, visit www.visionsmtx.com.

Downtown Design Update

The City hosted a second series of events in December 2020 to gather input on the draft downtown design standards and guidelines. We want to thank all who participated in these events! A summary of the input received is posted on the project website.

A Final Draft has been created incorporating recent community input is posted on the project website. This final draft will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council for consideration and adoption. Upcoming meeting dates include:

Tuesday, February 9 - 6 p.m. Virtual Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing and Consideration of Final Draft
Tuesday, February 16 - 3 p.m. Virtual City Council Work Session
Tuesday, March 2 - 6 p.m. Virtual City Council Public Hearing and 1st Reading of Final Draft
Tuesday, March 16 - 6 p.m. Virtual City Council Final Consideration of Final Draft

For more information, please visit the website or email planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov.

Next step for the Disaster Mitigation Grant!

The City of San Marcos adopted the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Action Plan in March 2020. The Action Plan outlines how the City's HUD grant allocation of $24 million will be used to reduce disaster risks and the possibility of future losses in areas impacted by the 2015 floods.

As part of this process, a Citizen Advisory Committee has been created for this grant. Committee members are a combination of representatives serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission and Parks Advisory Board, including Commissioners William Agnew, Mike Dillon, and Travis Kelsey, and Board members Keith Ubben and Peter A. Vogt.

The charge for this committee is:

Transparency: To advise on the best means of keeping the public informed
Input: To consider actual and perceived project impacts on neighborhoods
Forum: Recommendations for smooth implementation

Meetings will be public. Please watch for an announcement of the committee's first meeting in early February! You can learn more about CDBG-MIT at: http://sanmarcostx.gov/3016/CDBG-Mitigation-Action-Plan

Department Staff Updates

Yesenia McNett, Permit Technician

Our newest Permit Technician, Yesenia McNett joins us from the City of New Braunfels, where she had previously been working in the City Secretary’s office. After hours she sings and teaches piano and voice students. She often moonlights as Patsy Cline, and her current musical project is a tribute to Fleetwood Mac. She has a degree in Anthropology from Southwestern University and loves to travel and ride her motorcycle. She lives with her partner and two terriers, but cannot keep more than one plant alive at a time.

Julia Cleary, Planner

Born and raised in Scotland, Julia completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Saint Andrews and her graduate degree at the University of Dundee. Julia comes to San Marcos from Bastrop County where she worked on short- and long-range planning projects. Prior to moving to Texas, in 2016, Julia worked for a planning firm in London, England. Outside work, Julia enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, traveling, and learning languages.

Will Rugeley, AICP, Planner

After nine years in the Metroplex, working for the City of Plano and City of Fate, Will has returned home to Central Texas with his wife and two French Bulldogs. Both he and his wife, Courtney, are Texas State University alumni. Will enjoys golfing, river sitting, two-stepping, and he won the 2020 state parallel parking championship. He is looking forward to serving the San Marcos community.

Department COVID-19 Update

City Closures and Virtual Meetings

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations within San Marcos and Hays County continue to be on the rise, City facilities will remain closed to the public through the end of February. Facilities are scheduled to reopen to the public on Monday, March 1 and this timeline will be reevaluated later in February. City staff will continue to be available to assist residents by phone or email.

All meetings, such as Pre-Developments, will remain virtual. Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are being conducted online. Click here for information on how to view or participate in an upcoming meeting. Additional information and updates on COVID-19 can be found on the City's website.

We encourage customers to continue to use our 24/7 online permitting system at www.mygovernmentonline.org or to call to ask questions at 512.805.2630 (Permits) and 512.393.8230 (Planning) when possible.

Inspections

Our inspectors are continuing to keep our single family and commercial construction projects moving while also maintaining their safety by wearing face protection, social distancing, hand washing, and offering video inspections to homeowners. Our department is offering video call inspection services, through Skype, for all occupied home inspections to help ensure the safety of our citizens and our staff. Please contact Michael Gleason at mgleason2@sanmarcostx.gov for more information.

Contact the Planning and Development Services Department

The Planning Department's goal is to manage the growth and development of the community by carrying out adopted Council policies, and providing professional expertise. To contact us, visit our webpage or email us at planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov. The public can sign up for the monthly Planning Newsletter here.