Transportation Corridors Study - Virtual Open House!

The City of San Marcos and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) are seeking your input in the third round of public involvement for the San Marcos Transportation Corridors Study. The third Virtual Open House is available at www.SMTXStudy.com from November 2 – December 3, 2021.

The open house will include an overview of refined design concepts for improved connectivity, safety, and mobility along key transportation corridors and activity centers in San Marcos. These concepts were developed using input from the community, market research, and technical data outlining current and anticipated future conditions, such as travel patterns, traffic counts, and population growth.

In addition to the online open house, mailed material can be requested by calling 512-436-3712 or emailing info@smtx.study.com. Study staff is also available to answer questions and receive comments by phone and email. To stay involved, visit SMTXStudy.com and sign-up for email updates.

City Seeks Input on Five-Year Sidewalk Maintenance Program

The City of San Marcos’ Public Works Department invites the community to participate in an online survey to gather feedback on the City’s Five-Year Sidewalk Maintenance and Gap Infill Program. The department is seeking ideas and comments on sidewalk areas to include in the plan update. Participate in the survey here.

About the Program: The Sidewalk Maintenance and Gap Infill Program is a five-year plan that identifies improvements in areas needing sidewalk maintenance, where sidewalk gaps occur, or where no sidewalk exists. This program focuses on areas where no right-of-way acquisition is required, no major engineering is needed, and the projects are relatively quick and low cost. The budget for this program is $200,000 per year. Residents may view the City’s current Sidewalk Maintenance and Gap Infill plan on the project website. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 512-393-8036.

Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan Rewrite Updates

Participate in the Mapping Survey

As part of Vision SMTX, an on-going survey is available to gather your ideas on topics that are most important to you!

You can provide your ideas on housing, transportation, arts and culture, land use, and other planning elements and topics by participating in the online mapping survey.

Kids Vision SMTX Challenge

The perspectives of future generations in San Marcos are valuable to Vision SMTX. As part of the project, we’d like to hear from younger generations on what they envision for the future of their community by submitting their ideas through art, essays, or poems!

Participants can either utilize the art template or a separate document can be utilized. Instructions on how to submit can be found on the project website.

City Awarded Texas Planning Achievement Awards!

The City of San Marcos Downtown Design Project has been recognized as the award recipient of two 2021 Planning Achievement awards through the American Planning Association! The City is recognized for a General Plan Award through the American Planning Association Central Texas Chapter and a Best Practice Award - Silver, through the American Planning Association Texas Chapter.

These awards are given to a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process that emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices help to create communities of lasting value.

Adopted in March, 2021, the Downtown Design project updated architectural design standards and guidelines for buildings within downtown San Marcos and included community input, policy guidance, and stakeholder expertise. You can learn more about the project at www.sanmarcostx.gov/downtowndesign.

Please join us in celebrating these accomplishments and the importance of Community Planning during a City Council proclamation on November 16, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 630 E Hopkins Street.

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Need Housing Repair Assistance?

The City of San Marcos, in partnership with Southside Community Center, is providing housing repair assistance to residents through the Housing Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program.

For more information on qualifications and eligible rehabilitation activities, and to access the application, please visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/3508/Home-Repair-Program.

Department Staff Updates

Susan Walker, Senior Planner

Welcome to the newest edition to the Planning and Development Services team. Susan Walker comes to San Marcos from Austin where she began her career almost 40 years ago. Susan gained experience working in the Building Inspection, Development Services, and Economic Development Departments in Austin where her tasks included everything from permitting to variance review. She was also responsible for assisting small businesses with the planning processes. In her current position at San Marcos Susan will act as the staff liaison for the Zoning Board of Adjustments and be responsible for complex planning projects. In her spare time Susan enjoys antiquing, traveling, and camping with her family and friends.

Department COVID-19 Update

City Offices are Open with Virtual Meetings

The Planning and Development Services Department is open to the public Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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.

All meetings, such as Pre-Developments, will remain virtual. Planning and Zoning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustments 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.

Inspections

Our inspectors are continuing to keep our single family and commercial construction projects moving while also maintaining their safety by social distancing and hand washing. Our department is still offering video call inspection services as requested, through Skype, for any occupied homes that may prefer that route. Please contact Paul Hinrichs phinrichs@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.