ADOPTION PROCESS

The City Council considered Vision SMTX++ at their October 17 meeting and recommended approval of the Plan with amendments. Staff has incorporated the amendments into a new version of the Plan and Appendix and they are included below. City Council considered the Plan at their November 6 City Council meeting and postponed the Plan to a future date. The Council also created a Council Committee comprised of Mayor Hughson, Councilmember Garza, and Councilmember Scott to discuss the Plan. Council Directed staff at their January 16 City Council Meeting to launch a survey and outreach campaign to gather further input. The public is invited to take the survey February 2-February 23.

Past Versions of the Draft Plan:

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) recommended approval of the Comprehensive Plan on August 22 with amendments. The P&Z Amendments have been incorporated into in a new document known as Vision SMTX++ and are linked below. Vision SMTX++ will be considered by City Council at their regular meetings on September 19, October 17, and November 6, 2023.

At the April 11, 2023 P&Z meeting, the Commission directed staff to prepare an Alternative Draft Comprehensive Plan, known as Vision SMTX+, using the redlines provided by the subcommittee consisting of Chair Garber, Commissioners Meeks, Commissioner Agnew, Commissioner Case, and Mayor Hughson. Vision SMTX+ is linked below:

The Vision SMTX Draft Comprehensive Plan and Appendix are included below and will be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council in 2023.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan is nearing completion! The Plan is a vision and policy document intended to guide the growth and evolution of the City for the next 20-30 years. It is based on community input and feedback and includes the community’s vision for a variety of physical and programmatic areas that influence how San Marcos evolves and grows in the years ahead. Staff has worked extensively with the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, the community, focus groups, and elected and appointed officials on developing the vision for topics such as housing, transportation, arts and culture, land use, economic development, parks, community character. In addition, the community has provided input on priorities for managing growth as well as the types of Places created in our community. The Plan’s recommendations are informed by over two years of community conversations. The Plan’s success should be attributed to the unwavering dedication of those residents that participated in the planning process.

FINAL DRAFT GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Sustainable and Resilient – San Marcos strives to promote and balance economic and environmental resiliency, and social sustainability for current residents and future generations.

Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive – San Marcos strives to maintain and create opportunity, choice, and a sense of belonging for all residents, regardless of age, race/color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnicity, ability, income, education, or political affiliation.

Unique and Complete – San Marcos strives to improve access to employment and essential goods and services throughout San Marcos while respecting individual preferences and protecting the unique character of existing neighborhoods and places.

Supported and Connected – San Marcos strives to ensure that existing and new development throughout the community has sufficient infrastructure and access to critical amenities to support and connect residents, employees and visitors now and in the future through multiple modes of transportation.

Strategic and Complementary – San Marcos strives to ensure that new development adds to the greater whole of the community and that the long-term impacts of development are considered in short-term decision making.