The La Cima Development Agreement was first approved in 2013. The La Cima Development covers a large land area, including a portion of the 1,250 square-mile Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. The agreement sets development standards intended to protect the Edwards Aquifer including impervious cover limits, which are among the most restrictive across the entire Edwards Aquifer region. The area covered by the La Cima Development agreement is restricted to an average of 19% impervious cover overall across its different properties, which is less than the 20% allowed by City Code over the recharge zone. To meet these standards, the La Cima master plan includes more than 2,000 acres of open space, parks, natural areas, and habitat preserves.
The land contained within the La Cima Development is private property. Due to Texas property right laws, the City of San Marcos cannot prohibit the development of private land after it has been granted entitlements for development; businesses are permitted within the La Cima Development under the standards contained in the 2013 development agreement.