Let's talk about Downtown San Marcos!

We know Downtown San Marcos is an important part of our community's identity. That's why we're kicking off a Downtown Area Plan to take a closer look at the community’s vision for it's future. Join us for a Community Workshop to help envision the future of the downtown area!

Downtown Plan Community Workshop
Wednesday, June, 22, 2022
San Marcos Price Center, 222 W San Antonio Street

5:30-6:00 PM | Social Gathering
6:00-6:15 PM | Presentation
6:15-8:00 PM | Interactive Activities

Let us know what you love about downtown and how we can make it a desirable place to live, work, shop, and play! At the event, we’ll be asking you to weigh-in on a variety of topics related to the downtown area including historic and cultural character, multimodal connectivity, public spaces, streetscapes, housing, small businesses, and building design.

Come early for a social gathering and brief presentation or stop by to dig into the interactive activities. The event will include visioning exercises, refreshments, games, and giveaways from downtown businesses!

To learn more, visit the project website or email planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov.

About the Downtown Area Plan:

As part of the Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan, City Council provided direction to create a Downtown Area Plan to take a closer look at the future of downtown within the larger citywide Comprehensive Plan. San Marcos’ existing Downtown Master Plan, adopted in 2008, is nearing 15 years old. The Downtown Area Plan process will create an updated vision for the future guided by community and stakeholder input with several opportunities to provide input between May and December 2022.

Vision SMTX Open House - Online Survey Available!

Thank you to all who attended last month's Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan Open House on May 26!

If you missed the in-person event, you can still participate virtually! Explore an online survey where you can provide input through June 27. Within the survey you can explore the Draft Goals and Policies proposed for the Comprehensive Plan around 7 key topics including arts & culture, housing, transportation, parks, and others! Pick your favorite topic to explore, or explore all 7!

Take the Virtual Survey:
https://arcg.is/1K0W9G1

The Open House boards and presentation are also available in the project Resource Library.

Riverfront Parks Online Survey - Closes June 12

Don't forget to take the San Marcos Parks Department Riverfront Parks Preliminary Design survey! The purpose of this survey is to confirm and refine potential future activity and programming changes along the river based on community preferences. The goal is to improve the Riverfront Parks System as a citywide destination and feature.

Take the Virtual Survey:
surveymonkey.com/r/SMRFMP2022

By participating, you'll have the opportunity to enter to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards! For additional questions, please contact the San Marcos Parks Department at parksinfo@sanmarcostx.gov or 512.393.8400.

Preservation Month Recap

On May 21st, National Preservation Month was celebrated at the Cephas House with the first San Marcos Preservation Day Celebration!

The event focused on the undertold stories from local preservation groups and archivists. Attendees learned about the importance of historic preservation and heard stories about Barrio Victoria, Earley Rucker Carver and the American Legion Post 144, and Mr. Harvey Miller, the City’s first parks director for the Dunbar Recreation Center. A brief tour of the buildings surround the Cephas House and a guided tour of the Calaboose African American History Museum, both led by Dr. Elvin Holt, followed.

Thank you to Johnson Planning & Preservation Consulting, Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, Dunbar Heritage Association, Beth Grayson, and the Calaboose African American History Museum. We’re looking forward to next year’s celebration!

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 as hybrid (in-person/virtual) meetings. 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.