June 22nd, 2010
P&Z to address SmartCode

STAFF REPORT

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) in San Marcos will evaluate proposed downtown zoning changes to tailor the area to the goals of the Downtown Master Plan at Tuesday night’s meeting (June 22). The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

The rezoning approach under consideration is known as SmartCode. The code establishes zoning standards based on preferred and consistent historic patterns, as opposed to building uses only.

In April, the city held charrettes to gather citizen and development community input regarding zoning in our community. The results have been compiled and a draft SmartCode has been prepared for review.

As part of the review process, city’s development services staff mailed notices on June 11 to all property owners in and within 200 feet of the proposed rezoning areas.

The letter said the SmartCode system would re-designate properties in the downtown area from T-1 to T-5. Similar to the traditional zoning categories, the T-1 to T-5 designations have permitted and non-permitted uses and specific development standards.

The proposed SmartCode zoning designations are as follows:

Zone T-1 — Natural: The Natural Zone includes all land permanently protected from development.

Zone T-2 — Rural: The Rural Zone includes land, such as ranchland or farmland, not currently slated for development, but not permanently protected from development.

Zone T-3 — Suburban Neighborhood: The Suburban Neighborhood Zone includes spacious lots and tree-lined streets. The zone is executed in the city’s historic neighborhoods.

Zone T-4 — General Urban: The General Urban Zone stipulates strongly identifiable neighborhoods with city centers and commerce within walking distance. The areas usually surround the most urban portions of the city.

Zone T-5 — Urban Center: The Urban Center Zone is Main Street America, including townhomes and loft apartments above thriving businesses. The courthouse square in San Marcos is an example of such a zone.

Zone CS — Civic Space: The Civic Space Zone includes areas permanently dedicated for public use, such as parks, plazas and civic buildings.

To see a larger version of the SmartCode rezoning map, or for more information about the code or the upcoming process, visit www.codingsanmarcos.com or call the city’s development services at (512) 393-8230.