Transportation Corridors Study - Survey Closes Friday!

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 and will close on Friday, December 3. If you have not participated, now is your chance!

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. Study staff is available to answer questions by calling 512-436-3712 or emailing info@smtx.study.com. To stay involved, visit SMTXStudy.com and sign-up for email updates.

The Colon family in front of their new home.

Congratulations to the Colon Family!

Congratulations to our first Homebuyer Assistance Program clients of 2022! The Colon family recently purchased a home with down payment assistance offered through the City of San Marcos.

If you’d like more information on how to apply for the Homebuyer Assistance program, please visit sanmarcostx.gov/homebuyerassistance or call 512.805.2644. Funds are still available!

City GIS staff: Jesse Garza, Katie Steele, Austin Bodin, Kellsey Schilly, Anna Essington

City Celebrates GIS Day

GIS Day recognizes and celebrates the innovative applications of Geographic Information System technology analysis, visualization, and insights through the use of geospatial data in the City. To celebrate and promote this important tool, members of the City's GIS staff hosted activities on the Courthouse Lawn and at Texas State University earlier this month.

The Planning and Development Services Department uses GIS extensively as a key research tool for all day-to-day operations. Our department is supported by Planning and Mapping Analyst, Anna Essington, and Planning GIS Intern, Mat Nino, who update, maintain, and innovate GIS services in the department.

Explore City GIS Maps: Access online maps of City trails, buildings permits, historic properties, parks, and more at Opendata.sanmarcostx.gov
Explore a GIS Storymap: GIS Storymaps are interactive visual maps which convey information through a story format. You can view our latest Vision SMTX Storymap here.

Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan Rewrite Updates

This month, the City is hosting 7 focus group meetings with over 70 stakeholders, experts, and community leaders in San Marcos around the topics of transportation, parks & wellness, economic development, arts & culture, environmental resource protection, housing, and land use. The focus groups will help continue to shape the Preferred Growth Scenario for San Marcos and will provide key insight on potential goals and polices associated with each topic.

We're continuing to ask the community their vision for these key topics. See below for additional opportunities to get involved!

Participate in the Mapping Survey

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 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.

Schedule a Meeting

We want to hear from you. Are you interested in learning more about the project or want to share your vision and ideas? Are you part of an organization that wants to get more involved? Schedule a virtual meeting with staff!

Email planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov or call 512.393.8230 to schedule a meeting.

(Back Row) Anna Essington, Amanda Hernandez, Katy Riddle, Amanda Mushinski, Linda Coker, Craig Garrison, Cesly Burrell, Julia Cleary, Alison Brake. (Front Row) Mayor Jane Hughson, Andrea Villalobos, Chance Sparks, William Agnew, Susan Walker

Celebrating Planning Achievement Awards!

The City celebrated recent award accomplishments and the importance of Community Planning during a City Council proclamation on November 16, 2021.

The City of San Marcos Downtown Design Project was recently 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.

You can learn more about the project at www.sanmarcostx.gov/downtowndesign.

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.