Guadalupe Street Cycle Track - Information Booth!

A portion of the two-way cycle track on Guadalupe Street in downtown San Marcos is now open. The cycle track will remain closed south of MLK Drive for sidewalk construction, with the full length of the cycle track tentatively scheduled to open in April 2022.

The City of San Marcos will host an informal information session and safety demonstration during the San Marcos Farmer’s Market on Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A booth will be set up at the corner of Guadalupe Street and San Antonio Street. The public is encouraged to attend to learn about the cycle track, bike safety, and demo the new facilities!

The project was completed as part of the community-driven Transportation Master Plan adopted by City Council in December 2018, which included prioritizing diversity in transportation access and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. For information, contact the Engineering Department at 512-393-8130.

About the Cycle Track:

The project provides a physical barrier between cyclists and motorists from University Drive to Grove Street to improve safety. Installations also include traffic signals at five intersections, pavement markings, traffic signs, and delineators. In Spring 2022, green pavement markings will be added as part of a TxDOT-funded research study. The study aims to identify the effectiveness of green pavement markings in increasing bicycle lane use and safety.

Congratulations to the Saladino Family!

Congratulations to our second Homebuyer Assistance Program clients of 2022! The Saladino 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.

Human Services Advisory Board Vacancy: Social Worker

The City is seeking applications for the Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB) to fill a vacancy. The non-voting member must have a degree in social work, have experience in social service administration, and must be a City of San Marcos resident.

The application will be reviewed by the City Clerk’s office and provided to the City Council for approval at an upcoming Council Meeting. Applications can be submitted online.

About the HSAB
The City of San Marcos provides annual funding in support of social service programs to community-based organizations who seek to improve the quality of their clients’ lives by providing, facilitating, or recommending support for an array of basic social, physical health, housing, and mental health services those in need. The allocation of funds is administered by a Council appointed Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB).

This eight-person board includes one non-voting social worker member. The term duration is three years and the board meets weekly in September and October, and occasionally at other times during the year. The purpose of this position is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board about social work and grant funding.

Community Initiatives Division Awards Social Services Grants

This year, the City of San Marcos provided more than $1 million in social services grants to the community through the Human Services Grants process, administered by the Community Initiatives Division working with the Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB).

Because City Council allocated some of the funding received through coronavirus response programs to this process, the usual $500,000 expanded to $1 million – and 30 programs received funding! Services funded include assistance for abused children, emergency funding and food provision, case management toward self sufficiency, life skills, mental health, housing rehabilitation, and transitional housing.

The Community Initiatives Division was tasked by the City Manager to add performance measures and accountability to the program while continuing to ensure that the selection process was objective and transparent. Staff in the Division supported the activities of the HSAB as they reviewed and discussed 36 applications and created the funding allocation recommendations that were forwarded to City Council for a final decision. Programs funded will be active throughout this calendar year.

Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan Rewrite Updates

City staff presented to the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance to discuss Vision SMTX

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 meeting with staff!

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

Department Staff Updates

Oscar Lopez, Senior Inspector

Planning and Development Services is excited to announce the promotion of Oscar Lopez to the position of Senior Inspector! Born and raised in San Antonio, Oscar began his career working as a machinist for the Kirtland Air Force Base and later joined the U.S. Navy as a steel worker with the construction battalion, better known as the "Seabees". He became a plumber's apprentice in 1990 and obtained his Journeyman's license followed by becoming a Master Plumber. He served as a Master Plumber for 27 years and owned and operated his own plumbing business with his son, doing something he loved. As an inspector with the City of San Marcos, Oscar enjoys continuing to be involved with his passion of plumbing. He's married to his soul mate and has 4 children who are all in the medical field. He has 5 grandchildren, and he goes by his nickname "Kong".

Rose Mendiola, Permit Technician

Formerly from South Texas, Rose grew up on a ranch raising hogs and steers for local County Fairs. She then moved to College Station shortly after graduating. While in College Station she worked her way up to become a GM of a restaurant. After meeting her now husband they visited San Marcos and decided to move here. She started working as a Temp for the Permit Center and recently took over the open Permit Tech position. She enjoys spending time with friends, family and their three dogs Bri, Phoebe, and Teddy.

Sean Troyer, Combination Inspector

Originally from Fort Worth, TX, Sean moved to San Marcos in 2012 by way of Lubbock where he graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's degree in Geoscience in 2006. Sean previously worked as a building inspector with Planning & Development Services Department and is very excited to be working for the city again. He has recently been working as a builder for Brookfield Residential as the licensed residential contractor. Outside of work he enjoys hanging with his family and spending time with his wife and 2 boys. Sean enjoys riding bikes down a scenic road or a mountain bike trail, listening to live music, and playing guitar.

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.