The overview
San Marcos City Council received a presentation from city staff requesting an amendment to the Preferred Scenario for North Lindsey Student Housing from “Existing Neighborhood” to “High Intensity” for approximately 1.13 acres Oct. 2.
The proposed project would be located southwest of the intersection between Lindsey Street and North Street in San Marcos.
According to permit details found on the city’s website, the project is being dubbed The McLain Student Housing Project. If approved, there would be three buildings with seven stories totaling 361 units. There would also be an eight-story parking garage.
Some context
The request was made by Shannon Mattingly—who serves as the director of land use and entitlements at the Drenner Group, a real estate law firm that specializes in land use, entitlements and real estate transactions in Central Texas—on behalf of property owners Peggy Taylor and Daryl Burttshell.
Mattingly previously worked as the director of planning and development services with the city of San Marcos.
What’s happening
The property is shown as “neighborhood medium” in the draft Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan, which the applicant is requesting to be changed to “neighborhood-high.”
The applicant is also seeking approval of a conditional use permit to build student housing and alternative compliance to allow seven-story buildings, which includes properties east of North Street.
Amanda Hernandez, director of planning and development services, said city staff noticed, although this area of downtown is not located within a designated Historic District, there are structures that are considered “high” and “medium” historic priorities on the site.
Quote of note
Hernandez emphasized this would be a lengthy process.
“We have a long way to go before you see this for action,” Hernandez said.
What’s next?
There will be a public hearing for the proposed development at the planning and zoning commission’s meeting Oct. 24.
