The city of San Marcos will host an open house March 22 to discuss the potential expansion of the Hopkins Street and Lindsey-Rogers historic districts near downtown.

City planner Alison Brake said the Historic Preservation Commission has made it a goal to close “gaps” in the existing historic districts. Any changes to the material or design of a structure located in a historic district must go before the commission, she said.

“If someone were to change, … let’s say they want a metal roof if they’ve had a shingled roof, they would have to get what’s called a certificate of appropriateness,” Brake said.

Examples of issues not under the purview of the historic preservation commission are land uses and changes to the exterior color of a structure.

The Historic Preservation Commission will provide a recommendation to the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council of whether to expand the districts. City Council will make the final decision.

The come-and-go open house will take place from noon-6 p.m. and is intended to give residents the opportunity to provide feedback to city staff about the proposed expansion. The open house will take place at the San Marcos Rec Hall, 170 Charles Austin Drive, San Marcos.

For more information, contact Alison Brake at 512-393-8232 or [email protected].