The background
The Class A industrial park, formerly known as the SMART Terminal, is being co-developed by Texas-based Scarborough Lane Development and Partners Real Estate.
AXIS Logistics Park will span across 2,000 acres—one of the largest master-planned industrial parks in the nation.
Some context
Virginia Parker, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation, said they are not opposing the proposed annexation because the city of San Marcos' runoff and stormwater mitigation policies are more stringent than Caldwell County's.
Caldwell County Precinct Commissioner Edward Theriot said the city regulates impervious cover, parking, landscaping, setbacks and heights—regulations that Caldwell County does not have. Impervious cover is when water is prevented from soaking into the ground due to rooftops, roads or buildings, Parker said.
Theriot also noted San Marcos has water quality treatment requirements and Caldwell County does not.
"The street annexation will potentially allow the city to annex manufacturing uses that develop adjacent to the roadway. The city has the ability to regulate building, fire electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes, and the city has the inspectors to ensure code compliance," Theriot said in an email to Community Impact.
The impact
Stricter stormwater specifications and management will reduce any potential flooding and water quality issues for residents living downstream, which could potentially impact the San Marcos River. Parker said they want the developers to use the strictest stormwater management standards possible.
Theriot also said if this piece of property was annexed into the city, the new road—being constructed by AXIS—should be safer, environmentally cleaner and better maintained.
