San Marcos is growing up too quickly, some residents have said, since a recent decision by the Planning and Zoning Commission to allow a nine-story, mixed-use development to be built downtown.
Some residents were irked by the approval of the development in January, and the commission revisited its policies for reviewing height warrant requests at its regularly scheduled meeting March 25.
Right now, developers wishing to build anything downtown are subject to the city's Smartcode. The code allows structures up to five stories. Anything taller than that must go through a warrant process to show why the additional stories are necessary.
Jim Garber, a San Marcos resident, said decisions that have dramatic effects on the city, such as allowing a nine-story building downtown, should not be made by an appointed group.
"If people are angry, they can't unseat [the Planning and Zoning Commission] from office," Garber said. "They can unseat council. Something that important I believe belongs in the hands of our elected officials."
On March 4, City Council directed city staff to revise the city's Smartcode to give final approval and review of height warrant requests to council.
Commissioner Travis Kelsey said he was concerned that making a decision to give final decision-making authority to City Council could lead to other concessions.
"I understand the concerns of citizens," Kelsey said. "This one particular issue I really don't have a problem with, but where does it stop?"
Commissioner Brian Olson, in his second meeting since being appointed to the commission, said he believes the commission should hold the authority to grant or deny height warrant requests.
"I disagree on the fact that that kind of decision should be going through City Council, through the political process and somehow get denied or approved based on an election," Olson said. "Personally, I think we're capable of making those decisions and not having to pass on the spotlight to City Council on these tough decisions."
The commission amended the proposed Smartcode revision to require a three-fourths super majority vote by City Council to overturn a Planning and Zoning decision. The amended revision will go to City Council for approval.