In 2023, city of San Marcos staff began developing an area plan that identifies the needs, challenges, opportunities and potential improvement projects and programs for a neighborhood north of Texas State University at the intersection of Sessom Drive and North LBJ Drive.
Staff will present the North of Campus Neighborhood Area Plan and allow citizens to make comments in support or opposition of the plan at an April 21 City Council meeting.
The gist
The North of Campus Neighborhood Area Plan outlines current conditions in the neighborhood and provides recommendations for projects and programs that may be implemented to improve the area, according to agenda documents.
The plan features seven topics with unique area recommendations, including:
- History, Arts, and Culture: identify new locations for public art and introduce painted pedestrian markers, such as crosswalks and bulb-outs, to improve safety
- Getting Around: make improvements to various streets and sidewalks frequented by pedestrians and increase the number of public transit access points
- Streetscapes: make significant improvements to the intersection of Sessom Drive and North LBJ Drive and introduce various street improvements to calm traffic
- Public Spaces and Amenities: consider low impact development, such as natural vegetation and green infrastructure, and improve amenities at the Sessom Creek Natural Area and park entrances
- Existing Housing Stock: support diverse housing types, encourage multifamily developments, facade improvements and develop guidelines for rehabilitating older homes
- Building Form and Development: promote flexible architecture styles, encourage neighborhood density districts, protect single-family homes and potentially reduce minimum parking requirements
- Business Community: encourage diverse land use, collaborate with the San Marcos Center on various facility improvements and promote business facade improvements
Another detail
Throughout the planning process, city staff held five Steering Committee meetings, one walking tour, three community workshops, one-on-one conversations, and both in-person and digital engagement meetings to get feedback on the plan, according to agenda documents.
The city of San Marcos Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the North of Campus Neighborhood Area Plan at an April 14 meeting.
What’s next
City staff will present the plan to the City Council on April 21 for direction and feedback. A public hearing will be held at the meeting regarding the plan. Community members will have the opportunity to give input and provide insight on the plan during the hearing.
The council will vote on the potential adoption of the plan May 5. If approved, city staff will incorporate the plan into the Capital Improvement Plan project selection process.
Staff will evaluate projects, plans and policies that can be implemented in a short time frame and make any necessary update to the city’s development code.
