San Marcos Development Code (effective Nov. 3, 2021)

6 C H A P T E R

Environmental Regulations

Section 6.2.3.3 Water Quality and Buffer Zones Inside Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone A. Water Quality Zone. No development or impervious cover is allowed in a water quality zone within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone except for those cases listed in Section 6.2.3.5(B). B. Buffer Zones. The maximum impervious cover in buffer zones is 10%. Impervious cover may be increased with mitigation based on the slope table below. C. Steep Slopes. The maximum impervious cover in buffer zones located within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone is fur ther restricted when steep slopes are present in accordance with the table below. Table 6.3 Impervious cover on slopes inside the Edwards aquifer Impervious Cover (Max) No development or impervious cover is allowed within a sensitive feature protection zone except for those cases listed in Section 6.2.3.5(C). Section 6.2.3.5 Mitigation and Exceptions A. Mitigation. The following is permissible with adequate mitigation that replaces lost water quality benefits: 1. Impervious cover limitations may be exceeded in a buffer zone for land with a gradient of less than 15 percent outside the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and 20 percent within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone; and 2. Water quality and/or buffer zones may be reclaimed. Mitigation shall consist of meeting a Total Suspended Solid (TSS) removal requirement or increase in TSS removal requirement for the site or por tion of the site as determined adequate by the Responsible Official. Slopes Buffer Zone No Mitigation Buffer Zone with Mitigation < 20% 10% 20% > 20% 0% 10% Section 6.2.3.4 Sensitive Feature Protection Zone

B. Exceptions to impervious cover limitations in a water quality or buffer zones include: 1. Existing impervious cover in water quality or buffer zones may be replaced, subject to flood protection standards in Chapter 39 of the San Marcos City Code, but may not be increased except consistent with the limitations in this Section. a. For FEMA- mapped waterways, water quality and buffer zones may be crossed by ar terial and collector streets that are a distance of at least 2,000 feet horizontally from the nearest adjacent crossing of the waterway by an ar terial or collector street. b. For other waterways subject to this Ar ticle, water quality zones may be crossed by ar terial, collector and residential roads that are a distance of at least 1,000 feet horizontally from the nearest adjacent crossing of the waterway by an ar terial, collector or residential street. c. Any water quality or buffer zone may be crossed by one collector or residential street regardless of the distance from the nearest crossing of the waterway by an existing ar terial, collector or residential street, if the crossing will provide the only access to a public road or street for a por tion of the tract of land on which the new street is proposed. 3. Utility line crossings that are in compliance with all City and TCEQ requirements. 2. Ar terial, residential and collector street crossings in accordance with the following:

4. Fences that do not obstruct or dam surface water flows.

5. Trails and related facilities, other than buildings, for walking, running, and non-motorized biking.

C. Exceptions to impervious cover limitations in a sensitive feature protection zone include:

1. Fences that do not obstruct surface water flows.

2. Pervious trails and other facilities, other than buildings, for walking, running, or non-motorized biking. Decomposed granite is not considered a pervious trail surface.

(Ord. No. 2020-60, 9-1-2020)

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Amended: November 3, 2021 San Marcos Development Code