San Marcos Downtown Area Plan

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

HOUSING Housing types in the Downtown Core are a blend of mixed use, multi-family, and a few single-family homes. The Greater Downtown Area contains several large multi-family developments, with densities falling in the same range overall as the Downtown Core. West and southwest of the Greater Downtown Area is a lower-density neighborhood of primarily single-family detached housing, but also containing a mix of multi family and duplex developments. BUILDING FORM Most building heights are limited to either a maximum three stories or a maximum of five stories in Downtown based on zoning, however, alternative compliance options are available and to date have resulted in one building taller than five stories in the Downtown Core and one building taller than five stories in the Greater Downtown Area. The adjacent Dunbar and Heritage neighborhoods southwest of Downtown are largely limited to two stories. Ground floors in the Downtown Core are mixed in design, and often contribute to an engaging pedestrian experience and sense of place through high levels of transparency, storefronts, and small setbacks. Yet, not all ground floors share the same treatment. Several streets have frontages with expansive blank walls, large setbacks with surface parking lots, a lack of an articulated facade, and a lack of buildings on a lot. These frontages are an opportunity to implement physical improvements to the facades which will create a more positive pedestrian experience for residents and visitors.

The Local Downtown, 210 N Edward Gary St

210 W San Antonio St

Ford Jackman Building, 211 E Hutchison St

SAN MARCOS DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN

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