Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan Adopted 2024

A COMMUNITY-BASED VISION

WHY CITIES PLAN Constant change is the most important reason to plan. A comprehensive plan is a tool that allows a city to anticipate changes and to guide those changes in an effective, orderly manner that is consistent with the desires of the community. It directs future development, maps and analyzes neighborhoods and sensitive areas to be protected, and promotes efficient growth of the city. A successful comprehensive plan analyzes trends and alternatives of growth patterns and directs developments in areas where it is most suitable based on existing land uses, available infrastructure and environmental factors. A comprehensive plan, if properly utilized, acts as a tool for managing and directing growth, lends predictability to developers by illustrating the types of development desired throughout the city, and locates existing and proposed infrastructure. The plan may also provide direction on the use of monetary, policy, regulatory, and/or process-related incentives during the development process to achieve desired community goals. Comprehensive planning is also an opportunity to promote equity by discussing and developing policies, programs, and regulations that intentionally avoid disproportionately impacting the progress of certain segments of a community more than others. With input from a diverse array of community members during the comprehensive planning process, the document serves as the record of the city’s long-range vision. San Marcos has seen significant growth and change over the past decade leading to a diverse population. As the community continues to diversify, a comprehensive plan with extensive community input allows a community’s residents to determine what factors will guide development decisions and gives them the opportunity to decide the future of their city through equitable growth. PLANNING IN TEXAS In 1997, the Texas Legislature added Chapter 213 to the Local Government Code allowing cities in Texas the option to develop and adopt comprehensive plans. The Code establishes that the plans must consider land use, transportation and public facilities, and distinguishes between land use plans and zoning regulations. The regulations allow the city to define the relationship between the plan and any ordinances and development codes. This also leaves cities with creative freedom to determine the level of detail of the contents in the plan.

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SAN MARCOS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2024