Vision San Marcos Comprehensive Plan

ZONING

Low Intensity and all of the neighborhood

change the way people live. These factors create

protection/conservation areas provide

pressures that change the way land is used. The

The preferred scenario map and the land

more stability.

purpose of planning is to anticipate and shape

use intensity matrix do not explicitly address

Both the map and the matrix are

this change in a way that provides opportunities

zoning. Land in the preferred scenario is

generalized tools used to guide

for new development and redevelopment

divided into two broad categories. The first

development and amendments to the City’s

while preserving the community’s cultural and

category includes intensity zones where

Land Development Code. The preferred

environmental heritage. A comprehensive plan

change in use is anticipated by the plan.

scenario is not a zoning map. This fact is

articulates the community’s vision for the future;

The second category includes areas of

emphasized in Section 213.005 of the Texas

zoning and other regulatory and budget tools

relative stability where changes in use are

Local Government Code:

implement that community vision. It follows ,

not recommended by the plan. The map

A map of a comprehensive plan shall

therefore that the first question in any zoning

locates low, medium and high intensity

contain the following clearly visible

case should be, “Does this request comply with

zones and the matrix describes the zones

statement: “A comprehensive plan shall not

the comprehensive plan?” The plan’s goals, the

by development type: new development,

constitute zoning regulations or establish

preferred scenario map and the matrix provide

redevelopment/infill, and neighborhood

zoning district boundaries”

that

and area protection/conservation. The

Zoning is conservative in nature and has

first level of guidance.

matrix lists recommended uses and building

a bias towards maintaining the status quo.

types for each intensity zone/development

Growing cities, though, are not static;

type pair. High and Medium Intensity/New

new residents move in, new businesses

Development and Redevelopment pairs

are established and new technologies

are areas where change is anticipated.

Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us pg 83