PSA scheduling faces next hurdle before council
A measure that would allow preferred scenario map amendment requests all year long is the subject of one of several public hearings scheduled for tonight’s San Marcos City Council meeting.
Council is set to hear a staff presentation and hold a public hearing on an amendment to the development code that would eliminate the requirement that preferred scenario amendments be heard twice a year. Council is then set to consider approving an ordinance making the amendment. Last month, the Planning and Zoning Commission denied a recommendation to allow developers to submit the amendment requests year round. According to the P&Z agenda, the city council directed staff to amend the process to allow year-round submissions out of concern that the waiting period could hinder smaller developers.
A public hearing on an ordinance amending the development code to include a few requirements for neighborhood presentation meetings. The changes would require participants to follow rules of decorum similar to those for city council and commission meetings, for the meetings to be held on or near the subject property and for the meetings to be held within 20-28 days before P&Z considers the matter that is the subject of the meeting.
Council will also consider a resolution approving an economic development incentive agreement with Katerra Inc. for the location of an automated building component manufacturing and distribution facility on State Highway 80 east of State Highway 21. The agreement will provide annual refunds of a portion of new property taxes for 10 years and waives certain development standards.
In other business, council will vote on appointing a presiding judge and at least one associate judge for the San Marcos Municipal Court of Record. Each judicial position will have terms of two years. The ordinance is set to be declared an emergency measure that does not require two readings for adoption.
Council is also set to consider a resolution increasing funding for the Greater San Marcos Economic Development Corporation (GSMP). A funding increase was proposed at the last city council meeting, but several council members wanted to hear more information about the GSMP’s current situation, which includes the potential to bring more new businesses to the area because of the Army Futures Command’s establishment in Austin.
Before its regular meeting tonight, scheduled for 6 p.m., council will hold a workshop meeting at 3 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room where it will hear from the GSMP about opportunities related to the location of the Army Futures Command in Austin. An update on the Blanco Riverine project is also on the schedule for the 3 p.m. meeting.
Council’s regular meeting will be in the council chambers at City Hall, 630 E. Hopkins St. City council meetings are also televised live on Spectrum Ch. 10 and Grande Ch. 16 or 123-16 and streamed online.
