Small area plans back in spotlight

Presentations about the city’s new Small Area Plan (SAP) program and the draft on-street paid parking implementation plan for downtown are on the agenda for the San Marcos City Council’s workshop meeting this afternoon.

Council will receive a presentation on the SAP program, described as “a neighborhood driven approach that implements the Comprehensive Plan and serves citizen with varying needs.” City staff recently conducted an online survey about SAPs and gave a public presentation on the SAP program recently at the Price Center. The program will allow neighborhood residents and other stakeholders to request an SAP to guide growth and preserve character in their neighborhoods. Staff is hoping that council will provide direction to launch the program in December. SAPs must consider city-wide goals but the plans will address the particular needs of the neighborhoods requesting SAPs. 

The draft on-street paid parking implementation plan is meant to guide the city toward a working document and guide for developing “a comprehensive and strategic approach to managing parking in and around downtown San Marcos,” the agenda states. The plan includes mobile license plate recognition technology and transportation demand management. The primary action items outlined by staff are to create and empower a parking management organization, establish parking benefit districts (where a percentage of on-street meter revenue generated will be reinvested) and investing in parking management technology for on-street and off-street parking.

Council will meet at 3 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. The meeting will be live streamed.