Squabbles over Lindsey Hill plans continue

An agenda item regarding the proposed Lindsey Hill development sparked several comments from the public and discussion among members of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night. 

The commission received an update on the developers’ Preferred Scenario Amendment request that would change the property in question —- the old Lamar campus, which previously served as San Marcos High School and was the site of the Coronal Institute before that —  from “Area of Stability-Existing Neighborhood” to “Growth Area-High Intensity.” 

Sandra and Don Neese, who live on Blanco Street right across from the old Lamar campus, spoke in favor of the Lindsey Hill project. Sandra Neese said that she has heard many “fear-based statements” about the project but that “these never seem to be supported by facts or examples.” Don Neese read a letter from Kathy and Randall Morris, who live on Belvin Street and could not be present at the meeting Tuesday. The Morrises also supported the development and noted that developers Guadalupe RE reached out to neighbors and have taken their wants and needs into account in making changes to the proposed development. Other people who live near the proposed development also spoke in favor of it, with Sue Cohen, who resides on San Antonio Street, noting that on and near her street, there is already a mixture of single-family and multifamily housing, with some accessory dwelling units, and that her neighborhood is walkable. 

“Most on San Antonio Street are not afraid of this development,” she said. “... We understand how fortunate we are to live in this vibrant, diverse neighborhood.”

Bucky Couch also spoke in favor of Lindsey Hill.

“I’ve never seen a development like this that has gone through the scrutiny and the changes and the accommodations that these guys have done to make this happen,” he said, noting that the developers have committed to honoring the historical significance of the site. 

Differences of opinion

However, others spoke against the proposed development. Camille Phillips said that besides wanting to protect single-family neighborhoods, she was concerned about traffic on Burleson Street, which is a narrow street running behind the property, and that she was worried about how the development might affect stormwater drainage patterns.

“I don’t want people on Hutchison, Hopkins and San Antonio Street to get flooded, whatever goes in there,” she said. 

Lisa Marie Coppoletta pointed out environmental issues related to the demolition of old buildings in a report she wrote on the proposed Lindsey Hill development.

“For all of you who live right across the street, you might want to read the section on asbestos and lead,” she said. “... Why don’t you think about the demolition and all the trucks that are going to be going up and down our block?”

Coppoletta called the move toward walkable cities “smoke and mirrors” and questioned the developers’ amended Planned Development District (PDD), because the Code SMTX land development code does not allow PDDs. However, the PDD application was submitted long before Code SMTX was approved. The current proposal for the project reflects an amendment, not a new PDD. 

Shannon Mattingly, director of planning and development services, explained, “Mainly it’s things like the boutique hotel is not part of the PDD anymore. They’ve changed the uses around. The overall concept is still the same.”

Coppoletta also said that the city did not provide tools like a historical resources survey, buffer zones or neighborhood character studies. Furthermore, she expressed concerns about flooding if Lindsey Hill is built, because the development would be at the top of a hill.

“When the flood comes, what are we going to do then?” she asked. 

Diana Baker also spoke against the project, focusing on the historical and cultural significance of the site and its status as an “important and valuable part of the history of San Marcos.”

“Go ahead, roll your eyes,” she told the commission. “I’m here to talk about preservation again.”

The old San Marcos High School was among the first schools in the state, if not the first, to integrate. Baker said that especially in light of San Marcos’ historical ties to the Ku Klux Klan — the largest parade in the city’s history was a KKK march — it would not look good to tear down a school that was an early adopter of desegregation.

“Tonight, you will hear all about the benefits Lindsey Hill will bring to the city,” she said. “... What will we lose? … Is money all that we care about?”

Planner Andrea Villalobos gave a brief presentation to the commission on the developers’ PSA request, noting that no kind of approval was scheduled for Tuesday night’s meeting.

“Today’s item is just for discussion only. It’s part of a more transparent process,” she said. “Staff has not conducted a full analysis on the preferred scenario amendment.”

Villalobos said the city’s legal department determined that the developers needed to go through the process to be consistent with the comprehensive plan. 

P&Z is not scheduled to take action on the PSA application until Sept. 25. 

It would then go to the city council for discussion on Oct. 16 and action on Nov. 7.