City to host workshop for Second City Center Regional Area Plan

A community workshop will take place Wednesday where residents can help provide feedback regarding a Second City Regional Area Plan.

The second city center would be located east of Interstate 35 near the intersection of Rattler Road and McCarty Lane. The Second City Center Regional Plan is a part of the citywide Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan process, which began in 2020 and is near completion. According to the city’s Vision SMTX website, the city heard from the community that they “envision this area as a dense place with diverse housing opportunities, jobs to support residents, and amenities, services, parks and businesses within walking or biking distance.”

The city said the Regional Area Plan will address multiple topics including land use, urban design, transportation, connectivity, parks, equity, affordability, sustainability, technology, community amenities and infrastructure.

“San Marcos has recently seen a lot of growth east of IH-35,” Planning Manager Andrea Villalobos said. “As part of the Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan process, our community expressed a strong desire to have housing, jobs, services, parks, and amenities within walking, biking, or close driving proximity to support the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Wednesday’s community workshop will take place at the Second Baptist Church, located at 2377 Rattler Road. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social gathering taking place followed by a presentation at 6 p.m. and interactive activities and a come-and-go event at 6:15 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The city said residents and stakeholders will be able to take a role in planning for places to live and work in the envisioned second city center. Attendees will also be able to provide feedback on the type of services, businesses, parks, roadways, bike lanes or trails envisioned for the area.

“Those who live, work, attend school, bike, or drive through this part of town are encouraged to attend and let us know what you envision for this area of San Marcos,” Villalobos said. “The Second City Center Regional Area Plan will be an important tool for implementing the goals and priorities outlined by the community for the future of the area.”

According to the Vision SMTX website, previous feedback the city has received regarding the second city center includes: support for a new mixed use center east of I-35 for new neighborhoods; desire to relieve pressure on downtown; desire for walkable and bikeable design; desire to reduce sprawl and vehicle traffic through denser, mixed-use development; desire to ensure sustainability and environmental sensitivity; and needs to be connected with transit to the rest of San Marcos

Wednesday’s event will feature activities, refreshments, and prizes for those in attendance. Additional information about the Second City Center can be found at https://arcg.is/1mTS050.