ETJ agreement back on packed council agenda
An extra-territorial boundary agreement with Martindale is back on the San Marcos City Council’s agenda.
The council will consider taking action on an agreement between the two cities during Tuesday’s meeting. The agreement specifies areas to be released by each city from its previously claimed extra-territorial jurisdiction. Additionally, the agreement specifies payments to be made by the City of San Marcos to the City of Martindale over the next 30 years from tax revenues derived from 161 acres of land within the San Marcos Air, Rail and Truck terminal project that Martindale is releasing from its ETJ.
The agreement will discuss ETJ matters regarding a 1983 disagreement, where Martindale expanded its ETJ to include an Ohnheiser Property. The City of San Marcos disputed that Martindale’s ETJ shouldn’t include the Ohnheiser Property, while Martindale disputed San Marcos’ assertions. According to the agreement, “San Marcos states, represents, and agrees that the 1983 resolution is valid, and that San Marcos has no legitimate basis to challenge the same.”
The agreement also discusses a 2007 ETJ dispute, where the City of San Marcos declared it had at least 50,000 inhabitants and purportedly established a 3.5-mile ETJ beyond its municipal boundaries in a passed ordinance — 2007-132R (“R132”). Martindale disputed the validity of San Marcos’ ETJ, while San Marcos disputed the assertion. According to the agreement, “Martindale would agree that R132 is valid and that Martindale has no legitimate basis to challenge the same.”
Additionally, San Marcos would begin making payments to Martindale of 30% of the annual tax revenue it collects on released property, beginning in 2021 and ending in 2051.
The city council had the ETJ agreement on its docket during Jan. 21’s regular meeting but postponed the vote.
In other business, a public hearing will be held during Tuesday’s meeting to receive comments for or against Resolution 2020-28R, “providing no objection to the submission of an application for low income housing tax credits to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the proposed Lantana on Bastrop Multifamily Housing Project … including the requirement that the applicant make an annual payment in lieu of taxes in the amount of $11,000.”
Council previously denied a request for a resolution of no objection for Lantana on Bastrop during Dec. 3’s meeting.
The council will also consider action on providing no objection to the submission of an application for low income housing tax credits to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the proposed Redwood Multifamily Housing Project.
The council will discuss the appointment of a Council Committee on Homelessness during Tuesday’s meeting.
Additionally, the city council will discuss and consider annual appointments to various boards and commissions, including Animal Shelter Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, Housing Authority, Parks and Recreation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission and 17 other commissions and boards.
Tuesday’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. inside City Hall — 630 E. Hopkins St.
