Many issues to face vote on Tuesday

The bulky agenda awaiting the San Marcos City Council for its meeting Tuesday night includes an assortment of items that could shape the future of the city.

Council is slated to hold the first of two public hearings to receive comments for or against an ordinance adopting a new Transportation Master Plan and Thoroughfare Plan. The plan has received scrutiny for its inclusion of a proposed extension of Craddock Avenue that would stretch through environmentally sensitive areas just above the San Marcos Springs.

However, on June 26, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Transportation Master Plan with the condition that the Craddock extension would be removed. After the public hearing council will hold the first of two readings of the ordinance and vote on its initial approval.

Another public hearing and subsequent first reading and vote will focus on the Mystic Canyon development. Council will receive comments for or against an ordinance rezoning the 56.6 acres of land proposed for Mystic Canyon to allow for single-family development. The property is located south of Old Ranch Road 12 and west of Craddock Avenue, adjacent to the Franklin Square, Castle Forest and Bishop Crossing neighborhoods. Planning and Zoning has recommended approval of the zoning change.

Council also will consider approval of a resolution establishing the San Marcos Innovation District. The resolution will establish boundaries for the district — roughly from the interstate to campus and from North Street to University Drive, with another area that includes the Star Park — and appoint a stakeholder advisory group including representatives from the city, university and business community. The resolution would also develop an action plan for the creation of the district.

In other business, council will consider a resolution approving a contract with the San Marcos River Foundation for the purchase of about 249 acres known as the Millican Tract. The property, which is near Palomino Lane and Country Estates Drive, can provide source water protection for the Edwards Aquifer and San Marcos River. The purchase price is just over $3 million — less than the appraised value — and the city can be reimbursed with a partially forgivable loan from the Texas Water Development Board for which the city has already been approved.

Council is also slated to approve an ordinance on first and final reading ordering a general and special election for Nov. 6. The general election will be to elect a mayor and city council members for places 5 and 6, and the special election will be to fill a vacancy for the two-year remainder of the unexpired term for Place 4. Current Place 4 council member Jane Hughson is running against Mayor John Thomaides for the mayor’s seat.

Council will meet at 6 p.m. 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 at http://san-marcos-tx.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=9.