City Council Faces Backlash Over Controversial Road Ordinance

During a recent government meeting, community concerns were raised regarding Ordinance 2024-27, which involves the annexation of land for a right-of-way requested by Smart Access developers. A local resident voiced strong opposition, arguing that the proposed development would lead to increased heavy truck traffic on FM 1984, significantly impacting the neighborhood. The resident emphasized that the project would not benefit the residents of San Marcos, Martindale, or Maxwell, but would primarily serve the interests of the trucking operations associated with the Smart Access complex.

Following the public comments, the council moved to the consent agenda, which included several ordinances and resolutions. The council unanimously approved items 1 through 7 without any objections or requests to pull specific items for further discussion.

The meeting also included a public hearing on Resolution 2024-137 R, which pertains to the allocation of $1,405,998 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds for the 2024-2025 program year. Carol Griffin, the housing and community development manager, presented details regarding the action plan associated with these funds, which aims to address community development needs.

The council's decisions reflect ongoing efforts to balance development interests with community concerns, as they navigate the implications of new projects on local residents.