[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537865,"mediaKeyId","3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955","parentId",3424235,"title","Council overturns Planning & Zoning’s six-month renewal, approves three-year conditional-use permit for Springs Bistro and refunds appeal fee","audioSeconds",2460,"startMs",7623090,"endMs",10083230,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955&start=7623&end=10083","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955/thumbnail_7623090.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537865/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/Council-overturns-Planning-Zonings-six-month-renewal-approves-three-year-conditional-use-permit-for-Springs-Bistro-and-refunds-appeal-fee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537865-f35a1919cddcec550e89f9b80dc8f0e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171445&Signature=RzqebKOF0fyX0ErVnBJZEzR~i5dz9Ulx7RCN3fjQwB5K9auAkDjnvgFBnRZKNQWq9ygG9ISi2tlCjg7zOEx8YXskDDDprMBEHEqpkJM8MLdcxIdmTZjKUpcmllsRjBO7fNAqMIG--eKmTqD3eB17vFzi596w3KWuOT~xktNfjMoS6rHcX9Q1Ph0hkd7vpStDh1jCxHU4ZB8Iv76HSki6-uJA9tQ0RmYZpT6Zf1vABGc6DiJnr360VwRMQN-48ts3KEZFIW2h5yTf6mjJullf~8FY4e7k3g4hkiQHzT5AaXge4aTAbscf~wC4IN9ew9ro-dIxUhmyVTNOp9xBRRK-Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Marcos","date","2025-05-20T18:58:00Z","article","The San Marcos City Council on Tuesday sided with an applicant who had appealed a Planning & Zoning Commission decision, approving a three‑year conditional-use permit that allows on-premises mixed beverage service at the Springs Bistro & Bar (a restaurant inside the Holiday Inn) and directing staff to refund the appeal fee.

The applicant, Angelica Ramirez, told the council the business had otherwise been a routine, long-standing operation, and that the lapse in renewal paperwork reflected past administrative oversights rather than operational problems. “My goal really isn’t fee based,” Ramirez told council during public comment; she said she would pay any reasonable fees but was asking for a longer renewal term because six-month renewals are operationally burdensome for an established business.

City staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission reported that the business first received a time-limited approval and later had a delay in filing for a standard renewal. P&Z granted a six-month renewal at its March meeting, citing the delinquency. Staff recommended a three‑year renewal, noting the business had no notable code or policing issues.

After public comment and council discussion, the council voted to approve the three‑year conditional-use permit and to refund the appellant’s appeal fee. The motion carried with the recorded vote noted in the meeting (motion passed by council vote). The council emphasized that future renewals are the applicant’s responsibility and that city staff had improved reminder processes to reduce similar cases moving forward.

Why it matters: Conditional-use permits for alcohol service are reviewed to confirm compliance with local zoning and public-safety standards. The council’s decision returns the business to a more typical multi-year renewal schedule rather than the short, provisional period that P&Z initially imposed.

What’s next: Staff will update permit records, issue the three‑year CUP, and process the appeal-fee refund.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","San Marcos - City Council on 2025-05-20 6:00 PM - 630 E. Hopkins St. This will be an in-person and online meeting. To view the meeting please go to http://sanmarcostx.gov/421/City-Council-Videos-Archives or watch on Grande channel 16 or Spectrum channel 10. - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After an appeal by Springs Bistro, the council approved a three-year conditional-use permit allowing on-premises mixed-beverage service at the Holiday Inn restaurant and authorized refunding the appeal fee; the Planning & Zoning Commission had approved a six‑month renewal citing delinquency in earlier paperwork.","taxTitle","San Marcos City, Hays County, Texas","taxId",9292,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537870,"Council approves increased funding and extended operations for downtown TIRZ project plan",23,1287790,1310790,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955&start=1287&end=1310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955/thumbnail_1287790.jpg","/articles/6537870/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/Council-approves-increased-funding-and-extended-operations-for-downtown-TIRZ-project-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537870-227e1d410b420a3190bbb7fc3daf5069/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171446&Signature=V4tCE5LVz7OxP0etZYW2xsKPbGgRhrfCHlheFYGfktXx7uH6vbnjPFegwPwhlrS1kliFiFopUNNVr~2iF4d1UJVhIa-I4fX43GmjL~8L7cgKm7IEN2y3T8e6yg1futFmgYqCNidpX4qbxzKr0aGFmqpjAtoe-vm9OcJuDWzH0DSvfVRxx7Fq57rKcCCYTtqY8uwe0~boeHXEE0hHCF7idGrRQYBck5wB0wUV4L~4vubHmlHmekqbo0raozzFgx-5ymw0vC6M8pm~iNCzE0v-p777gwjP9Lky5vfqPFnj8txrK0UUMEVEPNbcp-8~lM9NDBl~9AyZQI3PBoUr~B8R3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Marcos City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) project and financing plan after a required public hearing Tuesday.

John Locke, the city’s finance director, summarized the proposal: the Downtown TIRZ board asked for an increase in the total estimated project cost by $2.8 million, of which roughly $1.6 million is an increased estimated cost for a previously approved alleyway redevelopment project. The amendment also authorizes up to $80,000 per year to support annual downtown operations, including emergency repairs and facade grants, and extends that operating funding through December 2027 — the current TIRZ end date unless the zone is extended.

No members of the public spoke at the required public hearing. Locke told council that the alleyway project’s earlier costings were produced before the pandemic and that more detailed design work produced higher contemporary cost estimates. He said the planned operating allocation is intended to stabilize the downtown services budget and cover small repairs and facade matching grants.

Why it matters: The TIRZ redirects a portion of property tax growth within the zone to pay for downtown improvements. The amendment increases the zone’s planned capital and operating commitments and sets aside dollars for continuing downtown operations through the current TIRZ expiration date.

What’s next: The council’s first-reading approval authorizes staff to execute the amendment and directs any final procedural steps needed to implement the revised project plan. The council voted 7–0 to approve the ordinance on first reading.","The council held a hearing and unanimously approved an amendment to the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) plan that increases project funding, chiefly for an alleyway redevelopment, and extends funding for downtown operations through 2027.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537875,"Council approves police staffing study contract and grants for license-plate readers and auto-theft task force",561,13753520,14314960,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955&start=13753&end=14314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955/thumbnail_13753520.jpg","/articles/6537875/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/Council-approves-police-staffing-study-contract-and-grants-for-license-plate-readers-and-auto-theft-task-force","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537875-3cdb23e53ce6d3eab852d790ae492ae7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171446&Signature=F1CYOXw4pvlFH0ILTIIRUpXU4G2HKU0DEHsk55tpDHrrQzg-D1GQvpn2~m5Uy5cUVEz5uLbBrJI5BpwS6lPM1MJVwFY00Df2SYwcJhCb9fz9Merf22-dEQbYMTndRlD4xSL3-KIT4huARfny-MFxMbiDKo6hHU~j7FqWRMU8N2iQDTpvOuoGp0b9zzp7MJ33Zg5rFfV4v0jUwkkU0oDKxEoYIsO~NQY5tjMctZBfj~2oF8JcsbNKd1mHJ4syqTLgjW5o7aI6rbTs6t-dL27DM73~o3VVrMuxFAUk1Q9fkC7OjXOoMvergLbvwxvashPAqLRyzd07ZsD0Eqmu0Iwctw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Marcos City Council on Tuesday authorized an outside staffing study for the police department and approved staff to pursue two state grant applications to fund license-plate-reader cameras and an auto-theft task force.

Council awarded a contract to Matrix Consulting Group for a departmental staffing study of the police department. City staff described the engagement as a five-month effort that will include community engagement, staff interviews and an operational review. The study will evaluate staffing, deployment and operations and return recommendations for organizational structure and resource allocation. The award was approved by the council.

Separately, the council authorized submission of two Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority grant applications: one smaller grant to support operation and maintenance of the city’s license-plate reader program (an application for $6,500), and a larger task-force grant to fund an auto-crimes unit that, if awarded, would add one sworn officer to the unit and fund nine additional license-plate readers (requested amount $177,401 with a local match of $36,585). City staff told council the grant window was open and staff had discussed timing with grant officers; council approved staff to submit and, if awarded, accept the grants.

Why it matters: The consultant study will be the first independent staffing review of the police department in recent years; the study’s recommendations could shape budget and hiring priorities. The grants would expand investigative capacity and automated plate-reader coverage; the auto-theft task-force grant includes an operations match that the city would need to fund if the grant is approved.

What’s next: The staffing study vendor will begin interviews and community outreach; staff will schedule the group’s public engagement events and return with a project schedule. Grant applications will be submitted; award decisions and any required local budget appropriations would return to council for acceptance and appropriation.","The council awarded a contract for an outside police staffing study, and approved two state grant submissions that would expand license-plate reader coverage and fund an auto-theft task force and an officer position if awarded.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537880,"Hays County coalition reports 2025 point-in-time count: San Marcos accounts for most people identified as experiencing homelessness",1596,1559820,3156150,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955&start=1559&end=3156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955/thumbnail_1559820.jpg","/articles/6537880/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/Hays-County-coalition-reports-2025-point-in-time-count-San-Marcos-accounts-for-most-people-identified-as-experiencing-homelessness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537880-2872fbd230ab427184fa462a65c821b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171446&Signature=mgHKEhTc9KcJqQwTth0DlN384dFjQPatJVuZ5wiI7gDwiXXB2DSq4UqgoJtYmBBvQiOeoZUUC6hGTUXK4mln4rg7g575FkSCJiLfApl6b2VtNvoHs9BZwEZuZ5Qh6eBa6HNDeOzgzL4t7Mq2OAqMACy3E1QW2qSuQgh-4ScFOBTjNR03HR6fs47hSrBSfSLocm74HF99sqUWoNR77~OUUUB0nwsDjZidwoaFB87SQWTzN1BE4n-gUQQaCEMvlxqlrD~uS5MhRN6lmNFx3DuDcbgvHZfT9d23Pnmejd6Ixn1lOv8a-pfXC0mYBDGRZ191WzQNmZcCyoYMh~hheCLppg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hays County Homeless Coalition presented results from the 2025 point-in-time (PIT) count to the San Marcos City Council on Tuesday, reporting that nearly all of the people the county located that night were in San Marcos.

Reverend Joshua Sutherland, co-chair of the coalition, told the council the count — a federal HUD-mandated one-night survey used to estimate homelessness and allocate grant funding — took place on Jan. 23 and relied on volunteers and local nonprofits. “The point in time count is a nationwide mandated population assessment,” Sutherland said, describing how volunteers canvass locations and interview or document people who are unsheltered or in emergency shelter.

The coalition reported 187 people counted across Hays County, with 179 located in San Marcos and smaller counts in neighboring cities. Of those counted in San Marcos, many were sheltered in transitional housing programs: the coalition said 132 of the count’s San Marcos entries were in shelter programs located inside the city, including placements at the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center.

Sutherland and the coalition highlighted several findings:
- Young children and young adults made up a notable share; nationwide trends show ages 0–5 are often most represented in PIT counts because entire families may be displaced.
- A large share of those counted in shelter identified as survivors of domestic violence; the coalition noted those figures reflect shelter populations at the Women’s Center.
- Some portion of the “unsheltered” people were living in vehicles, including in retail parking lots in neighboring cities; volunteers reported finding people sleeping in Walmart, Target and Kohl’s parking lots.

Council members discussed next steps and asked the coalition for help translating the PIT results into longer-term funding and disaster-response planning. Sutherland urged a countywide preparedness approach and asked the city to continue to lead coordination, saying county emergency-response systems were “not working” for the homeless population and that San Marcos-based services were bearing the brunt of the county’s warming-center needs in cold weather.

Why it matters: The PIT count is one of the data sources HUD and local funders use to allocate housing and service funding. The results also inform local and county service planning, including rapid rehousing and veteran-specific vouchers.

What’s next: Councilmembers agreed to continue working with the coalition and the county to discuss formal requests or a resolution urging countywide coordination. The council asked staff to schedule follow-up discussions with county and nonprofit partners.","The Hays County Homeless Coalition presented the 2025 point-in-time count to the San Marcos City Council, reporting that most people counted in the county that night were in San Marcos and that sheltered placements accounted for many families and domestic-violence survivors.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537884,"San Marcos council accepts Charter Review Commission report and votes to put 4-year mayoral term on ballot",7800,3156270,10957170,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955&start=3156&end=10957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3424235-7e7136796477db7c5fdcc52b891ee955/thumbnail_3156270.jpg","/articles/6537884/San-Marcos-City/Hays-County/Texas/San-Marcos-council-accepts-Charter-Review-Commission-report-and-votes-to-put-4-year-mayoral-term-on-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537884-107b4825b353a169c9dae3a1d6b2560e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171446&Signature=aNjzWKlvHBwo1MFK8wbALzISRMnhIq7xcJ8LP~eT9-VBZaqkyWAUH3WFPNwjoblIQUP4rRDnKzwxen3Qz03Ixa3rqgIK7XBDbEmy~8U8khP4w512kfM4rYgsimyyByUkr0BZ9Yf-KiP6~IutzIwSorOa45Xi5V0sD7juwR2P9NHnj3xNzuRUvLDDBrvCPEFJCdRwEL31FeoMip2Hgq-KeGcKz7PRkBHxCgXinNY2P567yxvuvTb99EVo2okdi6aQLejzoWrkZa9-ygaX0iSfERxahdyCVZ8cSEM0XNpPe4Rsyrd282m8GLYdd0Hl2G0AuztqJI5PmXJg9YUppHEP6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Marcos City Council on Tuesday accepted a final report from the Charter Review Commission and voted to send a package of proposed charter changes to the ballot, including a proposal to change the mayoral term from two years to four years.

The Charter Review Commission’s chair, John Tomaitis, presented the commission’s executive summary, saying the group had reviewed the charter “virtually every word” and sought clarifications and modernization in multiple sections. “The charter is our city’s constitution,” Tomaitis told the council during his presentation, summarizing the panel’s charge and key recommendations.

The commission deliberated over a set of suggested amendments: gender-neutral language updates; requiring website and social-media posting of public notices; changing the mayor’s term length; minor changes to meeting and attendance rules; and other housekeeping items. Council discussion was longest and most heated over the mayoral term length. Supporters said longer terms reduce the frequency of costly campaigns and let elected officials focus on governance rather than perpetual fundraising; opponents said two-year cycles better preserve accountability and voter contact.

Councilmembers ultimately agreed to place the mayoral-term proposal — a change from two-year to four-year terms, effective with the 2028 election — on the ballot. The body recorded a 4–3 division among members on that choice. Councilmembers also signaled support to forward some housekeeping changes recommended by the commission, such as modernizing public-notice language and adding the option to post notices to the city website and “applicable social media.” Other recommendations — notably proposals that would change council terms or move council elections to four-year cycles — did not receive majority support to move forward as written.

Councilmembers and the commission emphasized that most charter changes now approved for staff drafting will return to council with precise ballot wording before they are placed before voters. Several councilmembers asked staff to reframe or reword provisions such as term-limit timing and the mayoral “two-year break” language so the provisions would operate cleanly if voters approve them.

Why it matters: The charter sets the city’s basic governing rules. Any changes placed on the ballot will be decided by voters; some of the commission’s proposals would affect election timing, how the council meets, and rules the public uses to interact with city government.

What’s next: Staff will prepare formal ballot language and related ordinance drafts for council review, then return to council for final approval of wording before those items are certified for the ballot. The council directed staff to bring back clarifications on how term limits and start dates would apply to incumbents and special circumstances.

Votes at a glance:
- Place mayoral term change (2 years → 4 years) on ballot: approved to place on ballot (4 yes, 3 no).","After eight meetings and discussion of more than a dozen recommendations, the City Council accepted the Charter Review Commission’s report and voted to place a proposal to extend the mayor’s term from two to four years on the ballot, while directing staff to draft final ballot language for several companion changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council overturns Planning & Zoning’s six-month renewal, approves three-year conditional-use permit for Springs Bistro and refunds appeal fee

Council approves increased funding and extended operations for downtown TIRZ project plan

Council approves police staffing study contract and grants for license-plate readers and auto-theft task force

Hays County coalition reports 2025 point-in-time count: San Marcos accounts for most people identified as experiencing homelessness

San Marcos council accepts Charter Review Commission report and votes to put 4-year mayoral term on ballot