Council adopts development-code terminology amendments tied to Vision SMTX plan

San Marcos City Council approved Ordinance 2025-01 on first reading to amend the city's development code and associated design manual so terminology aligns with the recently adopted Vision SMTX comprehensive plan. The motion passed 7-0.

Amanda Hernandez, the city's director of planning and development services, presented the ordinance and described the changes as largely terminological: the city's previous "intensity zones" and "preferred scenario map" references will be updated to the comprehensive plan's new "place types" and linked tables. Staff emphasized the adoption does not represent a zoning map change or a substantive rewrite of development standards; rather, it standardizes language so future code updates and public outreach can proceed under the new plan framework.

Hernandez walked council through updates to chapter references, the design manual maps for downtown and Midtown, flood-control cross-references, and a revised table used in character and planning-area district requests. She said Planning and Zoning Commission had reviewed and unanimously recommended approval with minor editorial clarifications, which staff incorporated.

No members of the public spoke during the associated public hearing. Councilmembers asked a few clarifying questions about references and outreach; Hernandez said the city will conduct a larger, public-facing code update process later in the year. The ordinance was approved on first reading, 7-0.

Ending: Hernandez said staff would begin the larger development-code amendment process this year and that the initial vote is a housekeeping step to align the code's language with the Vision SMTX plan.