San Marcos’ Planning and Zoning Commission Discusses Effects of City’s Growth

Matthew Hamill
News Reporter

The City of San Marcos is growing rapidly. For the second year in a row it has been the fastest growing community in the country according to the United States Census Bureau.

Jon Foreman, City Planning Manager, sat down to discuss the effects of the cities growth as well as how the city’s planning and zoning commission is reacting to it.

“Its our job to make sure that (the growth) is sustainable and that its going to lead a good, lasting community for the future,” said Foreman. “(S)o the pressures from that is it’s not just the growth itself, it’s to ensure the growth is going to last and be reusable for people in the future, that people can be proud of in San Marcos.”

A concern from some members of the commission was the effect of so many regulations and how these can drive up rent prices. For Foreman, the cost issue is very important.

“What we really focused on are three things guiding us through this process: we want to make sure a quality project was built, that it was going to maintain it’s value over time and how it will fit into the community,” he said. “We’ve really focused on not driving up the cost exorbitantly without good reason.”

The commission wants San Marcos to have an identity while also having an eye on the future.

“We want to maintain our character, we want to still be San Marcos, we don’t want to be an extension (of) Austin or San Antonio; we want to have  a variety of housing options, transportation options and protect the environment, which were all themes that came through in vision of San Marcos,” Foreman said.

On June 17, the city council will meet to discuss the item and will be open to the public.