Prepared by Planning and Development Services Department City of San Marcos Adopted February 1996 CITY OF SAN MARCOS City Council Kathy M. Morris - Mayor Robert T. Mooney - Place 3 - Mayor Pro-Tem Ronald K. Hart - Place 1 Fred Guerra - Place 2 Joe B. Cox, Jr. - Place 4 Billy G. Moore - Place 5 Rick Hernandez - Place 6 Planning and Zoning Commission Michael R. Davis, Chairman Jane Hughson, Vice-Chairman Lisa Garza Linda Keese Alice Lochman Aart Millecam Leslie Saucedo Rachael Vasquez John Wade City Administration Larry D. Gilley, City Manager Laura Huffman, Assistant City Manager San Marcos Horizons Steering Committee Francis M. Rich, Jr., Citizens Advisory Committee Chairman Jane Hughson, Planning and Zoning Commission Linda Keese, Planning and Zoning Commission - served 10/94 - 7/95 Leslie Saucedo, Planning and Zoning Commission - served 10/94 - 7/95 Michael R. Davis, Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission - served 2/94 - 10/94 Joe Castillo, Zoning Commission - served 2/94 - 10/94 Ron F. Patterson, AIA, AICP, Director of Planning and Development Services Department Citizen's Advisory Committee Francis M. Rich, Chairman Penny Keith Dr. Tom Anderson Sonya Kibby Mark Boucher Cindy Kolb Dr. Leellen Brigman Mark Liuag W.W. McElroy Rose Brooks MargieMoore Leonard Cardenas Ken Moss Gerald Castillo Buddy Mostyn Terri Chaney Bill Nance Kate Clayton Bob Niemietz Madeline Delong Gloria Olivo-Mendoza John Diaz David Powers Richard Earl Tom Roach Eddy Etheredge Amanda Ruiz Cindy Garcia Bob Sappington Don Garrett Sandy Schroeder Ollie Giles Leslie Spears-Marshall Joe Gonzales Dr. Betty Starling Leonard Gravitz Eric Telford Louise Greene Stephen Tittle Allen Herkimer Rick Travis Steven Hernandez Sherri Williams Raymond Hernandez Billy Windham Rick Hernandez Janet Wisian Margaret Jordan Planning and Development Services Department Ron F. Patterson, AIA, AICP, Director Ross Frie, AICP, Chief Planner - Long-Range Planning Ed Theriot, AICP, Chief Planner - Current Planning Chris Perez, Community Development Coordinator Jenise Walton, Planner Reagan McClung, GIS/Mapping Technician Janis Hendrix, Planning Technician Jason Holoubek, Intern SAN MARCOS HORIZONS Table Of Contents CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION WHY PLAN?.................................................................................................................. 1-1 PREVIOUS MASTER PLANS FOR SAN MARCOS................................................ 1-3 1970 Master Plan ................................................................................................. 1-3 1983 Master Plan ................................................................................................. 1-3 Growth and Changes in San Marcos.................................................................... 1-3 City Charter Requirements for a Master Plan...................................................... 1-4 SAN MARCOS HORIZONS ........................................................................................ 1-5 Introduction to San Marcos Horizons .................................................................. 1-5 Overview of Plan Contents .................................................................................. 1-5 San Marcos Horizons Planning Process .............................................................. 1-6 San Marcos Horizons Update Process ................................................................. 1-8 RELATED SAN MARCOS MASTER PLANS .......................................................... 1-9 Airport Master Plan.............................................................................................. 1-9 Water Master Plan................................................................................................ 1-9 Wastewater Master Plan ...................................................................................... 1-9 Drainage Master Plan......................................................................................... 1-10 Southwest Texas State University Master Plan ................................................. 1-10 Citizen's Task Force for a Better San Marcos.................................................... 1-11 Please Note: Page numbers in this Table of Contents refer to the original plan document. The conversion to PDF format may have shifted some text. CHAPTER 2 - SAN MARCOS TODAY SAN MARCOS TODAY INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 2-1 SAN MARCOS TODAY HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................... 2-3 SAN MARCOS TODAY FACTS AT A GLANCE..................................................... 2-6 THE HISTORY OF SAN MARCOS ........................................................................... 2-7 Prehistory ............................................................................................................. 2-7 Early Settlements ................................................................................................. 2-7 San Marcos in the 19th Century........................................................................... 2-7 San Marcos in the 20th Century........................................................................... 2-8 REGIONAL SETTING............................................................................................... 2-10 THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................... 2-12 Geology.............................................................................................................. 2-12 Topography ........................................................................................................ 2-13 Soils ................................................................................................................... 2-14 The Edwards Aquifer and the San Marcos River .............................................. 2-16 Watersheds and Flood Plains............................................................................. 2-20 Climate............................................................................................................... 2-23 Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 2-25 Wildlife .............................................................................................................. 2-27 THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.................................................................................. 2-28 Land Use ............................................................................................................ 2-28 Housing.............................................................................................................. 2-31 Transportation.................................................................................................... 2-32 Downtown / University Area ............................................................................. 2-39 Historic Districts ................................................................................................ 2-42 Please Note: Page numbers in this Table of Contents refer to the original plan document. 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THE PEOPLE OF SAN MARCOS............................................................................ 2-43 Population .......................................................................................................... 2-43 Ethnicity............................................................................................................. 2-45 Age and Gender ................................................................................................. 2-46 Income................................................................................................................ 2-47 Household Characteristics ................................................................................. 2-48 Educational Attainment ..................................................................................... 2-49 THE ECONOMY OF SAN MARCOS ...................................................................... 2-50 Austin-San Marcos MSA Economy................................................................... 2-50 Hays County Economy....................................................................................... 2-51 San Marcos Economy ........................................................................................ 2-52 COMMUNITY FACILITIES..................................................................................... 2-56 City of San Marcos Facilities............................................................................. 2-56 Other Area Utility Facilities............................................................................... 2-68 Education Facilities............................................................................................ 2-70 Health Care Facilities......................................................................................... 2-73 SAN MARCOS TODAY - IMPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING ............................ 2-75 Please Note: Page numbers in this Table of Contents refer to the original plan document. The conversion to PDF format may have shifted some text. CHAPTER 3 - SAN MARCOS TRENDS SAN MARCOS TRENDS INTRODUCTION............................................................. 3-1 SAN MARCOS TRENDS HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................. 3-2 POPULATION TRENDS.............................................................................................