Page 11 - San Marcos, TX Development Code

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Zoning Regulations C H A PT E R

1. Is the location appropriate for just one story? 6. The additional stories provide an opportunity to include
A one-story building proposal may be more child care within the facility;
appropriate with the Approach design context
than the University Edge context (See Design 7. The additional stories provide an opportunity to add public
Guidelines). parking in or adjacent to the downtown;

2. What is the use and how is the rest of the site 8. The additional stories provide an opportunity to include
being developed? For instance, is the proposed on-site publicly accessible open space in excess of the
building a restaurant and an outdoor dining area open space required under Section 3.10.1.2.;
will be incorporated? Is the building a community 9. In CD-5D and the five downtown Design Contexts, the
center but a large community garden will be approved alternate conforms to the Downtown Design
created on site? Guidelines; and If located in the CD-5D district, the
Section 4.3.4.5 Residential Height Compatibility Standards additional stories are located in a preferred area for height
in the downtown design guidelines; and
A. Height Stepback. A maximum building height of thirty-five (35)
feet shall apply to portions of a structure within seventy (7) 10. The project proposes architectural elements that mitigate
feet of a single-family zoning designation (measured from the any effects on adjacent properties or the pedestrian
property line). experience from the street level.
Section 4.3.4.7 Varied Upper Floor Massing Requirement
(Ord. No. 2020-60, 9-1-2020)
Section 4.3.4.6 Additional Stories or Height A. Applicability. The varied upper floor massing requirements
apply to buildings in the CD-5D district that meet the following
A. Alternative Compliance Findings. The City Council may in criteria:
accordance with Section 2.8.4.1 allow additional stories in the
CD-5 or up to two additional stories in CD-5D zoning districts, 1. The building is over three (3) stories in height; and
subject to the following considerations: 2. The building has a frontage greater than sixty (60) feet in

1. The project is consistent with the objectives and guidelines width.
from the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Downtown B. Intent. The intent of the varied upper floor massing
Master Plan where applicable. requirements is to:

2. For a residential project, the additional stories provide an 1. Encourage and enhance the variety in building heights that
opportunity to include a minimum of ten (10%) percent of exists in downtown San Marcos that help to define the
the project as affordable housing under Section 4.3.1.1; character of the area;; and

3. For a residential project, the additional stories provide an 2. Ensure that new development continues the tradition of
opportunity to include a minimum of twenty (20%) percent height variation, expressing and supporting human scale
of the project as workforce housing under Section 4.3.1.1; and architectural diversity in the area;
4. The additional stories provide an opportunity for additional 3. Ensure that a traditional scale at the street level is
professional office or commercial space providing maintained in order to reflect the design of historic
employment opportunities; buildings downtown; and

5. The additional stories provide an opportunity to deliver a 4. Preserve views to notable buildings throughout downtown
building that is rated a minimum of a silver in the LEED including the Courthouse Square, historic landmarks, and
green building program; churches, and to areas adjacent to downtown. Reference

Downtown Design Final Draft: March 2021 San Marcos Development Code 4:29