Page 15 - San Marcos, TX Development Code

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Zoning Regulations C H A PT E R

a modification of the blank wall area requirements, subject to 2. Additional information about each of these elements is
all of the following findings: provided in the Design Guidelines in the Design Manual.

1. The approved alternate meets the intent of the blank wall C. Alternative Compliance. The Planning and Zoning Commission
area regulations; may in accordance with Section 2.8.4.1 approve a modification
to the required Expression Elements requirement, subject to the
2. The approved alternate conforms with the Comprehensive following findings:
Plan and adopted City plans; and
1. The approved alternate meets the intent of the Expression
3. The increase in blank wall area is offset by additional Elements regulations.
architectural treatments or increased vertical landscaping;
and 2. The approved alternate conforms with the Comprehensive
Plan and adopted City plans.
4. The approved alternate meets the guidelines in the
Design Manual, especially for Ground Level Design, 3. On a primary building facade greater than 120’ in length,
Varied Massing Requirements, Expression, and Building at least three (3) expression elements total are utilized.
Materials. At least two of the three must be from the Expression
Elements shown in the Development Code (the
Section 4.3.5.4 Expression Elements Tools combination of which are described in 4.3.5.4.B), and the

A. Intent. The standards in this section are intended to ensure that Primary Expression Elements shown in the Design Manual.
expression tools utilized to satisfy the blank wall area standards An applicant may seek to substitute one (1) Secondary
are of sufficient size and design to meet the intent of the blank Expression Element (shown in the Design Manual) for one
wall area requirement. (1) of the three (3) required Primary Expression Elements.
However, an applicant must still utilize at least one vertical
B. General Requirements. expression element and one horizontal expression element
in the minimum three (3) expression elements utilized.
1. In addition to the Blank Wall Area requirements, the
following standard must be met: 4. On a primary facade 120’ or less in length, at least two
(2) expression elements total are utilized. At least one of
a. For primary building facades greater than 120’ in the two must be from the Expression Elements shown
length, a minimum of three (3) expression elements in the Development Code (the combination of which
must be applied. One (1) vertical expression element are described in 4.3.5.4.B), and the Primary Expression
(from Table 4.12) and one (1) horizontal expression Elements shown in the Design Manual. An applicant may
element (from Table 4.13) must be used. The third seek to substitute one (1) Secondary Expression Element
expression element may be selected from either the (shown in the Design Manual) for one (1) of their two
vertical or horizontal expression elements lists.
(2) required Primary Expression Elements. However, an
b. For primary building facades 120’ or less in length, applicant must still utilize at least one vertical expression
a minimum of two (2) expression elements must be element and one horizontal expression element in the
applied. One (1) vertical expression element (from minimum two (2) expression elements utilized.
Table 4.12) and one (1) horizontal expression element 5. On a secondary building facade, an applicant must utilize a
(from Table 4.13) must be used.
Primary Expression Element shown in the Design Manual.
c. For secondary building facades, a minimum of one The applicant cannot substitute a Secondary Expression
(1) expression element must be applied, and can be Element shown in the Design Manual for the one (1)
selected from either the Vertical Expression Elements required Primary Expression Element.
(Table 4.12) or the Horizontal Expression Elements
(Table 4.13).

Downtown Design Final Draft: March 2021 San Marcos Development Code 4:33