Page 34 - San Marcos, TX Development Code

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Definitions C H A PT E R

aluminum, or other materials traditionally used in private facilities to the property, and providing for the annexation of
fence construction; excluding without limitation chain link, the property to the City.
woven wire mesh, metal panel and similar materials.
78. Development Application: either an application for a
72. Design Context: A Design Context is a geographically legislative decision or an application for a development
defined area with existing, shared physical characteristics, permit.
constraints and opportunities. It also includes a vision for
the future character of the area. Compatibility with a Design 79. Development Permit: a decision by the commission, board
Context is a consideration for improvements in the area. or City staff designated by this Development Code, that
authorizes the holder of the permit to undertake one or more
73. Design Speed: the velocity at which a thoroughfare tends to development activities or to file further applications needed
be driven without the constraints of signage or enforcement. to initiate or continue development activities authorized under
There are four ranges of speed: Very Low: (below 20 MPH); this Development Code. The filing of a complete application
Low: (20-25 MPH); Moderate: (25-35 MPH); High: (above for a development permit may or may not stay the City from
35 MPH). Lane width is determined by desired Design adopting new standards applicable to the permit or any sub-
Speed. ordinate permit, depending on the nature of the standards.

74. Developed Area: that portion of a plot or parcel upon which 80. Development Standards: all regulations, standards, require-
a Building, Structure, pavement or other Improvements have ments and restrictions that apply to Development.
been placed.
81. Discharge: to deposit, conduct, drain, emit, throw, run, allow
75. Developer: an individual, partnership, corporation or to seep or otherwise release or dispose of or to allow, permit
governmental entity undertaking the division or Improvement or suffer any of these acts or omissions.
of land and other activities covered by this Development
Code, including the preparation of a Subdivision Plat or 82. Drainage: bridges, catch basins, channels, conduits, creeks,
Development Plat showing the layout of the land and the culverts, detention ponds, ditches, draws, flumes, pipes,
public Improvements involved therein. The term “Developer” pumps, sloughs, treatment works, and appurtenances to
is intended to include the term “Subdivider,” even though those items, whether natural or artificial, or using force or
personnel in successive stages of a Development project gravity, that are used to draw off surface water from land,
may vary. carry the water away, collect, store, or treat the water, or
divert the water into natural or artificial waterways.
76. Development: initiation of any activities related to the
subdivision or platting of land or construction of buildings 83. Driveway: a vehicular lane within a lot or parcel of land,
or structures, construction of impervious surfaces, the often leading to a garage.
installation of utilities, roadways, drainage facilities or 84. Dwelling Unit: a room or suite or set of rooms occupied and
other infrastructure; the making of improvements or any suitable for occupancy as a family residence and having a
disturbance of the surface or subsurface of the land in kitchen, and bath and sanitary facilities, together with appro-
preparation for such activities, including without limitation priate appurtenances to that occupancy.
removal of vegetation, grading, clearing, filling, or removal of
soil. a. Dwelling Unit Equivalent (DUE) - a density value for
multiple-family dwelling units based upon the number
77. Development Agreement: a contract between the City and of bedrooms in the unit. This value shall be applied to
a developer which establishes with respect to property the units per acre measurement in order to meet the
in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction a plan of development dwelling unit requirement.
prescribing, among other standards and requirements, land
uses, environmental standards, development standards, and 1. Three-bedroom unit = one unit;
public facilities standards, providing for delivery of public
2. Four-bedroom unit = one and one-half units;

Downtown Design Final Draft: March 2021 San Marcos Development Code 8:7 8:7