01.29.19 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes January 29, 2019 serve Whisper, Blanco Vista and Cotton Center MUD. Ms. Moyer explained that this was identified in our Wastewater Masterplan as a need that was planned for construction in 2020. Mr. Parker explained how the developer would be reimbursed over time as impact fees are paid by companies building in the area. Mr. Parker explained that the developer is in conversations with Texas Aviation Partners, the organization that manages the San Marcos Regional Airport, and both groups understand that development of this site cannot disrupt future plans to extend runway 35/17. The details regarding the runway protection zone will be written into a 380 agreement for SMART Terminal. Mr. Parker provided that there are currently approximately 21 trains per day along the rail line. The applicant indicated that development of this site at peak buildout would increase locomotive traffic by 1 to 3 trains a week. Caldwell County has applied for a Department of Transportation Grant for rail improvements. He explained that deferring to rail transportation can reduce a company's road miles by up to 80%. One of the potential projects of the SMART Terminal has stated that the company currently drives 15,000,000 road miles per year. By using this terminal, 80% of those road miles would be taken off the highway system. Michael Schroeder, the developer, explained how the rail cars will be coming and going from the rail line into the terminal. Mr. Parker reviewed the Katerra 380 Agreement and explained that 66 acres of the SMART Terminal are affected by an approved Economic Incentives Development Agreement. The company has agreed to employ at least 542 individuals and invest $109 million in the project. This agreement waives the following development standards: block perimeter maximums, dead end street maximums, and maximum blank wall area on a building. This agreement also waives a portion of the property taxes for the site. The applicant has stated that this project will invest $45 million in infrastructure improvements and an estimated $3 to $4 billion in increased property values. To put this in perspective, the current City of San Marcos' property tax values for residential and commercial are approximately $4.5 billion in total. In order to receive its incentive from the City of San Marcos, Katerra must provide all of its 542 San Marcos area employees with employer-sponsored group health insurance, paid sick days, paid holidays, and annual paid vacation based upon length of service. According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates, over 17% of the San Marcos population did not have health insurance in 2017. Estimated annual Katerra purchases subject to local sales tax is $44,000,000. City of San Marcos Page 5