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City Council Meeting Minutes September 17, 2019 <br />Ms. Gillfillan reviewed downtown properties that are zoned CD -51) and <br />reviewed the differences between Downtown Architectural Standards and <br />Downtown Design Guidelines. She explained that the Downtown Architectural <br />Standards are required and that they were approved in 2012 following an <br />extensive public process. She explained that the Downtown Architectural <br />Standards provide the following: Expression Tools, Upper Floor Window <br />Design, Varied Upper -Floor Massing, and Step -Downs in Height. Ms. <br />Gillfillan explained that Downtown Design Guidelines were adopted to be used <br />in special cases as identified below: <br />• As advisory information for those who wish to better understand the intent of <br />the design standards <br />• As part of design review when an administrative approval process is <br />specifically allowed by the code <br />• As part of design review for the alternative compliance process approved by <br />the Planning Commission <br />Ms. Gillfillan explained that both of these were both carried into and adopted <br />within the new San Marcos Development Code in 2018. <br />Ms. Gillfillan reviewed the process for approval process for projects not in a <br />historic district as follows: <br />Step 1: Pre -Development Meeting <br />Step 2: Application Submitted <br />Step 3: Plan Review <br />Step 4: Alternative Compliance or Administrative Adjustment - If the <br />applicant is requesting an alternative way to meet the design requirements the <br />request is reviewed against the Design Guidelines. <br />Step 5: Staff Recommendation - Staff reviews a request for alternative <br />compliance against the Design Guidelines and makes a recommendation <br />Step 6: Final Determination — Planning and Zoning Commission considers the <br />request for alternative compliance utilizing the design guidelines as criteria and <br />may approve, approve with conditions, or deny a request for alternative <br />compliance. <br />Step 7: Permit Issued <br />Ms. Brake reviewed the history of the Downtown Historic District. She <br />explained that the Downtown Historic District was established in 1986 and is a <br />zoning overlay district, and generally consists of all properties located adjacent <br />to the Courthouse Square. She explained that properties within the district are <br />subject to all architectural and design requirements of San Marcos <br />Development Code. <br />City of San Marcos Page 2 <br />