Res 2026-017 Approving the City of San Marcos Historic Preservation Plan

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Left to Right: soS E Hopkins St, Duke & Ayres circa 1940 (TXST) and vacant in 2024 (Google Street View) ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Example of demolition debris (Adobe Stock) Preserving and reusing historic buildings is an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to development. Rather than demolishing buildings and creating waste in landfills, historic buildings can be rehabilitated for new uses. Between 2010 and 2020, nearly 170,000 tons of waste were added to San Antonio's landfills from the demolition of residential builclinas. Rehabilitation could have prevented that waste from ending up in the landfill. Rehabilitating historic buildings also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it takes about 65 years for a new, energy -efficient office building to recover the energy lost from demolishing_ a comparable existing building. The demolition of an existing building and the production and transport of new construction materials is a carbon -intensive process. Rehabilitating historic -age buildings for new uses and incorporating sustainable measures like efficient appliances and systems is a smarter environmental choice. Rehabilitating historic buildings not only benefits the environment but also fosters more sustainable communities. Many of these buildings are in commercial centers with walkable streets and businesses. When historic -age buildings are rehabilitated for mixed -use —with commercial spaces at street level and residences above — they contribute to a vibrant community, providing space for local businesses and housing. A 2020 national study of historic preservation benefits revealed that the most walkable areas of cities are consistently historic districts. Walkable cities reduce reliance on vehicles, thereby decreasing individual carbon footprints. 10 SAN MARCOS HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN (2026)