Res 2003-025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION: The Project sponsor is the City of San Marcos. The Project name is Blanco River Park Preserve, Phase I. The City of San Marcos and Gil Engineering Associates, Inc., an Austin-based consulting firm with experience in parks projects, prepared the Request for Waiver of Retroactivity. The proposed Park Preserve is located within City of San Marcos limits, adjacent to the Blanco River, and east oflli-35. The City of San Marcos is submitting this application for the acquisition of property for a regional park. The requested $500,000 available from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account Program will be matched with $521,000 consisting of $467,000 appraised value of the donated 81.2:1: acres known as Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and $54,000 by the City of San Marcos through the sale of anticipated tax revenue bonds, from the general fund, or any other means as directed by the City's Financial Director. Subsequent development will include a disc golf course; hike and bike trails that will be linked to the overall planned Hays County Hike and Bike trail system and the existing San Marcos River Corridor Hike and Bike Trail System; nature preserve and trails; picnic areas; parking lot and restrooms All facilities will be made accessible for the handicapped and elderly. A kiosk at the park pedestrian entrance, and small identification signs throughout the park, are planned to enhance public awareness of river bottom vegetation, endangered species, function of recharge, river hydrology, etc. The river bottom areas are in the floodplain and will in all likelihood be limited to "natural" park environs. Limiting development of the park to natural environs will not only minimize impacts to this sensitive area, but also allow park users to "get away" from urban stresses while learning as much as possible about the ecology of river bottom and the beginning of the Blackland Prairie. It is currently contemplated that construction of the trails will be accomplished by the City of San Marcos and community volunteers. The 97.16::1: acres to be acquired are directly adjacent to the Blanco River in an area known as the Pecan Bottom. Land above the floodplain has been zoned for high intensity development such as multifamily and commercial. The two tracts of land being contemplated for purchase will serve as an entrance to the Pecan City of San Marcos Blanco River Preserve, Phase I ENVRIONMENT AL ASSESSMENT Page 1 of 14