Ord 2004-068 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Chapter 4 - San Marcos Tomorrow 141. Thoroughfare Plan I e. Determining the relationship of proposed thoroughfare classes to transportation needs in terms of roadway capacity, safety and area impacts. f. Developing the thoroughfare system map for a hierarchical network of thoroughfare classes, based upon identified transportation needs, economic benefits, environmental and land use impacts, and compatibility with other elements of the city's Master Plan. g. Preparing policies and an action plan for the effective administration, enforcement, and future amendment of the Thoroughfare Plan. I Physical constraints to thoroughfare development must be recognized in the preparation of the Thoroughfare Plan. Existing physical constraints included: . Topo~raphic constraints such as steep slopes or abrupt changes in the Hill Country elevation; . Railroad crossin~s require grade separations or at-grade crossing protection, and thoroughfare improvements paralleling a railroad corridor may involve right-of-way constraints or waiver; . Existing development presents obstacles to thoroughfare improvement in areas where insufficient right-of-way was obtained when the property was originally platted, or where buildings were constructed with minimal setbacks from the right-of-way; . Public parks and historic sites may be constraints when a thoroughfare improvement would require conversion of parkland to other uses or impact cultural resources; . Major water bodies, such as the San Marcos and Blanco rivers and their associated flood plain areas, affect thoroughfare alignment and may increase the capital cost of thoroughfare improvements for necessary bridges or fill sections; . Sensitive environmental areas such as prime farmland, the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, and endangered species habitat areas; and · Existin~ neighborhoods may also present an impediment when residents object to the impacts of a planned thoroughfare improvement within or affecting the area. The Major Thoroughfare Plan is adopted as an element of San Marcos Horizons. Requirements and procedures for the development, administration, and enforcement of the Major Thoroughfare Plan are part of the city's ordinances and regulations. Other planning tools have been used to address the land use impacts of thoroughfare development including the zoning and the subdivision ordinances. The City's Master Plan is the primary tool for integrating transportation and land use planning. The Zoning Ordinance, combined with effective planning, is also an effective tool for integrating transportation and land development. The Subdivision Ordinance has a direct effect on the way in which development relates to the thoroughfare system and is an effective tool for ensuring that future development is compatible with transportation requirements. I San Marcos Horizons (Draft: September 17, 2004) 4-14