City Council Regular Meeting - April 21, 2026

The City Council of San Marcos held a regular meeting on April 21, 2026, with extensive public commentary focused primarily on proposed amendments to the land development code, especially regarding the zoning and regulation of data centers. Numerous citizens expressed strong opposition to permitting data centers in various zoning districts, citing concerns about water usage, environmental impact, and community well-being. Council members debated amendments to restrict data centers to heavy industrial zones with conditional use permits requiring council approval, with some proposing outright bans. The council also discussed definitions and use standards for data centers, including provisions related to backup power generation and water sources. Additionally, the council addressed other procurement and budget matters, including approval of emergency water supply agreements, allocation of American Rescue Plan funds to community organizations (with a postponement for Mission Able funding due to concerns about project quality), and authorization of multiple bond issuances totaling over $100 million for capital improvement projects such as wastewater treatment, airport, parks, public safety, and technology infrastructure. A purchase of radios and associated equipment for police, fire, and other city departments was approved for approximately $1.5 million. Several motions related to zoning, conditional use permits, and procedural clarifications were passed, with some items postponed for further staff work and community engagement. The meeting reflected a strong community engagement on land use and infrastructure investment priorities, with significant attention to balancing economic development with environmental and social concerns.