University Star

City Council unanimously approved a Resolution to include river recreation guidelines in the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program Habitat Conservation Plan.

The resolution includes plans to develop river access sites, continue cleanup programs, create a buffer zone to push away certain amenities and establish state-designated scientific study areas.

Tom Taggart, executive director of Public Services, said the action was “just in time.”

Taggart said the city will submit its regulations to the EARIP and will adopt the practices outlined in the plan.

Council members discussed standards apartment management teams could implement to comply with measures outlined in the Habitat Conservation Plan, in addition to approval of the resolution.

City Council adopted an ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map of the City and establish a Planned Development District Overlay for Iconic Village Apartments. Approval of required council members to consider development standards of the apartment complex and multi-family residences in the vicinity.

The apartment complex, located on Ramsay Street, underwent interior renovations and property reconstruction last year. Dianne Wassenich, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation, said she is proud of the measures Iconic Village developers have taken to retain sediment runoff during construction.

“I think redevelopment in this area is a very good idea, but I must comment other complexes built in the vicinity exhibit a shocking lack of erosion control,” Wassenich said.

Pat Bernanke, Iconic Village representative, said retaining erosion during construction was important to people involved with the project. Bernanke said Iconic Village developers have considered the environment throughout renovations and also made it a point to establish a rainwater harvesting system on the property.

Councilmember Kim Porterfield, Place 1, said she is glad Iconic Village developers considered environmental elements but wanted to make sure they examined recent garbage and recycling rulings.

“I like the rain gardens and the water harvesting,” Porterfield said. “We do have plans to change land development codes to regulate multi-family units to have a dumpster pad though.”

Bernanke said he and others would review plans for dumpsters and explore recycling options, but he felt the carts involved with single stream recycling could pose problems.

“We are a student-housing community,” Bernanke said. “Students 21 and older drink alcohol, and when they drink, things with wheels become toys.”

Mayor Daniel Guerrero said he understood the carts could be cumbersome since the area is hilly but is glad recycling options at Iconic Village will be evaluated. Bernanke said refurbishment of the complex is a practical solution to lack of on-campus student housing at Texas State.