ANNUAL
PROGRESS
REPORT
April 2022
City of
San Marcos
1 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... 1
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 2 Process .................................................................................................................................. 2 General Plan Update .............................................................................................................. 2
2. Compliance with OPR’s General Plan Guidelines .......................................................... 3
3. Major Milestones and Projects ......................................................................................... 4 Planning Activities Initiated ..................................................................................................... 4 Major Development Applications Processed ........................................................................... 4 City Priorities .......................................................................................................................... 5 Efficient Development ............................................................................................................. 5 New Processes and Technology Implemented ....................................................................... 5 Interagency Coordination Efforts ............................................................................................ 5
4. General Plan Implementation Progress ........................................................................... 6 Land Use and Community Design Element ............................................................................ 7 Mobility Element ....................................................................................................................15 Conservation and Open Space Element ................................................................................18 Parks, Recreation and Community Health Element ...............................................................27 Safety Element ......................................................................................................................30 Noise Element ....................................................................................................................... 34
2 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
1. Introduction
Purpose
Government Code Section 65400 and 65700 mandates that all cities submit an annual progress report (APR) on the status of the General Plan and progress in its implementation to their legislative bodies and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) each year. This allows OPR to identify statewide trends in land use decision making and how local planning and development activities relate to statewide planning goals and policies. APRs may also inform future modifications to OPR’s General Plan Guidelines.
The APR is an opportunity to provide City Council and the public with information regarding implementation of the San Marcos General Plan during the previous year. Section 4 of this report specifically details the status of each program included in the City’s Implementation Plan.
Process
City staff used an online database to collaboratively enter information regarding the status of each program within the City’s Implementation Plan. This information was then entered into section 4 of this report. City staff also shared information via email regarding any major milestones or projects the City has made progress on over the past year, and this information is included in section 5.
General Plan Update
The last update to the City’s General Plan was in 2012. It was adopted by City Council Resolution on February 14, 2012. The City is currently in the process of updating its General Plan, which is expected to be complete in early 2024.
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2. Compliance with OPR’s General Plan
Guidelines
The following table provides a snapshot of how the City’s General Plan currently complies with OPR’s General Plan 2017 Guidelines.
City of San Marcos
General Plan
Elements (2012)
OPR Required Elements (2017)
Land Use
Circulation
Housing
Conservation
Noise
Open Space
Safety
Air Quality
Environmental
Justice*
Land Use and
Community Design
Element
Mobility Element
Conservation and
Open Space
Element
Parks, Recreation
and Community
Health Element
Safety Element
Noise Element
Housing Element
*Environmental Justice is a new required element since the City adopted its General Plan in 2012. The City has prepared an Environmental Justice Element as part of its 2020 General Plan update, and this Element will be included in the next Annual Report.
• The 2021 Housing Element Annual Report was approved by the City Council on March 22, 2022 and
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3. Major Milestones and Projects
Planning Activities Initiated
The following is a list of planning activities initiated in 2021.
DATE
INITIATED PROJECT NAME PROJECT TYPE
07/13/2021 2021-2029 Housing Element General Plan Amendment 11/09/2021 Environmental Justice Element
and Safety Element Update General Plan Amendment
11/15/2021 Development Permit
Streamlining Code Update Text Amendment
Major Development Applications Processed
The following is a list of major development applications processed in 2021.
DATE
APPROVED PROJECT NAME APPLICANT PROJECT TYPE
02/01/2021
Promenade At
Creekside Live/Work
Units
Steve Bram Substantial Conformance
02/18/2021 Hollandia Storage Paul Metcalf Site Development Plan 08/05/2021 Sunrise Project Christina Cornell,
Lennar Homes Substantial Conformance
09/14/2021
Rancho La
Sombra/Cima General
Plan Amendment and
Rezone
City of San Marcos General Plan Amendment
09/28/2021 Starbucks Drive-Thru Carkel San Marcos,
LLC Specific Plan Amendment
10/26/2021 Mariposa II Phase II Affirmed Housing
Group Multi Family SDP
11/09/2021
138-Unit Assisted Living
and Memory Care
Facility
Breakers Real Estate Specific Plan Amendment
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City Priorities
In 2021, the City prioritized adopting ordinances related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and permit streamlining.
Efficient Development
The City updated its CAP in 2020 to encourage efficient development patterns and comply with new State requirements that set stricter targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The City focused on implementing measures from the updated CAP in 2021.
New Processes and Technology Implemented
The City implement ed electronic plan review for applications in 2021 using Bluebeam to help make development review more efficient.
Interagency Coordination Efforts
In 2021, the City coordinated with the surrounding cities of Escondido and Vista on development projects, as well as with the County on two major land development projects (Questhaven and Smilax) adjacent to San Marcos.
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4. General Plan Implementation Progress
Each section below includes a graph showing a snapshot of the City’s overall progress towards implementing the programs within each General Plan Element. The graph is follow ed by a table that includes more detailed information about the implementation status of each program related to that Element. The implementation statuses are defined as follows:
Ongoing: programs that are intended to be ongoing efforts Completed: programs that are considered complete
Partially Completed: programs that have been started and are partially complete Scheduled: programs that have not yet been started but are scheduled Not Implemented: programs that have neither been started nor scheduled
Overall Implementation Snapshot
The majority (73.4%) of programs identified in the Implementation Plan are ongoing. Of the remaining programs, 13.8% are not implemented, 6.4% are partially completed, 3.7% are completed, and 2.8% are scheduled.
Not Implemented
Scheduled
Partially
Completed
Completed
Ongoing
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Land Use and Community Design Element
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
Issue: Balanced and Compatible Land Uses
LU-1.1: Upon adoption of the General Plan,
amend/update the City’s existing Zoning Ordinance
to be consistent with the General Plan. This update
shall occur within 12 months of General Plan
adoption.
Planning
Completed
2024-2025 Following adoption of the 2012 General
Plan Update the City updated the Zoning
Ordinance to be consistent with the
General Plan. The City is currently in the
process of updating its General Plan,
which is expected to be complete in early
2024. The City will again update the
Zoning Ordinance after the General Plan
is adopted.
LU-1.2: Ensure that City land use decisions are
consistent with the policies of the Land Use and
Community Design Element and the land uses shown
on the General Plan Citywide Land Use Plan. Using
the development review process and other tools
Planning
Ongoing
N/A All projects are subject to this requirement
and Planning staff ensures it’s complied
with when evaluating entitlement
applications.
Not Implemented
ScheduledCompleted
Ongoing
Implementation Snapshot
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
outlined throughout the General Plan, ensure that the
development objectives specified in the Land Use
and Community Design Element are achieved for
new development and infill projects.
LU-1.3: Review discretionary development proposals
to assess the compatibility of proposed development
with adjacent/surrounding uses and activities.
Consider site design, buffers, architectural and
buffering techniques, and other measures to ensure
compatibility between uses and activities.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Discretionary development permits require
that compatibility findings be made to
assure site design and land use
consistency with adjacent properties.
Projects are required to maintain proper
setbacks, installation of landscaping on
slopes and areas surrounding projects
and compliance with design criteria
pursuant to the zoning ordinance or an
adopted Specific Plan.
LU-1.4: Encourage the development of well-designed
pedestrian-oriented mixed use projects.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Staff encourages the development of well-
designed pedestrian mixed use projects.
Examples can be seen within the
University District Specific Plan areas
which incorporates a Form Based Code
with pedestrian oriented design including
wide sidewalks, storefronts and use of
paseos and parks.
LU-1.5: Developer(s) of mixed use projects shall
provide linear park amenities within the open space
located on the west side of Pawnee Street, extending
from Descanso Avenue to Linda Vista Drive.
Amenities within the open space will provide
increased pedestrian and bicycle access.
Planning
Not
Implemented
N/A Linear park amenities in this area have
not been completed. A Capital
Improvement Project has not been
created for this and would likely be
implemented as redevelopment occurs.
LU-2.1: Evaluate proposed development projects
throughout the City using LEED standards,
GreenPoint Rated, and/or other green building
standards. The City encourages all future
development and major renovation projects within the
following General Plan designations to achieve LEED
certification, and/or other green certifications: High
Density Residential, Commercial, Office Professional,
Mixed Use, Business Park, and Public/ Institutional.
Encourage residential projects to achieve LEED
certification, and or other green certifications and
ratings
Planning
Ongoing
N/A The following Affordable Housing projects
were constructed using LEED certification
requirements: Westlake Village, Parkview,
Promenade at Creekside, and Eastgate.
LU-2.2: Expand green building information,
marketing, training, and technical assistance to
Planning, Building, City
Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A Building Division discusses and interprets
the Green Code frequently for
homeowners, Architects, and Engineers
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
property owners, development professionals,
schools, and special districts
hoping to have a part in making the world
a better place for future generations.
LU-2.3: Explore regional collaborations among local
governments, special districts, universities, colleges, nonprofits, and other public organizations to share
resources and develop green building policies and
programs that are optimized on a regional scale.
Planning, Building, City
Manager/
Redevelopment Not
Implemented
N/A This is currently not a major focus of the
Building Division
LU-2.4: Promote planting of vegetation within public
rights of way and private development projects as a
means of reducing the urban heat-island effect and to
provide habitat and food. Provide technical
assistance, such as tree planting and plant-care
instruction, to citizens who want to create green
spaces by transforming abutting yards, rooftops, or
other private lands.
Planning, Public Works
Ongoing
N/A The City is finalizing a tree maintenance
policy that includes a general goal of
replacing any removed tree with a 2”
diameter tree in its place.
The City has partnered with other
agencies (SDGE, Cal Fire, Urban Corps)
on tree planting grant projects that have
added hundreds of additional trees to the
City’s inventory throughout San Marcos.
Issue: Community Connections
LU-3.1: Prepare guidelines that describe the City’s
process for CEQA streamlining for residential mixed-
use projects and “Transit Priority Projects” consistent with the 2050 RTP/SCS.
Planning
Not
Implemented
N/A Existing CEQA Exemptions providing
streamlined environmental review current
existing for infill projects. SB 375 CEQA
Streamlining is available via a CEQA
Exemption for projects located in Transit
Priority Areas and consistent with the
RTP/SCS. Specific guidelines have not
yet been developed.
LU-3.2: Identify major barriers, physical or plan-
based, to connectivity and take appropriate action or
steps to overcome those barriers.
Planning, Engineering
Ongoing
N/A The City is currently working with Caltrans
and SANDAG through the North County
CMCP to identify ways to improve
connectivity and remove barriers for all
modes of transport.
LU-3.3: During specific, limited times, transform
portions of a street or corridor in destination districts into an auto-free, pedestrian and community space.
Planning, Engineering,
Parks and Recreation
Ongoing
N/A The City creates auto-free pedestrian and
community space at a variety of special
events, including 4th of July, tree lighting,
Veterans Day, parking lot sales, bicycle
rodeos, and drive-thru events.
Issue: Education Hub
LU-4.1: Develop and implement a Workforce
Development Strategy by expanding opportunities for
residents to enter into green collar jobs, including
vocational training, mentorship and apprenticeship
programs.
Economic Development
Not
Implemented
N/A Economic Development (ED) plays a part
of workforce development efforts by
collaborating with the San Diego
Workforce Development Partnership but
this is not a major focus of the ED
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
department. This program will be removed
during the General Plan Update.
LU-4.2: Maintain and enhance partnerships with local
workforce development programs. Encourage the
university, community colleges, school district and
adult education programs to offer more coursework
and training oriented toward emerging green
industries in addition to traditional trades.
Collaborate with workforce development agencies
and organizations to ensure that new and existing
industries have easy access to a local, work ready
and talented workforce.
Economic Development
Ongoing
N/A Staff meets regularly with San Diego
Workforce Partnership, Palomar College,
Cal State University San Marcos
(CSUSM), San Marcos Unified School
District (SMUSD) and other private
educational institutions to stay apprised of
and encourage ongoing workforce
development efforts.
LU-4.3: Establish a competitive industry advantage
for San Marcos by working with the Economic
Development Committee and Chamber of Commerce
to identify and develop a strategy to attract cutting
edge technology businesses (e.g., green technology
and research and high tech development)
Economic Development
Not
Implemented
N/A The City no longer has an Economic
Development Committee. This program
will be removed during the General Plan
Update.
Issue: City of Distinct and Memorable Places
LU-5.1: Plan for and encourage strong unifying
gateways at major entrances to the City, mixed use
districts and other active community centers. New
private and public infrastructure and development
projects should achieve strong gateway features
through the use of signage and iconic design,
architecture, and/or landscaping components to
enhance the identity and character of San Marcos
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Major projects in the City are required to
design cohesive Sign Programs. The City
also adopted a City-wide Sign Program
and implemented it with enhanced way
finding and informational signage
throughout the City and at entrances. The
University District project is currently
working on a Sign Program with detailed
design which will result in a distinct
identity for that area.
LU-5.2: Continue to implement the City’s Ridgeline
Ordinance to preserve ridgelines as natural focal
points and as a visually appealing backdrop for the
community.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A The Ridgeline Ordinance continues to be
implemented. Proposed projects within
primary and secondary ridgeline areas are
required to get a ridgeline development
permit for protection of the visual
aesthetics of the ridgeline.
LU-5.3: Continue to install public amenities such as
streetlights, benches, trash containers, art, drinking
fountains, landscaping, and other amenities, to
provide pleasant and comfortable streets and parking
areas that enhance the City’s identity and promote
walkability.
Planning, Public Works,
Engineering
Ongoing
N/A The City continues to require public
amenities such as streetlights, benches,
trash containers, art, drinking fountains,
landscaping, and other amenities when
reviewing development projects.
Issue: Economic Strength and Stability
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
LU-6.1: Coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce
and the business community to ensure that business
retention and attraction efforts are directed toward
companies that will:
• supply goods and services that are tailored to the
community;
• create few or no adverse environmental impacts
and participate in recycling and similar green
business and sustainable partner programs
• provide jobs that reduce the need for residents to
commute to work outside the City;
• offer employees options such as carpooling, transit
subsidies, flexible hours, and home-based work that
help ease vehicle dependency and traffic congestion
Planning, City Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A The City meets weekly with the Chamber
of Commerce to coordinate on business
retention and attraction efforts. The City
worked closely with the COC on single
use plastics ordinance development to
help create less adverse environmental
impacts.
Partnership and coordination with the
Chamber is key but the bulleted list is
outside the scope of the Chamber’s work.
The list should be revised as part of the
current General Plan update.
LU-6.2: Conduct outreach activities such as surveys,
market research, and focus groups that explore
opportunities for community development
partnerships and joint planning efforts, and facilitate ongoing communication between staff, elected
officials and employers.
Planning, City Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A City staff conducts twice monthly business
visits with City Council to increase
ongoing communication.
Issue: Growth Management and Adequate Provision of Urban Services LU-7.1: Ensure that appropriate levels of urban
services are achieved through the development and
environmental review processes.
Planning,
Ongoing
N/A Assurance of development levels of urban
services area is part of the City’s existing
development review and CEQA review
process. Plans are routinely routed to
applicable water and sewer districts,
school districts, and fire and police
services. Project conditions require
evidence of adequate urban services prior
to occupancy.
LU-7.2: Update and revise existing fee programs as
needed, to ensure adequate funding for infrastructure
improvements and community facilities are available
to serve new development. Amend appropriate codes
to require new projects to pay for the infrastructure
and services
Planning, Finance,
Engineering
Scheduled
N/A A Public Facility Fee update is scheduled
to occur next year.
LU-8.1: Coordinate with service providers to evaluate
the level of emergency services provided to the
community. Ensure that emergency service facilities
and/or resources are demand-based for current and
future populations considering
the following:
Planning, Fire
Department
Ongoing
N/A The City continually evaluates service
levels and is in the planning stages for
Fire Station #5. This location will be
strategically located to minimize response
times as identified in our Standards of
Cover and ISO evaluation documents.
Adequate street widths are conditioned on
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
• Service levels should reflect community population,
crime conditions, increased emergency activity,
geography of service area, and funds availability.
• The design and location of physical facilities should minimize emergency response times, and
accommodate growth in staffing and equipment
needs through buildout of the community.
• Adequate street widths and clearance for
emergency access should be provided.
every new project codified with the San
Marcos Municipal Code.
LU-8.2: Continue to require “will serve” letters for
utilities and from the school district prior to issuance of building permits.
Planning, Building
Ongoing
N/A The City requires that will serve letters for
utilities and school district as part of the
building permit process.
LU-8.3: Continue to coordinate with the educational
community to address the following, as applicable:
• Preparation of facilities master plans, and
identification of future school and administrative
facility sites, student generation formulas, and facility improvement plans;
• Continued development of safe pedestrian and
bicycle routes to all
schools, ensuring that supportive physical
improvements (such as crosswalks and bike racks)
are in place.
• Exploration of non-structural solutions that may
encourage people to walk or bus to school, rather
than drive (e.g., staggered start times, walking
groups);
• Coordination of busing programs and expansion of
ride-sharing opportunities to relieve congestion and
improve safety conditions during school drop-off and
pick-up times.
• Continued joint use of agreements for community
recreation during non-school hours;
• Continued social support programs, afterschool
learning and educational services near, and in
conjunction with, workforce housing.
Planning, Engineering,
Parks and Recreation
Ongoing
N/A The City coordinates with Cal State
University San Marcos and San Marcos
Unified School District on various
educational facility issues. The City
participates if the school district reaches
out during facility planning.
LU-8.4: Work with the County of San Diego to
enhance access to and improve existing library
facilities and associated programs and services.
City Manager/
Redevelopment, Parks
and Recreation
Ongoing
N/A The City partnered with library to bring
stories to life in Richmar Park. Youth
program staff partners with the library to
bring enhanced programs to the City.
Aquatics staff also partners with the library
to bring programs to the Aquatics
facilities.
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
LU-8.5: Work with the County of San Diego, the
educational community and community organizations
to support distance learning, publicly accessible
computers, internet service and technology training
assistance. Target locations to provide technology
and other services to ensure benefits to the greatest
number of residents.
City Manager/
Redevelopment, Parks
and Recreation
Ongoing
N/A The Senior Activity Center (SAC) offers a
computer lab, internet services, and
technology training at no cost to residents.
In 2021, the SAC was awarded grant
funding to provide tablets with data, and
training, to seniors throughout the
community.
LU-8.6: Review development and redevelopment
proposals and require necessary studies, as
appropriate, to ensure adequate water and
wastewater service.
Planning, Watershed
Ongoing
N/A Development proposals are reviewed, and
studies required when necessary to
ensure the adequate water and
wastewater service is available to support
the development.
LU-8.7: Consider water-based services that reduce
demand and draw on alternative supplies. Water-
based services include the application of state-of-the- art technology and practices; matching water quality
to its end use; and financing local wastewater reuse
in the same manner in which centralized water supply
options are financed.
Watershed
Not
Implemented
N/A This is related to operations at Vallecitos
Water District, and the City has not
considered these types of services yet.
LU-8.8: Maintain creeks and tributaries in their
natural state to the extent possible. Promote the use
of innovative design strategies within a 100-year
floodplain.
Planning, Watershed,
Engineering
Ongoing
N/A The City has approved several projects
within the floodplain and have preserved,
and in some cases enhanced, natural
creek areas. The City's Creek
Infrastructure Project will preserve a
substantial area of creek and enhance the
natural area. It is possible future creek
restoration projects could be implemented
throughout the City.
LU-8.9: Promote the use of non-native areas within
the 100-year floodplain for appropriate passive
recreation and/or open space buffers
Planning, Watershed,
Engineering
Ongoing
N/A Obstructions in the floodplain must be
minimized and will preserve the floodway
portions of the floodplain allowing those
areas to be preserved for flow and
allowing them to be open space.
LU-8.10: Continue to develop and implement waste
diversion and public education programs that
encourage recycling, resource recovery, composting
strategies, and the diversion of construction and
demolition waste from landfills. Work with the City’s
solid waste service provider to ensure that
appropriate recycling containers,
procedures, and education are readily available
throughout the community
City Manager/
Redevelopment, public
works
Ongoing
October 26,
2021
City staff has worked closely with the
City's waste hauler/solid waste service
provider to ensure that all residents and
businesses are aware of the applicable
solid waste, recycling and organic waste
recovery laws and requirements. On
October 26, 2021, the City adopted an
ordinance to incorporate organic waste
disposal reduction requirements in
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
compliance with SB 1383 into the San
Marcos Municipal Code.
LU-8.11: As part of the development application and
review process, coordinate with utility providers to
assess capacity and infrastructure needs to support
new development or redevelopment activities. Ensure
through such coordination that San Marcos remains
on the cutting edge of new infrastructure technology.
Planning, Engineering
Ongoing
N/A The City evaluates these needs when
reviewing entitlement applications to
ensure adequate infrastructure is
provided.
LU-8.12: Continue to work with local energy and
communication providers to underground utilities
when older infrastructure requires replacement
Engineering
Ongoing
N/A City staff holds regular coordination
meetings to discuss upcoming projects
and coordinate undergrounding if
possible. The City has coordinated
undergrounding efforts as part of the
Creek Infrastructure Project.
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Mobility Element
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
Issue: Efficient Local and Regional Circulation System
M-1.1: Coordinate with appropriate regional agencies
to ensure that facilities are “right sized.” Update
appropriate guidelines to guide development within
the City to contribute to mobility options through
development of finance districts, community facilities
districts, or impact fee programs. Evaluate new
development
proposals and ensure they are contributing to
enhanced City mobility.
Engineering
Ongoing
November 2020 The City has updated its guidelines to
developers for mobility by including
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and
retaining Level of Service guidelines.
Updates occurred in November 2020.
M-1.2: Manage transportation demand by working
with SANDAG, key employers and developers where
warranted to implement appropriate Transportation
Demand
Management (TDM) programs.
Planning, Economic
Development Partially
Completed
Development TDM programs for
individual development project are
required in a project's Conditions of
Approval. The City is also in the process
Not Implemented
Partially
Completed
Ongoing
Implementation Snapshot
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
of development a city-wide TDM
ordinance for properties and employers.
Issue: Traffic Calming and Safety
M-2.1: Monitor the neighborhood transportation
system to identify facilities that would benefit from
appropriate traffic calming implementation and work
with
neighborhoods to implement appropriate solutions.
Engineering
Ongoing
2021 In late 2021 the City launched a pilot
traffic calming program. This program will
be monitored for the upcoming year and
will be added to in subsequent years.
Issue: Alternative Modes of Travel
M-3.1: Support alternative modes of travel by
continuously developing and supporting these modes
of travel. This can continually occur by:
• Continued implementation and update of the Bicycle
Master Plan and integrating it with a Pedestrian
Master Plan;
• Update and maintain City Roadway Standards to
consider the public realm of the street and implement
complete streets, as appropriate;
• Consider development of a neighborhood electric
vehicle (NEV) master plan to encourage use of no
emission vehicles on appropriate facilities.
Coordinate with SANDAG and the State Legislature
to allow NEVs on public roadways with greater than
35 miles per hour posted speed limit;
• Develop innovative funding mechanisms (such as
fee districts or Transnet funding) to assist in
implementing, operating, and maintaining the
proposed shuttle system and bike share facilities
within the City;
• Work with developers to integrate bicycle and
pedestrian amenities within their development plans.
Planning, Engineering
Not
Implemented
N/A Parts of bike and pedestrian
infrastructure is implemented with each
development application and their
frontage improvements. This measure
may have to be modified based on
review/evaluation of mobility needs in the
City.
Issue: Parking
M-4.1: Ensure that parking is “right sized” for all
modes of travel. This can be accomplished by:
• Determining and updating appropriate parking
standards for bicycles and electric vehicles;
• Reducing parking standards, as appropriate, for
employment around areas served by transit in mixed
use districts;
• Update the City’s parking code as needed to ensure
appropriate rates are being used for new
development;
Planning
Partially
Completed
N/A The City currently addresses "right-
sized" parking through the State
allowance for affordable housing, ADUs,
and through the CAP regarding project
proximity to high quality transit.
Additional parking consideration should
be looked at as park of future zoning
updates.
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Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
• Use smart parking techniques when developing
parking requirements in mixed use development
areas.
Issue: Movement of Goods
M-5.1: Support and manage the movement of goods
within and through the City by:
• Working with appropriate agencies to improve the
safety of the rail system; including safety
enhancements to at-grade crossings and potential
grade separations;
• Updating, as needed, the Truck Route Plan to
define appropriate facilities for truck traffic;
• Calculating appropriate Traffic Indexes (TIs) and
construct roadways such that they can accommodate
heavy vehicles;
• Updating the City’s roadway standards, as
appropriate, to ensure that truck routes are designed
to accommodate appropriate design vehicles
Engineering
Not
Implemented
N/A The City does not have unusually unsafe
rail crossings. Additionally, grade
crossings are extremely expensive and
are unlikely to be undertaken by the City.
18 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Conservation and Open Space Element
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
Issue: Sustaining Our Ecological and Biological Resources COS-1.1: Identify funding sources to acquire and
maintain regulatory agency-identified sensitive and
unique habitat areas
Planning
Ongoing
N/A The City Public Facility Fee program
includes provisions to collect money for
habitat maintenance and acquisition
COS-1.2: Prior to development approval, require a
biological assessment be performed by a qualified
biologist in sensitive and regulated habitat areas
where threatened, rare, and endangered species
are known or reasonably expected to be present.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Biological studies are performed along
with CEQA compliance as part of the
development review process. Findings of
the biological study can result in project
avoidance of critical habitat, creation of
open spaces conservation areas or
require off-site biological mitigation.
COS-1.3: Continue to work with state and federal
resource agencies to protect areas containing
Planning Ongoing N/A The City continues to work with state and federal resource agencies. City staff
Not Implemented
Partially
Completed
Completed
Ongoing
Implementation Snapshot
19 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
threatened, rare or endangered species of plants
and animals.
regularly meets with resource agency staff
to discuss projects as well as existing and
proposed conservation plans in the city.
Issue: Open Spaces and Limited Resources
COS-2.1: Consider developing and implementing a
comprehensive Open Space Management Plan,
consisting of:
• A regularly updated GIS database and mapping
system of existing and targeted open space and
natural resources in the community. The City should
use regional resources such as SANDAG, the
County of San Diego, the California Natural
Diversity Database (CNDDB), and regional habitat
plans to routinely update such information.
• A prioritized list of targeted open space areas
given:
• gaps and needs identified in the Master Parks
Plan and Trails Master Plan
• limited and unique resources the City wishes to
protect
• areas desired to be protected as open space for
safety or other community benefits
• A list of feasible means for establishing identified
areas, such as through the use of easements,
acquisition, long-term leases, private development,
and cooperative agreements.
Planning, Parks and
Recreation, Engineering
Scheduled
N/A Development Services staff is planning to
create an open space management
database to adequately identifying
resources, constraints, and current
management status.
Issue: Protecting Scenic Resources and Landform Features COS-3.1: Require proposed development within
visually sensitive areas to minimize visual impacts
and to preserve unique or special visual features
through the application of techniques, such as:
• Creative site planning
• Integration of natural features into the project
• Appropriate scale, materials, and design to
complement the surrounding natural landscape
• Minimal disturbance of topography
• Clustering of development so as to preserve a
balance of open space vistas, natural features, and
community character
• Creation of contiguous open space networks
• Requiring development to be consistent with the
City’s strategy to address the balance between
energy savings and light pollution
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Visually sensitive areas are addressed
pursuant to City zoning, grading
ordinance, and other applicable
regulations including specific plan areas,
and through requirements which include
techniques specified in COS-3.1 to ensure
visual impacts are minimized.
20 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
• Requiring development to comply with the
Ridgeline Overlay Zone by applying viewshed
management practices, specific plans, and open
space easements to encourage the preservation of
significant natural land forms
• Requiring irrigation methods and landscaping of
man made slopes that prevent erosion and soften
the visual appearance of slopes
Issue: Air Quality, Climate Change, and Energy
COS-4.1: Review future development proposals for
potential regional and local air quality impacts per
CEQA. If impacts are identified, require mitigation to
minimize or reduce the impact, where feasible.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Development proposals are routinely
reviewed for potential regional and local
air quality impacts per CEQA.
COS-4.2: Develop a Climate Action Plan for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet state
requirements. Components of the plan should
include:
• Quantify greenhouse gas emissions, both existing
and projected, over a specified time period;
• Establish a level below which the contributions to
greenhouse gas emissions from activities covered
by the plan would not be cumulatively considerable;
• Identify and analyze the greenhouse gas
emissions resulting from specific actions or
categories of actions anticipated within the
geographic area;
• Specify strategies and measures to be
implemented at the project level that would
collectively achieve the specified emissions level;
• Establish a program for monitoring and reporting
results (See also Program LU-2.1)
Planning, City Manager/
Redevelopment
Completed
2013, 2020 The City adopted its CAP in 2013 in
compliance with the adopted policies in
the General Plan and consistent with the
State of California’s Assembly Bill (AB)
32, known as the Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006. The City updated
its CAP in 2020 to comply with new State
requirements that set stricter targets for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by
2030.
COS-4.3: Periodically incorporate the latest edition
of California Green Code and update the San
Marcos Green Building Ordinance requirements as
mainline construction practices develop and new
materials and building products become available
with the goal of meeting the state’s Net Zero Energy
goals by the year
2020.
Planning, Building
Ongoing
January 1, 2023 Code updates occur on 3-year intervals.
Next change is scheduled for January 1,
2023.
COS-4.4: Cooperate with private industry (e.g.,
renewable energy providers) by removing
unnecessary regulatory hurdles to incorporate
renewable energy features in mixed use, multi-
Planning, Building, City
Manager/
Redevelopment Ongoing
December 2020 City's adopted CAP requires solar be
provided with any new non-residential
development. CAP/solar requirement
started in December 2020.
21 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
family, commercial, business park, and industrial
developments.
Issue: Water Supply and Conservation
COS-5.1: Coordinate development review of
proposed projects with the applicable water
purveyors to ensure that adequate water supplies
are available to support new development and
redevelopment.
Planning, Watershed,
Engineering
Ongoing
N/A Coordination with water purveyors
currently takes place during the
development review process to ensure
that adequate water supplies are available
to serve and support the new
development.
COS-5.2: Work with applicable water purveyors and
the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) to
examine strategies to address the City’s water
supply needs in compliance with the Urban Water
Management Plan.
Watershed
Ongoing
N/A The City coordinates with applicable water
purveyors and SDCWA to ensure
compliance with the Urban Water
Management Plan.
COS-5.3: Work with water purveyors to expand
opportunities for the use of recycled water for
activities such as outdoor irrigation, toilet flushing, fire hydrants, commercial and industrial processes,
carwashes, concrete batching, laundromats, dust
control, parks, golf courses, other landscaped areas,
and other appropriate water-intensive uses.
Planning, Fire
Department
Ongoing
N/A The City has implemented some
standards with a goal of reducing overall
water use:
• Requiring the installation of weather
based smart irrigation controllers on
new public landscape projects.
• Retro-fit existing controllers with
weather- based irrigation controllers.
• Systematically upgrade existing
irrigation components. Adding more
drip irrigation and utilizing MP
rotators where applicable.
• All new median & parkway
landscapes are being installed using
drip irrigation.
• Use of drought tolerant plant material
City staff can follow up on any specific
items related to expanding opportunities
for recycled water.
COS-5.4: Require new development and
redevelopment to incorporate drought tolerant
landscaping in parks and open spaces within new
rights-of-way, in yards, and other appropriate places
Planning, Public Works
Ongoing
N/A All new median and parkway landscapes
are being installed using drip irrigation and
require drought tolerant landscaping such
as:
• Agave hybrid 'Blue Glow'
• Agave hybrid 'Blue Flame'
• Cypress Blue Flax Lily Bulbine
fruticosa 'Tangerine Beauty'
22 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
• California Meadow Sedge
• Chilean Mesquite 'Thornless'
• Chinese Pistache Dalea capitata
'Sierra Gold'
COS-5.5: Implement water conservation efforts for
households, businesses, industries and public
infrastructure. Include the following measures:
• Require low-flow appliances and fixtures in all new
development;
• Work with water providers and water conservation
agencies to create an incentives program that
encourages retrofitting existing development with
ultra low-flow water fixtures;
• Require new development and landscaped public
areas to utilize state of-the-art irrigation systems that reduce water consumption including greywater
systems, if feasible, and rainwater catchment
• Encourage use of drought-tolerant and native
vegetation.
• Require development project approvals to include
a finding that feasible and cost-effective options for
conservation and water reuse are incorporated into
project design.
• If recycled water is unavailable, evaluate and if
feasible, utilize recycled water and/or deep-water
wells rather than potable water for irrigation and
other non-drinking purposes.
• Educate the public regarding the various water
conservation programs that the applicable water
purveyors provide, and the benefits of water
conservation, including tips on how to reduce water
usage
Planning, City Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A Projects must comply with and incorporate
landscape water conservation measures
consistent with the State required and City
adopted Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance (WELO).
Current resources the City provides to
educate the public about conservation
programs can be found at
https://www.san-marcos.net/live/water-
conservation and https://www.san-
marcos.net/live/drought-alert.
The watershed program implements an
irrigation runoff reduction program (IRRP)
as irrigation runoff is a major source of
non-stormwater discharges and is mostly
viewed as wasteful. The watershed
program has a webpage for the IRRP and
promotes various programs that help
reduce pollution and encourage water
conservation efforts at https://www.san-
marcos.net/departments/development-
services/watershed/irrigation-runoff-
reduction-program.
Public Works has been retrofitting several
public areas throughout recent years with
upgraded irrigation systems and native
vegetation.
Issue: Watershed and Water Quality Protection
COS-6.1: Coordinate with regulatory agencies and
other parties to ensure that pollutant sources to
surface water and groundwater within
subwatersheds are re-assigned to the appropriate
regulatory process and agency (e.g., air, waste,
water).
Planning, Watershed,
Engineering
Ongoing
N/A The City currently participates in required
regulatory programs that are included in
the City's Water Quality Improvement
Plans. These plans are reviewed and
reported on to SDRWQCB. The City also
implements the water quality design
standards required by the regional board.
23 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
When there is an air quality requirement
the City works with the appropriate
agencies.
COS-6.2: Develop a watershed implementation and
improvement plan, in conjunction with other
agencies, for each subwatershed to address
achievement of sustainable surface water quality
and sustainable beneficial uses through
identification of water use, supply treatment, and
transportation opportunities, and provide programs
and measures designed to promote, maintain, or
achieve compliance with water quality laws,
regulations, and standards including statewide
plans, regional plans, total maximum daily loads
(TMDLs), Stormwater NPDES Permit and future
municipal stormwater permit(s).
Watershed
Ongoing
2013, 2016,
2018, 2021
The City of San Marcos is one of eight
agencies that is part of the Carlsbad
Watershed Management Area (CWMA).
Per the requirements of Provision B of the
MS4 Permit, each Watershed
Management Area must develop a Water
Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP). The
Carlsbad WQIP was developed over a
two-year period after the most recent MS4
permit was originally adopted in May
2013. The CWMA WQIP was accepted at
the end of 2016 and subsequent updates
occurred in 2018 and 2021. WQIP Annual
Reports, including all monitoring data
collected for the CWMA are submitted
each year to document WQIP
implementation and to report progress
towards goals.
COS-6.3: Establish sources, constituents, and water
body priorities based on surface water quality and
groundwater quality for each watershed within the
City of San
Marcos.
Watershed
Ongoing
N/A Various sources, constituents, and water
body priorities have been established
through the implementation of the MS4
Permit and through the WQIP.
COS-6.4: Identify pollutants of concern in each
subwatershed for groundwater and
surface water.
Watershed Partially
Completed
N/A Pollutants of concern have been identified
for surface water, but not specifically for
groundwater.
COS-6.5: Prepare groundwater assessment
concept plan for each viable groundwater basin to
address the potential for achievement of sustainable
groundwater quality and sustainable beneficial uses.
Watershed
Not
Implemented
N/A This is the responsibility of Vallecitos
Water District.
COS-6.6: Involve the public in understanding and
defining sustainable watershed protection for
surface and groundwater quality management by:
• Developing publicly supported criteria for
sustainable watershed protection based on social,
economic and environmental costs and benefits;
and
• Applying publicly supported criteria for watershed
protection to surface and groundwater quality
management decisions
Watershed
Ongoing
N/A MS4 Permit requires implementation of an
education and outreach program. The
current program hits some of the bullet
points but not all like based on social,
economic and environmental costs and
benefits.
24 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
COS-6.7: Assess hydromodification effects at the
subwatershed level. Establish at the subwatershed
level hydromodification management plans for high
priority drainages.
Watershed
Ongoing
N/A This has not been done at this level.
Priority development projects are required
to assess and mitigate hydromodification
impacts.
Issue: Recycling and Solid Waste
COS-7.1: Expand special waste collection and
recycling services including bulk trash items,
electronic waste, household hazardous waste, food
scraps, green waste and other programs as
necessary.
Public Works, City
Manager/
Redevelopment
Partially
Completed
October 12,
2021
A recent contract amendment with the
City's waste hauler included the addition
of bulk item pickups and organic waste
recovery (the latter as required by SB
1383). Electronic waste and household
hazardous waste disposal programs have
met the community's needs and not
required expansion. Work is ongoing to
establish food scrap recovery programs
as required by SB 1383.
COS-7.2: Continue to implement in coordination
with City authorized waste haulers a full
complement of City programs that encourage and
accommodate recycling of a broad range of
materials, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Curbside commingled recycling
• Curbside green waste recycling
• Waste motor oil collection
• Waste motor oil and commingled recycling drop off
• Sharp objects/needles medical recycling
• Electronic appliance recycling
• Commercial bin recycling
• Construction and demolition waste recycling
• Bulk-item materials collection
• Recycling at multiple-family housing complexes
Public Works, City
Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A The City's waste hauler/solid waste
service provider provided a full suite of
outreach and education services for all the
above recycling programs. While
requirements are being developed for the
construction and demolition waste
recycling program, all of the others are
implemented on a day-to-day basis in San
Marcos.
COS-7.3: Educate the public regarding the various
recycling programs that the City offers, and the
benefits of recycling and waste reduction, including
tips on how to recycle.
Public Works, City
Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A Primarily the City’s waste hauler/solid
waste service provider as the City’s
designee does implementation of this. The
City has resources available on its
website that encourage recycling and
lowering the production of waste through
careful planning.
COS-7.4: As a part of a contractor demolition
package, require to the maximum extent practicable
non-hazardous debris (excluding excavated soil and
land-clearing debris) to be recycled or salvaged.
Work with contractors to share best practices on
building recycling and reuse and demolition
Planning, Building, City
Manager/
Redevelopment Ongoing
N/A Building Division requires waste
management plan / haul agreement prior
to demo permit issuance.
Partial completion of the first half of this
can be achieved by requiring builders to
25 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
techniques to minimize waste, dust generation,
water and energy use and other impacts of
construction and demolition work.
submit a Construction Waste
Management Plan which requires that
they either sign up with EDCO to haul the
waste generated throughout construction
to EDCO's Construction, Demolition, Inert
(CDI) materials facility which diverts
between 70 and 80% of materials from
landfills. This ties in with an element of the
CAP which requires 75% of CDI. The City
has begun writing an ordinance that would
require this.
COS-7.5: Adopt purchasing practices and
standards, where feasible, to support reductions in
GHG emissions, including preferences for energy-
efficient office equipment, and the use of recycled
materials and manufacturers that have implemented
green management practices.
City Manager/
Redevelopment, Real
Property Services
Completed
N/A Purchasing Ordinance Section 2.30.160
adopted.
COS-7.6: Work with the private sector to
appropriately regulate and approve methane
recovery operations at the former landfill site.
City Manager/
Redevelopment, Real
Property Services
Not
Implemented
N/A The watershed program does not
currently work with the private sector as it
relates to methane at the former landfill
site (Bradley Park). Per a 2009 settlement
agreement between the City and the
County of San Diego, monitoring and
maintenance responsibilities were
categorized as either surface or
subsurface. The City is responsible for the
surface and the County is responsible for
the subsurface. Subsurface
responsibilities include groundwater and
landfill gas monitoring/reporting. The
County conducts this work and provides
the data to the City for final reporting. A
passive methane collection system does
exist at the site and was built many years
ago, but isn’t believed to be functional.
Issue: Preserve Cultural and Historic Resources
COS-8.1: The City shall work with State, and
Federal agencies to apply and enforce historic
preservation laws, including the adopted Mills Act,
regulations, and codes including the California
Historical Building Code and other State laws
related to archaeological resources to ensure the
adequate protection of these resources.
Planning, Building
Partially
Completed
N/A The City reviews Federal and State
historic requirements in compliance with
CEQA. The State maintains of list of
historic sites for special consideration
should changes be proposed to those
sides. The City has not adopted a Mills
Act ordinance.
26 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
COS-8.2: Consult with the appropriate organizations
and individuals (e.g., Information Centers of the
California Historical Resources Information System
(CHRIS), the Native American Heritage Commission
(NAHC), and Native American groups and
individuals) to minimize potential impacts to historic
and cultural resources.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A City staff currently conducts weekly
consultation meeting with tribal
governments to discuss projects under
SB18 and AB52. Staff has also worked
with tribal governments to develop stand
cultural resource mitigation measures
which are applied to development
projects.
COS-8.3: Where feasible, relocate historic
structures to the Heritage Park section of Walnut
Grove Park.
Planning, Parks and
Recreation Ongoing
N/A The City is relocating the first San Marcos
fire engine to Heritage Park.
27 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Parks, Recreation and Community Health Element
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
Issue: Responsive System of Local Parks, Trails, and Recreational Facilities PR-1.1: Evaluate, and if needed, update the Master
Parks Plan and Trails Master Plan to address
changing recreation interests, trends, needs, and
priorities, as follows:
• Identify long-term goals for the Community
Services Department and the community;
• Describe current and future needs;
• Evaluate whether parks and trails standards are
being met;
• Survey community for interests and preferences
improving new parks and community facilities, and
expanding or initiating new programs and services;
Planning, Parks and
Recreation
Ongoing
2018 The Trails Master Plan has been approved
by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
The next step is for the plan to be approved
by Planning Commission and then City
Council. The Parks Master Plan was
recently updated in 2018. In accordance
with National Parks and Recreation
Association (NRPA) standards, the Parks
Master Plan will need to be updated every
5 years.
Not Implemented
Ongoing
Implementation Snapshot
28 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
• Identify improvements to connect activity centers,
close gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian network,
and allow full access to recreation facilities;
• Prioritize projects; and
• Outline funding mechanisms for maintaining
programs and facilities
PR-1.2: Continue to pursue joint-use agreements
with school districts, neighboring jurisdictions, public agencies, private entities and nonprofit
organizations that own and operate facilities within
the City.
Planning, City Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A The City continues to participate in joint-
use agreements with San Marcos Unified
School District, Palomar College, and Cal
State San Marcos.
Issue: Community Health and Family Enrichment
PR-2.1: Work with neighborhood groups to identify,
design, and manage community gardens. Ensure
that community gardens and garden plots are
allocated according to a fair and equitable formula.
Planning, Parks and
Recreation Ongoing
N/A The Parks and Recreation Department
oversees the City's community garden and
ensures that the allocation process is
equitable.
PR-2.2: In collaboration with school districts and
other educational institutions, implement programs
to improve walking and bicycling access and safety
to schools
and after school programs. These programs should
include, but not be limited to:
• Programs, such as a “walking school bus” where
parents and other responsible adults can share the
responsibility of escorting children to and from
school by foot or bicycle.
• Improved pedestrian and bicycle access to
Palomar College, California State University San
Marcos, and other educational campuses.
City Manager/
Redevelopment, Parks
and Recreation
Ongoing
N/A The Parks and Recreation Department puts
on bicycle education and safety events,
campaigns, participates in the County's
Bike-To-Work day, works collaboratively
with the school district and sheriff's
department to provide consistent
educational messaging, provides trail maps
free of charge, and promotes hiking/trail
safety.
PR-2.3: Attract and expand access to certified
farmers markets, with actions including but not
limited to: expanding days and hours of existing
farmers market, pursuing
new farmers markets in transit-accessible locations,
supporting expanded transit service and programs
to bring residents to and from the farmers markets,
and allowing farmers markets on public and
institutional properties at minimal cost to the
vendors.
Planning, Economic
Development
Ongoing
N/A A farmers’ market is held weekly within
North City. The Chamber of Commerce
hosts and manages the event.
PR-2.4: Collaborate with the San Diego County
Department of Environmental Health (DEH) and
community organizations to encourage new and
existing convenience stores, supermarkets, liquor
Economic Development
Not
Implemented
N/A The City does not have a food desert;
therefore, this is not a priority.
29 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
stores and neighborhood and ethnic markets to
stock fresh produce, meats and dairy, 100 percent
juices and wholegrain
products. Identify stores that are willing to
participate in the program.
PR-2.5: Expand community service programs and
classes through partnerships with community
groups or medical institutions (e.g., Kaiser
Permanente) to create
healthy food and nutrition courses which assist
residents in evaluating food and lifestyle choices.
Parks and Recreation
Ongoing
N/A The Parks and Recreation Department
partners with San Marcos Unified School
District to operate an intergenerational
community garden. Additionally, the Parks
and Recreation Department partners with
San Diego County Health and Human
Services, Palomar Hospital, and Kaiser
Permanente to offer nutrition education and
wellness checks at the Senior Activity
Center.
PR-2.6: Work with medical providers, transit
agencies, private transit providers and community
representatives to assure equitable access major
medical facilities in the City and the region. Include
recommendations for locating future medical
facilities in proximity to local public transit service.
Parks and Recreation,
Engineering, Planning,
Ongoing
N/A The Parks and Recreation Department
partners with Facilitated Access to
Coordinated Transportation (FACT) and
San Marcos Unified School District to
provide transportation to senior and
disabled citizens to medical appointments
and congregate meal service at the Senior
Activity Center.
PR-2.7: Continue to distribute information about
community events to a wide range of community
organizations including churches, senior facilities,
schools, etc. using existing City-sponsored
platforms such as the City website and newsletter
Parks and Recreation,
City Manager/
Redevelopment
Ongoing
N/A The Parks and Recreation Department
continues to distribute information through
monthly Constant Contact emails, past
participant email lists, outreach through
multiple social media platforms, boosted
ads, and printed materials such as
recreation guides and newsletters. This
also includes in-person outreach via
farmers’ markets, mobile home parks, The
Boys and Girls Club, local businesses, and
churches.
30 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Safety Element
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
Issue: Natural Geologic Hazards
S-1.1: Require investigations to be performed by a
qualified geological engineer for all development
and redevelopment proposals in areas where
potential fault rupture, liquefaction, shallow ground
water, slope instability, or other geologic
functions are suspected.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Geological investigations for
development projects are done when a
need is suspected in conjunction with
project reviews and CEQA review.
S-1.2: Require all new construction to conform to
the latest adopted edition of the California Building
Code, which specifies requirements for seismic
design, foundation, drainage, and retrofitting.
Planning, Building,
Engineering Ongoing
N/A The Building Division ensures
conformance to the latest edition of the
California Building Code.
Issue: Flooding Hazards
S-2.1: Work with regulatory agencies to secure
permits for natural channelization of select reaches
Planning, Watershed
Completed
N/A Permits have been issued for San
Marcos Creek as part of a Capital
Improvement Project.
Not Implemented
Completed
Ongoing
Implementation Snapshot
31 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
of San Marcos Creek, and other tributaries, where
warranted.
S-2.2: Require all new development to comply with
all requirements of the San Marcos Municipal Code
relating to the Flood Damage Prevention Zone.
Planning, Engineering
Ongoing
N/A San Marcos Municipal Code section
20.255 requires this.
Issue: Fire Hazards
S-3.1: Require builders to prepare fire study and
fuel management plan/report for development within
or adjacent to “High,” “Very High,” or “Extreme”
community hazard areas as identified by the City of
San Marcos Fire Department HRA.
Planning, Fire
Department
Ongoing
N/A A Fire Management Plans (FMP) is
currently required for any development in
fire hazard areas.
S-3.2: Require all new development or existing
structures in “High,” “Very High,” or “Extreme”
community hazard areas, identified in the San
Marcos Fire Department HRA, to maintain and
employ a fuel reduction/management plan
Planning, Fire
Department
Ongoing
N/A Entitlement projects within these areas
are required to provide and maintain an
FMP. Building and plan review also
require proper setback and fuel
modification as needed.
S-3.3: Continue to update design and construction
standards for seismic and fire safety; require multi-
story development to comply with the City’s Mid
Rise Ordinance.
Planning, Engineering
Ongoing
N/A The Building Division and Fire
Department ensure conformance to the
latest edition of seismic and fire codes.
Building and plan review also require
multi-story development to comply with
the City’s Mid Rise Ordinance.
S-3.4: Update the City’s assessment of the impacts
of new development on the level of fire protection
services by requiring new development to determine
impacts on fire protection service and road
infrastructure costs following the adoption of the
General Plan
Planning, Fire
Department
Ongoing
N/A All new projects are required to conduct
this assessment.
S-3.5: Continue to use Community Facility Fund
(CFF) monies to fund access roads and operations
for fire and police protection.
Finance, Fire
Department Ongoing
N/A CFF (also referred to as Community
Facility District) funds are used for
intended and restricted purposes per
each Rate & Method of Apportionment.
Issue: Hazardous Materials
S-4.1: Restrict hazardous materials transportation to
designated truck routes and time periods per the
Hazardous Materials Management chapter of the
Zoning Ordinance.
Engineering, Fire
Department Not
Implemented
N/A The zoning code no longer contains a
hazardous material management
section.
S-4.2: Maintain the existing, or comparable,
arrangement with the County of San Diego
Department of Environmental Health (DEH)
Hazardous Materials Division (HMD) and local
City Manager/
Redevelopment, Fire
Department
Ongoing
N/A Ongoing coordination and collaboration
efforts with San Diego County
Environmental Health and Haz-Mat
annually consist of in person Haz-Mat
32 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
response teams for hazardous material spill
response.
scenario trainings and night time
response drills. The City also works
closely on the Fire Prevention side
through Fire Inspections and business
emergency plans.
S-4.3: Require Cortese List status submittal and
review by DEH HMD, or appropriate local agency,
for known or suspected contamination sites prior to
issuance of building permits.
Planning, Building
Ongoing
N/A The City requires review for known or
suspected contamination sites prior to
issuance of building permits.
S-4.4: Continue to work with public school districts
to ensure CEQA compliance and the use of
Department of Education siting requirements for
schools and other applicable children-related land
uses.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A City staff routes development projects
through the San Marcos Unified School
District or other applicable school
districts to receive input on potential
impacts to school services to ensure
CEQA compliance. The City relies on
SMUSD comments for its reviews rather
than using Department of Education
siting requirements.
Issue: Emergency Preparedness / Neighborhood Safety
S-5.1: Continue to utilize existing neighborhood
networks to expand community outreach and
education regarding potential hazards, hazard
mitigation, available resources, and emergency
response.
Parks and Recreation,
Public Safety
Ongoing
N/A The Parks and Recreation Department
partners with San Marcos Unified School
District, Palomar College, and Cal State
San Marcos for care and shelter
management.
S-5.2: Require the early integration of crime
prevention strategies in new development and
redevelopment projects including the involvement of
law enforcement in the review of major projects in
the City.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Development projects are routed to the
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
for comments. Comments are
incorporated into project design or
conditions of approval.
S-5.3: Continue to secure funding for and update
Emergency Operations Center plan.
Fire Department
Ongoing
N/A Recently we have added a full-time
Emergency Manger to update and
maintain our Emergency Operations
Center Plan as well as hold regular
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
trainings. We use a variety of funding
including SHGP (homeland security
grants) to update and improve
functionality of the EOC. We also pursue
capability specific funding when there are
opportunities such as communications.
The Fire Department recently applied for
radio redundancy funding to obtain the
ability to communicate with other
33 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
jurisdictions when all daily radio
communication systems are down.
Moreover, San Marcos Fire is a voting
member of the Unified Disaster Council
which invests in regional projects which
are used by our EOC. This comes in the
form of mass care training, caches,
training, and drills.
S-5.4: Develop traffic light management plan for
emergency events and coordinate such a plan with
North County Transit District (NCTD) for all
significant SPRINTER intersections.
Engineering
Not
Implemented
N/A The City is only aware of preemption
plans as they relate to the rail road tracks
as the sprinter/trains enter City
intersections. The City is not aware of
any formal plan of action or process for
other emergency events like a pole
knock down or some other unplanned
event. In the past, the City has just
contacted NCTD staff to respond to said
events.
S-5.5: Regulate fence heights in front yards, off-
street parking of vehicles, visibility of the property
from the street, and night lighting through Zoning
Ordinance and development review.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Review of fence heights in front yards,
off-street parking of vehicles, visibility of
the property from the street, and night
lighting is currently incorporated into the
Zoning Ordinance and occurs if
applicable to certain projects through
development review.
S-5.6: Require disclosure, per state law regulations,
of airport proximity for all properties located within
the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP)
Review Area 2. See Figure 6-4 McClellan-Palomar
Airport Influence Area.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A The City requires disclosure, per state
law regulations, of airport proximity for all
properties located within the ALUCP
Review Area 2 through our building and
development review process.
S-5.7: Augment existing uniformed personnel
through the use of well trained CERT, and other
community volunteers, as a force multiplier for the
safety of the community.
City Manager/
Redevelopment, Fire
Department
Ongoing
N/A CERT is augmented by uniformed
personnel through exposure and public
information. Uniformed personnel train,
supply, and maintain the City’s CERT
program. The City’s CERT program is a
critical resource identified throughout
both the San Marcos and County OES
Emergency Operations Plans for
response and recovery.
34 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Noise Element
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
Issue: Noise and Land Use Compatibility
N-1.1: Review development proposals to ensure that
noise standards and compatibility criteria set forth in the Noise Element are met:
• Consult the Noise Element guidelines and
standards for noise compatible land uses to
determine the suitability of proposed developments
relative to existing and forecasted noise levels in
accordance with the Land Use Compatibility Noise
Standards presented in Figure 7-2.
• Enforce the California Noise Insulation Standards to
ensure an acceptable interior noise level of 45 A-
weighted decibels (dBA) community noise equivalent
level (CNEL) in habitable rooms.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Noise standards and compatibility
requirements are reviewed as part of the
development process, CEQA process,
and building permit process.
Not Implemented
Scheduled
Partially
Completed
Ongoing
Implementation Snapshot
35 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
N-1.2: During project review, the City shall consider
an increase in ambient noise levels due to
transportation sources associated with a project to be
a significant noise impact if a proposed project
causes ambient noise levels to exceed the following:
• Where the existing ambient noise level is less than
65 dBA, a project related permanent increase in
ambient noise levels of 5 dBA CNEL or greater; or,
• Where the existing ambient noise level is greater
than 65 dBA, a project related permanent increase in
ambient noise levels of 3 dBA CNEL or greater.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Development projects are currently
reviewed for consistency with the GP
CNEL standards. Significant noise
impacts are mitigated appropriately
through the CEQA review process.
N-1.3: Acoustical studies will be required for all
discretionary projects where any of the following
apply:
• The project includes a noise-sensitive land use that
is located within the existing or future 65 dBA CNEL
contour for transportation noise sources.
• The project will cause future traffic volumes to
increase by 25 percent or more on any roadway that
fronts residential, institutional, or open space land
uses.
• The project will expose a noise-sensitive land use to a stationary noise source exceeding the standards
outlined in the Noise Element. Such stationary
sources may include mechanical equipment
operations, entertainment venues, industrial facilities, and property maintenance.
• The project includes a noise-sensitive land use near
existing or proposed commercial and industrial areas.
• The project is a mixed-use development that
includes a residential component. The focus of this
type of acoustical study is to determine likely interior and exterior noise levels and to recommend
appropriate design features to reduce noise.
This above list is not exhaustive of the conditions that the City may use to decide when an acoustical study
is required. See Implementation Program N-1.2 for
acoustical study requirements.
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Acoustical studies are currently required
for development projects in the instances
described and when other noise impacts
are anticipated. Significant noise impacts
are mitigated appropriately through the
CEQA review process.
N-1.4: Any acoustical study required by the City shall:
• Be the financial responsibility of the applicant
seeking City approval of a project;
• Follow the County of San Diego Report Format and
Content Requirements for Noise, or follow any
Planning
Ongoing
N/A Development projects are currently
reviewed for consistency with the GP
CNEL standards. Significant noise
impacts are mitigated appropriately
through the CEQA review process.
36 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
subsequent document that the County uses for
preparing noise reports
• Be prepared by a qualified person experienced in
the fields of environmental noise assessment and
architectural acoustics;
• Include representative noise level measurements
with sufficient sampling periods and locations to
adequately describe local conditions and
predominant
noise sources;
• Estimate existing and projected cumulative (20
years) noise in terms of CNEL or Leq, and compare
those noise levels to the adopted standards and
policies of the Noise Element;
• Recommend appropriate mitigation to achieve
compliance with the adopted policies and standards
of the Noise Element. Where the noise source in
question consists of intermittent single events, the
report must address the effects of maximum noise
levels in sleeping rooms in terms of possible sleep
disturbance.
• Describe a post-project assessment program that
could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the
proposed mitigation measures.
See Implementation Program N-1.2 for projects
requiring an acoustical study.
N-1.5: Develop acoustical study guidelines that
describe the City’s desired procedure and format for
acoustical studies.
Planning
Scheduled
2022-2023 City staff plans on creating an acoustical
study guideline template within the next
year.
Issue: Transportation Related Noise
N-2.1: Implement the following strategies to reduce
vehicular traffic noise throughout the City:
• Review, update, and designate local truck routes to
reduce truck traffic in noise sensitive land uses areas. • Identify locations for installation of traffic calming devices to reduce traffic speed in residential zones.
• Require the use of alternative paving materials,
such as rubberized asphalt, to reduce traffic noise
where determined feasible and cost efficient
Public Works,
Engineering
Partially
Completed
N/A The truck routes have been found to be in
conflict and need to be corrected. The City
has not taken any other action to
determine if truck routes sit on sensitive
noise receptors. The City has
implemented some traffic calming
measures including roundabouts in the
Rancho Tesoro neighborhood, and the
City is piloting a traffic-calming project.
N-2.2: Promote the use of wayside train horns at all
feasible crossings consistent with the federal Train
Horn Rule along the North County Transit District
SPRINTER rail
Public Works,
Engineering Not
Implemented
N/A The City has not initiated any investigation
into the installation of wayside horns.
37 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
line. Where necessary, coordinate with rail agencies
and operators including the North County Transit
District and Federal Railroad Administration in the
planning
of noise mitigation along rail corridors including site design and setbacks.
N-2.3: Continue to coordinate with the Federal
Aviation Administration, Caltrans Division of
Aeronautics, and the San Diego County Airport
Authority regarding the siting and operation of
heliports and helistops to avoid excessive helicopter
noise.
Planning, Engineering
Ongoing
N/A The City coordinates with the Federal
Aviation Administration, Caltrans Division
of Aeronautics, and the San Diego County
Airport Authority regarding the siting and
operation of heliports and helistops.
Issue: Transportation Related Noise
N-3.1: Update the Noise Ordinance to incorporate
new noise standards consistent with the Noise
Element and to ensure effectiveness in controlling
noise sources. Revise the Noise Ordinance to
achieve the following:
• Provide hourly and maximum property line noise
level limits for all major zoning districts defined in the Zoning Ordinance;
• Limit the hours of deliveries to commercial, mixed
use, and industrial uses adjacent to residential and
other noise sensitive land uses;
• Limit the hours of operation for commercial and
retail to limit noise intrusion into nearby residential and other noise sensitive land uses;
• Limit noise levels generated by commercial and
industrial uses;
• Limit outdoor industrial activities or operations to
control excessive noise at adjacent residential
properties;
• Limit the hours of operation of high noise-generating industrial equipment;
• Limit the hours of operation for commercial refuse
vehicles and parking lot sweepers if their activity
results in an excessive noise level that adversely
affects adjacent residential uses;
• Require the placement of loading and unloading
areas so that commercial and industrial buildings
shield nearby residential land uses from noise
generated by loading dock and delivery activities. If
necessary, additional sound barriers shall be
Planning
Partially
Completed
N/A Hourly maximum property limits are
provided within the noise ordinance.
Many if not all of the requirements are
implemented on a case-by-case basis in
conjunction with the conditioning of
specific discretionary projects.
Comprehensive additions of these items
into a future noise ordinance revision
would be best done when the zoning
ordinance is updated as part of the current
GP Update process.
38 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
constructed on the commercial sites to protect nearby
noise sensitive uses;
• Require the placement of all commercial HVAC
machinery to be placed within mechanical equipment
rooms wherever possible. (Equipment manufacturer’s
specifications for venting and access to outside air
shall be maintained); and
• Require the provision of localized noise barriers or
rooftop parapets around HVAC, cooling towers, and
mechanical equipment so that line-of-sight to the
noise source from the property line of the noise
sensitive receptors is blocked. (Equipment
manufacturer’s specifications for venting and
Issue: Transportation Related Noise
N-3.2: Require construction contractors to implement
the following measures during construction activities
through contract provisions and/or conditions of
approval as Construction equipment shall be properly
maintained per manufacturers’ specifications and
fitted with the best available noise suppression
devices (e.g., mufflers, silencers, wraps).
• Construction operations and related activities
associated with the proposed project shall comply
with the operational hours outlined in the City of San
Marcos Noise Ordinance.
• Construction equipment shall not be idled for
extended periods of time in the vicinity of noise
sensitive receptors.
• Locate fixed and/or stationary construction
equipment as far as possible from noise sensitive
receptors (e.g., generators, compressors, rock
crushers, cement mixers).
• Shroud or shield all impact tools, and muffle or
shield all intake and exhaust ports on powered
construction equipment.
• Where feasible, temporary barriers shall be placed
as close to the noise source or as close to the
receptor as possible and break the line of sight
between the source and receptor where modeled
levels exceed applicable standards. Acoustical
barriers shall be constructed material having a
minimum surface weight of 2 pounds per square foot
or greater, and a demonstrated Sound Transmission
Planning, Engineering,
Building
Ongoing
N/A Requirements related to construction
equipment including requirements for a
Conditional Use Permit for rock crusher
and construction related noise are
addressed through the CEQA process
and made into conditions of approval.
39 | San Marcos Annual Progress Report
Program Responsible Party(ies) Status Key Dates Notes
Class (STC) rating of 25 or greater as defined by
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Test Method E90. Placement, orientation, size, and
density of acoustical barriers shall be determined by
analysis.