San Marcos Opposes Rezoning for a new H-E-B at the corner of Wonder World Drive and Hunter Road

We, the undersigned, OPPOSE CHANGING THE CURRENT ZONING of the 6.2 acres on the north side of the intersection of Wonder World Drive and Hunter Road in San Marcos, Texas. We oppose this zoning change for many reasons, including:

1. In an economically competitive Central Texas, this green area on a major San Marcos gateway exemplifies the type of natural scenery in an urban setting that attaches current residents to the community and attracts new residents to San Marcos. This site, being a green area within our urban environment, is a special feature that distinguishes San Marcos from other Central Texas cities that have traded natural areas for strip malls and parking lots. A grocery store and huge parking lot at this gateway location and adjacent to the entrance of Purgatory Creek Greenspace would detract from the unique natural attributes and residential advantages of San Marcos.

2. Purgatory Creek would be threatened by the large site excavation, terrain alteration, and acres of impervious cover required for the construction of a grocery store at this location. In an area prone to flooding, the added impervious cover would increase the probability of polluted runoff reaching Purgatory Creek and the San Marcos River. Likewise, a large grocery store at this location would increase the possibility of flooding in the surrounding areas.

3. A grocery store at this location, requiring curb cuts for entries and exits, would increase traffic and decrease highway safety on roads that are already overburdened by heavy traffic and frequent automobile accidents.

4. An additional H-E-B grocery store at this location is not necessary. A new store could be built at I-35 and McCarty Lane without the negative impact of a store built on Purgatory Creek.