The San Marcos City Council voted to postpone a pending rezoning decision that would allow Sinai Pentecostal Church and Pennington Funeral Home to develop a new funeral home on a 14.72‑acre parcel on Hunter Road. Council members cited the property’s location in a floodplain, water‑quality zone, and the Edwards Aquifer transition zone, as well as its designation as a Conservation/Cluster area on the city’s Preferred Scenario Map.
Background
Sinai Pentecostal Church submitted an application to change the land’s zoning from “Future Development” to “Commercial.” Under the existing Future Development classification, the church could build a new worship facility. The proposed Commercial zoning would also permit Pennington Funeral Home to construct a funeral home on the same site, creating a financial partnership between the two entities.
Environmental and Planning Concerns
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the request, warning that the site sits in a floodplain and floodway, a water‑quality buffer, and the Edwards Aquifer transition zone. City staff indicated that, without additional safeguards, the rezoning would allow up to 80% impervious cover—meaning most of the land would be covered by concrete or asphalt, which could exacerbate runoff and threaten the aquifer.
To address these issues, Pennington Funeral Home proposed a Development Overlay Regulating Plan (DORP) that would cap impervious cover at 30% of the parcel. The DORP is intended to limit storm‑water impacts while still permitting the funeral home’s construction.
Council Action
During the council meeting, members expressed confidence that Sinai Pentecostal Church would comply with all regulations but remained uneasy about the floodway location. Councilmember Lorenzo Gonzalez moved to postpone the vote, giving the Planning and Zoning Commission time to review the DORP details. The motion carried, and the decision was delayed.
Impact on the Partnership
Representative Jessica Glosson Davis warned that any further delay could jeopardize the financial partnership between the church and Pennington Funeral Home. The funeral home recently moved from its longtime location at 323 N. Comanche St. into a temporary office and needs a permanent site to continue operations. “Unfortunately, Pennington Funeral Home has to move on,” said Shane Glosson, the funeral home’s former owner and licensed director. “We’ve put ourselves on a timeline by going into a temporary building. We have to purchase property and build, and as you know, it takes time to pull permits and go through this process.”
Local Context
Pennington Funeral Home, founded in 1897, relocated from its historic downtown site after Texas State University’s growth shifted commercial activity toward Hunter Road. Owner Terry Woodall noted that the university’s expansion has made downtown less viable for many businesses, prompting the move.
The postponed vote leaves the future of the proposed funeral home uncertain and highlights the city’s balancing act between development and environmental stewardship. The council is expected to revisit the rezoning request once the DORP is fully reviewed.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
