2014-2 Remembrances Special Edition1
City of Schertz
Remembrances Publication Special Edition 2014-2
Presented by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committee
Schertz “Comprehensive Land Plan” Envisions Historic Preservation
Besides those who worked on its formation in the year 2000, not many Schertz citizens are
likely aware of what is known as the Schertz Comprehensive Land Plan (The Plan). The Plan,
according to its drafters (Wilbur Smith Associates), is “the definitive source of information
regarding the existing and future conditions and characteristics of our community.” If that
sounds like an important document, it is! It’s the official document, forged by residents, civic
leaders and business owners working in unison and approved by City Council, that sets the
foundation of future community physical, social and economic growth. The Plan sets forth
existing conditions, issues, goals, objectives and action plans for various facets of the
community’s life over the period from 2000 to 2021.
Certainly a document so comprehensive with respect to future community planning would
command the attention of the many special interest and “stakeholder” groups affected by its
content. The Schertz Historic Preservation Committee (SHPC)(The Committee) happens to be
one of those “stakeholder” groups who have focused its attention on the Plan. The
Committee’s interest in the Plan centers on its attention to the preservation of the
community’s historic heritage. Current events in the form of Committee proposals to City
Council for City Code – Unified Development Code (UDC) amendment that would clearly define
city-wide historic preservation policy and procedure are what prompt SHPC’s immediate
interest. So, what has the Committee learned about the Plan’s provisions regarding historical
preservation?
The “Community Profile” portion of the Plan incorporates the idea of a community with a rich
heritage and a myriad of both realized and unrealized amenities.
The Plan continues with an assessment of the Schertz community’s values. Among those
community values is listed the value of “continuity”. Continuity refers to the connection
between past (historic) events to events of the future. The Plan suggests that the proper
objective ought to be preserving and enhancing the unique qualities of our town to include its
small town atmosphere, rich history and culture.
Closely following the values statement is the city’s vision statement. That statement reads as
follows: “We envision a Schertz that is recognizable for its character, its places, its rich history,
its people and it possibilities,… We envision a community that looks to its past in pride and its
future with anticipated vision and drive.”
The Plan’s foundation rests with the goals set forth for pursuit in the years ahead. These goals
provide a basis for current and future decision making. How the goals are structured with
regards to historic preservation matters greatly to the Committee as it attempts to support the
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community’s historic preservation agenda. The first insight into the community’s commitment
to historic preservation is seen in the “Land Use” section of the Plan. In that section the
expressed goal is: “To ensure adequate balance in land use to be a self-sufficient community,
intent on protecting our natural and historic amenities while allowing for continued responsible
and well designed development.” The “Growth Capacity” element of the Plan sets goals that
include: “To grow responsibly and in a manner that protects the values and heritage of our
community, maintains and enhances our chosen quality of life, builds upon our character and
allows for balance.”
The “Community Enhancement” (Chapter 8) portion of the Plan stipulates that “opportunity
exists to identify, research and construct interpretive signage about historically or
environmentally significant sites and activities”. The Plan recommends that the community
consider incorporating historic and interpretive signage along thoroughfares. Various goals set
forth in Chapter 8 seek to provide for community enhancement through such means as: 1)
Encouraging “the renovation, reuse and rehabilitation of existing underutilized structures …
that is compatible with existing architectural and historic character…” 2) “Recognize and
provide opportunities to enhance architectural design features that promote the historic
character and appearance of building facades.” 3) “ Utilize incentives to encourage
redevelopment and adaptive uses of historical and significant buildings, structures and
resources.” 4) “Consider tax abatements for rehabilitation and restoration of historic or
culturally significant buildings…”
Clearly, throughout the Plan are found robust statements of support for historic preservation as
a necessary “quality of life” ingredient to the city’s future. The hope of the Committee is that
the City will pursue the Plan’s historic preservation recommendations with vigor. A concluding
cautionary statement by the Plan’s authors deserves attention as City Council continues its
consideration of pending historic preservation legislation offered by SHPC. The statement is as
follows:
“While heritage and history were noted by the (Plan’s) Steering Committee as an asset,
the lack of communication of that heritage was seen as a challenge. Given that
significant growth is occurring in the community with little attachment to the evolving
Heritage of the region, history may be at risk of becoming slowly forgotten.”
(NOTE: Underlining in the above text was done by the author for emphasis only)