To keep any modifications done inside iTerm2 in sync with this repo, the symlink_com.googlecode.iterm2.plist.tmpl is parsed and turned into a symbolic link pointing to com.googlecode.iterm2.plist when running chezmoi apply. The actual plist file is not copied over to the user home directory.
See details about chezmoi symlinks.
The linked file com.googlecode.iterm2.plist is loaded by iTerm2 when the Load preferences from a custom folder or URL setting is enabled in iTerm2 → General → Preferences.