BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240402‐005: Living Streets and Pedestrian Vibrancy WHEREAS, Austin City Council created the Living Streets program [RESOLUTION NO. 20211021-027] in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that “creative activation of residential streets can help build community, increase safety, and improve quality of life;” WHEREAS, the same Resolution, Austin City Council “enthusiastically embraces the Living Streets vision of a suite of street activations that are easily accessible to all Austinites for safe and joyful community-building in all neighborhoods;” WHEREAS, the Living Streets program has recently launched its first slate of Healthy Streets and Play Streets over the past few months; WHEREAS, Living Streets and reclaiming civic uses for city streets also significantly advances Austin’s ambitious Vision Zero and safety goals recorded in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and Vision Zero planning; WHEREAS, in 2023 the United States Surgeon General published an advisory report regarding the nation’s loneliness epidemic as a major public health concern and identified one of the major pillars to solving the loneliness epidemic as social infrastructure, writing, “many factors that influence social connection are environmental. Decisions about the layout of our cities, from the usability and reach of public transportation to the design of housing and green spaces, have a direct effect on social interaction in a community. This is why strengthening social infrastructure that promotes social connection is critical to advancing key aspects of community health, resilience, safety, and prosperity;” WHEREAS, community-oriented street furniture, such as community bulletin boards, benches, flower beds, public art, bike repair stations, and Little Free Libraries, support and encourage walkability; social connectedness; resiliency; and local businesses, organizations, causes, and City programs, by adding useful, inviting, and aesthetically-pleasing places and facilities; WHEREAS, community members have identified obstacles to implementing such facilities that support Living Streets, and more generally, to social connectedness and community on our streets citywide; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that Austin City Council direct staff to investigate barriers to the installation of such infrastructure in the public realm, including along lot lines and near intersections; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Urban Transportation Commission urges Austin City Council and Austin Transportation and Public Works to propose and pass code amendments to remove barriers to community-oriented street furniture in the public realm and allow residents to freely install social infrastructure; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that Austin City …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240402‐003: South Central Waterfront WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan aims to quadruple the number of Austinites commuting via public transit from 4% in 2017 to 16% in 2039, and identifies increasing “the number of people living and working within a 1/2 mile of the Transit Priority Network” as a key indicator of success; WHEREAS, the South Central Waterfront District provides a unique opportunity to create a transit‐supportive neighborhood centered around the future Waterfront Station as part of the Project Connect Light Rail; WHEREAS, the existing road network proposed for the South Central Waterfront District was first proposed as in the 2016 South Central Waterfront Vision Plan, at a time when future transit connections were anticipated to be located on neighboring arterials and not in the middle of the district, and was later adopted in the ASMP Street Network Table; WHEREAS, Council Resolution No. 20220915‐090 acknowledged the shortcomings of the vision plan, noting that since its adoption in 2016, “many attributes of the District have changed, including approval of Project Connect” and directed the City Manager to develop a regulating plan to include increased development entitlement bonuses and regulations that, among other goals, “support the Project Connect transit investment the community is making and help create a connected, pedestrian‐oriented, mixed use district where thousands more Austinites can live, work, and play”; and WHEREAS, 16.6% of the Project Justification Score used by the Federal Transit Administration to evaluate Capital Investment Grant applications evaluates the land‐use, density, affordable housing, and transit‐supportive zoning within a half‐mile radius of each station; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to consider and initiate amendments to the ASMP Street Network Table for the South Central Waterfront District upon the publishing of the Project Connect NEPA EIS Record of Decision to ensure the street grid and levels create a transit supportive environment; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC appreciates staff’s responsiveness to community concerns by increasing the FAR limit on the north side of East Riverside Drive, the UTC recommends that the City Council alter the South Central Waterfront Combining District and Density Bonus regulations to maximize access to the future Waterfront Light Rail Station by reclassifying all parcels located directly on Riverside Drive to the east of Congress Ave to Subdistrict 4 or 5. Motioned …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240402‐004: Equitable Transit‐Oriented Development Overlay WHEREAS the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan aims to quadruple the number of Austinites commuting via public transit from 4% in 2017 to 16% in 2039, and identifies increasing “the number of people living and working within a 1/2 mile of the Transit Priority Network” as a key indicator of success; WHEREAS the Federal Transit Administration’s software for ridership forecasting uses the number of people who can walk from their homes or jobs to a transit stop as its major input and forecast ridership is a major factor in FTA funding decisions WHEREAS regardless of current zoning the presence of a transit stop will increase the demand for residential and commercial spaces regardless of base zoning, including those that are single family zoned, as is pointed out in RESOLUTION NO. 20230309‐016 WHEREAS COUNCIL restrictions on which current base zones may be considered for the ETOD Overlay has resulted in a relatively small area being eligible for ETOD zoning NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that the City Council direct the City Manager to direct staff to consider additional base zones for the ETOD Overlay subject to the considerations and limitations that staff has already used in selecting base zones as overlay candidates but omitting the restriction to non‐single family zones, with a goal of enabling application of the ETOD Overlay to at least 50% of the land area within one‐half mile of Phase 1 Austin Light Rail alignment and Priority Extensions.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Recommendation Number 20240402-006: Traffic Safety Around Austin-Bergstrom International Airport WHEREAS, Recommendation 2024214-008, passed by the Airport Advisory Commission, seeks improved safety measures and enhanced communication with APD, AFD, EMS, TPW and TXDOT to avoid future incidents and to manage traffic in order that the roadways in and out of the airport remain safe and operational; and WHEREAS, Fatal highway incidents on Northbound 183 (11/14/2022) and on Eastbound SH71 (11/15/2023) resulted in lane closures; and WHEREAS, Fatal vehicle-related incidents occurred on the secure airfield side on 4/20/2023 and 10/31/2023; and WHEREAS, Neighborhoods surrounding the airport are considered by the City of Austin Equity Analysis to be Most or Medium-High Vulnerable; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin Transportation and Public Works department is currently working on a intersection safety project at Burleson Road and SH 183; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin, through its Strategic Mobility Plan, is committed to ending traffic deaths as part of its Vision Zero program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that Department of Aviation staff coordinate with Austin Police (APD), Fire (AFD) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Austin Transportation Public Works (TPW) Department Vision Zero Program; and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) #EndTheStreak Program to promote pedestrian, bicycle, driver and vehicle safety in and around Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and also in order to keep at least one lane in each direction including airport entrances and exits open under most circumstances. Motioned by: Commissioner Kavelman Seconded by: Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest:
Resolution on ETOD Phase 1 Overlays Ruven Brooks Urban Transportation Commission April 2, 2024 We need more housing near transit • ASMP calls for four times as many people using transit as do today • To use transit, people have to live or work within 10 minutes walk/ride of a transit stop • Council resolutions 20230309-016 and 20240201-054 request that City of Austin staff propose bonus programs and other mechanisms for increasing the amount of housing within a half mile of Phase 1 Austin Light Rail and Priority Extensions stops (10 minute walk) Proposed ordinance creates two overlays • “ETOD Overlay combining district (ETOD) will prohibit or make conditional those land uses that are not transit-supportive” • “ETOD Density Bonus combining district (DBETOD) will create a density bonus program that: • Allows residential uses, • Modifies development regulations to increase maximum height (up to 120 feet total), and • Modifies various site development standards.” • Both overlays will be applied within a half-mile of Austin Light Rail stops, including Priority Extensions DBETOD District • Intended to be similar to the DB90 (VMU2 replacement) Combining • Property owners must request a rezoning to add DB90 • Requires a Planning Commission recommendation • Requires a Council action Constraints on transit supportive overlays • Areas around train stops have a wide variety of current zoning • Council specifically limited the new overlay to non single family zoned property (20240201-054) Upcoming City-led ETOD Implementation efforts • Comprehensive Plan (Imagine Austin) amendment to incorporate ETOD • ETOD Overlay • ETOD Overlay (Phase 1 Light Rail Transit + Priority Extensions) • ETOD Overlay (Comprehensive) • Other Transit-Supportive Code Amendments • South Central Waterfront Regulations • Downtown Parking Requirements • Density Bonus Zoning District (Vertical Mixed Use 2 Density Bonus Program Replacement) • Citywide Compatibility modifications • HOME Initiative (One-Unit Minimum Lot Size) • Updates to East Riverside Corridor Plan & Regulating Plan • NLTC and SCTC station area vision plans adoption by City Council • Phase 1 Overlay • Only very few areas available for the overlay • Might be because areas are covered by other code amendments • East Riverside Corridor and Regulating Plan • Might be because of limitation to non single family zoning Alternative: Drop the constraint limiting the bonus plan to non single family zones • Give staff flexibility to suggest modifications to the DBETOD overlay to accommodate single family homes • …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES (Tuesday, April 2, 2024) URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 2, 2024 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at City Hall in Austin, Texas. Chair Somers called the Urban Transportation Commission Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Susan Somers, Chair Arlin Alvarez Daniel Kavelman Spencer Schumacher Deshon Brown Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair Athena Leyton Diana Wheeler Edward Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Adam Greenfield – Item 5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on 3/5/2024. The minutes from the meeting of 3/5/2024 were approved on Commissioner Somers’s motion, Commissioner Schumacher’s second on a 9-0 vote; Commissioner Ortiz absent. One vacancy on the dais. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on Green Streets Initiative The commission received a presentation from Kevin Howard, Urbinden 1 URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES (Tuesday, April 2, 2024) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on South Central Waterfront regarding multimodal transportation and transitive supportive density The commission received a presentation from April Geruso with Chad Sharrard, Sravya Garladenne and Tyler Tripp available to answer questions. Amendment 1: Commissioner Kavelman’s motion, Commissioner Somers’s second on a 9- 0 vote; Amendment 2: Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Kavelman’s second on an 8-1 vote, Commissioner Alvarez opposing; Amendment 3: Commissioner Kavelman’s motion, Commissioner Alvarez’s second on a 9-0 vote. Approved on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Kavelman’s second on a 9-0 vote; Commissioner Ortiz absent. One vacancy on the dais. 4. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Approved on Commissioner Brooks’ motion, Commissioner Somers’s second on a 6-1 vote, Commissioner Brown opposing; Commissioner Alvarez abstaining. Commissioners Ortiz and Smith absent. One vacancy on the dais. 5. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on Living Streets/Pedestrian Vibrancy Approved on Commissioner Somers’s motion, Commissioner Schumacher’s second on an 8-0 vote; Commissioners Ortiz and Smith absent. One vacancy on the dais. 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) street safety Amendments Approved on Commissioner Somers’s motion, Commissioner Schumacher’s second on a 7-0 vote, Approved as a whole on a 7-0 vote; Commissioner Alvarez abstaining. Commissioners Ortiz and Smith absent. One vacancy on the dais. 7. Discussion and approval of Officer Elections Susan Somers was elected Chair on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commission Kavelman’s second …
REGULAR MEETING of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TUESDAY MARCH 5, 2024, at 5:00pm BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 CITY HALL- 301 W 2nd St. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Transportation Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register please call or email the staff liaison in advance at (512)-974-3428 or natalie.leone@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Monday March 4, with the following information: name, item number(s) to speak on, telephone number, and email address. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Vacant - (District 1) Melissa Ortiz- (District 2) Arlin Alvarez- (District 3) Susan Somers, Chair- (District 4) Daniel Kavelman-( District 5) Edward Smith- (District 6) Diana Wheeler- (District 7) Athena Leyton- (District 8) Spencer Schumacher- (District 9) Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair- (District 10) Vacant- (Mayoral Appointee) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Transportation Commission REGULAR MEETING on February 6, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on Living Streets program update Presenter: Matthew Macioge, Transportation and Public Works DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 5600 Middle Fiskville Rd Presenter: Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works 4. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 64½ Rainey Street Presenter: Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works 5. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on the Transportation and Public Works and Capital Delivery Services budget allocations 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation advising on the use of upcoming Climate 7. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on representation on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board Equity investments. COMMITTEE UPDATES 8. Update from the Downtown Commission regarding actions from the February 21, 2024 meeting: Commissioner Spencer Schumacher 9. Update from the Joint Sustainability Commission regarding actions from the February 28, 2024 meeting: Commissioner Diana Wheeler 10. Update from the …
Living Streets Program Briefing Urban Transportation Committee – 3/5/2024 Kirk Scanlon, AICP, Division Manager, Smart Mobility Office Matt Macioge, Capital Improvements Program Manager, Living Streets Program Manager Transforming Streets, Building Community Agenda: 1. Living Streets background and overview 2. Types of activations: 1. Neighborhood Block Parties 2. Healthy Streets 3. Play Streets 3. Methodology and selection criteria 4. Program demand and public response 5. Program first activations 6. 2024 Living Streets Program schedule 2 Transforming Streets, Building Community Healthy Streets Pilot Initiative • Started in May 2020 at the beginning of COVID Pandemic, Healthy Streets sought to make residential streets safer and more communal during a period of intense isolation. • Healthy Streets utilized soft closures to reduce through traffic and vehicle speeds. • There were 16 Healthy Street installations throughout the city. • Lessons Learned from the Pilot: • Residents wanted notice and inclusion in the process • The street type matters Living Streets Program Background and Overview A resident survey showed high levels of support for the initiative 3 Living Streets Program Background and Overview Living Streets Program – Initiation Resolution No. – 20211021-02 Council directs the City Manager to create the "Street Programs” - Living Streets Living Streets Program will be a resident-led process. 3. Use "soft" closures to reduce vehicle speed, improve safety, and create connectivity and community. 60% of the residents of a proposed street must approve with a signature to support an activation. 3-6 months with an option for renewal. Address equity issues by making Living Streets accessible 1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 4 2/28/2024 Transforming Streets, Building Community Living Streets Program Background and Overview Living Streets Program Program Activations Neighborhood Block Parties Healthy Streets Play Streets Living Streets Program is 3 types of activations: • Neighborhood Block Parties • Healthy Streets • Play Streets 5 Neighborhood Block Parties Living Streets Program Activations • Applied for and managed by a resident who resides on the street • City staff provides barricades with signage, lights and safety vests • 1 block in length. • A one-time closure, up to 24 hours in length that abides by noise regulations Apply for a Neighborhood Block Party 6 2/28/2024 Living Streets Program Activations Healthy Streets • Applied for by a resident • The city installs and manages cones, barrels, barricades and signage to create street access points • ~3-4 blocks in length • Around the clock “soft” closures …
A STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION APPLICATION OF AN APPROXIMATE 0.316-ACRE TRACT OF LAND ABUTTING 5600 MIDDLE FISKVILLE ROAD Urban Transportation Commission March 5, 2024 Item #? File #2020-139548 LM District 4 Add location map here Abutting property owner(s): Johnson Special Land LTD and Texas Department of Transportation Add aerial picture from property profile generally outline where the vacation area is 5600 Middle Fiskville Road Paved/developed right of way Picture of property street view Vacation tract is approximately 0.316- acre tract of land abutting 5600 Middle Fiskville Rd. All property owners within 300 feet of the vacation area were sent public notices on February 6, 2024, No objections have been received All affected City Departments and external stakeholders have reviewed and recommend approval of this right-of-way vacation application, subject to the conditions on the Master Comment Report submitted with this presentation The City will retain a Public Utility Easement for Austin Water and Austin Energy facilities. How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? “To Be Determined – the area to be vacated is not planned for development at this time. However, the owner plans to dedicate Right-of-Way to the City of Austin to allow for an intersection at 56th St and Airport Blvd. This new intersection will eliminate the need for the existing intersection at Middle Fiskville Road and Airport Blvd. The proposed 56th St/Airport Blvd intersection is in coordination with the Corridor Mobility Program Office plan for Airport Blvd.” Existing Site Plan – SP-2020-0273D I am happy to answer your questions regarding the right of way process The applicant can answer your questions regarding the abutting property and the proposed development. Thank you for your time! Christopher Bueckert, 512-974-1780
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Urban Transportation Commission Christopher Bueckert, Property Agent Senior Land Management, Transportation and Public Works Department February 21, 2024 F# 2020-139548 LM Street Right-of-Way Vacation approximately 0.316-acre tract of land abutting 5600 Middle Fiskville Road Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the street right-of-way vacation application for an approximately 0.316-acre portion of land, being the paved/developed street abutting 5600 Middle Fiskville Road, adjacent to Lot 1, Torino Plaza, a subdivision of record Volume 62, Page 72, Plat Records, Travis County, Texas. The proposed vacation tract will be added to the abutting parcels. The abutting properties are owned by Johnson Special Land LTD, a Texas Limited Partnership, and Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). Per the transmittal letter dated June 29, 2021, received by the City of Austin, the applicant states, “How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? Response: To Be Determined – the area to be vacated is not planned for development at this time. However, the owner plans to dedicate Right-of-Way to the City of Austin to allow for an intersection at 56th St and Airport Blvd. This new intersection will eliminate the need for the existing intersection at Middle Fiskville Road and Airport Blvd. The proposed 56th St/Airport Blvd intersection is in coordination with the Corridor Mobility Program Office plan for Airport Blvd.” All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the application and recommend approval, subject to the reviewers’ conditions shown on the attached Master Comment Report. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice has been sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on February 8, 2023. No objections have been received by staff as of the date of this memorandum. The applicant has requested that this item be submitted for placement on March 5, 2023, Urban Transportation Commission. Staff contact: Christopher Bueckert, Property Agent Senior, Transportation and Public Works Department, 512-974-1780, christopher.bueckert@austintexas.gov Daniel Mahoney, Mahoney Engineering, 512-944-4525, dmahoney@mahoney-eng.com Applicant: Abutting Landowners: Johnson Special Land LTD, a Texas Limited Partnership, and Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) …
A RIGHT-OF-WAY ALLEY VACATION APPLICATION OF AN APPROXIMATELY 1,074 SQUARE FOOT TRACT OF LAND ABUTTING 64 ½ RAINEY STREET Urban Transportation Commission March 5, 2024 Item #? File #2023-131541 LM District 9 Add location map here Abutting property owner: City of Austin Add aerial picture from property profile generally outline where the vacation area is Abutting 64 ½ Rainey Paved/ developed alley 64 ½ Rainey Vacation tract is approximately a 1,074 square foot tract of land. All property owners within 300 feet of the vacation area were sent public notices on February 6, 2024. No objections have been received at the time of this presentation. All affected City Departments and external stakeholders have reviewed and recommend approval of this right-of-way vacation application, subject to the conditions on the Master Comment Report submitted with this presentation The City will retain a Public Utility Easement over the area to be vacated. How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? The area requested to be vacated would become part of the parkland. The cultural center would then be connected between their existing facility and the new pocket park connected by the alleyway. Within the facility plan for the MACC, this is associated with the Grand Entrada, grand entrance, to the cultural center. No active site plan I am happy to answer your questions regarding the right of way process The applicant can answer your questions regarding the abutting property and the proposed development. Thank you for your time! Joseph Fotinos, 512-978-4659
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Urban Transportation Commission Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager Land Management, Transportation and Public Works Department 2/21/2024 F# 2023-131541 LM Street Right-of-Way Alley Vacation of approximately 1,074 Square foot tract of land abutting 64 ½ Rainey Street. Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the alley right-of-way vacation application for an approximately 1,074 square foot tract of land in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, being the paved/developed alley 20 ft wide alley, abutting 64 ½ Rainey Street, and Lot A, Rainey River Addition, BK. 68, Pg. 72, Plat Records of Travis County, Texas. The applicant states the following, on the transmittal letter, when asked how they plan to develop the area to be vacated: The area requested to be vacated would become part of the parkland. The cultural center would then be connected between their existing facility and the new pocket park connected by the alleyway. Within the facility plan for the MACC, this is associated with the Grand Entrada, grand entrance, to the cultural center. All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the request and recommend approval, subject to the conditions on the Master Comment Report. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice has been sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Applicant: Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on February 6, 2024. No objections have been received by staff as of the date of this memorandum. The applicant has requested that this item be submitted for placement on the March 5, 2024 Urban Transportation Commission. Staff contact: Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager-Land Management Transportation and Public Works, 512-978-4659, Joseph.fotinos@austintexas.gov City of Austin, Parks and Recreation Ricardo.soliz@austintexas.gov Abutting Landowners: City of Austin The applicant and/or property owner’s representative will be present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding future development and the vacation request. Attachments: Application Packet Master Comment Report Memorandum TO: FROM: Mashell Smith, Ricardo Soliz, Division Manager for Park Planning Parks and Recreation Department September 25, 2023 SUBJECT: Alley Vacation Request DATE: This memorandum is to request an alley vacation adjacent to 64 Rainey …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20240206‐007: Vote Apportionment in CAMPO WHEREAS, the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 directed Metropolitan Planning Organizations to “consider the equitable and proportional representation of the population of the metropolitan planning area”; WHEREAS, the current Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Joint Powers Agreement was signed on August 5th, 2013 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), City of Austin, Capital Metro, the County of Travis, the County of Williamson, and the County of Hays; WHEREAS, the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement designates the Transportation Policy Board (TPB) as the governing body for CAMPO and is made up of 20 elected officials, including four members of the Austin City Council, and a representative from TxDOT and one from Capital Metro; WHEREAS, the City of Austin and the County of Travis collectively represent 56% of the population under CAMPO but only have 45% of the votes on the CAMPO TPB, and 11% of the of TPB Executive Committee; WHEREAS, Article V of the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement states the agreement may be “renegotiated as necessary to meet changing conditions” by mutual agreement of the signing parties; WHEREAS, Section IX of the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board Bylaws states that the bylaws, including voting representation, “may be revised by approval of the TPB at a meeting at which a quorum, as defined herein, is present”. WHEREAS, on April 5th, 2022 the Urban Transportation Commission passed Recommendation 20220405‐002E, recommending the City Council direct CAMPO to make a number of policy changes including the use of “an equitable, scenario‐based planning approach”; and WHEREAS, on November 7th, 2023, City of Houston Proposition B passed, adding an amendment to the Houston City Charter may only participate in a Metropolitan Planning Organization if “votes on the governing board are apportioned proportionally on the basis of population notwithstanding statutory voting members.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that City Council members serving on the CAMPO TPB request that the CAMPO TPB form a Select Committee on Representation to consider the following issues: i. the current voting structure of the CAMPO TPB and its impact on regional growth, inequities in resource allocation, and the organization's responsiveness to the needs of historically underrepresented and underserved communities served by the organization; ii. the effectiveness of the CAMPO TPB Executive Committee, including whether the CAMPO TPB Executive Committee is in …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240305-005: FY 24-25 Budget WHEREAS, the purpose of the Urban Transportation Commission is to serve as an advisory body to the city council, the city manager, and all other transportation-related departments concerning transportation-related matters including: transportation energy conservation matters; grant applications; streets and highways; bus and rail service; pedestrian and bikeway programs and projects; safety-related programs and projects; provision for the needs of the mobility impaired; transportation franchise requests, renewals, rate adjustments, and hours of operation. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission urges all relevant departments to consider the following when formulating their budgets for the 2024-2025 fiscal year: ● Collaborate with partners to plan and develop high-capacity transit projects; ● Achieve the 50/50 mode share split set forth in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP); ● Actively work towards Vision Zero and other safety initiatives efforts; ● Integrate climate goals set forth in the Austin Climate Equity Plan (ACEP); ● Proactively address and mitigate equity concerns caused by decades of inequitable transportation system planning and development; ● Execute the action items listed in the following long-term plans: D R A F T BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) fund the following priorities for the FY 24-25 budget: ● Increase the capacity of the Living Streets program to build out an additional 50 activations during the upcoming fiscal year; ● Work with Capital Delivery Services to accelerate projects funded by the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Mobility Bonds. In particular, utilize the remaining budgets: $39,840,000 allocated for Bikeways and $80,174,000 designated for Urban Trails (as of December 5th, 2023). Establish an aggressive timeline to ensure prompt project execution. ○ Austin Strategic Mobility Plan; ○ Austin Climate Equity Plan; ○ 2023 ATX Walk-Bike-Roll. ● Enhance the City’s data on the number of people using bicycling infrastructure and how that relates to the type of bike infrastructure deployed (i.e. no bike lane, delineators, curb separated, neighborhood bikeway, etc); ● Ensure that all TPW employees required to work in person are located at City offices where commuting via active transportation is reasonably accessible and safe; ○ Additionally, ensure TPW telework practices align with City Council Resolution 20240215-014 and national best practices; ● Work with the Parks and Recreation Department to complete a Traffic Impact Analysis and Transportation Demand Management Study for Zilker …
WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 20240215-25 directed the Joint Sustainability Committee “to gather input from the public and…submit any recommendations for investments to Council for consideration by May 1, 2024;” WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 20240215-25 directed the City Manager to “solicit community input and prepare options and associated costs of capital improvements or programs that would reduce carbon emissions, decrease water usage, improve water quality and water detention, advance the sustainability of City operations, and improve community resiliency;” BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240305-006: Climate Equity Investments D R A F T WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan (ACEP) sets forth the goal of “by 2030, 50% of trips in Austin are made using public transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or avoided altogether by working from home,” and specifies multiple strategies to achieve the goal including expand and improve public transportation (Strategy 1), prioritizing bicycle networks (Strategy 4), and improving sidewalks, urban trails, and crossings (Strategy 6); WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) sets forth a goal of reaching a 50/50 mode share (50% drive-alone, 50% taking transit, riding a bicycle, walking, carpooling, or teleworking) by 2039 and identifies infrastructure updates to our pedestrian, public transportation, bicycle, and urban trails systems as paramount to that goal; WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 20240215-25 further directed the City Manager to analyze the investments needed to reach any established goals in climate relation plans, including both the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan; WHEREAS, on November 30th, 2023, to achieve the mode-split goals laid out in the ACEP and ASMP the City Council adopted the 2023 Urban Trails Plan, 2023 Bicycle Plan, and 2023 Sidewalks, Crossings, and Shared Streets Plan but did not identify funding sources for these additional investments; WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan noted that “our transportation system is already the primary source of local air pollution and will soon become the largest emitter of greenhouse gases; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the Joint Sustainability Committee, City Manager, and City Council consider the following investments to address local causes of climate change by reducing transportation-related carbon emissions: ● $48,960,000 to ensure the City of Austin builds out an additional 148 miles of the All ○ Projects should be selected using the project prioritization model in the 2023 Bicycle Plan, which scores projects based on equity, destinations & travel demand, connectivity & …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20240305-007: Vote Apportionment in CAMPO WHEREAS, the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement designates the Transportation Policy Board (TPB) as the governing body for CAMPO and is made up of 20 elected officials, including four members of the Austin City Council, and a representative from TxDOT and one from Capital Metro; WHEREAS, the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 directed Metropolitan Planning Organizations to “consider the equitable and proportional representation of the population of the metropolitan planning area”; WHEREAS, the current Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Joint Powers Agreement was signed on August 5th, 2013 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), City of Austin, Capital Metro, the County of Travis, the County of Williamson, and the County of Hays; D R A F T WHEREAS, the City of Austin and the County of Travis collectively represent 56% of the population under CAMPO but only have 45% of the votes on the CAMPO TPB, and 11% of the of TPB Executive Committee; WHEREAS, Article V of the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement states the agreement may be “renegotiated as necessary to meet changing conditions” by mutual agreement of the signing parties; WHEREAS, Section IX of the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board Bylaws states that the bylaws, including voting representation, “may be revised by approval of the TPB at a meeting at which a quorum, as defined herein, is present”. WHEREAS, on April 5th, 2022 the Urban Transportation Commission passed Recommendation 20220405-002E, recommending the City Council direct CAMPO to make a number of policy changes including the use of “an equitable, scenario-based planning approach”; and WHEREAS, on November 7th, 2023, City of Houston Proposition B passed, adding an amendment to the Houston City Charter may only participate in a Metropolitan Planning Organization if “votes on the governing board are apportioned proportionally on the basis of population notwithstanding statutory voting members.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that City Council members serving on the CAMPO TPB request that the CAMPO TPB form a Select Committee on Representation to consider the following issues: i. the current voting structure of the CAMPO TPB and its impact on regional growth, inequities in resource allocation, and the organization's responsiveness to the needs of historically underrepresented and underserved communities served by the organization; ii. the effectiveness of the CAMPO TPB Executive Committee, including whether the CAMPO …
