2014 Heritage Tree Report Keith W. Mars City Arborist Program Planning and Development Review Department Overview of Presentation City Arborist Workflow 2014 Heritage Tree Review - Site Plan and Subdivision Permits - Heritage Tree TORA Permits - Dead, Diseased, or Hazard Permits The Big Picture Challenges and Opportunities Predevelopment Consultation Development Review Inspection Permit Data Analysis Work Flow Overview City Arborist Development Review, Inspection, and Permit Analysis Site Plan and Subdivision Review for Heritage Trees No Land Use Commission variances Reviewed 118 site plans and subdivisions 65% and 18% increase from 2013 in # of site plans and subdivisions reviewed ~18,000 inches surveyed ~17,000 inches preserved ~1000 inches removed (95% preservation of healthy heritage trees) 2014 Heritage Tree Permits 1083 heritage trees were reviewed on tree permits in 2014 33,340 inches of trees reviewed 35 healthy heritage trees allowed to be removed American Elm 13% Bald Cypress 1% Black Walnut 0% Bur Oak 0% Cedar Elm 8% Chinquapin Oak 0% Durand Oak 0% Live Oak 41% Pecan 23% Post Oak 6% Red Oak 7% Texas Ash 1% Heritage Trees by Species Reviewed on Tree Permits in 2014 Tree Condition Permits 350 dead, diseased, or imminent hazard heritage trees were reviewed on tree permits in 2014 10842.5, inches of dead, diseased, or imminent hazard trees permitted for removal Heritage Tree Mortality on Tree Permits Species 2014 Number Reviewed 2014 Dead, Diseased, or Hazardous 2014 % Mortality 2013 % Mortality 2012 % Mortality 2011 % Mortality American Elm 143 105 73% 78% 86% 85% Cedar Elm 80 37 46% 52% 47% 50% Live Oak 445 67 15% 20% 24% 26% Pecan 249 75 30% 33% 40% 31% Post Oak 67 22 33% 39% 50% 38% Red Oak 73 37 51% 57% 71% 71% Big Picture The ordinance is working (>95% preservation rate of heritage trees) Regulatory options for means to end Programmatic reorganzation Citizens and development community engaging earlier in development process Dynamic city, dynamic forest Ensuring community values are protected Urban Forest Challenges and Opportunities 4th year as fastest growing city in country while protecting the urban forest Protection of tree species less than 19” Fulfilling vision of Imagine Austin Comprehensive Urban Forest Plan CodeNext Questions? Keith W. Mars City of Austin Arborist Program Planning and Development Review Dept. 512-974-2755 keith.mars@austintexas.gov
Date ApprovedParkAddressSpeciesDBH (in)ConditionTree Risk (i.e. Moderate, High, etc.)Highest Risk Part and Defect TypePrimary Target2/3/2015Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt6958 Spicewood Springs Rd.Black walnut37poorhightrunk: extensive decay & previous failures directly over trailtrail users2/13/2015Butler Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park200 S Lamar BlvdHackberry18.5poorhightrunk: extensive decay and deadwoodpark usersPARD Urban Forestry - Program Park Tree Permits February 2015
Staff Liaison: Michael Simmons-Smith - 974-1225 WATERFRONT PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD MARCH 9, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M. ***BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM – CITY HALL*** 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78703 AGENDA Brooke Bailey, Chair Andy Hutton Eric Schultz, Vice-Chair Laura Toups Cory Walton Dean Rindy Tyler Zickert CALL TO ORDER A. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the January 12, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting and the February 9, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting. C. NEW BUSINESS 1. Update, discussion and possible action on the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. Staff: Alan Holt, Planning & Development Review Department. 2. Discussion and action to consider rescinding the January 12, 2015 vote on a variance from LDC Section 25-2-738(E) for the proposed Block 188 development at Nueces Street and 2nd Street. 3. Discussion and possible action on proposed density bonus provisions for various Waterfront Overlay subdistricts. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access, and if sign language interpreters or alternative formats are required, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date.
Staff Liaison: Michael Simmons-Smith - 974-1225 WATERFRONT PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD MARCH 9, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M. ***BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM – CITY HALL*** 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78703 AGENDA Brooke Bailey, Chair Andy Hutton Eric Schultz, Vice-Chair Laura Toups Cory Walton Dean Rindy Tyler Zickert CALL TO ORDER A. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the January 12, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting and the February 9, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting. C. NEW BUSINESS 1. Block 188 (Nueces Street & 2nd Street) - Request a recommendation for waiver from LDC Section 25-2-738(E), which requires that a new structure within the North Shore Central Subdistrict of the Waterfront Overlay fit within an envelope delineated by a 70 degree angle starting at a line 45 feet above the property boundary nearest Shoal Creek with the base of the angle being a horizontal plane extending from the line parallel to and away from the surface of Shoal Creek. 2. Update, discussion and possible action on the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. Staff: Alan Holt, Planning & Development Review Department. 3. Discussion and possible action on proposed density bonus provisions for various Waterfront Overlay subdistricts. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access, and if sign language interpreters or alternative formats are required, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date.
Staff Liaison: Michael Simmons-Smith - 974-1225 WATERFRONT PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD MARCH 9, 2015 @ 6:00 P.M. ***BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM – CITY HALL*** 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78703 APPROVED MINUTES Brooke Bailey, Chair Andy Hutton Eric Schultz, Vice-Chair Laura Toups Cory Walton Dean Rindy Tyler Zickert CALL TO ORDER A. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. – There were no citizen communications. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the January 12, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting and the February 9, 2015 regularly-scheduled meeting. – Minutes from the January 12 meeting were approved 5-0 on a motion by Mr. Walton and a second by Mr. Hutton with Mr. Rindy and Mr. Tyler not on the dais. The minutes from the February 9 meeting were approved 6-0 on a motion from Mr. Walton and seconded by Mr. Rindy with Mr. Tyler not on the dais. C. NEW BUSINESS 1. Block 188 (Nueces Street & 2nd Street) - Request a recommendation for waiver from LDC Section 25-2-738(E), which requires that a new structure within the North Shore Central Subdistrict of the Waterfront Overlay fit within an envelope delineated by a 70 degree angle starting at a line 45 feet above the property boundary nearest Shoal Creek with the base of the angle being a horizontal plane extending from the line parallel to and away from the surface of Shoal Creek. – This case was postponed to the April 13 WPAB meeting. 2. Update, discussion and possible action on the South Central Waterfront Area Plan Initiative. Staff: Alan Holt, Planning & Development Review Department. 3. Discussion and possible action on proposed density bonus provisions for various Waterfront Overlay subdistricts. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Bailey adjourned the meeting at 6:50. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access, and if sign language interpreters or alternative formats are required, please give notice at least 4 days before the meeting date.
March 4, 2015 Nikki Hoelter, Senior Planner Planning & Development Review City of Austin nikki.hoelter@austintexas.gov Re: Block 188 Shoal Creek Setback Dear Nikki, The Kor Group presented its hotel/residential building to the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board on January 12 for feedback on proposed design located at the northwest corner of Second and Nueces Streets. Block 188 is on the border of the Waterfront Overlay and the Downtown Creeks Overlay. During that meeting we received comments from the board to keep the base wall within the 45 foot height limit adjacent to the creek. We have been working on revised plans to comply and are coming back to present on March 9 with a new design. The Waterfront Overlay Ordinance limits building height to 45 feet vertically within 60 feet horizontally of the centerline of Shoal Creek, which is also the starting point for the 70-degree setback angle away from Shoal Creek. We are staying within the envelope but requesting a variance to permit a few minor areas of the façade exceed the 70-degree setback. These primarily occur on the very top of the building. I have included an exhibit that shows how our building envelope relates to this variance request. This variance will allow us to maintain a great pedestrian experience on the trail next to Shoal Creek, provide an architecturally attractive and sustainable building, and work towards the density goals of the Green Water Master Plan. 40% of every ad valorem tax dollar generated at Green Water is goes towards affordable housing. A few points for consideration: 1. The shape of the building complies with the intent of the Waterfront Overlay. An alternative would be a wedge-shaped building that is inefficient and lacks the opportunity for outdoor patios and terraces. 2. The design and shape of the Building is intended to engage Shoal Creek along with the public walkways and improvements. 3. The location of the building core is driving the shape of the building. Staying within the envelope would mean moving the core eastward which creates an unusable floor plate for hotel/residential due to shallow bay depths, creating a hardship. 4. 40% of the revenue from property taxes collected at Green Water are diverted to the Affordable Housing Fund. Increased density is a direct public benefit. 5. The limited number of areas penetrating the setback are very high in elevation on the Building tower and not discernable at …
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT/SIGN REVIEW BOARD March 9, 2015 5:30pm CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS ___ Jeff Jack (Chair) ___Melissa Hawthorne (Vice Chair) ___Cathy French (SRB only) ___Vincent Harding ___Will Schnier (Alternate) ___Sallie Burchett ___Stuart Hampton (Alternate) ___Michael Von Ohlen ___Bryan King ___Ricardo De Camps AGENDA EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Board of Adjustment/Sign Review Board will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on this agenda. The Board of Adjustment/Sign Review Board may also announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 A APPROVAL OF MINUTES A-1 February 9, 2015 B. SIGN REVIEW BOARD RECONSIDERATIONS NONE C. SIGN REVIEW BOARD PREVIOUS POSTPONEMENTS NONE D. SIGN REVIEW BOARD NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS D-1 C16-2015-0003 Merritt Lawn for Misti Morales 8100 Anderson Mill The applicant has requested a variance(s) to Section 25-10-124 (B) (Scenic Roadway Sign District Regulations) to increase the number of signs from 1 (required) to 2 (requested) in order to add a sign to the 2nd entrance of a new multi-family residential community within the City of Austin Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) in a Scenic Roadway District. D-2 C16-2015-0004 Murphy Webster III for Hal Heemstra 615 West 7th Street The applicant has requested a variance(s) to: A. Section 25-10-191 (F) (Sign Setback Requirements) to increase the height and clearance of a sign within 12 feet of a street right-of-way from not more than 30 inches tall with a clearance of 9 feet (required) to 72 inches tall with a clearance of 2 feet 6 inches (requested); and to B. Section 25-10-129 (Downtown Sign District Regulations) (G) to increase the sign height from 6 feet (required) to 6 feet 8 inches (requested) in order to add signage to a new multi-family residential building within a “CBD-CURE-CO”, Central Business – Central Urban Redevelopment - Conditional Overlay zoning district. E. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT INTERPRETATION RECONSIDERATIONS E-1 C15-2014-0158 Katherine Loayza for Todd Pearah 7501 North Lamar Blvd. The applicant has filed an appeal challenging the Planning and Development Review Department’s Land Use Determination regarding legal, nonconforming status of the use at this site in a “TOD-NP”, Transit Oriented Development – Neighborhood Plan zoning district. (Brentwood/Highland Combined) F. …
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT/SIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING MINUTES (March 9, 2015) The Board of Adjustment/Sign Review Board convened in a meeting on March 9, 2015, City Council Chambers, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas. Chair Jeff Jack called the Board Meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Jeff Jack (Chair), Melissa Hawthorne (Vice Chair), Sallie Burchett, Stuart Hampton (Alternate), Vincent Harding, Michael Von Ohlen, Will Schnier (Alternate) and Cathy French (SRB) Board Member Absent –Ricardo De Camps and Bryan King Staff in Attendance: Leane Heldenfels, Cindy Crosby (COA Attorney), Diana Ramirez EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Board of Adjustment/Sign Review Board will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on this agenda. The Board of Adjustment/Sign Review Board may also announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 A APPROVAL OF MINUTES A-1 February 9, 2015 Board Member Vincent Harding motion to Approve the minutes for February 9, 2015; Board Member Melissa Hawthorne second on 6-0-2 vote (Board members Sallie Burchett and Will Schnier Abstained); APPROVED MINUTES FOR February 9, 2015. B. SIGN REVIEW BOARD RECONSIDERATIONS NONE C. SIGN REVIEW BOARD PREVIOUS POSTPONEMENTS NONE D. SIGN REVIEW BOARD NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS D-1 C16-2015-0003 Merritt Lawn for Misti Morales 8100 Anderson Mill The applicant has requested a variance(s) to Section 25-10-124 (B) (Scenic Roadway Sign District Regulations) to increase the number of signs from 1 (required) to 2 (requested) in order to add a sign to the 2nd entrance of a new multi-family residential community within the City of Austin Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) in a Scenic Roadway District. The public hearing was closed on Board Member Melissa Hawthorne motion to Grant, Board Member Michael Von Ohlen second on a 8-0 vote; GRANTED. D-2 C16-2015-0004 Murphy Webster III for Hal Heemstra 615 West 7th Street The applicant has requested a variance(s) to: A. Section 25-10-191 (F) (Sign Setback Requirements) to increase the height and clearance of a sign within 12 feet of a street right-of-way from not more than 30 inches tall with a clearance of 9 feet (required) to 72 inches tall with a clearance of 2 feet 6 inches (requested); and to B. Section …
+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 18, 2015, - 5:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Austin, Texas URBAN FORESTRY BOARD MEMBERS: APPOINTMENT : Christopher Kite, Chair Council Member Laura Morrison, Place 4 Peggy Maceo (Vice-Chair) Council Member Kathie Tovo, Place 3 Len Newsom Council Member Bill Spelman, Place 5 Patrick Brewer Mayor Lee Leffingwell Nicholas Classen Mayor Pro-Tem Sheryl Cole, Place 6 Ryan Fleming Council Member Mike Martinez, Place 2 Keith Brown Council Member Chris Riley, Place 1 URBAN FORESTRY EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS : Michael Embesi, City Arborist, Planning and Development Review Department Pat Fuller, Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department – Director Designee Vacant, Urban Forester, Planning and Development Review Department John Clement, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department – Director Designee AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of January 28, 2015. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first 4 (four) speakers signed up prior to the calling of the meeting to order are allowed a three-minute allotment each to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS E. URBAN FORESTER EXECUTIVE LIAISON REPORT – Emily King, Acting Urban Forester, Planning, Development and Review Department, including: Austin Urban Forest Plan Implementation Monthly Update Monthly Notification: Removal of protected size trees on parkland that constitute an imminent public safety risk. Summary of impacts to tree roots in Zilker Park from the U.S.A. Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships that occurred from January 7-12, 2015. Update on Draft Cemetery Master Plan. Update -- Public Works Department. Update on ForkLife DanceWorks at Govalle Park. F. ACTION ITEM BRIEFINGS 1. Grant application requesting $30,000.00 for vertical mulching on the Shoal Creek Restoration Project. Presenter: Darcy Nuffer, Watershed Protection Department. 2. Grant application requesting $30,000.00 for invasive plant management on the Shoal Creek Restoration Project. Presenter: Darcy Nuffer, Watershed Protection Department. 3. Overview of UFB By-Laws and functions to prepare for possible special called meeting with Environmental Board related to transfer of UFB responsibilities to Environmental Commission. Presenter: Chris Kite, UFB Chair. 4. Update on Cyclo Cross event at Zilker Park. Presenters: Jason Maurer, Sales and Event Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, and Lara Schuman, Acting Program Manager, Forestry Unit, Parks and Recreation Department G. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and approval of grant application requesting $30,000.00 for vertical mulching on the …
