City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission Seconded By: Commissioner Rubio Subject: University Junior High School/Steve Hicks School of Social Work Building Date: May 1, 2024 Motioned By: Commissioner Koch To the Texas Historical Commission and the University of Texas System, We, The Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) of the City of Austin, as appointees of elected officials of the City of Austin charged with the protection and promotion of the City’s historic resources, wholeheartedly voice our support for the preservation of the University Junior High School on the University of Texas campus. While the HLC acknowledges our lack of jurisdiction over this State property, we are compelled to voice our opinions based not only on the urgency and importance of the case, but also on the historic connection between the City and University as represented by this very structure. The City of Austin and the State of Texas have shared space and mutual interests in the City of Austin since its founding in 1839. The University of Texas joined the family in 1883. The resulting history and culture of the City is heavily imprinted with this mix. The University Junior High School itself is the result of a partnership between the University and AISD, between a City that needed a school building and a University that needed students and teachers to serve as a laboratory and place for higher learning in the practice of education. As such, it embodies this important link between the State University and the City. The value of the Spanish Renaissance Architecture of this 1933 structure, both alone and in the context of the University of Texas campus, is clear to even the untrained eye. It would be a loss to the campus and the community that surrounds it. But like all cases that rise to the level of any landmark designation, its architecture is only a part of what makes this structure worthy of preservation. Its context, surrounded by remaining bits of green space and majestic oaks that define the University campus, and alongside Waller Creek before it continues past Santa Rita No. 1, through the new Medical School and the historically rich soils of the Waterloo Greenway, is itself worth saving. P a g e 1 | 2 Its continued occupation by the school of Social Work continues to represent that unbroken thread of use by the University in one of its most humanistic areas …
701 Texas Ave Austin TX 78705 1 May 2024 Landmark Commission (by email) Re: 501 Texas Ave. demolition permit request Dear Sirs: As the city kicks off its equity preservation plan, it is disheartening to see the very heart of our city increasingly seeing demolition permit requests----and getting them---even when houses are historic, and the Landmark Commission repeatedly violating its own by-laws purposes -- “7. Recommend that the City acquire property if the Commission finds that acquisition by the City is the only means by which to preserve the property”. In the instant case, 501 Texas Ave. although staff has not recommended denial of a demolition permit, the question remains whether the house will lose its historic character if the current plan goes through. If adding a garage will eliminate its historic character, it will diminish the historic character of Texas Avenue, which the city previously surveyed to designate as a historic street. historic structure, as a neighbor, I object to the demolition permit being issued. Neighbors are also reporting that is is still unclear whether any protected trees are in jeopardy since one is banded. Barbara Epstein If the plan for this house will eliminate it as counting as a
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240501-26 Date: May 1, 2024 Subject: FY 2024-25 Budget Recommenda�on Mo�oned by: Featherston Seconded by: Heimsath Recommenda�on Alloca�on of funds to the Historic Preserva�on Office. See atached document. Descrip�on of Recommenda�on to Council Recommenda�on by the Historic Landmark Commission to Council regarding the FY 2024-25 budget. Ra�onale See atached document. For: Alvarez, Featherston, Koch, Evans, McWhorter, Grogan, Rubio, Larosche Absent: Cas�llo, Dudley, Heimsath ___________________ Sam Fahnestock Staff liaison, Historic Landmark Commission Vote Against: Abstain: Vote: 8-0 Atest: 1 FY 2024-25 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION Historic Landmark Commission Recommenda�on 20240501-26 WHEREAS the City of Aus�n Historic Landmark Commission was established in 1974 to promote historic preserva�on ac�vi�es in Aus�n and advise the Aus�n City Council on maters related to historic preserva�on; and WHEREAS the purpose of the Historic Landmark Commission is to prepare and periodically revise an inventory of the structures and areas that may be eligible for designa�on as historic landmarks, most recently completed in 1984; prepare, review, and propose amendments to a citywide Historic Preserva�on Plan, last adopted in 1981; and review requests to establish or remove a historic designa�on and make recommenda�ons on the requests to the Land Use Commission; and WHEREAS the Historic Landmark Commission and Historic Preserva�on Office seek to respond to 21st- century challenges with improved and new policies, programs, and tools, including transparent and accessible historic review processes, inclusive community outreach, and incen�ves that meet both historic preserva�on and equity goals; and WHEREAS the Na�onal Alliance of Preserva�on Commissions (NAPC) provides technical support and manages an informa�on network to help local commissions accomplish their preserva�on objec�ves, and membership is $150 per commission member; and WHERAS historic surveys are a vital resource WHEREAS the Historic Landmark Commission created a 26-member community working group, the Preserva�on Plan Working Group, on June 28, 2021, to develop a dra� of an equity-based historic preserva�on plan between July 2021 and June 2022 (phase 1 of the planning process); and WHEREAS the Preserva�on Plan Working Group worked diligently to complete the dra� plan during monthly mee�ngs, drawing on research from na�onal best prac�ces, employing an equity evalua�on framework, and incorpora�ng feedback from a community heritage survey, focus groups, a Technical Advisory Group of City staff, and the Preserva�on Plan Commitee of the Historic Landmark Commission; and WHEREAS phase 2 of the planning process includes extensive community engagement around the dra� preserva�on plan, with community members, organiza�onal and ins�tu�onal …
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, May 1st, 2024 – 6:00 PM City Hall – Boards and Commissions Room 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the 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 via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email preservation@austintexas.gov or call Sam Fahnestock at (512) 974-3393. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ben Heimsath, Chair ab Witt Featherston, Vice Chair x Kevin Koch x Carl Larosche x Trey McWhorter x Harmony Grogan x x x ab x x Jaime Alvarez Roxanne Evans Raymond Castillo JuanRaymon Rubio Tara Dudley DRAFT MINUTES CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first (10) speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Andrea Hill spoke on 900 Spence National Register Historic District demolitions. Clifton Ladd spoke on 409 E Monroe. Samantha Smoot spoke on 409 E Monroe. HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Meghan King spoke on Preservation Austin updates. Robin Sanders spoke on 409 E Monroe. Witt Featherston spoke on the HOME Initiative and Preservation Bonus. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (April 3, 2024) 1. April 3, 2024 – Offered for consent approval. MOTION: Approve the minutes per passage of the consent agenda on a motion by Commissioner Larosche. Commissioner McWhorter seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0. The motion passed. BRIEFINGS 2. Presentation on Code Department processes Presenter: Sonya Herrera, Law Department CONSENT/CONSENT POSTPONEMENT AGENDA Historic Landmark and Local Historic District Applications Item 3 was pulled for discussion. 4. PR-2024-014961 – 801 Lydia St. Robertson/Stuart & Mair Local Historic District Council District 1 Proposal: Total demolition. (Postponed April 3, 2024) Applicant: Jennifer Hanlen City Staff: Kalan Contreras, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-2727 Staff Recommendation: Grant the applicant’s postponement request to the June 5, 2024 meeting. MOTION: Postpone the public hearing to June 5, 2024, per passage of the consent postponement agenda, on a motion by Commissioner Larosche. Commissioner Koch seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0. The motion passed. 5. HR-2024-025501 – 1000 Blanco St. West Austin Fire Station …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission May 1, 2024 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will 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 via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov no later than noon, the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary David Sullivan Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, Vice Chair CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Peter Einhorn Mariana Krueger Melinda Schiera Hanna Cofer 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. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARINGS Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 20, 2024 and the Special Called Meeting on March 28, 2024. Name: Bridle Ridge at Wildhorse Ranch, C8-2023-0259 Applicant: Kimley Horn (Kevin Burks) Location: 10501 ½ Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78653 Council District: District 1 Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department Applicant request: Request to vary from a) 25-8-341 to allow cut over four (4) feet, to 15 feet and b) 25-8-342 to allow fill over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. Staff recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the variances with conditions DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a recommendation on an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 related to development regulations applicable to residential re-subdivisions and multi-family residential site development of five to sixteen units – Brent Lloyd, Development Officer, Development Services Department Election of Environmental Commission Officers for the May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 term. Approve a recommendation supporting the City Council’s code resolutions for Home 2 (allowing 2,000 …
in a REGULAR meeting on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Richard Brimer, Jennifer Bristol, Hanna Cofer, Colin Nickells, and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Mariana Krueger Commissioners Absent: Peter Einhorn, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera, and Kevin Ramberg PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Santiago, I35 projects Shiang Lee, How You Can Benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 6, 2024 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on March 6, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Sulivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Einhorn, Ramberg, Qureshi, and Schiera were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Presentation on the South Central Waterfront Combining District with a Density Bonus – April Geruso of the City of Austin Planning Department. Speakers: April Geruso, Planning Department Vice Chair Bedford called for a recess at 6:39. Vice Chair Bedford reconvened the meeting at 6:47. 1 3. 4. Chad Sharrad, Planning Department Tyler Tripp, Planning Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Consider a recommendation on the budget recommendations from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Presented by Haris Qureshi and David Sullivan, Environmental Commission Members A motion to support the budget recommendations from the Joint Sustainability Committee was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Nickells abstained. Commissioners Einhorn, Ramberg, Qureshi, and Schiera were absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the Urban Forestry Committee on adding a discussion on ghost trees to the March 28th agenda – Richard Brimer Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Update from the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board on the status of the Combining District & Density Bonus Program and Planned Unit Development applications – David Sullivan Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan wanted to discuss IH35 and requested a presentation from staff on the environmental impacts of the IH35 expansion and the benefits of capping, seconded by Commissioner Brimer. Commissioner Bristol requested a presentation from Audubon on bird-safe buildings, which was seconded by Commissioner Bedford. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 7:50 P.M. 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas 78752. Vice Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Rick Brimer, Peter Einhorn, Melinda Schiera Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Hanna Cofer, Mariana Krueger, David Sullivan Commissioners Absent: Jennifer Bristol, Haris Qureshi, Colin Nickells, Kevin Ramberg PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation on Watershed Protection Department's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, Programs, and Projects Overview and approve recommendations for their FY25 budget — Anupa Gharpurey, Financial Manager, and Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, Watershed Protection Department Speakers: Jorge Morales, Director, Watershed Protection Department Anupa Gharpurey, Financial Manager, Watershed Protection Department Pam Kearfott, Managing Engineer, Watershed Protection Department A motion to make recommendations for Watershed Protection’s Fiscal year 2025 budget was approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Einhorn’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Bristol, Qureshi, Nickells, and Ramberg were absent. Vice Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. without objection. 1
Pamela Abee-Taulli Environmental Program Coordinator Development Services Department BRIDLE RIDGE AT WILDHORSE RANCH 10501 ½ BLUE BLUFF RD C8-2023-0259 PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Austin ETJ Austin City Limits Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone 2 This product is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. It does not represent an on-the- ground survey and represents only the approximate relative location of property boundaries. This product has been produced by the Watershed Protection Department for the sole purpose of geographic reference. No warranty is made by the City of Austin regarding specific accuracy or completeness. 0510Miles[ PROPERTY DATA • Gilleland Creek Watershed • Suburban Classification • Desired Development Zone • Austin Full Purpose Jurisdiction • Council District 1 • Wildhorse Ranch Planned Unit Development (PUD) 3 [ PROJECT DATA • Single family residential development with roadways and storm water ponds. • 21.4 acres [ ENVIRONMENTAL DATA • Wetland Critical Environmental Features (CEF) • Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) CEF CWQZ [ ENVIRONMENTAL DATA • Wetland Critical Environmental Features (CEF) • Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) • Slopes • 86% of the site is 0-15% slopes, but very hilly CEF CWQZ 2-foot contours [ ENVIRONMENTAL DATA CWQZ [ VARIANCE REQUESTS 8 § 25-8-341 - CUT REQUIREMENTS. (A) Cuts on a tract of land may not exceed four feet of depth. • The variance request is to allow cut over 4 feet to15 feet. § 25-8-342 - FILL REQUIREMENTS. (A) fill on a tract of land may not exceed four feet of depth. • The variance request is to allow fill over 4 feet to 15 feet. VARIANCE REQUESTS [ VARIANCE RECOMMENDATION • Variances for grading have been granted for projects with similar site constraints, specifically topographic conditions that constrain the ability to comply with transportation and ADA regulations. • The variance • • • Is necessitated by topographic features, not design choice; Is the minimum deviation from the code; and Is unlikely to result in harmful environmental consequences. • Water quality will be equal to water quality without the variance. 10 VARIANCE CONDITIONS 1. Slope stabilization for areas of existing erosion adjacent to the lots, will be provided with grouted rip-rap or approved equivalent method. [ VARIANCE CONDITIONS 2. Slope stabilization in area of cut over 8 feet will be provided by terracing, 25 feet at 15% grade …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: May 1, 2024 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: Bridle Ridge at Wildhorse Ranch C8-2023-0259 NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Kimley Horn (Kevin Burks) LOCATION: 10501 ‰ BLUE BLUFF RD, Austin, TX 78653 COUNCIL DISTRICT: District One ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator Development Services Department 512.974.1879 / pamela.abee-taulli@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: STAFF CONDITIONS: Gilleland Creek Watershed, Suburban Classification, Desired Development Zone Variance request is as follows: Request to vary from: 1) 25-8-341 to allow cut over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. 2) 25-8-342 to allow fill over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. Staff recommends this variance, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. 1. Slope stabilization for areas of existing erosion adjacent to the lots, will be provided with grouted rip-rap or approved equivalent method. 2. Slope stabilization in area of cut over 8 feet will be provided by terracing, 25 feet at 15% grade and 20 feet at 5% grade, and revegetation with native grasses and forbs (per Standard Specifications Manual 609S.5). 3. Fill over 8 feet will be contained with engineered walls. 4. The water quality ponds will be biofiltration ponds. Page 1 of 15 Development Services Department Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Bridle Ridge at Wildhorse Ranch Ordinance Standard: Comprehensive Watershed Ordinance and Wildhorse Ranch Planned Unit Development (PUD) Variance Request: Request to vary from: 1) 25-8-341 to allow cut over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. 2) 25-8-342 to allow fill over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. A. Land Use Commission variance determinations from Chapter 25-8-41 of the City Code: 1. The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege or the safety of property given to owners of other similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development; Other owners with similarly situate properties and contemporaneous development Yes have received similar variances for grading. Turner’s Crossing (C8J-2018-0091) with cut and fill to 15 feet, Northwind Apartments (SP-2021-0384C.SH) with cut to 12 and fill to 17 feet, and Blueridge Multifamily at Wildhorse Ranch (SP-2022-0426C.SH) with cut to 12 and fill to 10 feet, are all residential projects on sites with rolling topography generally within the 0-15% slope category. In order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requiring 2% cross slope at intersection crosswalks on the local and collector roadways, and to meet Transportation Criteria Manual (TCM) …
Infill Plats & Site Plan Lite, Part 2: Overview of Staff Proposal Codes & Ordinances Joint Committee | April 1, 2024 Brent Lloyd, DSD Development Officer Agenda Items • Discuss proposed code amendments for: 1. Infill Plats 2. Site Plan Lite, Part 2 • Questions & Answers Infill Plats Subdivision Overview Subdivision Plats • The division of land into one or more lots for the purpose of sale, transfer, development, or extension of utilities. • Unless an exception applies, only land within an approved subdivision plat may be developed. • Infrastructure and amenities dedicated at subdivision serve multiple lots, which can then be developed independently. — Commercial & Residential Subdivisions Subdivision Overview (cont’d) Subdivision Types and Order of Process • Preliminary Plan • Final Plat • Subdivision Construction Plans • Re-subdivision Effect of Subdivision on Residential Development • “Fee Simple” Ownership vs. “Condominium Regimes” Greenfield Subdivision Subdivision Construction Plan - Build Infrastructure Residential Subdivision Infill Plats – Challenges • In the platting context, “infill” is the re- subdivision of lots in existing single-family subdivisions into new, smaller lots. • Current regulations, particularly drainage & water quality, are tailored to greenfield subdivisions rather than residential infill. Infill Plat Process - Council Direction Goals of Resolution No. 20230504-023: • Establish an efficient process to create infill lots within residential subdivisions, thereby facilitating fee-simple ownership and small-lot development form. • Right-size regulations to the scale and intensity of infill development. • Explore making waivers and variances administrative. • Include other changes to facilitate creation of infill lots. Subdivision-Related Improvements Adopted in 2023 Ordinance No. 20230831-141 • Eliminated commission approvals for plats, which means all applications without variances may be approved by staff. • Streamlined application submittal requirements. • Extended application deadlines. • Modified flag lot regulations. Summary of Infill Plat Proposal Response to Resolution No. 20230504-023 • Targeted changes to regulations for residential resubs. aimed at: — Making the process more efficient and less costly for small-lot developments that are comparable in scale & intensity to development currently permitted under HOME 1. — Ensuring that drainage requirements are: Right-sized to infill development Sufficient to ensure that development does not increase risk of lot-to-lot flooding. Infill Plat Proposal (cont’d) Drainage Plan In-Lieu of Onsite Detention & Drainage Studies • For resubdivisions of platted residential lots, onsite detention & drainage studies would not be required for development that: — Does not exceed: (b) …
C20-2023-045 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2023-045 Site Plan Lite, Phase 2 & Infill Plats Description: These proposed amendments to respond to separate council initiatives: Resolution No. 20221201-048 (“Site Plan Lite”) and Resolution No. 20230504-023 (“Infill Plats”). The amendments, which will be included in a single ordinance, facilitate development of missing middle housing. Background: — Site Plan Lite Phase 2 On December 1, 2022, City Council approved Resolution No. 20221201-048 initiating Land Development Code (“LDC”) amendments to facilitate the creation of missing middle housing by scaling site plan review requirements for residential projects of three to sixteen units. As Phase 1 of the project, Council adopted Ordinance No. 20230720-158 on July 20, 2023, creating a site plan exemption for projects having four or fewer residential units. For a few months following passage of the ordinance, DSD required projects utilizing the new process to obtain formal “site plan exemptions,” which is an added step beyond obtaining a residential building permit. Following passage of the initial HOME amendments, which modified the definition of “multi-family,” DSD now routes projects of one to three units directly to residential review without requiring a site plan exemption. These proposed amendments would complete Council’s direction from Resolution No. 20221201-048 by establishing a more streamlined review process for projects of 5 to 16 units located on a single lot. — Infill Plats On May 4, 2023, Council approved Resolution No. 20230504-023 initiating LDC amendments to facilitate the creation of infill lots within existing residential subdivisions, with the goal of expanding opportunities for “fee simple” ownership and easing the impact of non-zoning regulations on residential re-subdivisions. The proposed amendments would achieve this objective by modifying non-zoning regulations for infill development, thereby establishing a more streamlined review process. Summary of Proposed Code Amendment: 1 Below is a general summary of amendments proposed to implement the Infill Plat and Site Plan Lite resolutions. C20-2023-045 Modified Drainage Regulations I. — Background LDC Sec. 25-8-211(B)(3) exempts development with up to 8,000 square feet of impervious cover from the requirement to provide water quality controls on sites located outside of the Barton Springs Zone. However, the code provides no similar exemption for drainage regulations. This means that infill re-subdivisions and small-scale site plans are required to meet detention standards similar to those required for large-scale multi-family and commercial projects. The proposed amendments would tailor drainage regulations more closely to the scale and intensity of …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240501-005 Date: May 1st, 2024 Subject: Home 2, reduced compatibility standards, higher density housing near future light rail lines, and site development standards for EV charging Motion by: Second by: WHEREAS, evidence produced by researchers at the University of California at Berkeley1 (https://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/ ) indicates that higher population density in urban areas leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions per household, based on energy savings from shared walls in duplexes, townhomes, apartments, and condominiums, and based on better walkability, more mass transit use, and more trips made with bikes and scooters, AND WHEREAS, low-density urban sprawl consumes valuable grassland prairies, tree covered hill country, and other rural landcapes, AND WHEREAS, the Austin City Council is considering changes to the City Code Title 25 Land Development Code to: • Allow smaller lot sizes (2,000 square feet) in single-family zoning districts, • Create regulations that allow properties to be used for charging electric vehicles, • Create regulations, including a density bonus program that modifies height and compatibility in exchange for community benefits, for properties that are located within a half mile of the planned Phase 1 Light Rail and Priority Extensions (also known as the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) overlay), • Revise regulations that apply to flag lots and small lots, • Revise height, building placement, and other related regulations that apply to property and are in addition to the base zoning regulations (also known as Compatibility Standards), reducing the extent of compatibility regulations to 75 ft. All of these will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions directly or subsequently with higher population density. THEREFORE, The Environmental Commission recommends endorsing these changes to the City Code Title 25 Land Development Code and offers the following additional recommendations: 1 Christopher M. Jones and Daniel M. Kammen, Spatial Distribution of U.S. Household Carbon Footprints Reveals Suburbanization Undermines Greenhouse Gas Benefits of Urban Population Density. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2014, 48 (2), pp 895–902. 1 of 2 • Loosening development restrictions to allow denser housing could lead to the involuntary displacement of low-income renters, and the City should track this displacement and take steps to assist in relocating displaced tenants. If possible, the City should take steps to incentivize new higher density housing in high opportunity neighborhoods near jobs and existing mass transit. • • Over time, the City should track changes in transit use, micromobility use, walkability in new higher density developments to verify …
Population Density and Greenhouse Gas Emissions per Household Dr. David W. Sullivan The University of Texas at Austin Center for Energy and Environmental Resources Cell 512-914-4710; Email sullivan231@mail.utexas.edu Details • Researchers at Univ. California at Berkeley have published studies on greenhouse gas emissions per household in the U.S. • They maintain a Website at https://coolclimate.berkeley.edu. • Coolclimate maps show that the inner city areas of big cities have the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per household, owing to lower energy consumption & shorter/fewer motor vehicle trips. • In their analysis of the U.S. by zip code, the researchers found lower emissions per household in denser areas, but the relationship was weak (R2 = 0.04). Emissions / Household vs Zip Code Population Density Problem • As the graph shows there is a wide range of emission rates at low population densities. This is because there are many small towns where trips may be shorter and consumption lower so emissions are low, whereas there are also many suburbs with low density but lots of driving and high consumption with high emissions. • I downloaded the data and averaged the zipcodes with similar densities and got better results. • I selected the zip codes in the Austin 5-county MSA and also got better results. Emissions / Household vs Zip Code Population Density bins at 10,000 person increments (R2 = 0.26) Emissions / Household vs Zip Code Population Density 80 Austin MSA Zip Codes (R2 = 0.39) (R2 = 0.34), excluding UT West Campus
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20240501-002 Date: May 1, 2024 Subject: Bridle Ridge at Wildhorse Ranch C8-2023-0259 Motion by: Jennifer Bristol Seconded by: Perry Bedford WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting two variances 1) 25-8-341 to allow cut over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. 2) 25-8-342 to allow fill over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in Gilleland Creek Watershed, Suburban Classification; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that Staff recommends the variance with conditions. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following conditions: Staff Conditions: 1. Slope stabilization for areas of existing erosion adjacent to the lots, will be provided with grouted rip-rap or approved equivalent method. 2. Slope stabilization in area of cut over 8 feet will be provided by terracing, 25 feet at 15% grade and 20 feet at 5% grade, and revegetation with native grasses and forbs (per Standard Specifications Manual 609S.5). 3. Fill over 8 feet will be contained with engineered walls. 4. The water quality ponds will be biofiltration ponds. 1. Environmental Commission Conditions:Review the carrying capacity of water/ electric/ sewer to accommodate additional units per lot in reference to Home-2 Code changes if that Code passes City Council. 2. Reduce the impervious cover and reduce the need for the cut and fill by removing or reducing the houses in the dark green / steepest slopes area. 3. Utilize the HOA guidelines to insure the native plants are utilized throughout the property not just on the terracing. 4. Plant native trees on the housing lots that are naturally found in the blackland prairie. 5. Increase the native flowers and shrubs that support pollinators. 1 6. Provide home owners education or signage that helps them understand when it is best to mow or not mow to better support pollinators and migratory birds. VOTE: 9-0 For: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Richard Brimer, Peter Einhorn, Mariana Krueger, Colin Nickells, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera, David Sullivan Against: None Recuse: None Absent: Hanna Cofer Perry Bedford, Environmental Commission Chair Attest: 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20240501-003 Date: May 1, 2024 Subject: Infill Plat and Site Lite Part 2 Amendments Motion by: Jennifer Bristol Seconded by: Mariana Kruger WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the Code Amendments related to Home-2 known as Infill Plats and Site Lite Part 2 are a compilation of directives from City Council; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission has been given a presentation from Staff on Infill Plats and Site Plan Lite; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that Staff recommends these amendments. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the code amendments with the following Environmental Commission recommendations and comments: 1. Request that the City Council recognize that the Environmental Commission was not involved in the review and recommendation of the Code changes. 2. The Environmental Commission was not provided a copy of the Code to review before or 3. The Environmental Commission is concerned that these Code changes inequitably may at the meeting. impact low-income neighborhoods. 4. The Environmental Commission was only presented watershed and drainage information and not how this impacts tree protections, tree canopy reduction, light pollution, or increase to utilities, including wastewater. 5. The Environmental Commission is concerned about how this impacts homes in the local flooding areas or homes that are on the edge of the floodplains. 6. The Environmental Commission is concerned about neighbor-to-neighbor flooding due to poor drainage, including “ghost drainage” that is done without permits. 7. The Environmental Commission was not presented the study that surveyed the size of lots in the neighborhoods and what areas would be impacted the most. 8. How was the community involved in the Code changes? 9. Request that the public is well informed in multiple ways about the new changes, how that will impact them, and how they can utilize the Code legally. 10. Request that the public is made aware of the process for adjacent homeowners to protest or improve changes to a neighbor’s lot. 11. The Environmental Commission is concerned about the increase of administrative approval rather than citizen-driven boards and commissions. 12. The Environmental Commission is in favor of increasing access to affordable homes and increasing density where possible. 1 For: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Richard Brimer, Peter Einhorn, Mariana Krueger, Colin Nickells, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera Against: None Abstain: David Sullivan Recuse: None Absent: Hanna Coffer VOTE: 8-0 Approved By: Perry Bedford, Environmental Commission Chair 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240501-005 Date: May 1st, 2024 Subject: HOME-2 and Population Density and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Motion by: David Sullivan Second by: Peter Einhorn WHEREAS, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley1 (https://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/) indicate that higher population density in urban areas leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions per household, based on energy savings from shared walls in duplexes, townhomes, apartments, and condominiums, improved walkability, more mass transit use, and more trips made with bikes and scooters, AND WHEREAS, low-density urban sprawl consumes valuable grassland prairies, tree-covered hill country, farmland, and other rural landscapes, and encroaches on wildlife habitat, AND WHEREAS, the Austin City Council is considering changes to the City Code Title 25 Land Development Code to: • Allow smaller lot sizes (2,000 square feet) in single-family zoning districts, • Create regulations that allow properties to be used for charging electric vehicles, • Create regulations, including a density bonus program that modifies height and compatibility in exchange for community benefits, for properties that are located within a half mile of the planned Phase 1 Light Rail and Priority Extensions (also known as the Equitable Transit- Oriented Development (ETOD) overlay), • Revise regulations that apply to flag lots and small lots, • Revise height, building placement, and other related regulations that apply to property and are in addition to the base zoning regulations (also known as Compatibility Standards), reducing the extent of compatibility regulations to 75 ft. AND WHEREAS, all of these will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions directly or subsequently with higher population density. THEREFORE, The Environmental Commission recommends endorsing these changes to the City Code Title 25 Land Development Code and offers the following additional recommendations: • Because loosening development restrictions to allow denser housing could lead to the involuntary displacement of low-income renters, the City shall track this displacement and take steps to assist in relocating displaced tenants. 1 Christopher M. Jones and Daniel M. Kammen, Spatial Distribution of U.S. Household Carbon Footprints Reveals Suburbanization Undermines Greenhouse Gas Benefits of Urban Population Density. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2014, 48 (2), pp 895–902. 1 of 2 • If possible, the City shall take steps to incentivize new higher-density housing in high- opportunity neighborhoods near jobs and existing mass transit. • The City shall track changes in transit use, micromobility use, and walkability in new higher-density developments to verify the predicted emission savings on an annual basis and report …
in a REGULAR meeting on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Richard Brimer, Jennifer Bristol, Peter Einhorn, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Hanna Cofer, Colin Nickells, Melinda Schiera Commissioners Absent: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 20, 2024 and the Special Called Meeting on March 28, 2024. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on March 20, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Krueger, Qureshi, and Schiera were off the dais. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Special Called meeting on March 28, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner’s Bristol and Nickells abstained. Commissioners Qureshi and Schiera were off the dais PUBLIC HEARINGS Name: Bridle Ridge at Wildhorse Ranch, C8-2023-0259 Applicant: Kimley Horn (Kevin Burks) Location: 10501 ½ Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78653 Council District: District 1 1 2. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department Applicant request: Request to vary from a) 25-8-341 to allow cut over four (4) feet, to 15 feet and b) 25-8-342 to allow fill over four (4) feet, to 15 feet. Staff recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the variances with conditions Speakers: Pamela Abee-Taulli Kevin Burks Liz Johnston A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Cofer was off the dais. A motion to approve the requested variances with conditions was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Cofer was off the dais. Approve a recommendation on an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 related to development regulations applicable to residential re-subdivisions and multi-family residential site development of five to sixteen units – Brent Lloyd, Development Officer, Development Services Department Speakers: Brent Lloyd Liz Johnston Matt Hollon Vice Chair Bedford called a recess at 8:07. Vice Chair Bedford reconvened the meeting at 8:15. Commissioner Bristol made a motion to recommend the Infill Plats & Site Plan Lite, Part 2 code …
Commission for Women Community Interest Announcement Women’s Hall of Fame Ceremony & Reception May 1, 2024 at 11am Austin City Hall 301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 Boards and Commissions Room A quorum of Commission members may be present. No action will be taken, and no Commission business will occur. Staff Liaison: Christi Vitela Liaison Telephone Number : 512-974-2792
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the ROBERT MUELLER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024 6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. AUSTIN ENERGY HEADQUARTERS ASSEMBLY ROOM 1111 4815 MUELLER BOULEVARD AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers 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 to speak remotely, call or email Kate Clark at kate.clark@austintexas.gov or 512-974-7875. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Michael Jones, Chair Rick Krivoniak, Vice Chair Richard Brimer Andrew Clements Corky Hilliard Christopher Jackson Martin Luecke David Neider Kenneth Ronsonette Joshua Rudow Kathy Sokolic AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Estimate 6:00 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS 6:05 1. Discussion by Catellus and City Staff on Mueller Master Development Agreement status and next steps ADJOURNMENT 7:00 The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Kate Clark with the Economic Development Department (EDD), at 512-974-7875, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Plan Implementation Advisory Commission, please contact Kate Clark with Economic Development at 512-974-7875.
Mueller Master Development Agreement Update RMMA Plan Implementation Advisory Commission April 30, 2024 Agenda • Overview of Mueller History and Goals • Update on Mueller development program numbers • Mueller achievements to date • Remaining work to complete • Why Mueller is taking longer • Staff Recommendation for Mueller MDA Amendment • Timeline for RMMA Plan Implementation Advisory Commission and Council C I T Y O F A U S T I N RMMA PIAC 4/30/2024 2 Mueller’s public open spaces offer a wide variety of options for parkgoers, from the more active space in Lake Park where organizers can host a dog walk to the more passive at Jessie Andrews Park, which features the whimsical sculpture of “Ocho.” A Brief History Citizens for Airport Relocation release development plan City Council adopts recommendations from Process & Goals Task Force City Council selects ROMA to create master plan Mueller airport closes; Bergstrom airport opens City Council adopts Redevelopment Plan; establishes Mueller Commission City Council selects Catellus as master developer Master Development Agreement contract signed by City and Catellus First construction begins (roads, Dell Children’s Medical Center, regional retail center) First residents move in, first parks open, the great recession began First income-qualified homeowners move in Seton HQ, first apartments (Mosaic) open, PUD amendment 2 | RMMA PIAC | 04/30/2024 Goals: • Fiscal Responsibility • East Austin Revitalization • Economic Development • Diversity and Affordability • Neighborhood Compatibility • Sustainability H-E-B, Thinkery open Aldrich Street town center district opens Mueller earns LEED for Neighborhood Design PUD amendment for higher density, COVID pandemic Marshall Middle School opens Dell Children’s opened in 2007 to provide world-class medical care to pediatric patients. It became the first hospital in the world to achieve LEED- platinum certification. RMMA PIAC 4/30/2024 3 C I T Y O F A U S T I N 1984 1996 1997 1999 2000 2002 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2013 2016 2017 2020 2023 By the Numbers 3 | RMMA PIAC | 04/30/2024 Mueller Green Building Requirements • Single-Family: Min. 3-Star AEGB • Commercial > 25,000 SF and Multi- family: Min. 2-Star AEGB and/or LEED Certification Category MDA Program To Date Upon Completion Number of homes 4,579 Number of affordable homes (25%) 1,145 Number of residents 10,000 AEGB certified homes 4,875 1,390 12,000 4,719 6,900 1,725 16,500 Commercial square footage 4.0 million 3.4 million 4.8 million Number of employees 10,000 10,300 14,500 …
RMMA PIAC MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 30, 2024 ROBERT MUELLER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024 The Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Plan Implementation Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the Austin Energy Headquarters located at 4815 Mueller Boulevard Austin, TX 78723. The meeting was also offered via videoconference. Chair Jones called the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Plan Implementation Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: • Michael Jones, Chair • Rick Krivoniak, Vice-Chair • Richard Brimer • Andrew Clements • Corky Hilliard • Martin Luecke • David Neider • Kathy Sokolic Commission Members in Attendance Remotely: • Kenneth Ronsonette • Joshua Rudow PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None DISCUSSION 1. Presentation by Catellus and City Staff on Mueller Master Development Agreement (MDA) status and next steps: Greg Weaver (Catellus) and Pam Hefner (Economic Development Department, COA) provided the Commission an update on the remaining items to be completed under the Mueller MDA and outlined Staff’s recommendation to extend the termination date of the Mueller MDA in order to complete the work. Chair Jones adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the May 14, 2024, meeting on Commissioner Krivoniak’s motion, Commissioner Ronsonette’s second on a 10-0 vote; Commissioner Jackson was absent. 1
Downtown Parking Modifications Phase 1 C20-2023-043 Planning Commission Meeting April 30, 2024 Cole Kitten, PTP, Division Manager Background On February 1, 2024, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20240201-054, initiating changes to the Land Development Code to modify parking regulations in downtown. “so that the regulations…help achieve the goals of reducing the overall number of new parking spaces built within downtown Austin to meet parking needs more efficiently and creating a more walkable, pedestrian-oriented built environment with fewer large above-ground parking structures.” These modifications could include: • • • implementing parking soft caps and requiring a fee for parking built above soft caps; reducing the maximum motor vehicle parking allowed for a development downtown from the existing maximums in City Code Chapter 25-6, Article 7, Division 5; and requiring developers to decouple parking as part of the gatekeeper requirements for the Downtown Density Bonus Program. 2 4/23/2024 FTA New Starts Application Existing Land Use Criteria Central Business District Parking “A more constrained parking supply (fewer spaces per employee or square foot) indicates that transit is likely to be more competitive in this market, and therefore may support a higher land use rating. “ Economic Development Effects Criteria Transit-Supportive Plans and Policies “Elimination or reduction of minimum parking requirements, as well as establishment or reduction of maximum requirements, are strategies that are considered transit-supportive and may support a higher rating.” 3 4/23/2024 ULI Technical Assistance Panel Report 4 4/23/2024 ULI Technical Assistance Panel Report 5 4/23/2024 ULI Technical Assistance Panel Report 6 4/23/2024 Staff Analysis Parking Calculations Total Site Plans Total Spaces 76 30,165 Parking Spaces Minimum Average Median Maximum 0 397 278 2,064 *based on approved site plan applications from 2013 to present 7 Staff Analysis Parking Calculations • The amount of parking allowed is calculated based on a site’s land uses and parking ratios in Appendix A of the Land Development Code. • Parking has not been required in Downtown since 2013 and citywide since 2023 (Appendix A is still used to calculate parking maximums and required accessible spaces). • Parking Downtown is currently capped at 60% of the previous requirement in Appendix A and can be exceeded up to 110% upon request. • Prior to 2013, a minimum of 20% for all developments and 60% for residential uses was required, with no parking maximum. *not the complete l ist of uses Percent of Appendix A = 68% 8 4/23/2024 …
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2023-043 Downtown Parking Modifications Phase 1 Description: Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a maximum off-street motor vehicle parking limit for properties zoned Central Business District (CBD) and Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU) and an administrative process, like a variance, to exceed the maximum parking limit under certain conditions. Background: Initiated by Resolution No. 20240201-054 On February 1, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20240201-054, initiating changes to the Land Development Code to modify non-zoning parking regulations so that the regulations meet parking needs more efficiently, achieve the goals of reducing the overall number of new parking spaces built within downtown, and create a more walkable, pedestrian-oriented built environment with fewer large above-ground parking structures. The Downtown Parking Requirements amendment is one of the transit-supportive code amendments staff is prioritizing in Spring 2024 to help ensure adopted regulations intended to benefit the Project Connect Phase 1 Austin Light Rail project can be considered as part of the preliminary ratings package for federal funding that will be submitted in Summer 2024. Summary of Proposed Code Amendment: The proposed code amendments will: 1. Revise the existing “soft parking cap”: • Properties zoned CBD and DMU: Soft parking maximum reduced from 60% to 40% of former Appendix A requirement. • Developments under 10,000 sq ft or with 70 or fewer residential units can continue to include up to 60% of parking spaces formerly required by Appendix A. 2. Only allow more parking than the “soft cap” under certain conditions: • The director may allow more parking than the soft cap allows if: o There is no risk to public health, safety, or welfare and it aligns with planning policies for the area; and o Parking is part of a shared parking facility; or o Parking is rented or sold separately from the building space; or o Parking is designed and constructed for conversion to usable building space in the future; or o Parking is underground; or o Mitigation Fees are paid for parking built above the parking maximum and go toward multimodal improvements. 3. Reduce the absolute maximum amount of car parking allowed: 4/30/24C20-2023-0431 • Current parking maximum reduced from 110% to 80% of parking spaces of former Appendix A requirement. • All developments allowed up to 100% of parking spaces of former Appendix A requirement, if excess spaces above the 80% limit are included underground. …
Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Overlay Code Amendment Planning Commission April 30, 2024 C20-2023-004 Public Hearings & Engagement Additional Open Houses May 6, 2024 (West Austin) May 8, 2024 (East Austin) Joint City Council & Planning Commission Meeting April 11, 2024 Open Houses April 17, 2024 + April 20, 2024 (Virtual) Planning Commission Meetings April 23, 2024 + April 30, 2024 City Council Meeting May 16, 2024 2 Engagement Channels Mailed Notice and Media – ETOD Notice – News Coverage – Social Media – Advertising Website, Email, and Phone Open Houses 3 ETOD Engagement by the Numbers (as of 4/25) Notices mailed out: 39,084 (ETOD only) Visits to www.SpeakUpAustin.org/TransitLDC: 5,221+ (2,039+ visits to the ETOD Overlay SpeakUp webpage) Phone calls/emails: 78 (ETOD only) Comments on speakupaustin.org: 35 (ETOD only) Speakers at April 11 Joint Meeting: 181 (115 in favor, 58 against, 8 neutral) Attendees at 4/17 In-Person Open House: 88+ Attendees at 4/20 Virtual Open House: 75+ 4 Additional Open Houses May 6, 2024 6-8 PM Anderson High School 8403 Mesa Drive May 8, 2024 6-8 PM George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center 1165 Angelina Street 5 ETOD Overlay – Clarifications Rezoning to DBETOD will not require someone to redevelop Existing businesses do not have to stop operating DBETOD projects will be able to follow relaxed compatibility standards Future phases of work will: – Consider all Project Connect lines – Consider increased entitlements – Calibrate density bonus/consider additional community benefits ETOD/DBETOD could be added to properties within ½ mile of LRT and Priority Extensions through future rezoning requests 6 Schedule April 30 (today): Council Work Session April 30 (today): Planning Commission | ETOD Overlay May 6: Additional Open House (West Austin @ Anderson HS) May 8: Additional Open House (East Austin @ Carver Museum) May 14: Council Work Session May 16: City Council 7 For More Information Website: SpeakUpAustin.org/LDCupdates Email: LDCupdates@austintexas.gov Phone: (512) 974-7220 8 Thank You Council Direction Electric Vehicle Charging HOME Phase 2 Citywide Compatibility Changes ETOD Overlay Resolution No. 20230608-082 provided direction to create a new land use for Electric Vehicle charging and define where EV charging facilities could be located. Resolution No. 20230720-126 provided direction to reduce minimum lot sizes for single-family zoning districts. Resolution No. 20230608-045 provided direction to simplify …
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT & REZONING REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2023-004 ETOD Overlay (Phase 1 Austin Light Rail alignment and Priority Extensions) Description: Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to create an Equitable Transit- Oriented Development (ETOD) Overlay combining district and an ETOD Density Bonus combining district (DBETOD), and to apply these combining districts to certain lots within a half-mile of the Phase 1 Austin Light Rail alignment and Priority Extensions. The ETOD Overlay combining district is proposed to prohibit or make conditional certain non-transit supportive uses. The ETOD Density Bonus combining district is proposed to 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 including compatibility. DBETOD allows developments to participate in a density bonus program if they provide affordable rental or ownership housing or fees-in-lieu that meet certain requirements. Background: Initiated by Resolution No. 20230309-016 and Resolution No. 20240201-054 On March 9, 2023, City Council approved Resolution No. 20230309-016 accepting the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Policy Plan and directing the City Manager regarding next steps for implementation. To provide further direction on one of those next steps, the creation and application of an ETOD Overlay, Council approved Resolution No. 20240201-054. The ETOD Overlay is one of the transit-supportive code amendments staff is prioritizing in Spring 2024 to help ensure adopted regulations intended to benefit the Project Connect Phase 1 Austin Light Rail project can be considered as part of the preliminary ratings package for federal funding that will be submitted in Summer 2024. Summary of Proposed Code Amendment: The proposed code amendment will create two new combining districts: 1. ETOD Overlay combining district (ETOD) will prohibit or make conditional those land uses that are not transit-supportive, and 2. 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. The two new combining districts will be applied to certain lots through a rezoning within a half-mile of the Phase 1 Austin Light Rail alignment and Priority Extensions as shown on Figure 1. 4/30/2024C20-2023-0041 Figure 1: Parcels Proposed for Rezoning into the ETOD and DBETOD Combining Districts 4/30/2024C20-2023-0042 ETOD Overlay Combining District (ETOD) – Proposed Uses to Prohibit or Make Conditional The following lists delineate land uses that …
SPECIAL CALLED PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA Tuesday, April 30, 2024 The Planning Commission will convene in a Special Called meeting at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at City Hall, Council Chambers 1001 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX. Some members of the Planning Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Greg Anderson – Secretary (District 4) Awais Azhar – Vice-Chair (Mayor) Nadia Barrera-Ramirez (District 3) Grayson Cox (District 10) Adam Haynes (Mayor) Claire Hempel – Chair (District 8) Patrick Howard (District 1) Ryan Johnson (District 7) Felicity Maxwell (District 5) Jennifer Mushtaler (District 6) Alberta Phillips (Mayor) Danielle Skidmore (District 9) Alice Woods – Parliamentarian (District 2) Ex-Officio Members Jessica Cohen – Chair of Board of Adjustment Jesús Garza – Interim City Manager Candace Hunter – AISD Board of Trustees Richard Mendoza – Director of Transportation and Public Works EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Planning Commission 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 Attorney: Steven Maddoux 512-974-6080 Executive Liaison: Joi Harden 512-974-1617 Commission Liaison: Andrew Rivera, 512-974-6508 listed on this agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the closure of speaker registration will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. PUBLIC HEARING 1. LDC Amendment: C20-2023-043 - Downtown Parking Modifications Phase 1 Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a maximum off- street motor vehicle parking limit for properties zoned Central Business District (CBD) and Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU) and an administrative process, like a variance, to exceed the maximum parking limit under certain conditions. Recommended Cole Kitten, 512-974-6442, cole.kitten@austintexas.gov Transportation and Public Works Department 2. LDC Amendment: C20-2023-004 - ETOD Overlay (Phase 1 LRT) Request: Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to create regulations that would apply to properties that are located within a half mile of the planned Phase 1 Light Rail and Priority Extensions (also known as the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) overlay). Recommended Warner Cook, 512-978-1724, warner.cook@austintexas.gov Planning Department Staff Rec.: Staff: ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the …
SPEAKER REGISTRATION All participants wishing to address the commission must register to speak. Public participation is available by teleconference or in-person. Teleconference Registration Registration for participation by teleconference closes on Monday April 29, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Teleconference code and additional information to be provided after the closing of the teleconference registration period. In-Person Registration While in-per son registrants are encouraged to register in advance of the meeting, in-pe rson registration closes at 3:00 PM the day of the meeting utilizing a mobile device to scan the below QR c ode whic h will be displayed in Council chambers. Mobile devices will als o be available at the meeting for public use for the purpose of s peaker registration. Speaker Donation of Time For discussion cases, speaker donation of time is an available option for in-person participants. Both the registered speaker donating time and the speaker recipient must be present when the public hearing is conducted. See chart below regarding speaker time allotments. Click on link below or scan the QR code and submit the form to register to speak. Speakers should submit a separate registration form for each item of interest. https://forms.office.com/g/irmTaGAqPp Please contact Andrew Rivera, Commission Liaison, for ques�ons regarding speaker registra�on at Andrew.rivera@aus�ntexas.gov or by phone 512-974-6508. Presenta�ons and handouts are requested to be e-mailed to Commission Liaison Andrew Rivera at Andrew.rivera@aus�ntexas.gov by 1:00 PM day of the mee�ng. PARKING & VALIDATION Parking is available at the City Hall parking garage and is free with validation. SPEAKER TIME ALLOTMENT: The anticipated allotted speaker time is 2 minutes per registered speaker. An in-person speaker can receive donated time from 2 registered speakers present in-person. Please contact Andrew Rivera, Commission Liaison, for questions regarding speaker registration at Andrew.rivera@austintexas.gov or by phone 512-974-6508. Presentations and handouts are requested to be e-mailed to Commission Liaison Andrew Rivera at Andrew.rivera@austintexas.gov by 1:00 PM day of the meeting. PARKING & VALIDATION Parking is available at the City Hall parking garage and is free with validation.
For Planning Commission (April 30, 2024) Working draft – subject to change ORDINANCE NO. ________________ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TITLE 25 TO AMEND SECTION 25- 6-591 RELATING TO PARKING REQUIREMENTS. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. City Code Section 25-6-591 is amended to add a new Subsection (X) to read: 25-6-591 PARKING PROVISIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD), THE DOWNTOWN MIXED USE (DMU) DISTRICT, THE PUBLIC (P) ZONING DISTRICTS, AND THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY (UNO) DISTRICT (A) The requirements of this section apply to the: (1) central business district (CBD); (2) downtown mixed use (DMU) zoning district; (3) public (p) zoning district within the area bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard; IH-35; Lady Bird Lake; and Lamar Boulevard; and (4) university neighborhood overlay (UNO) district. (B) Off-street motor vehicle parking is not required within the central business district (CBD) or downtown mixed use (DMU) zoning districts except as provided by this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, off-street parking includes any parking that is designated to serve a use and is not located in a public right-of-way, regardless of whether the parking is onsite or offsite. (1) If off-street parking is provided, it must include parking for persons with disabilities as required by the Building Code and may not include fewer accessible spaces than would be required under Paragraph (2)(a) of this subsection. (2) Except for a use occupying a designated historic landmark or an existing building in a designated historic district, off-street motor vehicle parking for persons with disabilities must be provided for a use that occupies 6,000 square feet or more of floor space under the requirements of this paragraph. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Draft 4/26/2024 COA Law Department Page 1 of 4 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 For Planning Commission (April 30, 2024) Working draft – subject to change (a) The following requirements apply if no parking is provided for a use, other than parking for persons with disabilities: (i) the minimum number of accessible parking spaces is calculated by taking 100 …
WORKING DRAFT – SUBJECT TO CHANGE PLANNING COMMISSION – VERSION 1 APRIL 30, 2024 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 25-2 OF THE CITY CODE TO CREATE A NEW ZONING DISTRICT AND NEW DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM DISTRICT RELATING TO EQUITABLE-TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AND REZONING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP TO INCLUDE EQUITABLE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (ETOD) COMBINING DISTRICT AND DENSITY BONUS ETOD (DBETOD) COMBINING DISTRICT TO THE BASE ZONING DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE ALONG NORTH LAMAR BOULEVARD, GUADALUPE STREET, SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE, AND LOCATED SOUTH OF U.S. HWY 183 AND NORTH OF LIGHTSEY ROAD/WOODWARD STREET. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: PART 1. Subsection (F) of City Code Section 25-2-32 (Zoning Districts and Map Codes) is amended to delete “corridor overlay” and to add a new combining district that reads as follows: (F) Combining districts and map codes are as follows: (22) Equitable Transit-Oriented Development ….ETOD (23) density bonus ETOD …. DBETOD PART 2. Division 6, Article 2, Subchapter A of City Code Chapter 25-2 (Zoning) is amended to add a new Section 25-2-182 to read: § 25-2-182 EQUITABLE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (ETOD) COMBINING DISTRICT PURPOSE AND BOUNDARIES. (A) The purpose of the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) combining district is to enhance transit-supportive uses, encourage more intentional and equitable land stewardship with increased bicycle, pedestrian, and transit connectivity, housing options and opportunities, public realm activation, and new economic opportunities near public transit. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 4/26/2024 10:06 AM ETOD/ ETOD Density Bonus Combining District Page 1 of 17 COA Law Department 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 WORKING DRAFT – SUBJECT TO CHANGE PLANNING COMMISSION – VERSION 1 APRIL 30, 2024 (B) The boundaries of the ETOD district are identified in Exhibit “A” (ETOD Boundaries) and shall be incorporated into Chapter 25-2 (Appendix G). PART 3. Division 6, Article 3, Subchapter C of City Code Chapter 25-2 (Zoning) is amended to add a new Section 25-2-653 to read: § 25-2-653 EQUITABLE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (ETOD) COMBINING DISTRICT REGULATIONS. (A) This section applies to a property with ETOD zoning. (B) This section governs over a conflicting provision of …
Amendment Item (HOME Phase Commissioner Reference Document No. 2, Compatibility, Proposing EV Charging, OR Amendment ETOD Overlay) Pg #/Section # of document Hempel #1 Downtown Parking Hempel Downtown Parking Changes, 4/30/24 N/A version sent on Friday 4/26/24 Hempel #2 Downtown Parking Hempel Downtown Parking Changes, 4/30/24 N/A version sent on Friday 4/26/24 Proposed Amendment Proposed Text Change, IF Text Change Included in Amendment (YES/NO) necessary (Underline added text/Strikethrough deleted text) General: Staff to consider steps No toward implementation of a free or very low cost downtown circulator, similar to The Dillo. General: Staff to consider No encouraging or requiring charging and storage for e-bikes in addition to the increase in bicycle parking quantities that will arise from this ordinance. No No References and Notes (if needed) There are many reasons people take shuttles instead of or in addition to walking, but if the perception of decreased availability of downtown parking is going to happen, there should be a way for people to from place to place in downtown. For example, The desire is for people to choose other modes of transportation to access downtown. E-bike usage is rising, and encouraged through rebates with Austin Energy. Places for e-bike users to charge should be considered, as well as safe places to store bikes, particuarly e-bikes.
Amendment No. Item (HOME Phase 2, Commissioner Reference Pg #/Section # Proposed Amendment Compatibility, EV Charging, OR Proposing Document of document ETOD Overlay) Amendment Proposed Text Change, IF necessary (Underline added text/Strikethrough deleted text) Text Change Included in Amendmen t (YES/NO) References and Notes (if needed) 1 Maxwell Page 7 of 17 -§ 25-2- Updated Line 157 (2) If a site includes an existing non- Yes 654 (F) language for residential use, the proposed development ETOD Draft Ordinance ETOD must: redevelopment (a) provide current non-residential space requirements operators with notice and information about the proposed development on a form approved by the director; and (b)grant a non-residential space operator the option to lease a non-residential space following the completion of redevelopment. 2 Maxwell Page 7 of 17 -§ 25-2- Remove Strike lines 190 - 192 (d) i-ii Yes 654 (G) and replace with (i) may not have more than two stories of non- location of residential uses language related to commerical space 3 Maxwell General Amendment Related to 4(c) (a) Add more internal uses including Mix of Uses establishing commercial uses on an internal (Line 184) street potential bonuses for creative spaces, civic uses, cultural uses open to the public, non profit community spaces, public bathrooms and specific commerical spaces (b) Expand to include outdoor uses such as sidewalks, internal walkways, bike lanes open to the public, parks, plazas and environmental features & recreational features that are open to the public (in conjunction with Parkland Dedication) (c) Incentivize Transit infrastructure & features including but not limited to bus stops, bus charging facilities, electrical equipment needed by transit in coordination with Cap Metro / ATP (d) create incentrive program for legacy businesses, and commerical uses as outlined in Section F, Subsection 1 Standards in the Great Streets Program, University Neighborhood Overlay, and South Central Waterfront and apply as appropriate to the DBETOD overlay Section 4.3.3.C standards for Section 4.3.3.C in Subchapter E, in Subchapter E ensuring best practices for Transit Oriented Development for VMU buildings. Connect infrasturcture as a community benefit within an Infrastructure density bonus requirement 4 Maxwell General Amendment Street Incorporate specfic street standards as outlined 5 Maxwell General Amendment Related to Staff shall consider updated and revised 6 Maxwell General Amendment Project Consider Project Connect transit supportive https://library. municode.co m/tx/austin/co des/code_of_o rdinances?nod ETOD Draft Ordinance ETOD Draft Ordinance ETOD Draft Ordinance ETOD Draft Ordinance ETOD Draft Ordinance
ETOD Overlay r Document No. Commissione Reference Pg #/Section # Proposed Amendment Proposed Text Change (Underline added References and Notes (if needed) WG Vote Azhar Vote Cox Vote Haynes Vote Johnson Vote Maxwell Phillips Vote text/Strikethrough deleted text) Tally Vote 1 Azhar ETOD Page 11 of 16 -§ Minimize the redevelopment of existing naturally occurring affordable housing Necessary Changes will need to be 6/6 Yes Yes yes Yes Yes Yes Ordinance 25-2-654 (I) by adding an adapted multi-family redevelopment requirement. Draft V1 For redevelopment with an existing multi-family structure, an applicant must: made in Chapter 4-18 to reflect these changes. Text Change Included in Amendment (YES/NO) No (1) replace all existing units that were affordable to a household earning 60 percent MFI or below in the previous 12 months and have at least as many bedrooms as those units; (2) provide current tenants with notice and information about the proposed development with a timeframe of 180 days consistent with requirements adopted under Section 25-1-711 (Purpose, Applicability, Exceptions And Definitions), Section 25-1-712 (Tenant Notification Required), Section 25-1- 713 (Additional Notice Requirements), and Section 25-1-717 (Offenses) and allow tenants to terminate leases without penalty or prejudice during the period for which notification is provided; (3) pay a tenant relocation fee established by separate ordinance as a condition of approval. The Housing director shall deposit a fee imposed under this section into the Developer Fund for Tenant Relocation Assistance, which is established under this section. The director shall use the fund to provide tenant relocation assistance to eligible tenants at the development or site for which the payment was made, consistent with requirements adopted under Section 25-1 714 (Tenant Relocation Program); and (4) grant income-eligible current tenants the option to lease one of the affordable units a unit of comparable affordability and size following completion of redevelopment. Grant all other tenants the option to lease a unit of comparable affordability and size following completion of redevelopment. multi-family structure may pose a health hazard for existing tenants, requiring extensive repairs. recommendation usage/impact of the ETOD density bonus program, including yields of affordable housing (on-site and fee in lieu), usage of fee-in-lieu funds, number of total residential units created, commercial space developed or redeveloped, and other key metrics including equity impacts. 2 Azhar Azhar Create a process by which some of the requirements in Subsection (J) can be No This is contingent on Azhar 6/6 …
Submitted by Commissioner Phillips ETOD Amendments 1. Create a Fee-in-Lieu Oversight Committee that would review the use of Fee-in-Lieu and make recommendations regarding the use of Fee-in-Lieu funds for the development of affordable housing, vouchers, etc. This committee should be made up in part by community members directly-impacted by the displacement crisis (low-income homeowners who are property-tax burdened, renters who are rent-burdened, and community members with lived experience of homelessness), as well as frontline community organizations that work with these communities. 2. Create the North and South Zones in this ETOD. Take staff recommendation for the South Zone. Create new density bonus/affordability benchmarks for North Zone (segments of Lamar and Burnet) that runs north of 15th Street to Crestview. Amend the ETOD density bonus to require that units are affordable at 40% MFI to 60% MFI and cap the MFI at the current level for 2024 OR assess the income-level of residents at risk of displacement and housing insecurity annually to set income requirements at that level. Rational for 2: These are very different areas income-wise and racial-wise. South Zone is high-wealth and predominantly White so it might not be possible to lower density bonus/affordability in this zone. But the North Zone is significantly lower in wealth, more diverse racially and ethnically with surrounding neighborhoods that are home to BIPOC communities, and working-income people of all races. Some businesses within the North Zone also reflect those demographics. The ETOD is going to significantly increase land values not just in the ETOD, but to adjacent and nearby homes and neighborhoods, creating the same unintended consequences created by the Plaza Satillo TOD and the MLK Station TOD. For truly equitable transit-oriented development Council must incentivize building of units at much deeper levels of affordability in the North Zone and possibly in the student zone. Doing this also will help maximize public transit use. Fee in-lieu. If affordable units are at or below 50% MFI, units should be built onsite 3. in the ETOD/DBETOD and not subject to fee-in-lieu except where alternative areas for expanded affordable housing are identified so the fee in-lieu is actually going to expanding affordable housing and not steered to housing vouchers that can’t be used readily or timely because of large waiting lists. The exception would be for the downtown corridor provisions that provide fee in-lieu to permanent affordable housing or housing vouchers to house unsheltered Austin residents. …
The Heritage Neighborhood is bordered by Guadalupe, Lamar, 28th and 38th Streets. The Heritage Neighborhood Associa@on represents residents of the neighborhood and is open for membership without charge. The Heritage Neighborhood Associa@on makes the following recommenda)ons concerning the proposed ETOD/DBETOD overlay: • Ini@ate sta@on area planning for all sta@on on the current rail alignment. As the sta@on areas within Heritage are part of the Central Aus@n Neighborhood plan, the plans could be updated as needed to support transit with the goal of avoiding displacement of both businesses and residents. As with the original neighborhood plan and plan amendments, updates should be completed with community par@cipa@on. • Apply the ETOD overlay only within ½ mile of sta@ons on the current rail alignment. • Postpone considera@on of DBETOD or approve it only as a paper district similar to DB90. Both of these density bonus programs will enhance the FTA applica@on by illustra@ng the op@ons for dense housing without limi@ng op@ons for sta@on area planning. DBETOD zoning should not be approved on a parcel by parcel or broad basis un@l aSer sta@on area planning is complete. • Remove the fee-in-lieu op@on from the DBETOD. • Enhance the benefit of the $300 million in an@-displacement funding by revising the current guidance to use the funds within one mile of bus or rail sta@ons and instead restrict the use of these funds to within ½ mile of light rail sta@ons. The an@- displacement money should priori@ze housing for very- and extremely-low income households. Ra)onale: Equitable Transit oriented development is intended to support transit while also avoiding the gentrifica@on and displacement of both exis@ng residents and businesses that is typical with tradi@onal transit-oriented development (TOD). The Heritage Neighborhood supports these goals, has encouraged mixed use developments on our corridors and developed the plan that includes the most successful density bonus program in the city while s@ll ensuring compa@ble development with the mixture of housing types in our area. ETOD and DBETOD zoning is proposed for every commercial, mul@family, or mixed-use property in the Heritage neighborhood that is within the City’s measurement of ½ mile of the proposed light rail line. The proper@es proposed for ETOD/DBETOD oSen exceed ½ mile of sta@ons, the area considered by the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) when evalua@ng investment grants. While DBETOD is intended to increase housing density near transit, without corresponding policies to protect local businesses and naturally occurring affordable housing …
Registered Speaker List for Planning Commission Special Called Meeting April 30, 2024 Jason John Paul Haskins, AIA Stuart Hersh Jenny Grayson Sterling King Dwayne Reid Megan Meisenbach Betsy Greenberg John Good Susan Rodenko John Tomanovich Leigh Ziegler Karen McGraw Barbara McArthut Cindi Reid Bethany Carson Brad Massingill Kyle McCollum Amy Voorhes Peter Breton Karen Kreps Felix De Portu Srikar Nalluri JANIS REINKEN Monica Guzmán Roy Waley Tai Hovanky Christopher Page Omar VasquezAlpizar Shane Johnson Lauren Ross Iliana Medrano Joe Riddell Michael Whellan Zqach Faddis Alexia Leclercq Carlos Pinon JANIS REINKEN
PLANNING COMMISSION April 30, 2024 MINUTES The Planning Commission convened in a meeting on April 30, 2024, in Council Chambers of City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas and via videoconference @ http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Chair Hempel called the Commission Meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Greg Anderson- Secretary Awais Azhar -Vice-Chair Nadia Barrera-Ramirez Grayson Cox Adam Haynes Claire Hempel - Chair Patrick Howard Felicity Maxwell Jennifer Mushtaler Alberta Phillips Danielle Skidmore Alice Woods Jessica Cohen – Ex-Officio Absent Candice Hunter - Ex-Officio Richard Mendoza – Ex-Officio Jesús Garza– Ex-Officio PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the closure of speaker registration will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the closure of speaker registration will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. PUBLIC HEARING Amendment: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: 1. LDC C20-2023-043 - Downtown Parking Modifications Phase 1 Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a maximum off-street motor vehicle parking limit for properties zoned Central Business District (CBD) and Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU) and an administrative process, like a variance, to exceed the maximum parking limit under certain conditions. Recommended Cole Kitten, 512-974-6442, cole.kitten@austintexas.gov Transportation and Public Works Department Motion by Chair Hempel, seconded by Commissioner Cox to grant staff recommendation to amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a maximum off1street motor vehicle parking limit for properties zoned Central Business District (CBD) and Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU) and an administrative process, like a variance, to exceed the maximum parking limit under certain conditions, as amended, was approved on a vote of 11-0. Commissioner Mushtaler off the dais. Commissioner Woods absent. 2. LDC C20-2023-004 - ETOD Overlay (Phase 1 LRT) Amendment: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to create regulations that would apply to properties that are located within a half mile of the planned Phase 1 Light Rail and Priority Extensions (also known as the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) overlay). Recommended Warner Cook, 512-978-1724, warner.cook@austintexas.gov Planning Department Motion by Vice-Chair Azhar, seconded by Commissioner Maxwell to grant staff recommendation, as amended, to create regulations that would apply to properties that are located within a half mile of the planned Phase 1 Light …
