Joint Sustainability Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240XXX-XXX Motioned By: Date: XXX, 2024 Description of Recommendation to Council Subject: Joint Sustainability Committee Environmental Investment Plan Recommendations (Natural Systems) Seconded By: D R A F T 1. Preservation of existing agricultural land: The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that $XX be allocated to preserve existing agricultural land and increase the amount of farmland using practices that improve soil health through land trusts, land banks, conservation easements and/or other legal or financing mechanisms. a. Details: Develop an inventory of available farmland in Austin/Travis County, conduct appraisals, fund conservation easements and/or incentives for farmers adopting regenerative agricultural practices (TBD but may include cover cropping, crop rotation, no/low-till, mulching, compost application, elimination/ reduction of synthetic pesticide and fertilizer use, etc.) a. Plan alignment: Food Plan Goal 1 and the Climate Equity Plan Natural Systems b. Benefits: Slows the loss of local farmland; improves the quality of locally produced food and protects soil carbon pools. Soils with healthy levels of organic material increase water retention, improve water quality, protect biodiversity, sequester carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. c. Cost estimate: $TBD for inventory and appraisals (one-time); $TBD per acre for easements (one-time); $TBD for incentives (annual) Goal 2. 2. Revolving loan fund for Working Farms Fund pilot: The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that $5.5 million be allocated to establish a revolving loan fund to preserve agricultural land in Austin/Travis County through a pilot program that provides a path to ownership for a new generation of farmers and increases the amount of farmland acting as carbon pools. a. Details: A collaboration with the Conservation Funds Working Farms Fund and local agricultural nonprofits will acquire and permanently protect small to mid-sized farms, and provide a pathway for underrepresented farmers to own their own farms b. Plan alignment: Food Plan Goal 1 and the Climate Equity Plan Natural Systems Goal 2. c. Benefits: Slows the loss of local farmland, improves the quality of locally produced food, protects carbon pools, and serves as a template for program replication. d. Cost estimate: $5.25M to establish a revolving loan fund; $250K annually for operational expenses d. Cost: $350K (TBD) real-time response to leaks, solar panel outages etc. and improving management of water and electricity usage in City parks, pools and buildings. 3. Energy and water dashboard for City facilities: The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that $350K (TBD) be allocated to create a consolidated energy and …
UT City Climate Colab Empower communities with climate data and tools A framework for cities to build climate smart infrastructure (netzero, heat/health, fire, investments..) Dev Niyogi¹ Allysa Dallmann¹, Marc Coudert², Zach Baumer², Patrick Bixler¹, Paola Passalacqua¹, Junfeng Jiao¹, Yang Zong Liang¹, Zoltan Nagy1, Heidi Schmalbach¹ 1. The University of Texas at Austin 2. The City of Austin utcitycolab.org URGENCY • Increase in the climate extremes; city needs to prepare for eventualities • Disadvantaged communities greatly challenged in "bouncing back" Infrastructure investments and response plans underway • • Students interested in place-based research • Federal grant opportunities are growing TEMPERATURE One of the “simplest” climate variables Austin changes not explains by global changes alone City scale information needs bottom up rather than top down approach only (Top down is global to local which is what we see for El Nino, La Nina effects for example) Climate Downscaling (coarse grid (100 km x 100 km ) global information statistically brought to local scale (10km or finer) – This is top down and most common way of getting climate information AUSTIN’S FUTURE CLIMATE Rain events will become more intense and less frequent Temperatures will become hotter Less frequent, but more intense cold events CIMBY CLIMATE IN MY BACKYARD There is a need to localize data climate information To complement community experience UT City Climate CoLab This creates a framework that is tied into local city departments, communities, and UT EXPERIENCE from the community, and the city UT + City Climate CoLab DATA from the climate and atmospheric sciences USEFUL TO USEABLE UT City Climate CoLab • National - NOAA NCEI • Texas has State Climate Office • Regional Climate Hubs (for agriculture) UT City Climate CoLab • City needs are unique • Data needs are localized UT City Climate CoLab • Climate models are complicated • Scenarios, Resolutions, Model Choices • Reanalysis, Data, AI/ML output UT City Climate CoLab • Localizing data and information with lived experience is important to develop local policies and investment decisions. UT Investments -Climate Program Coordinator (Allysa Dallman JSG + PT2050) - 2 postdocs (JSG; Ali and Manmeet) - LBJ 5 summer GRAs, part of Program Manager (Deidra Miniard) - Faculty time - Research Grants City Investments -CoLab Program Manager (Alexia Leclercq) - Product Developer (advertised) - ILA projects (e.g. Water Fwd; AFD) - Office of Resilience/ Sustainability - Access/Partnership Open source, Build height data sets for cities …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES Apr 24, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and City Hall. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:06 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Lane Becker, Larry Franklin, Charlotte Davis, Kaiba White, Haris Qureshi, Jon Salinas Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Diana Wheeler, Anna Scott, Heather Houser, Chris Campbell, Yure Suarez Board Members Absent: Bertha Delgado, Alice Woods, Melissa Rothrock, Amy Noel, Rodrigo Leal City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala, Zach Baumer CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:20 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 1. Melinda Chow- River Watch, speaking in favor of Austin Civilian Conservation Corps (ACCC) success stories 2. Parc Smith – American Youth Works, speaking in favor of ACCC 3. Chase Wright – Hungry Hill Foundation, speaking in favor of ACCC 4. Jaquan Jackson – Hungry Hill Foundation, speaking in favor of ACCC 5. Paul Robbins – Environmental activist, vice chair of RMC. Speaking on the need for stronger restrictions on water use and for reclaimed water. Green choice program is obsolete, needs to be repurposed for dispatchable renewable energy 6. Adam Greenfield – Safe Streets Austin, speaking in favor of Urban Transportation Commission’s transportation package, Farm and City’s recommendations. In support of dais). converting 1 lane on every arterial to protected bike or bus lanes. 110 miles - $40 million for quick build. Savings from crash cost reduction. Example of longhorn dam 7. Scott Johnson – speaking on the importance of low-emission asphalt 1. Approval of minutes from the March 27th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Davis motions to approve, Maxwell-Gaines seconds, passes on 11-0 vote (Suarez off 3. UT City Climate Colab – Dev Niyogi, UT-Austin Presentation on the new collaborative research framework between University of Texas at Austin and the City of Austin Commissioners agree of value of Colab Suggestions of project – citywide solar potential assessment Offer to come back regularly to update JSC 2. Joint Sustainability Committee Officer Elections for the 2024-2025 Term Qureshi nominates White as chair, Maxwell-Gaines seconds, passes 12-0. Wheeler nominates Davis as vice chair, Qureshi seconds, passes 12-0. 4. Presentation on the Staff Response to Resolution 20240215-025, the “Environmental Investment Plan” – Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability Discussions on how to maximize community benefits …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee RECOMMENDATION 20240424-12 Transgender, Sexual Identity, and Gender Identity Protection WHEREAS, the City of Austin has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States for over a decade, resulting in rapidly increasing demands on housing, infrastructure, public safety, and other city resources; and WHEREAS, in 2023, the Texas state legislature passed legislation restricting or criminalizing access to gender-affirming healthcare across Texas, which was subsequently signed by the governor and became law effective September 1, 2023; and WHEREAS, as a home-rule city, the City has the authority and responsibility to prioritize the use of its limited resources and taxpayer dollars to address the most urgent needs of all residents, including focusing the use of public safety resources on substantive and broad threats to residents’ safety and livelihood; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that families and healthcare providers in Austin are living in uncertainty and fear, and many are considering moving away or have already moved to other states to access medical care for their children or to be able to practice medicine freely in accordance with professional and ethical standards; and WHEREAS, multiple healthcare providers in Texas have scaled back healthcare services in response to legal challenges, perception of legal risk, harassment, or threats of violence; and WHEREAS, gender-affirming healthcare has been proven to be evidence-based, medically necessary, and lifesaving by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatricians, the Endocrine Society, the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, amongst other institutions; and Page 1 of 4 WHEREAS, studies have shown that gender transition, including access to gender-affirming healthcare, improves the overall well-being of transgender people and that access to gender-affirming healthcare for youth is associated with better mental health outcomes and lower risks of suicide; and WHEREAS, over 94 percent of LGBTQIA+ youth surveyed by the Trevor Project in late 2021 said recent politics have negatively impacted their mental health, and 93 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth surveyed by the Trevor Project in 2022 said they have worried about transgender people being denied access to gender-affirming medical care due to state or local laws; and WHEREAS, a majority of U.S. adults agree that transgender minors should have access to gender- affirming care; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has consistently declared its commitment to furthering transgender equity and …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission April Meeting Minutes April 24, 2024 The Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission (ZWAC) convened at AE Headquarters and through Video Conference on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/303845 CALL TO ORDER Chair Gerry Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:11 pm Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Melissa Caudle, Craig Nazor, Cathy Gattuso, Ian Steyaert, Melissa Rothrock, Caitlin Griffith, and Amanda Masino. Board Members not in Attendance: Madeline Jasper, & Katrina Scheihing Staff in Attendance: Richard McHale, Theodore Horton, Gena McKinley, Ron Romero, Amy Slagle, Jason McCombs, Victoria Rieger, Marcus Gonzalez, Keri Greenwalt, Elizabeth Nelson, Claudia Quiroz, and Gustavo Valle. 1. Approval of the April 24th, 2024, Meeting Minutes (00:38) Chair Acuna entertained a motion for approval from Commissioner Nazor, seconded by Commissioner Gattuso. The board approved the minutes in a 6-0 vote with Commissioner Masino abstaining. 2. Approve a recommendation for Zero Waste Youth Education Program – Keri Greenwalt (01:40) PIO Program Manager Keri Greenwalt with Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) requested ZWAC’s recommendation for the Zero Waste Youth Education Program contract renewal. The contract will provide students from kindergarten through 12th grade an interactive and educational outreach program that focuses on zero waste concepts and sustainability in support of Austin's Zero Waste Initiative. Keri explained that if the contract was not awarded, ARR will miss the opportunity to provide consistent engaging programs to young austinites through their schools and community groups. The current contract is set to expire on June 16th, 2024 and the recommended contractor is the current contractor (Keep Austin Beautiful). I. II. III. Commissioners, staff, and stakeholders reviewed and discussed the current Zero Waste Youth Education Program. Commissioner Nazor asked what the cost of the former contract was. Keri replied that was approximately $878,000. Commissioner Nazor also wanted clarification on who the previous contractor was. Keri explained that it was KAB (Keep Austin Beautiful) Commissioner Masino asked where the supporting documentation was. Keri noted that she was out of office and believed she had supplied the office with them. However, Keri mentioned she currently had the supporting documents and can share them with the board. While Commissioner Mansion acknowledged that the current vendor has done an excellent job, she wants time to review the supporting documents out of due diligence. Since the item is going to council on …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) convened a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. CST in the CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 (301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701) Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Vice Chair) Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Nayer Sikder Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Charles Curry Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega or Jose Caceres Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas or Eliza Gordon PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on March 27th, 2024. The minutes were approved at the APRIL 24th, 2024 meeting on COMMISSIONER None. 1 JENNIFER POWELL’s motion, COMMISSIONER MORGAN DAVIS’s second on a 6- 0 vote (Off the dais: Commission for Women, Commissioner Rebecca Austen; Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission’s Commissioners Serita Fontanesi and Antonio Ross, Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ Commissioners Melissa Ortega and Jose Caceres, Early Childhood Council’s Commissioners Leonor Vargas and Eliza Gordon). STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Fausto Rodriguez, Lieutenant – APD; Sadot Azzua – Public Information Specialist, SR. – APD. Presenting to Commission on City of Austin Procedures and Policies for Senate Bill 4. Lieutenant Rodriguez shares with the Commission that it does not look like SB4 will take effect anytime soon in Texas. SB4 includes three penal code offenses. Officers must let the detainee know that they do not have to say their residency status. Sadot Azzua shares what the community liaisons are sharing – if you are victim/witness of a crime, please contact APD; CPIO created “I need language interpretation” cards. Sadot Azzua shares that CPIO is available to present to the JIC and if there is a message that is missing in a specific language, please let her know. APD has an entirely Spanish Facebook page (including resources for SB4). …
BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 24, 2024 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, April 24, 2024 The BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 24 April 2024, at the CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC), 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE, ROOM 1405, in Austin, Texas. CHAIR SADÉ OGUNBODE called the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION (BSC) Meeting to order at 6:44 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Sadé Ogunbode, Vice Chair Timothy Stostad Commissioners: Blaine Campbell, Michael Francis, Luis Osta Lugo, Logan Schugart, Edward Selig. Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Assistant Fire Marshal Bret Carr attending on behalf of Ex Officio Commissioner Stephen Truesdell, Fire Marshal. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one appeared before the Commission for Public Communication. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Approve the minutes of the BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on March 27, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of March 27, 2024 were approved on COMMISSIONER FRANCIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER SCHUGART’s second, with no objections. COMMISSIONER SELIG was off dias. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. Elect officers for the Building and Standards Commission. At this meeting the Commission is required to elect a Chair and Vice Chair who will serve a one year term beginning May 1, 2024 and running through April 30, 2025. COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO nominated VICE CHAIR STOSTAD for the position of Chair, COMMISSIONER SCHUGART’s second. CHAIR OGUNBODE also nominated 1 BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 24, 2024 VICE CHAIR STOSTAD for the position of Chair. VICE CHAIR STOSTAD accepted the nominations. There were no objections to the nominations. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO nominated COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL for the position of Vice Chair. VICE CHAIR STOSTAD also nominated COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL for the position of Vice Chair. CHAIR OGUNBODE also nominated COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL for the position of Vice Chair. COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL accepted the nominations. There were no objections to the nominations. COMMISSIONER BENIGNO was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS Conduct a public hearing and consider case number CL 2024-019744; Property address: 7310 Carver Avenue. COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL moved to close the public hearing, COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO’s second. COMMISSIONER OSTA LUGO moved to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law and adopt staff’s recommendation with the amendment that the repair order be changed to an order for demolition within 90 days, and on the 91st day, if compliance is not achieved, authorized the Code …
1. 2. ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES APRIL 24, 2024 The Ethics Review Commission convened in a Regular Commission meeting on April 24, 2024, at City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room #1101, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas and via Videoconference. Vice-Chair Mary Kahle called the Ethics Review Commission Meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Vice-Chair Mary Kahle, Secretary Nguyen Stanton-Adams, and Commissioners Amy Casto, Edward Espinoza, Jacob Loehr, Michael Lovins, Haksoon Andrea Low, and William Ross Pumfrey were present at City Hall. Commissioners Absent: Alysa Nuñez. City Staff in Attendance: Lizette Benitez, Staff Liaison; and Victoria Hayslett, Commission Executive Liaison & Assistant City Attorney. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No one registered to speak during public communication. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Consideration, discussion, and potential action regarding: Vote to approve the 2024 Candidate and Officeholder Campaign Finance Brochure, as updated to reflect current campaign contribution limits and revisions to City Code Chapter 2-2 (Campaign Finance). Commissioner Pumfrey’s motion to approve the Brochure, taking into consideration the recommended changes given to City staff and to receive clarification in response to the Commission’s questions at the next regular meeting passed on an 8-0 vote of all members present. Commissioner Low seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Vice-Chair Kahle, Secretary Stanton-Adams and Commissioners Casto, Espinoza, Loehr, Lovins, Low, Pumfrey. Commissioner Nuñez was absent. Conduct Annual Election of Officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Parliamentarian). Secretary Stanton-Adams’ motion to nominate Commissioner Lovins to assume the office of Chair was approved on an 8-0 vote of all members present. Commissioner Pumfrey 1 seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Vice-Chair Kahle, Secretary Stanton-Adams and Commissioners Casto, Espinoza, Loehr, Lovins, Low and Pumfrey. Commissioner Nuñez was absent. Secretary Stanton-Adams’ motion to nominate Commissioner Low to assume the office of Vice-Chair was approved on an 8-0 vote of all members present. Commissioner Casto seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Vice-Chair Kahle, Secretary Stanton-Adams and Commissioners Casto, Espinoza, Loehr, Lovins, Low and Pumfrey. Commissioner Nuñez was absent. Commissioner Low’s motion to renominate Secretary Stanton-Adams as Secretary was approved on an 8-0 vote of all members present. Vice-Chair Kahle seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Vice-Chair Kahle, Secretary Stanton-Adams and Commissioners Casto, Espinoza, Loehr, Lovins, Low and Pumfrey. Commissioner Nuñez was absent. The role of parliamentarian was not elected as the Ethics Review Commission Bylaws state that only 3 officers (Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary) are …
REGULAR MEETING of the HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY-OF-LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, APRIL 23rd, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. CST CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701 Some members of the Hispanic/Latino Quality-of-life Resource Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. 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 Alejandra Mireles at (Community Services Program Coordinator, Equity Office) at (512) 974-8045 or alejandra.mireles@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMISSIONERS Daniela Silva Amanda Afifi Vanessa Maldonado Ivanna Neri Kevin M Jackson Jr. Lyssette Galvan Eliza May Jesus Perales Leonor Vargas Dulce Castañeda AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION’S REGULAR MEETING on MARCH 26, 2024. 1 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Lila Valencia, City of Austin Demographer, Presenting to Commission on 2024 City of Austin Demographics Updates and Impacts of. Stephanie Gonzales, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator – APD, and Fausto Rodriguez, Lieutenant – APD, Presenting to Commission on City of Austin Procedures and Policies for Senate Bill 4. 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Daniela Hernandez, Workers Defense Project – Presenting on the latest Community updates with Senate Bill 4; specifically, Senate Bill 4’s impact on the Latiné Community, and how Workers Defense Project is preparing for the implementation of Senate Bill 4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Increase Funding for Community Navigators in the Economic Development Department’s Arts Funding Programs. Conduct officer elections for the Chair. Conduct officer elections for the Vice Chair. WORKING GROUPS/COMMITTEE UPDATES 8. Budget & Policy Priorities Workgroup – Updates from the last workgroup meeting related to policy matters and the FY 2024-25 budget. (Amanda Afifi, Sharon Vigil, Jesus Perales, Dulce Castañeda, and Leonor Vargas) Language Access Workgroup – Updates from the workgroup on issues pertaining to their assignment. (Amanda Afifi, Dulce Castaneda, Vanessa Maldonado, Daniela Silva, and Hector Ordaz) Public Safety & Immigrant Affairs Workgroup …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY-OF-LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The HISPANIC LATINO QUAITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION convened a REGULAR meeting on TUESDAY, MARCH 26rd, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. CST, in CITY OF AUSTIN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 – CITY HALL (301 W. 2ND STREET; AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701). Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the HISPANIC LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Daniela Silva Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ivanna Neri (Co-Chair) Jesus Perales Leonor Vargas Kevin Jackson Commissioners Absent: Eliza May Vanessa Maldonado Staff in Attendance: Equity Office, Community Services Program Coordinator – Alejandra Mireles Office of City Clerk, Business Process Specialist – Christi Vitela CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten 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. Martha Cotera, communicates support for recommendation supporting Academia Cuauhtli (agenda item six). 1 2. 3. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Carmen del Unda, communicates support for recommendation supporting Academia Cuauhtli (agenda item six). Emelio Zamora, communicates support for recommendation supporting Academia Cuauhtli (agenda item six). APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 4. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION’S REGULAR MEETING on FEBRUARY 27th, 2024. The minutes were approved on COMMISSIONER JESUS PERALES’ motion, COMMISSIONER LYSETTEE GALVAN’s second on a 7-0 vote (Absent: Commissioners Vanessa Maldonado and Eliza May). DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Supporting Hispanic/Latino College Graduates. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER JESUS PERALES’ motion, COMMISSIONER AMANDA AFIFI’s second on a 7-0 vote (Absent: Commissioners Vanessa Maldonado and Eliza May). Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for the Family Stabilization Program. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER DANIELA SILVA’s motion, COMMISSIONER JESUS PERALES’ second on a 7-0 vote (Absent: Commissioners Vanessa Maldonado and Eliza May). Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Re-Entry Programs. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER LYSETTE GALVAN’s motion, COMMISSIONER DANIELA SILVA’s second on a 7-0 vote (Absent: Commissioners Vanessa Maldonado and Eliza May). Approve a recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Immigrant Legal Services. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER LEONOR VARGAS’ motion, COMMISSIONER LYSETTE GALVAN’s second on a 7-0 vote (Absent: Commissioners Vanessa Maldonado and Eliza …
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2023-019 Citywide Compatibility Description: Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to 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). Background: Initiated by Resolution No. 20230608-045. Compatibility is a regulation that restricts building height and regulates screening, building design, and noise levels based on a site’s proximity to a property with single-family zoning or a single-family use. Currently, compatibility generally applies to sites within 540 feet of a property zoned Urban Family Residence (SF-5) or more restrictive. Compatibility does not apply uniformly citywide. Different compatibility standards apply depending on a site’s location and use. Listed below are examples of where compatibility is treated differently throughout the city: • Citywide Compatibility Standards have two separate regulations for large and small sites. • The East Riverside Corridor Regulating Plan compatibility standards are less restrictive than the current citywide standards and are only triggered by single-family use. • The Lamar/Justin, MLK, and Plaza Saltillo Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Regulating Plans only apply compatibility to sites within 100 feet of the TOD boundary and within 25 feet of a triggering property. • Within the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO), compatibility only applies within 75 feet of the UNO boundary. • Within the Educational Facility Development Standards, there are two separate compatibility height restrictions for AISD and non-AISD schools. • Neighborhood Conservation Combining Districts (NCCDs): o The E. 11th St. NCCD waives compatibility standards in lieu of its own specific compatibility standards. o The E. 12th St. NCCD waives compatibility standards within the district. o The Hyde Park NCCD deviates from the current compatibility standards by allowing parking in the rear yard. • Additional areas are exempt from compatibility, including properties zoned Central Business District (CBD), Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU), properties in the North Burnet Gateway (NBG) Regulating Plan, and developments utilizing the Affordability Unlocked density bonus program. 4/23/2024C20-2023-0191 For more information about the various compatibility standards in the code, see Exhibit A, Current vs Proposed Compatibility. Compatibility Standards were codified with the adoption of the current Land Development Code in 1984. Their purpose, as stated in the 1984 code, is to “preserve and protect single-family residential neighborhoods” and “to maintain the privacy and to allow the outdoor enjoyment typically provided in single family districts and neighborhoods.” Before compatibility, there was a practice of …
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2023-021 Electric Vehicle Charging Land Use Description: Amend City Code Title 25-2 (Zoning) to create a new land use for Electric Vehicle Charging. Background: Initiated by City Council Resolution No. 20230608-082. On June 8, 2023, City Council approved Resolution No. 20230608-082, initiating amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to create a new land use for “Electric Vehicle Parking.” The resolution directed staff to consider options that would prevent the use from becoming concentrated within activated or residential areas, allow the use through the conditional permit process, and limit the use to General Commercial Services CS or less restrictive zoning districts. Summary of Proposed Code Amendment: Amend City Code 25-2, Subchapter A, Article 4 (Commercial Uses Described) to add a new use of “electric vehicle charging” and to renumber the remaining uses accordingly: (26) Electric Vehicle Charging use is the use of a site for the charging of an electric vehicle (EV), including battery charging stations and rapid charging stations, each as defined by the United States Department of Energy. Amend City Code 25-2-491 (Permitted, Conditional, and Prohibited Uses) to add Electric Vehicle Charging to the use chart. Create a new section of Austin City Code (25-2-819 – Electric Vehicle Charging Use Regulations) to describe additional requirements applicable to the use, including: • Permitting the use in General Commercial Services (CS), Commercial Liquor Sales (CS- 1), Commercial Highway (CH), Industrial Park (IP), Major Industry (MI), Limited Industrial Services (LI), and Research and Development (R&D) zoning districts, with the following requirements: o The use is permitted on sites abutting suburban roadways, highways, hill country roadways, or internal circulation routes. o The use is permitted on sites abutting core-transit corridors, future core-transit corridors, and urban roadways if: ▪ The nearest Electric Vehicle Charging use is at least 1,000 feet away; and ▪ The site does not exceed 25,000 square feet in area. o The use is conditional on sites abutting core-transit corridors, future core-transit corridors, and urban roadways if: ▪ The nearest Electric Vehicle Charging use is less than 1,000 feet away; or ▪ The site exceeds 25,000 square feet in area. 4/23/2024C20-2023-0211 • Permitting the use on a site when the base zoning district is commercial or industrial and a service station use is an existing use or was a previous use for the site unless the use was already converted to a residential, restaurant …
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2023-024 HOME Phase 2 Description: Amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to revise regulations that apply to lots with one housing unit, including reducing the minimum lot size and regulations that apply to flag lots. Background: Initiated by Resolution No. 20230720-126. On July 20, 2023, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20230720-126, tasking staff with the development of amendments to the Land Development Code (LDC) with specific housing related objectives in mind. These objectives included reducing the minimum lot size for properties zoned single-family, permitting up to three housing units on such properties, and establishing a new Three-Unit Residential Land Use designation. Additionally, the changes aimed to introduce flexibility in housing configurations for properties zoned SF-1, SF-2, SF- 3, and SF-4A/B. This flexibility would encompass various housing types such as rowhouses, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, garden homes, and cottage courts. On December 7, 2023, City Council approved Ordinance No. 20231207-001 adopting code amendments that allow up to three housing units, including tiny homes, on a Single-Family (SF) zoned property, revising the regulations that apply to a property with two housing units, and removing restrictions on the number of unrelated adults living in a housing unit. Summary of Proposed Code Amendment: The proposed code amendments will reduce the minimum lot size and revise site development regulations for small lots to facilitate the development of one-unit homes with unit sizes and densities similar to those allowed under HOME Phase 1. The proposed changes: • Lower the minimum lot size for one unit from 5,750 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft • Adjust development standards for lots under 5,750 sq ft (i.e., small lots) • Reduce the minimum lot width • • Allow for a variety of detached and attached housing types • Remove Residential Design and Compatibility (i.e., McMansion or Subchapter F) Include design standards for driveways, front yards, and garage placement standards for small lots Increase impervious cover from 40% to 45% in SF-1 for small lots • • Adjust flag lot regulations to facilitate easier subdivision and to ensure sites do not exceed 45% impervious cover The following is not changed under this proposal: 4/23/2024C20-2023-0241 • Minimum lot size of 5,750 sq ft for two-unit and three-unit uses • Regulations for one unit on lots that are 5,750 sq ft or greater in lot size • • General size and heights established under the HOME …
City of Austin Plann ing Departmen t P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767 -1088 (512) 974-3100 ♦ Fax (512) 974-3112 ♦ h tt ps://www.aust i nt exas.g ov/depar t ment /h ousi ng -and- planni ng MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: Claire Hempel, Chair & Planning Commission Members Maureen Meredith, Senior Planner, Inclusive Planning Division Planning Department DATE: April 17, 2024 RE: NPA-2023-0025.01_5725 W. US Hwy 290 EB Oak Hill Combined (East Oak Hill) Neighborhood Planning Area Staff requests a postponement of the above-referenced case from the April 23, 2024 Planning Commission hearing to the May 28, 2024 hearing date to allow additional time to review the plan amendment application. The postponement request was made in a timely manner and meets the Planning Commission’s policy. Attachment: Plan Amendment Map The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable modifications and equal access to communications upon request. 1 of 203 NPA-2023-0025.01 - 5725 W. US Hwy 290 Eastbound; District 8 The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable modifications and equal access to communications upon request. 2 of 203 NPA-2023-0025.01 - 5725 W. US Hwy 290 Eastbound; District 8
City of Austin Plann ing Departmen t P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767 -1088 (512) 974-3100 ♦ Fax (512) 974-3112 ♦ h tt ps://www.aust i nt exas.g ov/depar t ment /h ousi ng -and- planni ng Claire Hempel, Chair & Planning Commission Members Maureen Meredith, Senior Planner, Inclusive Planning Division Planning Department MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: RE: DATE: April 17, 2024 NPA-2023-0002.01_Christ Church Planning 1001, 1005, 1010 E. 2nd Street; 206, 112 Medina Street and 105 San Marcos Street East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Planning Area Staff requests a postponement of the above-referenced case from the April 23, 2024, Planning Commission hearing to the May 14, 2024 hearing date to allow more time to review the application. The postponement request was made in a timely manner and meets the Planning Commission’s policy. Attachment: Plan Amendment Map The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable modifications and equal access to communications upon request. 1 of 204 NPA-2023-0002.01 - Christ Church Planning; District 3 The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will provide reasonable modifications and equal access to communications upon request. 2 of 204 NPA-2023-0002.01 - Christ Church Planning; District 3
