Via Electronic Delivery Re: Rezoning Application – Manor Road CS-1 – 2200 Manor Road On behalf of the Owner(s) of the property referenced above, we are formally amending the request of the subject application, C14-2023-0130 from CS-1-MU-V-NP to CS-1-MU-V-CO-NP. The Conditional Overlay January 22, 2024 Mrs. Lauren Middleton-Pratt Director, Planning Department City of Austin 1000 E 11th Street Austin, TX 78702 Dear Mrs. Middleton-Prat: proposes the following: Prohibited uses: Adult-Oriented Businesses Adult Lounge Automotive Washing (of any type) Kind regards, Victoria Haase www.throwerdesign.com 512-998-5900 Cell 512-476-4456 Office Conditional uses: Automotive Rentals Automotive Repair Automotive Sales Equipment Repair Services Equipment Sales Liquor Sales Custom Manufacturing Limited Warehousing & Distribution College and University Facilities Communications Service Facilities Maintenance & Service Facilities We respectfully request support for the requests made. Please contact our office should you have need for additional information. Thank you for your time and attention to this application.
The Cherrywood Neighborhood is bounded by I-35, E. 38 ½ Street, Airport Boulevard, and Manor Road. We are a flourishing neighborhood of homes, businesses, and green spaces in Central Austin. P.O. Box 4631 | Austin, TX 78765 | www.cherrywood.org Contact | steering@cherrywood.org ___________________________________________________________________________________________ January 16, 2024 The Cherrywood Neighborhood Association (CNA) Steering Committee met on January 10, 2024 and considered the rezoning request (C14-2023-0130) and voted to support the request for rezoning to CS-1 to allow liquor sales on the two properties currently occupied by Thunderbird Coffee, and to recommend limiting certain uses. Commensurate with this rezoning we also request renewed engagement with the City of Austin on a sidewalk for Breeze Terrace as illustrated in the Cherrywood Sidewalk Master Plan. We appreciate that the applicants and Thunderbird owner reached out early in the process in October, 2023 to answer questions and met with an ad hoc group of our Steering Committee in December, 2023. Background Considerations The CNA has a long history of trying to shape the inevitable changes in the character of our neighborhood, with special consideration of changes in use and density on the transportation corridors that transect our area. We are not opposed to change in our neighborhood. CNA shares the Manor Road corridor with several other neighborhoods, notably Blackland and Rogers Washington-Holy Cross and Austin Heights. The evolution of the commercial properties from residential and retail to restaurants and bars has resulted in benefits for and impacts to residents of all our neighborhoods. This is a limited request to change the base zoning in order to allow a use for liquor sales, although no amendment to the Upper Boggy Creek Neighborhood Plan is required. We have reviewed and discussed with the applicants the other permitted and conditional uses allowed in CS-1 zoning and recommend several uses be prohibited or made conditional (see below). We understand both parcels will retain the Neighborhood Plan overlay. We were positively influenced by the commitment of Ryan McElroy, the applicant and business owner, who also operates several other businesses on this corridor, in the success of the corridor as a whole. As with many, if not all, conversions of businesses to bars and nightlife in the urban core of Austin, our first concerns are with parking, transportation access and congestion, and pedestrian safety, with secondary concerns about future expansion of seating which then exacerbates these concerns. This corridor is part …
MEMORANDUM ************************************************************************ TO: Claire Hempel, Chair Planning Commission Members FROM: DATE: RE: Cynthia Hadri Planning Department January 23, 2024 C14-2023-0133 – 5555 N. Lamar Rezoning Postponement Request by Staff ************************************************************************ The neighborhood requests a postponement of the above referenced rezoning case from the January 23, 2024, Planning Commission hearing to the February 27, 2024 hearing, to allow time for the neighborhood to work with the applicant.
Steering Committee Members: Christopher Hurst AIA, Chair Paula Hern, Meghan Yancy, Claudette Kazzoun, Rob Kish, Steve Amos, Germaine Curry, Margaret Sullivan, William Osborn, David Schofman, Shawn Shillington, Adam Sumrall, Erika Tatum January 22, 2024 RE: C14-2023-0138 - Enfield; District 9 – 1106 Enfield Road Dear Chair Hempel and Planning Commissioners, The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association, OWANA, Zoning Committee has voted to oppose the purposed re-zoning of 1106 Enfield from SF-3 to MF-3. The Zoning Committee appreciates Ricca Keepers, the applicant, and Caryn Carlson, the owner, for coming to our January meeting to discuss the rezoning of 1106 Enfield Road. No plans or drawings were presented to the committee. The sole reason for the re-zoning request is to hopefully increase the marketability for the sale of the property. The property was listed for sale last January 2023 and delisted for lack of offers July 2023. The house has been vacant for a year. OWANA does not support rezonings based solely on financial hardship. Recently approved code changes by the city now allow 3 units on SF zoned properties. Future code changes will allow even more units on SF zoned properties making this re-zoning request obsolete. The Zoning Committee believes that re-zoning this property will not guarantee the sale of the property. The current real estate market has slowed due to rising interest rates. There are other MF properties for sale in our neighborhood that have been on the market for a while and are not selling due to the current market conditions and desired sale prices. Additionally, the sale of this property is complicated by its location on Enfield Road. Access to the property is on a sloped, curved, one-way section of Enfield Road that neighbors find dangerous. Because of this, nearby neighbors oppose the re-zoning without seeing plans or drawings. When the property is sold and if the new owner wants to rezone the property, the OWANA Zoning Committee looks forward to reviewing their plans and drawings at that time. Please oppose the re-zoning of 1106 Enfield Road. OWANA does not want to set a precedent of up-zoning based on perceived economic hardship. We do not believe rezoning from SF-3 to MF-3 will solve the marketability of this property the owner intends to sell. Sincerely, Christopher Hurst, AIA OWANA Steering Committee Chair
MEMORANDUM ************************************************************************ TO: Claire Hempel, Chair Planning Commission Members FROM: DATE: RE: Cynthia Hadri Planning Department January 23, 2024 C14-2023-0138 – 1106 Enfield Road Postponement Request by Applicant ************************************************************************ The applicant requests a postponement of the above referenced rezoning case from the January 23, 2024, Planning Commission hearing to the February 27, 2024 hearing, to allow time for the applicant to work with the neighborhood.
BOARD MEETING January 23, 2024 Mechanical and Plumbing Board Approved MINUTES The Mechanical and Plumbing Board convened in a Regular Called Meeting on January 23, 2024. The meeting took place at the Permitting Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive. Vice Chairman Thornton, called the Meeting to order at 9:36 a.m. Board Members in Attendance: Robert Thornton, Kyle Smith, Joe Cooper, Stephen Cox, Joe Bowie and Ramon Perez Absent members: Bobbi Jo Foster, Bill Harris Alex Ramires, Mark Mapes and Blaine Butler Staff Members in Attendance: Chad Watson (DSD), Charlie Ablanedo (DSD) and Tony Hernandez (DSD), Robert Stefani(AWU) GENERAL CITIZEN COMMUNICATION- There were no citizen communication that registered for this meeting APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1.The minutes from the October 24, 2023 meeting was approved as written. Board member Cooper made a motion to approve the minutes, board member Bowie second the motion. Motion passed 6-0. Board member Foster, Butler, Ramirez, Mapes and Harris were absent. DISCUSSION ITMES 3. Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Code Adoption – Development Service staff Tony Hernandez presented to the board the 2024 UPC and UMC local amendments to note the changes that the workgroup and staff worked on for months. Board staff had pushbacks but agreed in plumbing code 1007.3 trap seals, indicating that was a problem with sewer and gas. Staff did note that they were not allowed to ban approved materials in lieu of HB 2439. Plumbing code 1503.10.1- laundry to landscape, board members requested for this to be flagged because of the effect of affordable housing. The board staff is requesting staff from Austin Water conservation group-water forward team to be at the next meeting for discussion. In the UMC, there were not much pushback, but board staff would like to see the re- write of mechanical code 310.8-Standard for Air condition condensate recovery systems for new development in which Austin Water Utility will provide in the end. From 2015 through 2021, Development staff has eliminated 44 pages of the local amendments to go back to publish code to better serve everyone when construction is taking place. 3. Appendix L-Water Heater requirements- Development Service staff noted that appendix L is a water conservation requirement. Not mandatory to use. All water conservation water heaters are existing in the International Energy Code (IECC) 4. Water Saving Calculator- Austin Water representatives noted that the water savings calculations are a pipe size diameter reduction allowances, which would …
PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 2024 MINUTES The Planning Commission convened in a meeting on January 23, 2024, in Council Chambers of City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas and via videoconference @ http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Vice-Chair Azhar called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Greg Anderson- Secretary Awais Azhar -Vice-Chair Nadia Barrera-Ramirez João Paulo Connolly Grayson Cox Adam Haynes Claire Hempel - Chair Patrick Howard Felicity Maxwell Jennifer Mushtaler Alberta Phillips Alice Woods Jessica Cohen – Ex-Officio Candice Hunter - Ex-Officio Absent João Paulo Connolly 1 vacancy on the dais. Richard Mendoza – Ex-Officio Jesús Garza– Ex-Officio APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of January 9, 2024 was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Maxwell on a vote of 12- 0. Commissioner Connolly absent. Approve the minutes of PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 600 Kemp Street, Country Club East Watershed; Montopolis NP Area 2. Plan Amendment: NPA-2023-0005.02 - 600 Kemp; District 3 Location: Owner/Applicant: 600 Kemp Street Property LLC Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Drenner Group, PC (Leah M. Bojo, AICP) Single Family to Mixed Residential land use Pending Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, maureen.meredith@austintexas.gov Planning Department Postponement request by Applicant to February 27, 2024 Postponement Request: Motion to grant Applicant’s request for postponement of this item to February 27, 2024 was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Maxwell on a vote of 12-0. Commissioner Connolly absent. 3. Plan Amendment: NPA-2023-0010.02 - East 2nd Street - 2300 Block; District 3 Location: 109, 111, 113 Mildred Street and 2305, 2307 E. 2nd Street (Unit A), 2307 E. 2nd Street (Unit B), 2311 E. 2nd Street, Lady Bird Lake Watershed; Holly NP Area Owner/Applicant: Patrica Ann Pope; LaFayette 2109, LLC; and Isdale Investments, LLC; Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Postponement Request: and Emily Kolb Isdale Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael Gaudini) Single Family to Mixed Use land use Pending Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, maureen.meredith@austintexas.gov Planning Department Postponement request by Applicant to March 12, 2024 Motion to grant Applicant’s request for postponement of this item to March 12, 2024 was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Maxwell on a vote of 12-0. Commissioner Connolly absent. Location: 4. Plan Amendment: NPA-2023-0005.01 - Montopolis-Fairway Mixed Use; District 3 6202, 6204 Caddie Street; 1600, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1610, 1612, and 1614 Montopolis …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD JANUARY 22, 2024 – 6:00 PM CITY HALL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Parks and Recreation Board 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. For remote participation, registration must be completed no later than noon the day before the meeting. To register to speak, click here: https://forms.office.com/g/U6HTDwmZki or call or email Tim Dombeck, (512) 974-6716, Tim.Dombeck@austintexas.gov. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and may be allowed up to three (3) minutes to provide their comments. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Pedro Villalobos (D-2), Chair Kathryn Flowers (D-4), Vice Chair Shelby Orme (D-1) Nicole Merritt (D-3) Stephanie Bazan (D-5) Lisa Hugman (D-6) Julie Hayes (D-7) Kim Taylor (D-8) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jennifer Franklin (D-9) Holly Reed (D-10) Lane Becker (Mayor) The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meetings of October 23, 2023 and November 27, 2023. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee meeting of March 23, 2023. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action on letters of support for PARD Staff and Community Groups that participated in a 50,000 square foot graffiti abatement and park maintenance project at the Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss BMX Skate Park, and for PARD staff that prepared six recreation centers to accept portable generators as a supplemental/alternative power source should electric power be unavailable. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve negotiation and execution of a one-year contract extension with Zilker Park Boat Rentals. (PARD Long Range Strategies: Relief from Urban Life, Urban Public Spaces, Park Access for All). Presenter(s): Pat Rossett, Business Process Consultant, Parks and Recreation Department. Page 1 of 3 1. 2. 3. 4. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve an ordinance to amend Title 25 related to the environmental protections at the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. (PARD Long Range Strategies: Urban Public Spaces, Park …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 23, 2023 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 23, 2023 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on October 23, 2023 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Lisa Hugman, Holly Reed, Stephanie Bazan, Nicole Merritt, Jennifer Franklin. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker, Kim Taylor, Julie Hayes, Shelby Orme. Board Members Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Dorothy Lopez-Barnett - Zilker Park Boat Rental Kayla Reese - Austin Parks Foundation Joel Manzo - Baseball facilities Scott Cobb - Barton Springs Bathhouse Naming Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Chris Flores - Assigned reserved parking for Barton Springs Lifeguards Santiago - Heritage tree at Edward Rendon Park Tanya Payne - Rewild Zilker and ACL Fest Questions Diana Prechter - Zilker Equitable Access issues APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of September 25, 2023. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of September 25, 2023 was approved on Board Member Franklin’s motion, Board Member Hugman’s second on a 11-0 vote . DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the Parkland Maintenance Agreement between the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and the Mueller Property Owner’s Association. Ricardo Soliz, Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department and Jill Fagan, Project Manager, Economic Development Department gave a presentation and answered questions on 2. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 23, 2023 skate park and pump track maintenance, impacts to the City budget, parkland use by non- Mueller residents, the fee to access Mueller pool, pool hours and the term of the contract. The motion to recommend to Austin City Council to approve the Parkland Maintenance Agreement between the City of Austin Park and Recreation Department and the Mueller Property Owner’s Association was approved on Board Member Becker’s motion, Board Member Franklin’s second on an 11-0 vote. 3. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council to approve the Parkland Dedication Ordinance term sheet. Robynne Heyman, Planner Principal, Parks and Recreation Department gave a presentation and answered questions on available options that the City has when …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 27, 2023 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 27, 2023 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD convened in a REGULAR meeting on November 27, 2023 at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Villalobos called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Pedro Villalobos, Kathryn Flowers, Holly Reed, Stephanie Bazan, Nicole Merritt, Lane Becker. Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Julie Hayes, Shelby Orme, Jennifer Franklin. Board Members Absent: Kim Taylor, Lisa Hugman. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Malcom Yeatts - EROC Contact Team Liz Barhydt - Austin Rowing Club Chris Flores - Citizen Working Group Barton Springs Pool Rehab Plan and Café Diana Prechter - Trail of Lights and Zilker Polo Field Parking Joel Manzo - Access to baseball fields and Govalle condition Scott Cobb - Barton Springs Bathhouse Renaming Adhy Singh - Expedition School Adam Shedlosky - Expedition School Laura Spraggins - Festival Beach Community Garden Grace Gilker - Festival Beach Community Garden APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of October23 , 2023. The motion to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of October 23, 2023 was approved on Board Member Bazan’s motion, Board Member Reed’s second on a 9-0 vote. Board Members Hugman and Taylor absent. After the meeting, staff discovered that the posted draft minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board regular meeting of October 23, 2023 were incomplete. The minutes will be updated and approved at the January 2024 Parks and Recreation Board meeting. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion and possible action on a recommendation to Austin City Council to support a special use senior facility at Gus Garcia Recreation Center. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 27, 2023 Martha Langford, Member of the Gus Garcia Senior Community gave a presentation. Board Members discussed the price of a senior activity center and bond funding. The motion to recommend to Austin City Council that they prioritize a Bond election to include a Senior Activity Center serving District 4 and nearby northern districts, to be located north of 183, and that the property where Gus Garcia Recreation Center currently resides be investigated as a high potential possible location. PARB also recommends that improvements to Gus Garcia Recreation Center be prioritized and budgeted for in the …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MARCH 23, 2023 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 The PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023, at 1183 Chestnut Ave. in Austin, Texas. Chair Moore called the PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE Meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Patrick Moore and Lisa Hugman. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kathryn Flowers. Board Members Absent: Laura Cottam Sajbel (Ex-Officio) and Sarah Faust. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee Meeting on February 23, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of February 23, 2023 were approved on Board Member Flowers’ motion, Chair Moore’s second on a 3-0 vote with one vacancy. Board Member Faust absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on the Parks and Recreation Department’s under resourced service expectations for Fiscal Year 2024. Vanorda Richardson, Financial Manager III Parks and Recreation Department gave a briefing and answered clarifying questions on ballfield light replacement. No action was taken on this item. 1 PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MARCH 23, 2023 3. Staff briefing on the Parks and Recreation Department’s forecasted Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Vanorda Richardson, Financial Manager III and Nicholas Johnson, Financial Analyst III, Parks and Recreation Department gave a briefing and answered clarifying questions on impediments to PARD's flexibility in moving funds appropriated by Council. No action was taken on this item. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and possible action regarding the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The motion to recommend to the Austin City Council: 1) The approval of the PARD FY 2024 Operating Budget as presented in the FY 2024 Budget Forecast; 2) The allocation of additional funding on top of the proposed PARD FY 2024 Budget Forecast in such an amount as to fully fund the attached Under Resourced Service Expectations document ; and, 3) The allocation of sufficient additional funding on top of the proposed PARD FY 2024 Budget Forecast to fully fund a study regarding parkland visitation methodology, cost and best practices with the goal of recommending specific methods for parkland visitation tracking in the City of Austin, along with estimated cost figures was approved on Board Member Hugman’s motion, Board Member …
BOATING CONCESSION ON BARTON CREEK CONTRACT EXTENSION Presented by: Patricia Rossett Business Process Consultant 1 Parks and Recreation Board January 22, 2024 BACKGROUND • Zilker Park Boat Rental opened for business in 1969 as a canoe rental service for Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake. • Later, they added kayaks and stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) to their watercraft inventory. • Zilker Park Boat Rental has been in continuous operation for over 50 years. • In 2006, the City of Austin entered into a revenue concession agreement with the Zilker Park Boat Rentals for the use of the property, located downstream from Barton Springs Pool, as a watercraft concession. • Current contract: • Initial Term (02/28/2006 – 03/01/2011) • Extension #1 (03/01/2011 – 02/29/2016) • Extension #2 (03/01/2016 – 02/28/2021) • Extension #3 (02/28/2021 – 02/28/2022) • Extension #4 (02/28/2022 – 02/28/2024) • Extension #5 (02/28/2024 – 02/28/2025) 2 BACKGROUND (cont’d.) • Payment of minimum of $18,000 annually plus 10% of any amount over $180,000 gross • $35,000 on-site improvement in first 7 years of contract term. • Monthly sales report including daily sales by items sold, with daily tallies of revenue, sales tax, and gross revenue, monthly totals and daily cash register Z-tapes. • Revenue Obligations revenue. • Reinvestment Obligations • Major Contract Deliverables • Living wage of $14/hr. • Annual IRS tax return. 3 HISTORICAL GROSS SALES, REPORTED EXPENDITURES, AND REVENUE PAYMENTS $1,400,000 $1,200,000 $1,000,000 $800,000 $600,000 $400,000 $200,000 $- Gross Sales Expenditures Payments FY19 $676,775 $332,002 $62,519 FY20 $358,344 $238,765 $33,401 FY21 $967,115 $342,223 $91,589 FY22 $1,456,423 $602,506 $134,608 FY23 $1,077,564 $615,248 $99,548 Gross Sales Expenditures Payments 4 Next Steps • PARD staff is in the process of developing a new scope of work for a vendor to manage and operate the watercraft concession on Barton Creek. • Once the new scope of work is completed, it will be submitted to Central Procurement for review and approval. Then, a new solicitation will be released. • The anticipated timeline for the solicitation process is as follows: • Solicitation Process (Solicitation Release and Closing) – March 2024 – May 2024 • Evaluation Process – May 2024 – July 2024 • Committee and Board Presentations – August 2024 • Council Action – September 2024 • Contract Negotiation and Execution – October 2024 - February 2025 5 STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUEST FOR COMMITTEE ACTION • PARD recommends the extension of the revenue …
Butler Trail Code Amendment Leslie Lilly Environmentall Program Coordinator N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C 2 Background • Construction of Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail began in 1971 • Code compliant at time of construction • 2017 code amendment restrictions on 50 ft setback • Current use today averages ~ 5 million users annually W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C 3 Background Amendment initiated by council on May 18th, 2023 W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Site Conditions 4 N I T S U A F O Y T I C W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N I T S U A F O Y T I C 5 The Trail Conservancy • Urban Forestry and Natural Areas Management Guidelines • Safety and Mobility Study • Parkland Operations And Maintenance Agreement W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 6 Existing Language N I T S U A F O Y T I C § 25-8-261 - CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE DEVELOPMENT. In all watersheds, development is prohibited in a critical water quality zone except as provided in this Division. Development allowed in the critical water quality zone under this Division shall be revegetated and restored within the limits of construction as prescribed by the Environmental Criteria Manual. (B) Open space is permitted in a critical water quality zone if a program of fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide use is approved by the Watershed Protection Department, subject to the conditions in this Subsection. (3) A hard surfaced trail …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: FROM: THROUGH: DATE: SUBJECT: Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair and Commissioners Katie Coyne, AICP, Certified Ecologist – ESA Environmental Officer / Assistant Director Watershed Protection Department Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department December 1st, 2023 Code Amendments related to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and environmental protection. On December 6th, 2023, the Environmental Commission will consider a proposed amendment to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) as it relates to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail (Butler Trail) and environmental protections. The Watershed Protection Department requests a recommendation from the Environmental Commission to approve the amendment to allow the Butler Trail to be built and reconstructed within the existing 50 ft Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) setback while also providing protection of the shoreline through mitigation or alternative means. Project Description and Background In 1971, Lady Bird Johnson, Ann Butler, and the Town Lake Beautification Committee worked together to establish the Town Lake Metropolitan Park Trail, now known as the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. The Butler Trail was constructed by the City of Austin, in accordance with the Land Development Code rules and regulations in place at the time of its construction and extends from MoPac Expressway to Pleasant Valley Road, forming a 10 mile loop that serves almost 5,000,000 users annually. In 2017, provisions were added to the Land Development Code section 25-8-261 (CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE DEVELOPMENT) restricting development within the 50 ft setback of Lady Bird Lake including the construction of trails like the existing Butler Trail, approximately 85% of which is currently located within the 50 ft setback of Lady Bird Lake. This restriction makes it more difficult to enhance, reconstruct and build the Butler Trail in its current alignment. Code Amendment and Variance While the intent of the 2017 CWQZ code update was done to protect the shoreline of Lady Bird Lake, it unintentionally impacted the existing Butler Trail by making the majority of the trail system non- compliant. Staff requests an update to the language that would accommodate the current Butler Trail alignment and width while continuing to provide protection to the shoreline through mitigation and Page 1 of 2 improvements to the health of the floodplain. Mitigation would include restoration to areas within the CWQZ in a ratio of …
C20-2023-013 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2023-013 Butler Trail Code Amendment Description: Amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to allow the Butler Trail to remain within the setbacks applicable to Lady Bird Lake; and to allow capital improvements made to the Butler Trail to comply with the recommendations from the 2015 Butler Trail Urban Forestry and Natural Area Management Guidelines, maintenance standards of care listed in the Butler Trail POMA, and the recommendations provided in the Butler Trail Safety and Mobility Study. Proposed Language: Consider an ordinance to amend Title 25 related to environmental protections at the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. Summary of proposed code amendment In 2017, provisions were added to the Land Development Code section 25-8-261 (CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE DEVELOPMENT) restricting development within the 50 ft setback of Lady Bird Lake including the construction of trails like the existing Butler Trail, approximately 85% of which is currently located within the 50 ft setback of Lady Bird Lake. This restriction makes it more difficult to enhance, reconstruct and build the Butler Trail in its current alignment. Staff requests an update to the language that would accommodate the current Butler Trail alignment and width while continuing to provide protection to the shoreline through mitigation and improvements to the health of the floodplain. Three amendments to 25-8-261 (CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE DEVELOPMENT) are proposed: • • 25-8-261 (B)(3)(c) to allow the Butler Trail to exceed 12 feet width 25-8-261 (B)(3)(f-g) to allow the Butler Trail to be located within 50 feet of the shoreline of Lady Bird Lake with mitigation for impact. 25-8-261 (C)(2) to remove the requirement for additional restoration for shoreline disturbance associated with shoreline access for the Butler Trail. • Background: On May 18th , 2023, City Council approved Resolution No. . 20230518-044 to initiate amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to allow the Butler Trail to remain within the setbacks applicable to Lady Bird Lake; and to allow capital improvements made to the Butler Trail to comply with the recommendations from the 2015 Butler Trail Urban Forestry and Natural Area Management Guidelines, maintenance standards of care listed in the Butler Trail POMA, and the recommendations provided in the Butler Trail Safety and Mobility Study. Board and Commission Actions December 6th, 2023, Recommendation of approval by the Environmental Commission; 7-0 1 C20-2023-013 December 13th, 2023, Considered by the Codes …
ANN and ROY BUTLER HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL SITE ANALYSIS and RECOMMENDATION Executive Summary Watershed Protection Department staff recognize the need to accommodate necessary improvements and updates to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail (Butler Trail) for the benefit of the community. Staff also recognizes the importance of providing improvements related to safety and mobility while demonstrating enhancements to water quality protection and the restoration of environmental function. Therefore, the following report and analysis provide a recommendation for a code amendment to the current 50’ setback from Lady Bird Lake and development in the Critical Water Quality zone to provide a feasible pathway that will allow future capital improvement projects to the Butler Trail while providing improved environmental protections. The proposed code amendment would allow the improvement and reconstruction of the Butler Trail in its current alignment provided that 2:1 mitigation is provided for sections of the reconstructed trail that are located within the inner half Critical Water Quality Zone and in accordance with proposed Environmental Criterial Manual guidelines. Introduction The Trail The 10-mileButler Trail loop is located along the shores of Lady Bird Lake in Central Austin, within the Town Lake Metropolitan Park and is primarily a soft surface trail constructed with decomposed granite. Originally constructed in the 1970’s, the Butler Trail has developed considerable cultural significance in the community and represents one of the most popular regional recreational amenities. Its popularity is due in part to the natural setting and views of Lady Bird Lake. The land through which the Trail runs includes several important ecological habitats and sensitive environmental areas, including Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) and Critical Water Quality Zones (CWQZ) as defined in the City of Austin’s land development code. Additionally, 80% of the Trail is located within the Atlas-14 fully developed 100-year floodplain, making it vulnerable to the impacts of flooding. Given its age and the environmental vulnerabilities associated with its location, the following report examines the current conditions of the Trail and the applicable Land Development Code that impact future redevelopment and reconstruction. 1 2 Urban Forestry and Natural Areas Management Guidelines The natural areas around the Trail not only function as a natural respite for the community but they also perform the role of reducing urban temperatures, improving air and water quality, providing wildlife habitat, and reducing erosion. A detailed documentation of these areas was developed in 2015 by The …
