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Design Commission Recommendation 20220926-7 September 28, 2022 Honorable Mayor Adler Honorable City Council Members City Manager Spencer Cronk RE: Functional Green Adoption Postponement Dear Mayor and City Council Members. Given that the Functional Green program may have a wide and potentially negative effect on development in our city, the Design Commission recommends the postponement of the adoption of Functional Green until a complete review can confirm the necessity and efficacy of the proposed code. The attached Recommendation 20220926-7 details Design Commission’s rationale for our unanimous agreement for postponement, including but not limited to stakeholder feedback that has not been utilized, at all. We request a review for redundancy in codes and in the review process, and also outline a path forward to confirm that the program will create effective improvements in future developments. Because the Design Commission reviews projects to confirm compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines, we believe that we understand the existing requirements for landscapes, pedestrian- focused areas, and open space in urban areas. It is through this lens that we offer feedback for your consideration – to improve our approval process and ultimately our built city – that we may all enjoy together. Thank you for your consideration. Jen Weaver Chair City of Austin Design Commission DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220926-7 September 28, 2022 Commissioner Coleman Seconded By: Commissioner Carroll Design Commission Recommendation for Functional Green Date: Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation The Design Commission recommends the postponement of the adoption of Functional Green. Description of Recommendation to Council The Design Commission recommends the postponement of the adoption of Functional Green until stakeholder feedback is assessed, redundancies and cost are evaluated, actual submittals with costs are reviewed, a strategy for staff training and deployment has been reported, benefits of the program are proven, feasibility of planting requirements are verified, and an affordability assessment has been completed. Rationale: The questions and concerns generated during the Code Next stakeholder process were not addressed. Consultants and stakeholders had questions about the process, complexity of the site planning (as it relates to other codes like impervious cover per existing code, etc.) and the review process by other City of Austin departments. The Design Commission would like to address the redundancies and overlaps between this potential code and the other landscape and site design ordinances including: 1. The Landscape Ordinance 2. Austin Energy Green Building Requirements 3. Water Forward 4. Great Streets 5. Subchapter …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 PART 1. Subsection (F) of City Code Section 25-2-1007 (Parking Lots) is amended to read: (F) A landscaped area that is required by this section: (1) may consist of non-contiguous portions, and may be in the form of features commonly referred to as medians, peninsulas, and islands; (2) must be evenly distributed throughout a parking lot, except that the distribution and landscaped area may location of accommodate existing trees or other natural features if the total area requirement is satisfied; [and] (3) may count toward compliance with Section 25-2-1003(A) (General Requirements); and (4) must have an edge-of-pavement treatment that allows overland flow of stormwater runoff across the landscape area except: (a) (b) perimeter landscape areas that are not required to drain to a stormwater control measure; impervious areas on which the land use or activity may generate highly contaminated runoff, as prescribed by the Environmental Criteria Manual; and (c) sites located within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. PART 2. City Code Section 25-2-1008 (Irrigation Requirements) is amended to read: 23 § 25-2-1008 IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS. [(A) An area equal to at least 50% of the total required landscaped area on a project must: (1) be undisturbed natural area(s) or undisturbed existing trees with no potable irrigation; or Page 1 of 62 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 (2) be irrigated by stormwater runoff conveyed from impervious surfaces on the site using one or more of the following methods: (a) overland flow; (b) storm drains; (c) downspouts; (d) rainwater harvesting; (e) retention-irrigation; or (f) other methods of conveyance as prescribed by rule. (B) The drainage area used to irrigate under Subsection (A) must be calculated to provide sufficient water for the landscaped area, as prescribed by rule. (C) Unless the landscaped area under Subsection (A) is being designed as a water quality control under Section 25-8-211, the drainage area used to irrigate the landscaped area: (1) may not include impervious areas on which the land use or activities may generate highly contaminated runoff, as prescribed by rule; and (2) may not include impervious areas used for parking or driving of vehicles if located within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20221005-005 Date: October 5, 2022 Subject: Ordinance Amendment to Title 25 related to environmental protection, landscape requirements, and site plan requirements Motion by: Perry Bedford WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission has considered the ordinance amendments to Title 25 in a working group and is making additional recommendations related to environmental protection and landscape requirements and; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes this ordinance responds to Council Resolution No. 20220609-061, which initiated Land Development Code amendments related to environmental protection, drainage, and landscape requirements. The resolution directed staff to present most of the initiated amendments to Council for consideration and; Seconded by: Rick Brimer WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that neighborhoods and residents east of I-35 have not shared the same environmental protections as those within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zones or where endangered species exist in West Austin and; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes Ordinance Amendment to Title 25 has not go through public review outside of Boards and Commissions; THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the amendments to Title 25 with the following additional recommendations; • § 25-2-1008 IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS. o Recommend that xeriscaping and drought-tolerant plants be part of the landscaping requirements to reduce the dependency on irrigation and increase the survivability of the plants installed in parking areas. o (F) Remove the administrative authority to grant a variance and include the Environmental Commission as the authority to grant variances. • Functional Green o We recognize and support all functional green standards. Because this is a new area of the code the Environmental Commission requests presentations on the projects utilizing Functional Green so we can learn more about its real-world application and support the growth of its use. • § 25-8-42 ADMINISTRATIVE VARIANCES. o Remove all additions to this section. ▪ The additions go too far with administrative approvals and the removal of citizen oversite via public notices or review from boards and commissions. o Because the section removes all citizen oversite and public review it is not equitable. • § 25-2-1179 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. o The maintenance and repair of watercraft shall be performed in a manner that prevents discharge of fuel, oil, or other pollutants into the water. ▪ Add- in the event of a leak or spill during maintenance, owner or repair service will contain the leak or spill and dispose of the hazardous material properly. ▪ Require all fuels, oil, and hazardus materials be stored …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20220921-002 Date: September 21, 2022 Subject: Ordinance Amendment to Title 25 related to environmental protection, landscape requirements, and site plan requirements Motion by: Jennifer L. Bristol WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission has considered the ordinance amendments to Title 25 related to environmental protection and landscape requirements, and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes this ordinance responds to Council Resolution No. 20220609-061, which initiated Land Development Code amendments related to environmental, drainage, and landscape requirements. The resolution directed staff to present most of the initiated amendments to Council for consideration. Seconded by: Kevin Ramberg THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the amendments to Title 25 with the following Environmental Commission recommendations. 1. Require small-scale missing middle projects to send out zoning and building notifications to adjacent neighbors within 500 ft. Notices should be, at a minimum in English and Spanish. 2. Require landscaping and functional green infrastructure to have a long-term maintenance plan to ensure plant survival, reduce heat island effects, and increase tree canopy. 3. Bring affected neighborhood drainage up to code to improve capacity and reduce environmental impact 4. Remove “grandfathered” development projects before May 18, 1986, so everyone receives equitable 5. Consider slopes in urban and suburban watersheds as the same. 6. Consider the environmental and economic impact on adjacent landowners of small-scale missing middle due to leakage. review and protections. projects. 7. Review SF-3 and above for equitable application of the proposed code changes. 8. Review watersheds across the city to create similar or equitable water quality standards similar to the Barton Creek Watersheds to improve the downstream impact to the Colorado River. 9. Include increased traffic and its environmental impact in neighborhoods where small-scale missing middle projects will occur. 10. Require all new code or improved code to comply with Atlas-14 standards. 11. Require public notification and review of in-channel flood variances. 12. Incentivize electric car charging stations in small-scale missing middle projects and commercial development. 1 13. Incentivize use of solar capturing technology in small-scale missing middle projects and single-family homes. 14. Encourage public input to all code changes. a. Environmental Commission wishes to voice their concern that the public was not included in this code rewrite. maintenance. 15. Encourage water catchment systems in commercial development for landscaping and functional green 16. Reinstate that the public is notified of Section 25-8-25(b)(4) changes regarding neighborhood plans adopted by Council. 17. Require the environmental staff to work …
2022 Environmental Code Amendments Phase 1 Planning Commission S e p t e m b e r 2 7 , 2 0 2 2 C I T Y O F A U S T I N 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 Objective • Respond to por tion of Resolution 20220609- 061 that requires staff to bring for th an ordinance amending Title 25 related to environmental protection. • Due September 15, 2022 • Key subject areas Stormwater Landscape • • • Water Resource Protection Colorado River Protections • Previously identified minor code amendments and other amendments that meet the • objectives of the resolution • Don’t Disincentivize Missing Middle C I T Y O F A U S T I N 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 2 Progress So Far • I n t e r n a l W a t e r s h e d P r o t e c t i o n D e p t ( W P D ) t e c h n i c a l s t a f f • I n p u t f r o m o t h e r d e p a r t m e n t s i n c l u d i n g • Development Services Department • Austin Water • Austin Transportation • • Housing and Planning • CoA Project Connect Office Law • 7 / 2 5 / 2 0 2 2 – E n v i r o n m e n t a l C o m m i s s i o n W o r k g r o u p • 8 / 3 / 2 0 2 2 – E n v i r o n m e n t a l C o m m i s s i o n U p d a t e • 8 / 1 8 / 2 0 2 2 – C o d e s a n d O r d i n a n c e s J o i n …
Affordability Impact Statement Land Development Code Chapter 25-2, 25-5, 25-7, 25-8 September 22, 2022 Proposed Regulation The proposed amendments will update various sections of the Land Development Code (LDC) pursuant to Resolution No. 20220609-061. Amendments include policy changes, streamlining of current processes, and edits for clarity. Housing and Planning Department (HPD) staff evaluated the proposed amendments for their potential to impact housing affordability. The majority were found to have negligible impacts; two proposals were identified as having potential significant impacts, “significant” here defined as increasing the cost of housing development that would be feasible under current code. The rest of this staff analysis focuses on those two proposed amendments. The substance of these two amendments is paraphrased below: § 25-8-213 WATER QUALITY CONTROL STANDARDS • For developments with up to 90% impervious cover*: requiring green stormwater infrastructure for water quality treatment Article 25-8, Subchapter C. Functional Green • For developments allowed to contain over 80% impervious cover: requiring Functional Green** landscape elements *Exceptions and variances apply to eligible developments. **Functional Green describes a set of landscape elements that are used to restore native vegetation, enhance streetscape aesthetics, and prioritize green over grey, usually concrete, infrastructure. Please see the draft ordinance for the proposed list of landscape elements that would contribute to a site’s Functional Green score. Overall Evaluation Summary The proposed code amendments may increase construction and maintenance costs but have environmental benefits. Due to these tradeoffs, the affordability impact is considered undetermined. HPD staff recommends modifying the code or developing programs to mitigate the costs for developments with income-restricted units. See below for more detail. Applicability The Functional Green requirement will not apply to projects with residential base zoning, because residential zones do not exceed 80% impervious cover. However, it will apply to some projects using Vertical Mixed Use, Affordability Unlocked, and the proposed Residential in Commercial incentive program. The green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) requirement will apply to most multifamily or residential subdivision projects. Benefits heat island effect. 1. The requirements would increase onsite vegetation, which would mitigate the urban 2. The requirements would increase greenspace, thus increasing the mental and physical health benefits that it provides. This addresses disparities identified in the Equity Response, Summary, and Recommendations, which is an attachment to the code amendment staff report, which states, “Communities of color and low-income communities have been shown to have disproportionately worse physical, mental, and environmental health outcomes …
RESOLUTION NO. 20220609-061 WHEREAS, protecting our environment is the foundation for sustaining our planet, community, and economy; and WHEREAS, the City ofAustin's "State of Our Environment: 2020 Annual Report," showed that creeks in the Desired Development Zone scored on average 10 points lower than those in the Drinking Water Protection Zone; and WHEREAS, the Drinking Water Protection Zone designation located on the west side of Austin has restricted development through regulations creating positive environmental outcomes, while the Desired Development Zone, located in Central and East Austin, has more permissive regulations that have resulted in some negative outcomes; and WHEREAS, properties located in the Desired Development Zone have more permissive development regulations with regard to the size of creek buffers, impervious cover limits, cut and fill, and construction on slopes; and WHEREAS, extensive empirical literature links exposure to nature with better health, and creeks provide city-wide opportunities to experience nature; and WHEREAS, current code allows for structures such as in-channel detention basins and concrete wastewater manholes to be placed in creeks, which can cause erosion and other severe, often long-lasting consequences that can be expensive to reverse; and WHEREAS, the City is faced with the existing and growing threat of industrial discharges that can negatively impact creeks and communities located primarily on the east side of the City of Austin; and Page 1 of 10 WHEREAS, there has been a steady increase in the amount of land area in Austin covered by impervious surfaces and a corresponding steady decrease in the amount of pervious land area capable of absorbing rainfall; and WHEREAS, one result of the historically high rates of development is a rise in the amount of runoff that flows off-site from developed properties and into older, undersized stormwater drain systems, creeks, rivers, and lakes, contributing to increases in flooding severity, damage to private property, loss of life, and water pollution; and WHEREAS, currently City Code allows redeveloped sites to use existing impervious cover as a baseline for drainage calculations, resulting in increased runoff and contributing to flooding and erosive flows downstream; and WHEREAS, increasing density reduces sprawl and thereby reduces traffic congestion, pollution, and development of open spaces and agricultural; and WHEREAS, a U.S. Geological Survey study found that using green stormwater infrastructure for water quality provided enhanced mitigation of peak flows and run-off volumes compared to large, detention-based stormwater control practices; and WHEREAS, the Watershed Protection Department "Master …
M E M O R A N D U M Mayor and Council Members Katie Coyne, AICP, Certified Ecologist – ESA Environmental Officer / Assistant Director Watershed Protection Department Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager September 29, 2022 TO: FROM: THROUGH: DATE: SUBJECT: Proposed Phase 1 Environmental Code Amendment Related to Resolution #20220609-061 The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update to the staff response related to proposed code amendments to Title 25 that were initiated by the City Council under Resolution 20220609-061. The approved resolution directed the City Manager to initiate a suite of code amendments related to environmental health and landscape requirements. Council approved staff’s request to postpone consideration of this item to your meeting of October 13, 2022. A summary of these code amendments, which the resolution directed to be considered by September 15, 2022, is provided below: 1. 2. 3. Initiated code amendment: Establish criteria that prioritize when green stormwater methods should be required or incentivized over conventional stormwater controls. Staff recommendation: Require green stormwater controls, such as biofiltration ponds, rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, etc., for sites with less than 90% impervious cover, except for sites meeting certain conditions. Allow an administrative variance option for constrained sites. Initiated code amendment: Require surface parking lot stormwater to enter pervious parking lot islands, landscaped medians, and perimeter landscapes as a method of water quality and require that pavement be graded to allow runoff to enter planting areas. Staff recommendation: Remove stormwater irrigation requirements from existing landscape requirements. Remove six-inch curb barrier requirement for parking lot islands, medians, and peninsulas. Require stormwater to flow into parking lot islands, medians, and peninsulas when feasible. Initiated code amendment: Implement Functional Green requirements for properties with more than 80% allowable impervious cover. Staff recommendation: Apply Functional Green landscape requirements for sites with greater than 80% allowable impervious cover within a new Subchapter (C) in Land Development Code Chapter 25-8 Environment. Staff recommends a delayed effective date of Functional Green landscape requirements until the associated rules can be vetted through the stakeholder process. Staff requests that the Council also provide direction Page 1 of 3 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 7. allowing them to amend Title 25-2 Zoning to move the remainder of the existing landscaping requirements from 25-2 Zoning into the newly created subchapter and allow staff to propose minor modifications for clarity to existing landscaping requirements. Initiated code amendment: Allow …
Amend Commissi Section Pg # Proposed Amendment 1 Azhar 25-8-Subchapter C Delay consideration of the Functional Green sub-item, contained in 25-8-Subchapter C, for Staff to provide the following to the Planning - Functional Green Commission: comments and response from Staff. - Provide results of additional formal engagement with community, industry, and other departments. Preferably, provide a summary of stakeholder - Work with City staff and stakeholders to provide an analysis of the impact of these provisions on developable space in CBD, DMU, VMU, UNO, TOD, MF-6, zoning districts and all -MU combining districts, including providing a minimum of two test cases for each zone to consider real-life Proposed Text Change References and Notes Strikethrough of relevant sections Text Yes Requires deeper understanding of planning impact and stakeholder engagment - Work with City staff and stakeholders to provide an analysis of a minimum of 2 test cases that apply to a scenario with small site less than 1 acre and less than 5,000 sq ft impervious cover, approved in the last 2 years. - Provide greater definition in the Affordability Impact Statement regarding anticipated costs and environmental benefits. - Work with City staff and stakeholders to provide test cases with financial modeling for different project sites in different zoning districts to understand the financial impact of these requirenents, both one-time capital costs and recurring O&M costs, including, but not limited to, assessing CBD, DMU, MF-6, and VMU projects. - Work with HPD staff to assess the utilization of bonus entitlements to incentivize these requirements and minimize cost and developable space - Work with staff from HPD, Corridor Program Office, and Project Connect Office to assess the implications of this requirement on the ETOD and other corridor planning processes currently underway, with the aim to ensure that housing capacity contiues to support mode shift goals. - Ensure that regular revisions to landscape design and plantings do not require a Site Plan Revision. - Provide the literature review conducted to define the multipliers for all allowable landcsape elements. - Provide the basis on which the 0.3 threshold requirement was set. - Explain how these requirements will converge with parkland dedication, Great Streets, UNO street design, landcaping, and other exisiting code - Assess and provide a data-based review of the environmental impact of these requirements on high water demand/use and carbon emissions from equipment needed to maintain landscape on rooftops, etc over the lifetime …
Zoning and Platting Commission Resolution Whereas, the Austin City Council passed Resolution 20220609-061 “relating to environmental protections and water quality”; and Whereas, the City Council directed the City Manager “to address the equitable protection of the environment throughout the City of Austin as part of the Watershed Protection Strategic Plan’; and Whereas, the proposed regulations include green stormwater infrastructure and functional green to lessen the heat island effect and provide other benefits; and Whereas, the proposed regulations lessen environmental reviews for some projects including water quality controls, critical environmental features, construction on slopes and watershed impervious cover limits; and Whereas, the City of Austin Zoning and Platting Commission welcomes improved environmental protections and water quality throughout the entire City. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Zoning and Platting Commission encourages the Austin City Council to approve C20-2022-005a, Land Development Code Amendments with the following changes: • Implementation of Functional Green requirements will be deferred until such time as the Emergency Rules for the Environmental Criteria Manual is adopted to reflect the appropriate Criteria; • Allow boat dock access to remain within 50’ of the Lake as it relates to items 25-8-25 (B)(2), 25-8-27 (D)(2) • Under Section 25-8-64(E) for lots that cannot meet this criteria a mechanism to allow smaller units will be developed • Remove 25-8-213(A)(1) proposed changes • Clarify that the impervious cover limit in § 25-5-3 (B)(13)(b) is the impervious cover allowed by the zoning not to exceed 55%, Be it further resolved as Part of Phase 2 of Council initiated code updates that the following directions from the Council resolution be completed as soon as possible: • Require the environmental staff to work with Austin’s Equity Office to address inequities created by different rules for the Desired Development Zone and Critical Water Quality Zones such as Barton Springs; • Once the Affordability impact is determined any negative aspects will be counter balanced with incentives to ensure that there is no negative financial impact of these new requirements; • Recommend that all subdivisions and site plans in Urban Watersheds meet steep slope protections; and • Recommend new and redeveloped projects to use greenfield conditions as a baseline when calculating drainage requirements
C20-2021-014 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2021-014 Project Connect Ordinance Description: Consider an amendment to Title 25 City Code for Transit System Projects to facilitate the construction of critical transportation infrastructure. Proposed Language: See attached draft ordinance and background information. Summary of proposed code amendment This is a Foundational Ordinance, creating a place for any future code amendments, and proposes 5 main components: • Structure (as a foundational ordinance) • Requiring a construction noise and mitigation plan • Adjustments to site plan • Establish uses • Fiscal exemption beyond the ROW Background: Initiated by City Council Resolution 20211029-003 In October of 2021, Council passed a resolution directing staff to scan code, criteria and processes looking for obstacles to efficient implementation and permitting of Project Connect. The resolution cites the City’s mobility plan, the voter referendum for Project Connect, the ENO report, and the known difficulties of Austin’s codes and ordinances in implementing a linear project. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the proposed code amendment. Board and Commission Actions September 21, 2022: Went before Codes and Ordinances Joint Commission; unable to hear item due to lack of quorum. October 4, 2022: Scheduled to go before the Urban transportation Commission. October 5, 2022: Scheduled to go before the Environmental Commission. October 11, 2022: Scheduled to go before the Planning Commission. October 18, 2022: Scheduled to go before the Zoning and Platting Commission. October 19, 2022: Scheduled to go before the Downtown Commission October 24, 2022: Scheduled to go before the Design Commission. Council Action December 1, 2022: Suggested date/time Ordinance Number: NA City Staff: Donna Galati Phone: 512-974-2733 Email: donna.galati@austintexas.gov 1 1 of 924 VERSION TWO PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR PROJECT CONNECT ORDINANCE DRAFT SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL CHANGES Project Connect is the City’s high-capacity public transit system expansion, PART 1. which will ultimately consist of a light rail network, an expanded bus system, transportation terminals and stations, maintenance facilities, and all associated improvements necessary for operation of the transit system. To facilitate the construction of this critical transportation infrastructure, certain modifications and waivers to City Code are necessary to ensure the construction of a high-capacity transit system. PART 2. This ordinance and the attached Exhibits A and B consist of the “Transit System Project Regulations”. Development of the Transit System Project shall conform to the limitations and conditions set forth in this ordinance. If this ordinance and the attached exhibits conflict, this ordinance controls. …
1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20221005-004 Date: October 5, 2022 Subject: Project Connect Motion by: Kevin Ramberg RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission supports the implementation and operation of Project Connect. WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission understands this proposed ordinance will not change the code requirements that trigger Boards and Commissions review and approvals. Seconded by: Rick Brimer THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the proposed ordinance in response to Resolution 20211029-003 with the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. Project Connect commits to brief the Environmental Commission and seek our recommendations on the 2. Project Connect commits to implementing multilingual public outreach based on the languages spoken in project development annually at a minimum; the target populations; and 3. Project Connect commits to presenting to the Environmental Commission early in the Draft EIS NEPA public involvement period to seek Commission comments and recommendations related to sound mitigation and management and other environmental elements. VOTE 8-0 For: Aguirre, Bedford, Brimer, Ramberg, Schiera, Scott, Thompson, and Qureshi Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Barrett Bixler, Bristol, Nickells Approved By: Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair
Project Connect Foundational Ordinance and Regulations October 11, 2022 Planning Commission Project Connect Overview 2 Project Connect: Program Components 33 Integrated Program Delivery 4 Project Connect in Progress MetroRapid Expansion, Red Line Improvements, Pickup Service Expansion • Summer 2021: Three new Circulator Pickup Zones • • • • • December 2021: MetroRapid Expo Center Groundbreaking February 2022: MetroRapid Pleasant Valley Groundbreaking July 2022: Red Line McKalla Station Groundbreaking August 2022: MetroBike Program incorporated into CapMetro Summer 2023: Target for new MetroRapid in Service • All-electric, Zero emission buses, Solar where possible To help protect your privacy, PowerPoint has blocked automatic download of this picture. Recently completed North Operations Electric Bus Yard 5 Light Rail Project Development Process Project Development Engineering Construction Revenue Service Entry into Engineering Grant Agreement Note: Project Development includes Preliminary Engineering 6 Light Rail Project Cost Considerations COST BASIS ASSUMPTIONS Original cost estimates (2019-2020) were based on 5% design and peer transit system comparison data 2022: costs have increased significantly (up to 70%-80%), due to the following drivers: Right-of-way and real estate prices (Austin market) Inflation, labor shortage, and anticipated supply chain barriers Program scope changes as a result of community input and technical requirements (e.g. Tunnel length increase from 1.5 to 4 miles) NEXT STEPS • NEED TO ALIGN PROGRAM SCOPE AND SEQUENCING TO • Community input will be essential to defining project scope, AVAILABLE FUNDING phasing and next steps. Tax increment rate will not be increased to cover ongoing program costs Federal Environmental Review Process The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process requires federal agencies to: • Assess the potential impacts of their actions on the human and natural environment • Avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects where reasonably feasible • Where impacts are identified, mitigation strategies are defined, and could include items such as maintaining property access, tree relocation, or noise monitoring during construction • Inform the public that environmental concerns were considered in their decision-making process 8 Cultural Environment Historic and Archeological Park and Recreation Visual and Aesthetic Physical and Natural Environment Air Quality Water Quality Noise and Vibration Trees Human Environment Environmental Justice Neighborhood & Community Foundational Ordinance 9 Project Connect is Unique and Complex • A project of this type and magnitude has never been built in our city. • Existing code and criteria focused on vertical, site- specific development, not miles of linear rail • Most complex retrofitting of existing …
Draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law, which provides over $1.9 trillion in relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the need for housing assistance and supportive services, Congress appropriated $5 billion in ARP funds to be administered through the HOME grant to perform activities that primarily benefit individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations. This grant is referred to as HOME-ARP and is administered by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD). The following activities are eligible for funding by HOME-ARP, as stated by HUD in Notice CPD 21-10- ● development and support of affordable housing; ● tenant-based rental assistance; ● provision of supportive services; ● acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units; ● and planning and administration The City of Austin is eligible for $11,441,252 in HOME-ARP funding. In accordance with HUD requirements, the City has prepared the following Allocation Plan that describes the process of gathering feedback, analyzes the needs of populations who are unhoused or experiencing housing insecurity, and proposes a spending plan for HOME-ARP. This draft Allocation Plan was made available for public review from May 3 - June 10, 2022. A record of the comments received on the plan is included in Attachment B of this document. A second public comment period will be held from October 6 – October 21, 2022 with a revised draft Allocation Plan. Revisions were made to Section III: Needs and Gaps Analysis, Section IV: HOME-ARP Activities, and Section V: Preferences in order to clarify the City's justification for proposed activities and methods of distributing funding. A proposal for how to spend the $11,441,252 HOME-ARP grant is included in Section IV: HOME-ARP Activities, and Attachment E: Budget Page. Table of Contents Section I: Consultation ............................................................................................................... 2 Section II: Public Participation .................................................................................................... 8 Section III: Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis .....................................................................13 Section IV: HOME-ARP Activities..............................................................................................33 Section V: Preferences .............................................................................................................39 Section VI: HOME-ARP Refinancing Guidelines .......................................................................42 Attachments Attachment A: Austin Homeless Advisory Council Survey Summary Attachment B: ARPA Investment Priorities Survey- SpeakUp Austin Attachment C: Public Comment Period Promotion and Feedback Attachment D: Austin/Travis County 2022 Needs and Gaps Report Attachment E: SF424s and Certifications Attachment F: Budget Page 1 Section I: Consultation Before developing its plan, a PJ must consult with the CoC(s) serving the jurisdiction’s …
Community Development Commission (CDC) 2023 DRAFT Meeting Schedule *This schedule reflects the CDC’s historic meeting times and locations. Due to ongoing risks associated with COVID 19, meetings may continue to be held in the hybrid format. Please refer to Texas State law mandates regarding whether a quorum of CDC members must be present in-person to begin the meeting. At the time of this draft, only the Chair or a presiding officer must be present in person. Please refer to posted agendas for potential changes to the times and locations listed below. Date Community Development Commission Tuesday January 10, 2023 Tuesday February 14, 2023 Tuesday March 14, 2023 Tuesday April 11, 2023 Tuesday May 9, 2023 Tuesday June 13, 2023 Tuesday July 11, 2023 Tuesday August 8, 2023 Tuesday September 12, 2023 Tuesday October 10, 2023 Tuesday November 14, 2023 Tuesday December 12, 2023 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 PUBLIC HEARING Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 PUBLIC HEARING Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Time: 6:30pm Location: Boards and Commissions Room City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701
