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Draft recommendation for FY25-26 for sustained funding of the Equity Division's Undoing Racism (agenda item 9) — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION WHEREAS, the latest City of Austin Demographer data shows Austin residents as 1.5% Asian/Asian American, 7% Black/African American, 11% Hispanic/Latino/o/x, are 51% white; and WHEREAS, the City’s Advancing Immigrant Corporation reports 20%% of residents are foreign born; and WHEREAS, the latest City of Austin Demographer data shows indicated 22% of respondents identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community; and Recommendation Number: (20250226-09): Sustained Funding Undoing Racism Workshop Through Equity Division WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“JIC”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote close cooperation between Council, City Management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion in the city; and WHEREAS, persons aged 65 and older represent the fastest-growing age group in Austin, expanding from 55,695 (7.0% of 2010 population) to 91,733 (9.5% of 2020 population), and growing at a rate of 64.7%; and Joint Inclusion Committee D R A F T WHEREAS, in the last twelve months, the City of Austin has seen an increase in discrimination, targeting and persecution of multiple ethnicities; and WHEREAS, the Equity Division mission is “To provide leadership, guidance, and insight on equity to improve the quality of life for Austinites and achieve the vision of making Austin the most livable city in the nation for ALL;” and WHEREAS, the Equity Divsion advances its mission by hosting Undoing Racism in collaboration with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. WHEREAS, The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond’s vision is to work with communities so that residents can be “girded with a clear sense of their own power, sustaining a quality of life that is far beyond survival. We envision them nurturing their cultures, preserving their history, and cultivating their economies. We envision these communities being in harmony with one another and with other WHEREAS, while not an all-inclusive list, all of the demographics specified above are at risk for discrimination and being targeted, generally the older adults in those populations are the most vulnerable; and segments of the global community.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to act to maintain and approve funding for the Equity Division’s renewed 5-year contract with The People’s Institute …
Draft recommendation for FY25-26 to fund an Older Adult Focus at City Job Fairs (agenda item 8) — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Aging Recommendation Number: 20250212012: Older Adult Focus at City Job Fairs WHEREAS, the City of Austin will hold the 14th Annual City of Austin Career Expo on April 2, 2025, designed to facilitate employer hiring needs and the employment needs of job seekers1; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin regularly holds additional job fair(s) throughout the year2; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin regularly holds one 50+ Community Job Fair per year that includes employers that primarily specialize in providing jobs and resources for individuals who are over the age of 503 and are marketed to older adults who choose to or need to continue working past traditional retirement age; and WHEREAS, Austin’s older adult population represents 10.8% of the total population4; and WHEREAS, older adults job seekers frequently face ageism5,6 and 78% of people between the ages of 40 and 65 said they had seen age discrimination in the workplace7; and WHEREAS, older adult job seekers re-entering the workforce may be out of touch with the latest technology; and WHEREAS, AARP is one of numerous sources advising unique approaches for older adults seeking employment8,9 ;and other NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Aging encourages the Austin City Council to direct the City to add one or two speakers to each job fair that would cover informational topics, such as how to: • • navigate new technology involved in résumé submittal, and • maintain self-confidence during the job search. repurpose a long career to pursue new interests, 1 City of Austin Career Expo | AustinTexas.gov 2 City of Austin Fair Chance Hiring Job Fair on July 25 | AustinTexas.gov 3 City of Austin 50+ Community Job Fair on September 25 | AustinTexas.gov 4 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2022 1-year estimates and 2020 decennial census. 5 15 Frustrating Reasons Why People Over 50 Struggle to Find Jobs - Housely 6 https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinryan/2024/04/16/how-to-find-a-job-if-you-are-55-or-older/ 7 The 5 Secrets for Getting Hired After 50 8 The 5 Secrets for Getting Hired After 50 9 How To Find A Job If You Are 55 Or Older The Commission on Aging can research local professionals to assist with speaker placement if needed. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 9-0 vote. Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) February 12, 2025Richard Bondi, Chair
Draft recommendation to establish an Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (agenda item 7) — original pdf
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Veterans Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025xxxx-xxx WHEREAS, the City of Austin seeks to be a national leader in supporting its veteran and military community by providing comprehensive services and addressing critical issues such as housing, employment, mental health, and community reintegration; WHEREAS, the Commission on Veterans Affairs has accumulated information concerning the needs of veterans in the Austin community through testimony from community members, veteran service organizations, non-profit groups, and city employees as well as the 2024 Texas Veterans Needs Assessment indicating that current support and access to Veteran services in Austin is insufficient; WHEREAS, the City Council passed Resolution No. 20240814-021 directing the City Manager to develop a Veterans Affairs Action Plan to address recommendations for staffing, budget, organizational structure, and resources necessary for the effective provision of services; WHEREAS, the Interim Director, Office of Equity and Inclusion reported to the Mayor and City Council in January 2025 that she reviewed and concurs with the 2024 Texas Veterans Needs Assessment that barriers exist in the City of Austin to ensuring local veterans have access to services and support; WHEREAS, the City Council has previously recognized the great need for Veteran support services and adopted Resolution No. 20211209-057 directing the City Manager to explore the establishment of a Veterans and Military Affairs Office, identifying costs, possible funding sources, and steps associated with establishing this office; WHEREAS, the Commission on Veterans Affairs passed Recommendations No. 20200115-B003 and No. 20240320-006 encouraging consolidation of all veteran and military-related initiatives, programs, and personnel dispersed throughout the City of Austin government into a single office to improve efficiency, accountability, and service delivery; and WHEREAS, establishing an Office of Military and Veterans Affairs reporting to the City Manager, as is found in most large cities in Texas, will strengthen the City’s commitment to addressing the needs of Veterans in our community and supporting the Veterans and currently serving National Guard and Reserve members working in the City of Austin government. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Veterans Affairs recommends the creation of an Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. The Commission recommends the following: 1. The Office should report to the City Manager. Employees will engage with Federal, State, and County government officials and across the City of Austin government. 2. The Office should seek to maximize Federal and State funding available for Veteran programs to support City activities. 3. …
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Recommendation 20250226-007: To establish an Office of Military and Veterans Affairs — original pdf
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE Recommendation Number: 20250226-07 WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“JIC”) of the City of Austin serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote close cooperation between Council, City Management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion in the city; WHEREAS, the City of Austin seeks to be a national leader in supporting its veteran and military community by providing comprehensive services and addressing critical issues such as housing, employment, mental health, and community reintegration; WHEREAS, the Commission on Veterans Affairs has accumulated information concerning the needs of veterans in the Austin community through testimony from community members, veteran service organizations, non-profit groups, and city employees as well as the 2024 Texas Veterans Needs Assessment indicating that current support and access to Veteran services in Austin is insufficient; WHEREAS, the City Council passed Resolution No. 20240814-021 directing the City Manager to develop a Veterans Affairs Action Plan to address recommendations for staffing, budget, organizational structure, and resources necessary for the effective provision of services; WHEREAS, the Interim Director, Office of Equity and Inclusion reported to the Mayor and City Council in January 2025 that she reviewed and concurs with the 2024 Texas Veterans Needs Assessment that barriers exist in the City of Austin to ensuring local veterans have access to services and support; WHEREAS, the City Council has previously recognized the great need for Veteran support services and adopted Resolution No. 20211209-057 directing the City Manager to explore the establishment of a Veterans and Military Affairs Office, identifying costs, possible funding sources, and steps associated with establishing this office; WHEREAS, the Commission on Veterans Affairs passed Recommendations No. 20200115-B003 and No. 20240320-006 encouraging consolidation of all veteran and military-related initiatives, programs, and personnel dispersed throughout the City of Austin government into a single office to improve efficiency, accountability, and service delivery; and WHEREAS, establishing an Office of Military and Veterans Affairs reporting to the City Manager, as is found in most large cities in Texas, will strengthen the City’s commitment to addressing the needs of Veterans in our community and supporting the Veterans and currently serving National Guard and Reserve members working in the City of Austin government. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the …
Recommendation 20250226-008: Older Adult Focus at City Job Fairs — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE Recommendation Number: 20250226-008: Older Adult Focus at City Job Fairs WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“JIC”) of the City of Austin serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote close cooperation between Council, City Management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion in the city; WHEREAS, the City of Austin will hold the 14th Annual City of Austin Career Expo on April 2, 2025, designed to facilitate employer hiring needs and the employment needs of job seekers1; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin regularly holds additional job fair(s) throughout the year2; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin regularly holds one 50+ Community Job Fair per year that includes employers that primarily specialize in providing jobs and resources for individuals who are over the age of 503 and are marketed to older adults who choose to or need to continue working past traditional retirement age; and WHEREAS, Austin’s older adult population represents 10.8% of the total population4; and WHEREAS, older adults job seekers frequently face ageism5,6 and 78% of people between the ages of 40 and 65 said they had seen age discrimination in the workplace7; and WHEREAS, older adult job seekers re-entering the workforce may be out of touch with the latest technology; and WHEREAS, AARP is one of numerous sources advising unique approaches for older adults seeking employment8,9 ;and other NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Aging encourages the Austin City Council to direct the City to add one or two speakers to each job fair that would cover informational topics, such as how to: repurpose a long career to pursue new interests, navigate new technology involved in résumé submittal, and • • • maintain self-confidence during the job search. The Commission on Aging can research local professionals to assist with speaker placement if needed. 1 City of Austin Career Expo | AustinTexas.gov 2 City of Austin Fair Chance Hiring Job Fair on July 25 | AustinTexas.gov 3 City of Austin 50+ Community Job Fair on September 25 | AustinTexas.gov 4 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2022 1-year estimates and 2020 decennial census. 5 15 Frustrating Reasons Why People Over 50 Struggle to Find Jobs - Housely 6 …
Recommendation 20250226-009: Sustained Funding Undoing Racism Workshops — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE Recommendation Number: (20250226-09): Sustained Funding Undoing Racism Workshop Through Equity Division WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“JIC”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion to promote close cooperation between Council, City Management, City boards, commissions, committees, and task forces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies to increase and sustain equity, diversity, and inclusion in the city; and WHEREAS, persons aged 65 and older represent the fastest-growing age group in Austin, expanding from 55,695 (7.0% of 2010 population) to 91,733 (9.5% of 2020 population), and growing at a rate of 64.7%; and WHEREAS, the latest City of Austin Demographer data shows Austin residents as 1.5% Asian/Asian American, 7% Black/African American, 11% Hispanic/Latino/o/x, are 51% white; and WHEREAS, the City’s Advancing Immigrant Corporation reports 20%% of residents are foreign born; and WHEREAS, the latest City of Austin Demographer data shows indicated 22% of respondents identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community; and WHEREAS, while not an all-inclusive list, all of the demographics specified above are at risk for discrimination and being targeted, generally the older adults in those populations are the most vulnerable; and WHEREAS, in the last twelve months, the City of Austin has seen an increase in discrimination, targeting and persecution of multiple ethnicities; and WHEREAS, the Equity Division mission is “To provide leadership, guidance, and insight on equity to improve the quality of life for Austinites and achieve the vision of making Austin the most livable city in the nation for ALL;” and WHEREAS, the Equity Divsion advances its mission by hosting Undoing Racism in collaboration with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond. WHEREAS, The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond’s vision is to work with communities so that residents can be “girded with a clear sense of their own power, sustaining a quality of life that is far beyond survival. We envision them nurturing their cultures, preserving their history, and cultivating their economies. We envision these communities being in harmony with one another and with other segments of the global community.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to act to maintain and approve funding for the Equity Division’s renewed 5-year contract with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond as …
Approved Minutes — original pdf
February 26, 2025 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy Headquarters. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Charlotte Davis, Haris Qureshi, Kaiba White, Chris Maxwell-Gaines Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Marissa Bell, Lane Becker, Melissa Rothrock, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Anna Scott, Chris Campbell, Rodrigo Leal Board Members Absent: Yure Suarez, Natalie Poindexter, Amy Noel, Ben Luckens, Alberta Phillips City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala, Braden Latham-Jones, Juan Espinoza CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm. Public Communication • Zachary Leeper – speaking in favor of ACCC • Chase Wright – speaking in favor of ACCC, benefits from providing jobs and workforce training to individuals exiting homelessness and incarceration • Parc Smith – speaking in favor of ACCC 1. Approval of minutes from the January 22nd 2025 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. DISCUSSION ITEMS • Maxwell-Gaines motion, Qureshi second, passes on a 12-0 vote. 2. Austin Light Rail Phase 1 project update, timeline and the opportunity to provide feedback as part of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Review and Comment Period – Lisa Storer, Alvin Livingstone, Deron Lozano and Yannis Banks, Austin Transit Partnership. • Rothrock: what is priority extension? Answer: Airport will be next • White: can you elaborate more on DEIS? Answer: documents impacts during construction and operation. E.g. noise and vibration. Understanding what JSC is interested in is helpful. Federal gov’t doesn’t require level of detail being provided. E.g. working with city arborist to come up with tree preservation-first approach. • Model shows 20 million + VMT reduced. All electric vehicles. 3. Austin Civilian Conservation Corps Update on staffing, current agreements, pathways, and its future funding opportunities. – Juan Espinoza, Economic Development Department. • Davis: what happened to other pathways? Espinoza: funding shortfall meant that only natural systems pathway is active. Program has always been funded with one-time funding. • White: how much funding is needed to bring programming back? Espinoza: $2.8m at max capacity. 4. Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program Update – Braden Latham-Jones, Office of Climate Action and Resilience. • White: what about public-facing items? Latham-Jones – some items feature this. • White: will this come back to JSC? Latham-Jones: TBD, depends on timeline. 5. Recommendations and possible action on the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program, including supportive action and/or recommendations for additions …
Agenda — original pdf
REGULAR MEETING of the PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025, 6:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Planning Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. 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. Registration no later than 2 PM the day of the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. For more information on public comment, please see the agenda section “Speaker Registration.” Please contact Ella Garcia, Staff Liaison, for questions regarding speaker registration at LandUseLiaison@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-978-0821. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Claire Hempel, Chair (District 8) Awais Azhar, Vice Chair (Mayor’s Representative) Greg Anderson, Secretary (District 4) Alice Woods, Parliamentarian (District 2) Patrick Howard (District 1) Nadia Barrera-Ramirez (District 3) Felicity Maxwell (District 5) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: Casey Haney (District 6) Ryan Johnson (District 7) Danielle Skidmore (District 9) Grayson Cox (District 10) Alberta Phillips (Mayor’s Representative) Adam Haynes (Holdover, Mayor’s Representative) Jessica Cohen, Chair of Board of Adjustment Candace Hunter, AISD Board of Trustees TC Broadnax, City Manager Richard Mendoza – Director of Transportation and Public Works EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) Executive Liaison: Joi Harden, 512-974-1617 Staff Liaison: Ella Garcia, 512-978-0821 Attorney: AJ Urteaga, 512-974-2386 The Planning Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, according to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on the agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first four 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 Planning Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Plan Amendment: NPA-2024-0008.01 - 2600 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; Location: District 1 2600 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Boggy Creek Watershed; Rosewood Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: CTMS Holdings LLC Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Drenner Group, PC (Leah M. Bojo, AICP) Civic to Mixed Use land use Recommended Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, maureen.meredith@austintexas.gov Planning Department 3. …
02 NPA-2024-0008.01 2600 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; District 1 Staff Report — original pdf
Planning Commission: February 25, 2025 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET NEIGHORHOOD PLAN: Rosewood CASE#: NPA-2024-0008.01 DATE FILED: June 21, 2024 PROJECT NAME: 2600 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd PC DATE: February 25, 2025 February 11, 2025 December 17, 2024 ADDRESS/ES: 2600 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd DISTRICT AREA: 1 SITE AREA: 1.99 acres OWNER/APPLICANT: CTMS Holdings, LLC AGENT: Drenner Group, PC (Leah M. Bojo, AICP) CASE MANAGER: Maureen Meredith PHONE: (512) 974-2695 STAFF EMAIL: Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov TYPE OF AMENDMENT: Change in Future Land Use Designation From: Civic To: Mixed Use Base District Zoning Change Related Zoning Case: C14-2024-0111 From: GR-V-CO-NP To: GR-MU-V-DB90-NP NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ADOPTION DATE: November 29, 2001 CITY COUNCIL DATE: TBD ACTION: 02 NPA-2024-0008.01 - 2600 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; District 11 of 36 Planning Commission: February 25, 2025 PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: February 25, 2025 – (action pending) February 11, 2025- Postponed to February 25, 2025 on the consent agenda at the request of Staff. [A. Azhar – 1st; F. Maxwell -2nd] Vote: 10 – 0 [P. Howard, A. Phillips and A. Haynes absent]. December 17, 2024 – Postponed to February 11, 2025 on the consent agenda at the request of the Applicant. [C. Haney – 1st; F. Maxwell – 2nd] Vote: 11-0 [N. Barrera-Ramirez and A. Phillips absent]. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: To support the applicant’s request for Mixed Use land use. BASIS FOR STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION: Staff supports the applicant’s request for Mixed Use land use because the property is located on Manor Road, which is an activity corridor where mixed use land use is appropriate. The property is within the MLK Station Neighborhood Center as identified on the Growth Concept Map and is less than ½-mile from the MLK Rail Station. The applicant proposes a 300-unit multifamily development with ground-floor retail. LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS: EXISTING LAND USE: Civic - Any site for public or semi fire facilities, hospitals, and public and private schools. Includes major religious facilities and other religious activities that are of a different type and scale than surrounding uses. Purpose 1. Allow flexibility in development for major, multi the greater community; 2. Manage the expansion of major institutional uses to prevent unnecessary impacts on established neighborhood areas; 3. Preserve the availability of sites for civic facilities to ensure that facilities are adequate for population growth; 4. Promote Civic uses that are accessible and useable for the neighborhood resident and maintain stability of …
03 C14-2024-0111 2600 E. MLK Jr Blvd; District 1 Staff Report — original pdf
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2024-0111 (2600 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.) DISTRICT: 1 ADDRESS: 2600 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard ZONING FROM: GO-V-CO-NP TO: GR-MU-V-CO-DB90-NP (as amended) SITE AREA: approximately 1.99 acres (approximately 86,684 square feet) PROPERTY OWNER: CTMS Holdings, LLC AGENT: Drenner Group, PC (Leah Bojo) CASE MANAGER: Jonathan Tomko (512) 974-1057, jonathan.tomko@austintexas.gov STAFF RECOMMEDATION: Staff recommends granting community commercial-mixed use-vertical mixed use-conditional overlay-density bonus 90-neighborhood plan (GR-MU-V-CO-DB90-NP) combining district zoning. The conditional overlay would prohibit the following 15 uses: - Alternative Financial Services - Automotive Repair Services - Automotive Washing (of any type) - Commercial Off-Street Parking - Drop Off Recycling Facility - Funeral Services - Outdoor Entertainment - Service Station - Automotive Rentals - Automotive Sales - Bail Bond Services - Drive thru as an accessory use (to any use) - Exterminating Services - Hotel-Motel - Pawn Shop Services The conditional overlay would conditionally allow the following 5 uses: - Consumer Convenience Services - Indoor Entertainment - Offsite Accessory Parking - Hospital Services (limited) - Indoor Sports & Recreation For a summary of the basis of Staff’s recommendation, please see the basis of recommendation section below. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: December 17, 2024: Applicant postponement request to February 11, 2025, granted. February 11, 2025: Staff postponement request to February 25, 2025, granted. February 25, 2025: Case is scheduled to be heard by Planning Commission. CITY COUNCIL ACTION: TBD ORDINANCE NUMBER: TBD ISSUES: 03 C14-2024-0111 - 2600 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; District 11 of 21 C14-2024-0111 2 The applicant is proposing to remove an existing conditional overlay of 2,000 vehicle trips per day, prohibiting business or trade school, business support services, restaurant (limited), off-site accessory parking and personal services. In December 2023, Ordinance No. 20220609-080, Ordinance No. 20221201-056 and Ordinance No. 20221201-055 were invalidated. On March 11, 2024, Ordinance No. 20240229-073, was enacted to create the “DB90” combining district, which amended City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to create a new zoning district for a density bonus program that grants 30 feet in height above the base zoning district, to a maximum of 90 feet, and modifies site development regulations including compatibility standards. CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The property in question is currently a vacant office/medical use, formerly used as the Capital Area Research and Radiation Center. It is approximately 16,000 square feet constructed in approximately 1972. The site also contains approximately 25,000 square feet …
04 C14-2024-0158 2100 Polaris; District 4 Letter Wooten Neighborhood Plan Contact Team Support Letter — original pdf
Wooten Neighborhood Plan Contact Team February 20, 2025 Ms. Sherri Sirwaitis, Planner Principal Current Planning Division Planning Department City of Austin VIA Electronic Mail sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov RE: 2100 Polaris - Rezoning City File Number C14-2024-0158 The Wooten Neighborhood Plan Contact Team(WNPCT) and the Applicant, SB-Polaris Property LLC, and its representatives engaged in a community outreach process to review the proposed rezoning. As of the WNPCT meeting on Monday, February 17th, the WNPCT supports the rezoning of the site located at 2100 Polaris based on the project meeting two goals. First, ensure the Redline Parkway Trail has the ability to pass along this site and is activated by the site. Second, we improve the walking and biking experience by reducing the quantity and impact of car traffic and improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure on nearby streets. To that end, the following will be implemented to meet the WNPCT’s and Applicant’s goals. 1. Ensure the Redline Parkway Trail has ability to pass along this site and is activated by the site. a. Enter into a restrictive covenant(or other legally binding agreement) that ensures the Redline Parkway Initiative, Cap Metro, and/or any other partners of the Reline Parkway Trail project have the easement and any other legal rights they need to build the trail at this location *A Restrictive Covenant will be entered into with Tom Wald with Red Line Trail organization to ensure that a twenty (20) foot easement will be dedicated for the future Red Line Trail. Tom Wald, Executive Director Red Line Parkway Initiative b. Activate the trail by: i. Ensuring trail is easily visible (physically or through way finding signage) from Polaris. *Agree to ensure the trail is easily visible through way finding signage from Polaris Avenue. 04 C14-2024-0158 - 2100 Polaris; District 41 of 5 ii. Not placing back of house functions along future trail and trail access routes. * Agree to hire local artist(s) to paint a mural on the garage side facing the trail at the height of a person on the trail a maximum of 15’. iii. Placing walk up units, preferable live/work, on the trail and trail access route. *Agree to provide units along the south side of the property facing the red line trail in the area on the south portion of the property as shown on the conceptual site plan below. Similar architectural design elements on the West side, facing the neighborhood and …
04 C14-2024-0158 2100 Polaris; District 4 Staff Report — original pdf
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2024-0158 (2100 Polaris) DISTRICT: 4 ZONING FROM: CS-CO-MU-NP TO: CS-MU-V-CO-DB90-NP ADDRESS: 2100 Polaris Avenue SITE AREA: 3.373 acres PROPERTY OWNER: SB-Polaris Property LLC (Zachary Greenky) AGENT: Land Use Solutions (Michele Haussmann) CASE MANAGER: Sherri Sirwaitis (512-974-3057, sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends CS-MU-V-CO-DB90-NP, General Commercial Services-Mixed Use- Vertical Mixed Use Building-Conditional Overlay-Density Bonus 90-Neighborhood Plan Combining District, zoning. The conditional overlay will maintain the following prohibited uses from the current zoning ordinance, Ordinance No. 20211021-039, on the property: Automotive repair services Automotive washing (of any type) Automotive rentals Automotive sales Bail bond services Commercial off-street parking Drop-off recycling collection facilities Equipment sales Outdoor entertainment Outdoor Sports and Recreation Commercial blood plasma center Construction sales and services Equipment repair services Exterminating services Maintenance and service facilities Pawn shop services Service station Vehicle storage Veterinary services February 25, 2025 CITY COUNCIL ACTION: ORDINANCE NUMBER: PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: December 10, 2024: Postponed to January 28, 2025 at the applicant's request by consent (11-0, C. Haney-absent, G. Anderson-off dais); A. Azhar-1st, A. Woods-2nd. January 28, 2025: Postponed to February 25, 2025 at the applicant's request by consent (9-0, A. Phillips and A. Haynes - off dais, A. Woods and G. Anderson-absent); R. Johnson-1st, F. Maxwell-2nd. 04 C14-2024-0158 - 2100 Polaris; District 41 of 18 C14-2024-0158 ISSUES: 2 In December 2023, Ordinance No. 20220609-080, Ordinance No. 20221201-056 and Ordinance No. 20221201-055 were invalidated. On March 11, 2024, Ordinance No. 20240229-073, was enacted to create the “DB90” combining district, which amended City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to create a new zoning district for a density bonus program that grants 30 feet in height above the base zoning district, to a maximum of 90 feet, and modifies site development regulations including compatibility standards. Subsequently, the applicant submitted this new rezoning application to request the -DB90 combining district. CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The property in question is a 3+ acre tract of land located at the terminus of Polaris Avenue. This currently vacant site was previously used as demolition company (Heart of Texas Demolition LLC). To the north, there are commercial and light industrial uses. The lot to the south is developed with a public school (Burnet Middle School). There is a rail line to the east. To the west, there are office/warehouse buildings to the north of Polaris Avenue and a multifamily complex, a townhouse residence, a duplex and single family …
05 SPC-2024-0259C - CIP - Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center Walkway; District 1 Staff Report — original pdf
PLANNING COMMISSION CONDITIONAL USE SITE PLAN SITE PLAN REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: SPC-2024-0259C PC COMMISSION DATE: February 25, 2025 PROJECT NAME: CIP - Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center Walkway ADDRESS: 2800 Webberville Rd DISTRICT: 1 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN: Rosewood WATERSHED: Boggy Creek (Urban Watershed) AREA: 1.69 acres limits of construction APPLICANT: Sara Sallam, Project Manager City of Austin Building Services 2006 E 4th Street P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78702 Ray Hardaway Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. 8911 N. Capital Of Texas Hwy Building 2, Suite 2300 Austin, TX 78759 AGENT: CASE MANAGER: Meg Greenfield, (512) 978-4663 meg.greenfield@austintexas.gov EXISTING ZONING: P-NP PROPOSED USE: The applicant proposes to construct ADA-accessible parking, walkways, and ramp improvements at the existing Rosewood Zaragosa Neighborhood Center. No changes to the building are proposed (flatwork only). No increase to impervious cover is proposed. All site plan reviews are approved or informal status. REQUEST: This site is zoned P (Public) and is greater than one acre in size; therefore, a Conditional Use Permit is required, according to the Land Development Code {Section 25-2- 625}. WAIVER REQUEST: There are no waiver requests with this application. SUMMARY STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval. 05 SPC-2024-0259C - CIP - Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center Walkway; District 11 of 21 SITE PLAN DETAILS: The site plan proposes the reduction of 7 parking spaces (6 standard, 1 accessible) to accommodate new walkways that will be established in conjunction with existing Accessible Parking Spaces. Additionally, two ramps are designed for construction: one situated at the West Entrance and the other at the Front Entrance. These proposed walkways and ramps are designed to meet the TAS Standards. SURROUNDING CONDITIONS: North: Single-family residential (SF-3-NP) East: Single-family residential (SF-3-NP) West: Park (P-NP) South: Single-family and Multi-family (SF-3-NP and MF-3-NP) NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: Austin Independent School District Austin Lost and Found Pets Austin Neighborhoods Council Central Austin Concerned Architects Del Valle Community Coalition East Austin Conservancy El Concilio Mexican-American Neighborhoods Friends of Austin Neighborhoods Govalle/Johnston Terrace Neighborhood Plan Contact Team Homeless Neighborhood Association Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation Neighbors United for Progress, Overton Family Committee Preservation Austin, Red Line Parkway Initiative Rosewood Glen Oaks Neighborhood Association Rosewood Neighborhood Plan Contact Team SELTexas Save Our Springs Alliance Sierra Club Austin Regional Group 05 SPC-2024-0259C - CIP - Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center Walkway; District 12 of 21 Property Profile Legend Appraisal Districts TCAD Parcels Review Cases Site Plan Review Cases (All) Zoning 1 Zoning CS GR LI MF NO P SF …
06 C20-2022-025 - Colorado River Protection Affordability Impact Statement — original pdf
Affordability Impact Statement Colorado River Protection Ordinance Case number: C20-2022-025 Initiated by: Resolution No. 20220609-061 Date: 12/2/2024 Proposed Regulation The current Land Development Code’s Drainage Chapter mandates a 100-foot Erosion Hazard Zone (EHZ) along the Colorado River downstream of Lady Bird Lake. Due to the river’s bank heights and erosive force, this distance is insufficient for protecting buildings and infrastructure. The proposed ordinance seeks to expand the EHZ from 100 feet to 200 feet for new buildings and infrastructure. This expansion excludes hard-surfaced trails, which will retain the 100-foot requirement. Additionally, the proposed Drainage Criteria Manual (DCM) rules introduce standards for non-erosive stormwater outfalls in high-erosion areas, particularly where sandy soils are prevalent. 06 C20-2022-025 - Colorado River Protection1 of 3 Land Use/Zoning Impacts on Housing Costs The proposed EHZ expansion is anticipated to have a neutral impact on housing costs. Watershed Protection Department (WPD) staff have engaged with various stakeholders, including the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Travis County, Austin Water (AW), Transportation & Public Works (TPW), Parks & Recreation Department (PARD), Austin Energy (AE), community organization PODER, and developers currently undergoing permitting processes. Development stakeholders noted the 200-foot EHZ aligns with the setback under existing Critical Water Quality Zone buffers, thus minimizing development footprint impacts. Additionally, stakeholders PARD and TPW, along with developers, requested that hard-surfaced trails remain under the 100-foot requirement to prevent excessive costs, maintain the trails’ accessibility, and reduce the need for additional easement acquisitions. Impact on Development Cost The proposed changes would have minimal impacts on development cost. Financial impacts will vary by project type and whether a project is new or a redevelopment. Parcels affected by this provision are limited to those along the 25.2 miles of Colorado River downstream of Lady Bird Lake, totaling under 360 parcels. This regulation would not apply to single-family construction in the ETJ, which accounts for 70 of the 360 parcels. For new subdivisions and site plans, the impact is minimal due to the existing minimum 200-foot buffer already restricting most development. Redevelopment site plans and single-family permits, however, could face increased foundation construction costs if building within the EHZ. Structural engineers have estimated potential cost increases of 3-5 times for foundations requiring deeper subsurface anchoring and additional protections against erosion. Developers may opt to relocate structures outside the EHZ to avoid these additional costs. Although developments may increase foundation and erosion protection costs for structures in …
06 C20-2022-025 Colorado River Protections Staff Presentation — original pdf
Overview of the Colorado River Protections Ordinance P l a n n i n g C o m m i s s i o n J a n u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 2 4 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 06 C20-2022-025 - Colorado River Protection1 of 23 2-Minute Summary Video 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 Youtube video link 06 C20-2022-025 - Colorado River Protection2 of 23 The Colorado River • Crucial Resource • Significant Erosion • Water Quality Better Protected • Needs careful management • Dynamic natural system 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 3 06 C20-2022-025 - Colorado River Protection3 of 23 Council Resolution Community members asked Council to strengthen Colorado River protections; Council thereafter included in their June 2022 Council resolution: “… evaluate the effectiveness of existing Critical Water Quality Zone and Erosion Hazard Zone buffers on the Colorado River downstream of the Longhorn Dam and to propose protections that will provide adequate protections to the river that will ensure a healthy riparian corridor to stabilize the riverbank and protect property from erosion” 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 4 06 C20-2022-025 - Colorado River Protection4 of 23 The Proposal One simple change to the Land Development Code: Change Erosion Hazard Zone from 100 to 200 feet, downstream of Longhorn Dam Later (separate process): Improve drainage design rules to reduce extreme erosion 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 …
06 C20-2022-025 Colorado River Protections Staff Report — original pdf
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2022-0025, Land Development Code Amendment to Title 25-7 Drainage Description: Consider an ordinance regarding amendments to Title 25 related to adequate protections to the Colorado River downstream of the Longhorn Dam. Proposed Language: To revise 25-7-32(B)(2) to establish the erosion hazard zone of the Colorado River downstream of the Longhorn Dam as 200 feet from the ordinary high-water mark, with exceptions for trails and bounded by public rights-of-way and only affecting new habitable structures and subsurface infrastructure. See Attachment A. Summary of proposed code changes: The proposed code change would expand the Erosion Hazard Zone (EHZ) associated with the Colorado River downstream of the Longhorn Dam to 200 feet from the ordinary high-water mark (federally defined edge of river bank). The existing EHZ is measured 100 feet from the ordinary high-water mark. The EHZ would only apply to new habitable structures (e.g., residential houses) and infrastructure (e.g., new roadways, water and wastewater pipes) and NOT to existing structures and infrastructure or to new sheds, pools, patios, decks, fences, and the like. Staff are proposing that EHZ requirements for hard-surfaced trails remain at 100 feet. The EHZ would also not extend past existing public rights-of-way. Thus, for example, a property on the far side of a public roadway from river would not be subject to the EHZ. Additionally, single-family residential construction in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction would not be affected by this ordinance since Travis County, not the City of Austin, regulates such construction. Staff heard from multiple single-family property owners along Red Bluff Rd. concerned about the significant impacts of the ordinance on their properties. Staff are sympathetic to these concerns. Staff’s main focus is on larger infrastructure (roads, water and wastewater lines, etc.) and commercial and multifamily projects that might build too close to the river without sufficient consideration of erosion protections. Staff are less focused on individual single-family projects (which already do have the existing 100-foot erosion hazard requirement)—although it is important for all to understand the risks of building on high, sandy-soil river banks. After presenting the proposed ordinance to the Austin Contractors and Engineers Association, one suggestion that resulted from that discussion is to amend the code to allow for an administrative variance to LDC 25-8-341 to allow for cut and fill greater than four feet as minimally necessary to allow for grading resulting from protective works. Staff are in support …
08 Austin Core Transportation Plan (ACT Plan) Staff Presentation — original pdf
Austin Core Transportation (ACT) Plan Small Area Mobility Plan of the ASMP: Downtown Austin Planning Commission Briefing – February 25, 2025 Agenda • ACT Plan Purpose and Background • Planning Process • ACT Plan Project Recommendations • Implementation Plan • Next Steps 2 ACT Plan Purpose • The ACT Plan is a Small Area Mobility Plan covering Downtown Austin and will be adopted by Council as an attachment to the ASMP. • It is an update to previous transportation focused efforts Downtown – dating back to 2000 • Why are we updating the transportation plan for Downtown? • changes in transit and bicycle planning, • changes in highway improvements serving Downtown, • changes in national best practices on urban street design, and • disruptions to traditional mobility • The ACT Plan will create a unified vision for transportation Downtown and align the many projects and initiatives under one actionable plan to help accomplish the goals in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. 3 Background • Great Streets Master Plan, 2001 • The goal of the Great Streets program is to pursue the vision of streets for people • Downtown Access and Mobility Plan, 2002 • The emphasis of the access and mobility study was on modeling and simulating intersection traffic operations and determining existing and future levels-of- service and operational needs • Downtown Transportation Framework, 2008 • The Downtown Transportation Framework Plan builds on the Great Streets Master Plan, further developing the system of “priority streets by mode”, and developing more detailed streetscape cross sections of all of the different street types and variations • Downtown Austin Plan, 2011 • Established the vision to develop a multimodal transportation system that improves access to and mobility within Downtown 2001 2002 2008 2011 4 Background • New policy • The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) aspires to achieve a 50/50 mode share where 50% of commuters use means other than driving alone to get to work in 2039 • Transit planning • The Project Connect Long Term Vision Plan established a High-Capacity Transit System and was adopted as an element of the ASMP – an initial investment was funded in 2020 • Managing demand • Transportation Demand Management programming, parking policy, and curb management are becoming critical strategies to manage congestion • New street design • The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative shows how to reimagine the allocation of space • Many new …