..De Posting Language ..Title Approve issuance of a capacity-based incentive to Longhorn Village for the installation of solar electric systems on their facility located at 501 N Quinlan Park Road, Unit 1, Austin, TX 78732, in an amount not to exceed $212,640. Lead Department Austin Energy Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Prior Council Action: For More Information: Richard Génecé, Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions (512) 322-6327; Tim Harvey, Solar Program Manager (512) 482-5386. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 21, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. March 22, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Energy requests approval to issue this CBI to the Customer for the installation of solar electric system(s)*, detailed in the table below at their facility to produce renewable energy for on-site consumption. The table below provides a summary of the system sizes, costs, and proposed incentives: Longhorn Village Number of Modules Module Rating (W-DC) Total System Size (kW-DC) Total System Size (kW-AC) Annual Estimated Production (kWh) Total System Cost ($) Total Incentive ($) Percent of Cost Covered 443 480 212 176 312,686 $422,792.92 $212,640 50% *All solar equipment meets Austin Energy program requirements Longhorn Village is a retirement community that provides independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation care services. This solar system will offset 16% of the Customer’s historic annual energy usage. According to US Energy Information Administration, based on the state-wide electricity profile, this system is estimated to prevent the production of the following emissions each year: 147 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2); 187 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); and 218 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator, these emissions reductions are equivalent to planting 2,205 trees or 163 acres of forest in Austin's parks or the removal of 335,150 vehicle miles or 29 cars from Austin roadways. According to the updated Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, approved by Austin City Council in March 2020, “Austin Energy will achieve a total of 375 MW of local solar capacity by the end of 2030, of which 200 MW will be customer-sited (when including both in-front-of-meter and behind-the meter installations).” In order to meet these goals, Austin Energy has funded the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Programs, which are designed …
..De Posting Language ..Title Approve issuance of a capacity-based incentive to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary for the installation of solar electric systems on their facility located at 106 E. 27th Street, Austin, TX 78712 , in the amount not to exceed $145,920. Lead Department Austin Energy Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Prior Council Action: For More Information: Richard Génecé, Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions (512) 322-6327; Tim Harvey, Solar Program Manager (512) 482-5386. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 21, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. March 22, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Energy requests approval to issue this CBI to the Customer for the installation of solar electric system(s)*, detailed in the table below at their facility to produce renewable energy for on-site consumption. The table below provides a summary of the system sizes, costs, and proposed incentives: Presbyterian Theological Seminary Number of Modules Module Rating (W-DC) Total System Size (kW-DC) Total System Size (kW-AC) Annual Estimated Production (kWh) Total System Cost ($) Total Incentive ($) Percent of Cost Covered 304 480 146 121 202,238 $249,547.81 $145,920 58% *All solar equipment meets Austin Energy program requirements The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary prepares students for religious leadership. The Customer is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. The school offers a variety of Ministry Masters and Doctorate Degrees. This solar system will offset 72% of the Customer’s historic annual energy usage. According to US Energy Information Administration, based on the state-wide electricity profile, this system is estimated to prevent the production of the following emissions each year: 95 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2); 121 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); and 141 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator, these emissions reductions are equivalent to planting 1,425 trees or 106 acres of forest in Austin's parks or the removal of 216,594 vehicle miles or 19 cars from Austin roadways. According to the updated Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, approved by Austin City Council in March 2020, “Austin Energy will achieve a total of 375 MW of local solar capacity by the end of 2030, of which 200 MW will be customer-sited (when including both …
..De Posting Language ..Title Approve issuance of a capacity-based incentive to Texas Facilities Commission for the installation of solar electric systems on their facility located at 6506 Bolm Road, Unit B, Austin, TX 78721, in an amount not to exceed $75,360. Lead Department Austin Energy Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Prior Council Action: For More Information: Richard Génecé, Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions (512) 322-6327; Tim Harvey, Solar Program Manager (512) 482-5386 Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 21, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. March 22, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Energy requests approval to issue this CBI to the Customer for the installation of solar electric system(s)*, detailed in the table below at their facility to produce renewable energy for on-site consumption. The table below provides a summary of the system sizes, costs, and proposed incentives: Texas Facilities Commission – Unit B Number of Modules Module Rating (W-DC) Total System Size (kW-DC) Total System Size (kW-AC) Annual Estimated Production (kWh) Total System Cost ($) Total Incentive ($) Percent of Cost Covered 157 480 75.36 62 109,581 $349,390.50 $75,360 21% *All solar equipment meets Austin Energy program requirements The Texas Facilities Commission disposes of salvage and surplus personal property from Texas state agencies such as DPA, TXDOT, TCEQ, and Texas Parks and Wildlife. The property is then made available for purchase to the public at a retail store front. This solar system meets 128% of the Customer’s historic needs at this facility, but is designed to meet future energy needs as the Customer expands operations. According to US Energy Information Administration, based on the state-wide electricity profile, this system is estimated to prevent the production of the following emissions each year: 52 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2); 66 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); and 77 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator, these emissions reductions are equivalent to planting 780 trees or 58 acres of forest in Austin's parks or the removal of 118,557 vehicle miles or 10 cars from Austin roadways. According to the updated Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, approved by Austin City Council in March 2020, “Austin Energy will achieve a total of 375 MW of local solar capacity by …
..De Posting Language ..Title Approve issuance of a capacity-based incentive to Saint Stephens Episcopal School for the installation of solar electric systems on their facility located at 6500 St. Stephens Drive, Austin, TX 78746, in an amount not to exceed $481,928. Lead Department Austin Energy Fiscal Note Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Prior Council Action: For More Information: Richard Génecé, Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions (512) 322-6327; Tim Harvey, Solar Program Manager (512) 482-5386. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 21, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. March 22, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Energy requests approval to issue this CBI to the Customer for the installation of solar electric system(s)*, detailed in the table below at their facility to produce renewable energy for on-site consumption. The table below provides a summary of the system sizes, costs, and proposed incentives: Saint Stephens Episcopal School Number of Modules Module Rating (W-DC) Total System Size (kW-DC) Total System Size (kW-AC) Annual Estimated Production (kWh) Total System Cost ($) Total Incentive ($) Percent of Cost Covered 1052 475 500 415 755,912 $790,277 $481,928 61% *All solar equipment meets Austin Energy program requirements Saint Stephens Episcopal School is a private coeducational preparatory boarding and day school, serving around 700 students through grades 6-12. The school maintains an 8:1 student-teacher ratio and serves children from 17 countries. This solar system will offset 23% of the Customer’s historic annual energy usage. According to US Energy Information Administration, based on the state-wide electricity profile, this system is estimated to prevent the production of the following emissions each year: 355 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2); 453 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2); and 529 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator, these emissions reductions are equivalent to planting 5,325 trees or 395 acres of forest in Austin's parks or the removal of 809,377 vehicle miles or 70 cars from Austin roadways. According to the updated Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, approved by Austin City Council in March 2020, “Austin Energy will achieve a total of 375 MW of local solar capacity by the end of 2030, of which 200 MW will be customer-sited (when including both in-front-of-meter and behind-the meter installations).” In order to meet …
..De #22-1442 WWWC: 3/9/22 Council: 3/24/22 Posting Language ..Title Approve an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 2-13 (Administrative Adjudication of Violations) relating to establishing administrative penalties and penalty ranges for water conservation violations and Chapter 6-4 (Water Conservation) relating to obtaining and submitting evaluations. Lead Department Austin Water. Fiscal Note This item has no fiscal impact. Prior Council Action: December 10, 2020 – Council approved an amendment to Chapter 6-4 which repealed the enforcement process and penalties for water conservation violations, reverting the process and penalty amounts of such violations to those described in Chapter 2-13. For More Information: Inquiries should be directed to City Manager’s Agenda Office at 512-974-2991 or AgendaOffice@austintexas.gov; Kevin Critendon, Austin Water, Assistant Director, kevin.critendon@austintexas.gov; 512-972-0191; Kevin Kluge, Austin Water, Division Manager, kevin.kluge@austintexas.gov; 512-972-0400; Blanca Madriz, Austin Water, Program Coordinator, blanca.madriz@austintexas.gov; 512-972-0115. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 9, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Water & Wastewater Commission March 22, 2022 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: In addition to many incentive programs, Austin Water employs a wide range of ordinances intended to reduce potable water demand by city residents and businesses. On December 10, 2020, City Council approved City Code amendments that removed the administrative enforcement and penalty section of Chapter 6-4 -Water Conservation to defer to Chapter 2-13-23 – Administrative Adjudication of Violations. This change was intended to assure consistency in application of administration violations across the City. As a result, the current penalties for all water conservation ordinance violations are included in Chapter 2-13-23 (A). Current penalties in Chapter 2-13-23 (A) for all water conservation ordinance violations also apply to a broad range of building code and property maintenance violations, outlined below: Current Penalties (§2-13-23 (A)) Not less than Not more First Violation Second violation Third or subsequent violation than $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $250 $500 $750 The proposed ordinance will add a new Section 2-13-24 to provide new penalties for certain water conservation and onsite water reuse requirements. These delineations will provide a more nuanced approach to penalties, particularly for residential customers, first violations, and allows for escalated penalties as #22-1442 WWWC: 3/9/22 Council: 3/24/22 drought stage restrictions increase. Austin Water Conservation will develop standard operating guidance regarding recommended penalties within the penalty ranges for the hearing officer. Such recommendations will generally be based upon the severity of the violation. The new Section 2-13-24 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Resolution on City of Austin 2022-2023 Budget Recommendations WHEREAS, in a memo dated February 2nd, Kerri Lang, City of Austin Budget Officer, requested feedback on the City’s FY 2022-23 budget from Boards and Commissions by March 31st, 2022. WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission would like to provide feedback and recommendations regarding certain items on the FY 2022-23 budget; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The Resource Management Commission has the following comments and recommendations regarding the City of Austin FY 2022-23 Budget: 1. [DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION: Customer Energy Solutions (Green Building Program): Austin Energy staff are requesting “$50,000 to hire a firm to look at an existing database of hazardous materials, add to it, and develop a calculator to direct decision making for building designers based upon healthy material typology. The tool will provide the information necessary to allow a project team to identify which materials should be prioritized to maximize the long-term health benefits to building occupants.” The RMC supports this budget request, as both the RMC and Austin Energy staff are interested in exploring ways to incentivize the use of healthy materials and reduce the use of hazardous materials in building construction. ]
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA Tuesday, March 22, 2022 The Planning Commission will convene at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX. Some members of the Planning Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Awais Azhar Joao Paulo Connolly Grayson Cox Yvette Flores – Secretary Claire Hempel – Vice-Chair Patrick Howard Jennifer Mushtaler Solveij Rosa Praxis Carmen Llanes Pulido Robert Schneider Todd Shaw – Chair James Shieh – Parliamentarian Jeffrey Thompson Ex-Officio Members Arati Singh – AISD Board of Trustees Jessica Cohen – Chair of Board of Adjustment Spencer Cronk - City Manager Richard Mendoza - Director of Public Works EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Planning Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on this agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 Attorney: Steven Maddoux, 512-974-6080 Commission Liaison: Andrew Rivera, 512-974-6508 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the commencement of the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of March 8, 2022. B. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Plan Amendment: Location: NPA-2021-0005.02 - Montopolis Multifamily; District 3 2601 Montopolis Drive, 6700 & 6800 E. Ben White Blvd SVRD WB, Carson Creek, Country Club Creek Watersheds; Montopolis NP Area Owner/Applicant: Montopolis QO2B, LLC Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Thrower Design, LLC (Ron Thrower and Victoria Haase) Industry to Mixed Use land use Not Recommended Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, maureen.meredith@austintexas.gov Housing and Planning Department Applicant postponement request to April 26, 2022 Postponement Request: 2. Plan Amendment: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Postponement Request: NPA-2021-0016.05.SH - Live Make Apartments; District 3 1127, 1129 Tillery Street (portion of), 1129 1/2 Tillery Street (portion of), 1118, 1202 and 1204 Henninger Street, Boggy Creek Watershed; Govalle/Johnston Terrace Combined (Govalle) NP Area Austin Housing and Finance Corp. Live Make Housing Partners, LP (Hilary Andersen Carter) Single Family to Neighborhood Mixed Use land use Recommended Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov Housing and Planning Department Staff postponement request to April 12, 2022 Attorney: Steven Maddoux, 512-974-6080 Commission …
SUBDIVISION REVIEW SHEET CASE NO.: C8-2020-0112 COMMISSION DATE: March 22, 2022 SUBDIVISION NAME: Braker Valley Subdivision Preliminary Plan ADDRESS: 4806 Blue Goose Rd APPLICANT: Ranch Road Braker Valley, LLC (Daniel E. Gilpin) AGENT: BGE, Inc. (Chris Rawls) ZONING: I-SF-4A NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN: N/A AREA: 164.96 acres LOTS: 597 COUNTY: Travis DISTRICT: 1 WATERSHED: Walnut Creek JURISDICTION: Full Purpose SIDEWALKS: Sidewalks will be constructed along Monument Valley Dr, Hudson Valley Bend, Watkins Glen Way, Studer Pass, Stanwick Pass, Ozark Glen Dr, E. Braker Ln, Chris Canyon Dr, Realitos Run, Crawford Glen Dr, Poage Pass, Holmont Dr, Jefferson Notch Dr, Arapaho Basin Dr, and Sungwoo Path, Jarvis Path, Spanish Plains Way, Fairmeade Dr, Royal Gorge Pass and Gravis Dr. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The request is for the approval of Braker Valley Subdivision Preliminary Plan, a 597 lot single-family subdivison on 164.96 acres. The plat does not comply with the criteria for approval in LDC 25-4-84(B) and staff recommends disapproval for the reasons listed in the attached comment report. An application that has been disapproved with reasons may be updated to address those reasons until the application expires. If the applicant submits an update to address the reasons for disapproval, that update will be presented to the Land Use Commission within fifteen days of submittal. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends disapproval of the plat for the reasons listed in the comment report dated March 17, 2020, and attached as Exhibit C. CASE MANAGER: Joey de la Garza PHONE: 512-974-2664 E-mail: joey.delagarza@austintexas.gov ATTACHMENTS Exhibit A: Vicinity map Exhibit B: Proposed plat Exhibit C: Comment report dated March 17, 2022 N R L E G A E Y C A M E R O N R O A D E P A R M E R L N CA M ER O N R OAD H A R R I S B PROJECT LOCATION BLUE G O OSE RD R A N C H P K W Y D A O R E L A D G N I R P S H W Y 2 9 0 LOCATION MAP BRAKER VALLEY N Brown & Gay Engineers, Inc. 1701 Directors Blvd, Suite1000 Austin, TX 78744 Tel: 512-879-0400 ● www.bgeinc.com TBPE Registration No. F-1046 S U M M A R Y N O T E S LEGAL DESCRIPTION: ABS 513 SUR 55 MUNOS L ACR 88.279, 76.683 (1-D-1) LAND USE SUMMARY GROSS ACREAGE: 164.962 ACRES ZONING: CITY OF AUSTIN, …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 CITY CODE CHAPTER 25-2, SUBCHAPTER E RELATING TO VERTICAL MIXED USE BUILDINGS. PART 1. Section 4.3.3.E. of Chapter 25-2, Subchapter E is amended to read as follows: E. Height, Dimensional and Parking Requirements. 1. VMU building[s] height[are subject to the height restrictions as provided in other sections of this Code]. a. b. A VMU1 building is subject to the height restrictions as provided in other sections of this Code. A VMU2 building may exceed the maximum building height in the base zoning district by a maximum of 30 feet, subject to the compatibility standards of Section 4.3.3.D. 2. Except as provided in Section 4.3.5., a VMU building that meets the exemption and bonus requirements in subsection F below is not subject to certain dimensional standards applicable in the base zoning district. These standards include the following: a. Minimum site area requirements (if applicable); b. Maximum floor area ratio; c. Maximum building coverage; d. Minimum street side yard setback and interior yard setback; and e. Minimum front yard setback; provided, however, that if the right-of- way is less than 60 feet in width, the minimum front yard setback for buildings three or more stories in height shall be 30 feet from the centerline of the street to ensure adequate Fire Department access. For all uses in a VMU building, the minimum off-street parking requirement shall be 60 percent of that prescribed by Appendix A (Tables of Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements). This reduction may not be used in combination with any other parking reduction. Only the parking requirements for commercial uses are subject to modification through the opt-in/opt-out process in Section 4.3.5. VMU building includes VMU1 building and VMU2 building except as otherwise defined. 3/17/2022 2:04 PM Page 1 of 7 COA Law Department 3. 4. 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 PART 2. Section 4.3.3.F. of Chapter 25-2, Subchapter E is amended to read as follows: F. [Affordability Requirements] Exemption and Bonus Requirements. To be eligible for the dimensional or parking standards exemptions, or …
Topic Proposed Amendment Justification Notes Proposer WG Support Proposed Amendment Tracking # General Amendments Proposed Text Change (Underline added text/Strikethrough deleted text) Text Change Included in Amendment (YES/NO) General: Compatibility Assess the impact of compatibility on the VMU program, and other density bonus programs, and consider addressing any impacts on housing capacity Assess the need to expand the VMU program so it is applicable beyond the principal streets identified in the LDC, to include areas within the walkshed of those principal streets Assess the distribution of the VMU program to examine the expansion of opportunities to add more housing, especially affordable housing, in high opportunity areas and ensure an equitable distribution of sites across the city General: Applicability General: Equitable Dispersion General: Anti- Displacement Assess the applicability of the VMU program in Vulnerable Displacement Risk Areas as identified by the staff research and evaluate additional anti-displacement strategies Assess the need to eliminate or further reduce parking requirements in the VMU program, while maintaining accessible parking standards, and consider addressing any impacts on housing capacity and program participation General: Parking General: Feasibility Analysis and Periodic Review Upon adoption of the ordinance, conduct a market feasibility analysis of the changes proposed to the VMU program and make any necessary revisions, while providing a periodic program report in the future 1 2 3 4 5 6 Based on Staff's research, under the current VMU ordinance with increased height entitlements, only 34% of VMU-zoned sites could build to their bonus height after compatibility is factored in. The areas in which this height can be achieved happens to be in vulnerable areas, which is inequitable. There should be a better balance of increasing density/affordability in existing neighborhoods Several cases have come before Planning Commission where an Applicant requested VMU zoning but Staff didn't recommend because the site did not fit the exact definition of fronting on a corridor. This potentially takes many sites across the city out of receiving VMU zoning designation that really make sense in having increased density due to proximity and access to transit Research from staff shows that only 33% of VMU-zoned sites are within a high opportunity area and 23% of sites are in areas vulnerable to displacement risk. In response to feedback from other commissioners on potential displacement pressures and research provided by staff on the applicability of the program in three types of displacement risk areas: Chronic Displacement …
Date: 21 March 2022 To: City of Austin Planning Commissioners From: Nathalie Frensley, Chair, Allandale Neighborhood Association Zoning/Planning/Land Use Committee Re: Request postponing Agenda Item C20-2021-006 Vertical Mixed Use Affordability Requirements to May 10, 2022. Dear Commissioners– First, I would like to thank the VMU subcommittee for holding a listening session about C20-2021-006. As an Austin neighbor and resident, I appreciated the extra time this subcommittee took to have a courtesy listening session for the public. Several neighborhood association members were at the listening session, and we all came away with the realization this is a very complex and complicated issue that requires time for thoughtful public study and deliberation. With utmost respect, I strongly encourage you to postpone C20-2021-006 for until May 10 so that the public can learn about and analyze the implications of this very important matter. Postponing until May 10, 2022 would allow VMU2 resolution stakeholders from the city speak to the Austin Neighborhood Council at its April 27th meeting and reach and inform many neighborhood associations in one forum. Postponing hearing C20-2021-006 to give the public time to learn more about the totality of what it addresses would be more equitable for neighborhoods and supportive of municipal civic participation with no downside to the City. It was only on Friday, March 18th, during spring break week, that the final draft resolution was posted to the Planning Commission’s agenda for its March 22nd meeting. During the listening session, a commissioner and City staff discussed the urgency of sending this resolution to City Council, with several references to urgency. However, C20-2021-006 is profound and getting it right with public deliberation and input is more important than speed. Asking for this postponement is a justified and fair request, considering extensions for public input into the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan amendments (ASMP). ASMP amendments and the proposed ordinance change for VMU Affordability Requirements will both have profound impacts on neighborhoods and property owners and are interrelated in several respects. The public comment period was extended twice because of the complexity of the issue and its implications for neighborhoods and landowners. We are thankful for the Planning Commission holding a listening session but ask for an extension by postponement so that the public can have the time we need to consider VMU2, as we had for ASMP. For these reasons and the fact that the Planning Commission …
From: David King Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2022 2:09 PM To: Shaw, Todd - BC <BC-Todd.Shaw@austintexas.gov>; Hempel, Claire - BC <BC- Claire.Hempel@austintexas.gov>; Azhar, Awais - BC <BC-Awais.Azhar@austintexas.gov>; Flores, Yvette - BC <bc-Yvette.Flores@austintexas.gov>; Shieh, James - BC <bc-James.Shieh@austintexas.gov>; Howard, Patrick - BC <BC-Patrick.Howard@austintexas.gov>; Praxis, Solveij - BC <BC- Solveij.Praxis@austintexas.gov>; Thompson, Jeffrey - BC <bc-Jeffrey.Thompson@austintexas.gov>; Connolly, Joao - BC <BC-Joao.Connolly@austintexas.gov>; Schneider, Robert - BC <BC- Robert.Schneider@austintexas.gov>; Mushtaler, Jennifer - BC <BC- Jennifer.Mushtaler@austintexas.gov>; Llanes, Carmen - BC <bc-Carmen.Llanes@austintexas.gov>; Cox, Grayson - BC <BC-Grayson.Cox@austintexas.gov>; BC-RichardV.Mendoza@austintexas.gov; Cohen, Jessica - BC <BC-Jessica.Cohen@austintexas.gov>; Singh, Arati - BC <BC-Arati.Singh@austintexas.gov>; Cronk, Spencer <Spencer.Cronk@austintexas.gov> Cc: Rivera, Andrew <Andrew.Rivera@austintexas.gov> Subject: Item B-13 - VMU Affordability Requirements - Planning Commission Meeting - March 22, 2022 *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Honorable Commissioners, Todd Shaw, Chair, Claire Hempel, Vice Chair, Awais Azhar, Jessica Cohen, Joao Paulo Connolly, Grayson Cox, Spencer Cronk, Yvette Flores, Patrick Howard, Carmen Llanes Pulido, Richard Mendoza, Jennifer Mushtaler, Solveij Rosa Praxis, Robert Schneider, James Shieh, Arati Singh, and Jeffrey Thompson, Planning Commission, Please consider the following comments regarding item B-13, Vertical Mixed Use Affordability Requirements, on the agenda for tonight’s Planning Commission meeting. 1. Annual median family income requirements zoning should be set at or below 40% for rental and ownership to facilitate equitable access to income-restricted housing affordable to low-income families of color in Austin. A recent University of Texas study shows that the annual median family income for Black and Latino/Latina families in Austin is roughly half of that for white families in Austin. 2. A minimum of 15% of residential units for rental for 40 years or a minimum of 15% of residential units for ownership for 99 years or a combination equivalent to 15% of residential units should be required. 3. Affordable housing income restriction requirements should apply to the entire project, not just the bonus area. 4. All income-restricted affordable housing units should be onsite. No fee-in-lieu should be allowed. 5. All income-restricted affordable housing units should be family-friendly. At least 30% of the income- restricted units should have two bedrooms and at least 30% of the income-restricted units should have three or more bedrooms. 6. All income-restricted affordable housing units should include the same onsite parking entitlements afforded to market-rate housing units. 7. Administrative approval should not be allowed. 8. Compatibility should not be waived, weakened, or reduced. 9. The opt/in process for VMU should apply. 10. Existing VMU corridors should …
South Congress Neighborhood Plan Contact Team - SCCNPCT March 21, 2022 Austin Planning Commission DATE: TO: FROM: Re: SCCNPCT - Supports any/all requests for postponement(s). Re: Dear Planning Commission, Related Item(s) B-13 (C20-2021-006) Vertical Mixed Use Affordability Requirements. We, the SCCNPCT support any requests for postponement(s) for item B-13 (C20-2021-006) – Vertical Mixed Use Affordability Requirements. We support hearing more information about this request. Safety is a factor that has not been viewed with the VMU affordability requirements. Thank you, Mario Cantu Chair SCCNPCT
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20220322-008 Resolution on City of Austin 2022-2023 Budget Recommendations Whereas in a memo dated February 2nd, Kerri Lang, City of Austin Budget Officer, requested feedback on the City’s FY 2022-23 budget from Boards and Commissions by March 31st, 2022. Whereas the Resource Management Commission would like to provide feedback and recommendations regarding certain items on the FY 2022-23 budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission has the following comments and recommendations regarding the City of Austin FY 2022-23 Budget: 1. Customer Energy Solutions (Green Building Program): Austin Energy staff are requesting “$50,000 to hire a firm to look at an existing database of hazardous materials, add to it, and develop a calculator to direct decision making for building designers based upon healthy material typology. The tool will provide the information necessary to allow a project team to identify which materials should be prioritized to maximize the long-term health benefits to building occupants.” The RMC supports this budget request, as both the RMC and Austin Energy staff are interested in exploring ways to incentivize the use of healthy materials and reduce the use of hazardous materials in building construction. The RMC recommends that the consultant work with a community advisory group assembled by the RMC and Austin Energy staff and that this process not preclude a more near-term solution to address this issue. 2. Customer Energy Solutions (Community Solar): The Resource Management Commission recommends that a Community Solar subsidy sufficient to allow for deployment of additional Community Solar installations on the local distribution grid in line with the criteria previously adopted by the RMC, funded by the Energy Efficiency Services (EES) Fee be included in Austin Energy’s FY 2023 Customer Energy Solutions budget. This subsidy will improve transparency and will enable equitable deployment of local rooftop solar. All customers pay the EES fee, which supports both energy efficiency and solar programs at Austin Energy, including residential solar rebates for those who install solar on their homes. Using some of those funds to support the Community Solar program will give renters, multifamily dwellers, lower-income and middle- income residents, those with poor credit, and those with rooftops unsuitable for solar greater ability to participate in a program that can utilize available roof space for solar. In addition to equity benefits, this reduces overall environmental impact by reducing land use for energy production …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 2022032-3aⅳ EXPAND FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR HISPANIC/LATINO COMMUNITY Strategic Direction: Economic Opportunity & Affordability; Safety; Health & Environment Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Garay Seconded by: Silva Recommendation to Council: Increase Austin Public Health’s funding for mental health services that serve Hispanic/Latino clients. Ensure services are provided in the client’s preferred language. Ensure services provided are culturally tailored and that the professionals are culturally competent as well. Background and Rationale: The Reimagining Public Safety Task Force 2021 Mid Year Recommendations report states, “There are very little programs and services that either offer clinicians that can effectively and competently provide services to predominantly marginalized populations such as people with disabilities, queer and trans individuals, Black and brown people, and our immigrant and undocumented community members, or non-English speakers or that provide low-cost sliding scales services and almost none that offer both. We call on the City to support and reinvest in the collected mental wellbeing of our communities and to invest in the provision of mental telehealth opportunities for particularly vulnerable populations.” The City of Austin needs to be intentional when selecting service providers to ensure the most vulnerable populations, which includes Hispanic/Latino people, are able to equitably access mental health services. According to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, overall mental health issues are on the rise for Latinx/Hispanic people between the ages of 12-49. In 2018, 56.8% of Latinx/Hispanic young adults 18-25 and 39.6% of adults 26-49 with serious mental illness did NOT receive treatment. According to the American Psychiatric Association, bilingual patients are evaluated differently when evaluated in English versus Spanish, and Latinx/Hispanic people are more frequently undertreated than whites. Hispanic children and adolescents are at significant risk for mental health problems, and in many cases at greater risk than white children. Barriers to accessing mental health care include lack of insurance or inadequate insurance; lack of knowledge/awareness about mental health problems and services available; cultural stigma associated with mental illness; language; lack of culturally tailored services and culturally competent mental health professionals; shortage of bilingual or linguistically trained mental health professionals; difficulties recognizing the first signs of mental illness; and problems identifying psychiatric symptoms when chief complaint is somatic symptom. For: Afifi, Solis, Garay, Ramirez, Perales, Silva Vote: Against: None Abstain: Vigil Absent: Peña, Garcia Attest: _________________________________ Amanda Afifi, Chair …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅲ EXPAND FUNDING FOR AISD PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS Strategic Direction: Economic Opportunity & Affordability; Safety; Health & Environment Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Garay Seconded by: Perales Renew and increase Austin Public Health’s funding for AISD Parent Support Specialists (PSS). Recommendation to Council: Background and Rationale: The City of Austin has an interlocal agreement with Austin Independent School District for the provision of resources connecting parents and families to family-centered and other social services. AISD Parent Support Specialists, who are funded 50% by the City of Austin, are placed in Title I schools. PSSs are charged to identify, develop, and engage parents in their child’s education by providing parent and family support, conducting communications and outreach, and creating parent leadership opportunities. AISD relies on PSSs to educate and refer students and their families to City and County resources, and to collaborate with social services community partners to provide support to the families and help to alleviate stressors. Their work helps improve maternal, child, and adolescent health outcomes. PSSs annually organize and conduct approximately 3,000 parent education events, with approximately 80,000 parents and guardians in attendance. PSSs organize and conduct approximately 600 life skills events annually, with approximately 17,000 parents in attendance Parent Support Specialists are rooted in the community and have meaningful relationships with the families they serve. Many are bilingual, and they communicate with families in their preferred language. The skills and relationships PSSs build and maintain are essential during times of crisis. At the start of the pandemic, PSSs saw an increase within the first three months of the pandemic. They served 8,000 families. On February 7, 2021, KVUE published a story about a PSS helping an AISD mother of two create a resume to get a job. This story also mentioned how PSSs have been working continuously since the pandemic began. At the February 26, 2022, Quality of Life Commission Budge Engagement Town Hall, commissioners learned that the PSS at Padron Elementary has been coordinating and finding housing for the school families that were affected by fires that happened in North Austin. Parent Support Specialists play a critical role in the communities they serve; however, there continue to be job openings. One reason for open positions is the low salary offered for this position. Current openings for PSSs show a salary of $17.34 per …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅵ EXPAND FUNDING FOR AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER ARCHIVISTS Strategic Direction: Culture and Lifelong Learning Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Vigil Seconded by: Solis Recommendation to Council: Expand funding for Austin History Center archivists that is specifically earmarked for outreach and creating exhibits. Additionally, expand funding to cover expenses associated with recording oral history. Expand funding by $100,000 for the LatinX Community Archivist to hire or train LatinX community to preserve history. Background and Rationale: As the local history division of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. They collect and preserve information about local governments, businesses, residents, institutions, and neighborhoods so that generations to come will have access to our history. The Austin History Center has limited capacity to complete projects with current funding. Each archivist has a budget of $5,000. This funding is not adequate for outreach, creating rotating exhibits, and recording oral history. Each archivist needs expanded funding to effectively complete job responsibilities. The Austin History Center has limited capacity to help preserve the LatinX experience in Austin. The Austin History center compiled the LatinX Resource Guide which contains valuable materials about Austin’s Mexican American communities. However, significant gaps in the Latinx Communities collection remain and continued work to fill the gaps is needed. An increase in the budget by $100,000 for the LatinX Community Archivist to hire or train LatinX community to preserve history is recommended. For: Afifi, Vigil, Solis, Ramirez, Perales, Silva Vote: Against: None Abstain: Garay Absent: Peña, Garcia Attest: _________________________________ Amanda Afifi, Chair
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅱ EXPAND FUNDING FOR IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES Strategic Direction: Safety Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Vigil Seconded by: Garay Increase Austin Public Health’s funding for pro bono and low bono immigration legal services. Recommendation to Council: Background and Rationale: We continue to hear from the community concerns regarding underfunding of immigration legal services. Only a small number of individuals are served with the current funding. There are very few organizations in Austin that have the ability to provide legal services to our immigrant communities pro bono. One of the service providers is American Gateways. They are currently only able to meet 25% of the need. The need for legal services continues to expand due to the complicated immigration legal system. For: Afifi, Vigil, Solis, Garay, Ramirez, Perales, Silva Vote: Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Peña, Garcia Attest: _________________________________ Amanda Afifi, Chair American Gateways presentation to the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission - https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=377126
