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
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅰ EXPAND FUNDING FOR TWO-GENERATION BILINGUAL EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS Strategic Direction: Economic Opportunity & Affordability Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Vigil Seconded by: Solis Recommendation to Council: Increase Austin Public Health’s funding for two-generation bilingual early childhood programs. Ensure locations like Del Valle have access to programs in their community. Background and Rationale: The City of Austin has an agreement with Any Baby Can of Austin, Inc. to provide early childhood services to enable families to achieve self-sufficiency. These services are provided to residents through 10 agencies that comprise the Ready Families Collaborative. There are a few service providers subcontracted to provide two-generation bilingual early childhood education services. AVANCE-Austin is one of the agencies tasked to provide such services. They serve approximately 30 clients with City of Austin funding. They provide parenting and early education classes; home-visitation and case management; transportation; and food for clients. The Camp Fire USA Balcones Council provides the Play to Learn two-generation parenting program, serving approximately 60 clients. The Literacy Coalition of Central Texas provides the Playing and Learning Strategies (PALS) program in multiple sites and classrooms, serving approximately 100 clients. Communities In Schools provides comprehensive dual generation family literacy programming, PAT home visiting, and Incredible Years group parenting classes. They serve roughly 175 clients. These programs combined serve approximately 365 clients. This is not adequate funding for high quality Spanish and bilingual (Spanish and English) early childhood education and services that also includes case management, parenting education, literacy and educational programming for parents, and community support. These programs help the child and parents by providing them with support in their preferred language. These programs help families establish networks of support. The programs are designed to assist under-resourced families of young children in overcoming isolation and lack of opportunity. With the pandemic, we have heard numerous stories of learning loss in grade school children; however, we must not forget about the valuable socialization and learning loss suffered by the youngest children. Children born just before and during the start of the pandemic are turning 2 and 3 years old. They did not have the same socialization opportunities afforded to children pre-COVID. Although providers pivoted to online services, not all clients had reliable internet service to access them. It was difficult to provide online services to young children. Online services cannot replace in-person …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅴ FUNDING FOR ART IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CULTURAL ARTS Strategic Direction: Culture and Lifelong Learning Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Vigil Seconded by: Perales Recommendation to Council: Provide a one time budget increase of $75,000 so that Art in Public Places is able to study the impact of public/community art. Allocate additional resources to update CAMP Report community-created maps and directory of cultural assets across the city, including Thriving in Place, a primer on place-based economic development for cultural spaces. Expand funding to pay artists when repairing their work from graffiti. Background and Rationale: The City of Austin was the first municipality in Texas to make a commitment to include works of art in construction projects. By Ordinance, 2% of eligible capital improvement project budgets are allocated to commissioner purchase art for that site. Established by the City in 1985, the Art in Public Places (AIPP) program collaborates with local & nationally-known artists to include the history and values of our community into cultural landmarks that have become cornerstones of Austin’s identity. This legacy has yielded close to 400 artworks in the City’s public art collection. AIPP is several years into a constant improvement process to ensure that artwork resonates with the community receiving it, and to ensure that AIPP is commissioning artists whose voices have been underrepresented in the AIPP collection. The AIPP Program can point to anecdotal success from these efforts. However, since its inception this program has not had an impact study. Economic Development’s AIPP program will work with a contractor to study the impact of public/community art on our shared civic spaces. This is particularly important in communities where art has been an expression of the shared experience of Austin’s traumatized communities, such as is visible in the murals of East Austin. The AIPP program will seek recommendations for best practices from the evaluation consultant to: ● Evaluate how residents perceive the AIPP program and the City’s public art collection overall. ○ Is AIPP delivering services appropriately? ○ Do residents know about the art in their neighborhoods?; ● Evaluate how we are communicating the artist’s intent and important stories behind the artwork via the digital platforms and the artwork plaques which are now our primary forms of communicating this information. ○ Is this sufficient? ○ What new/additional delivery methods might we use? …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅶ FUNDING FOR UPDATED HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY Strategic Direction: Government that Works for All Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Vigil Seconded by: Garay Allocate $300,000 for an updated Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Study. Recommendation to Council: Background and Rationale: As a direct result of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Initiative Report, Ordinance Number 20130808-059 established the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission in 2013. Per Austin Code Section 2-1-146, the Commission shall advise the City Council on issues relating to the quality of life for the City's Hispanic/Latino community and shall recommend programs and policies designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront Hispanics and Latinos in social, economic, and vocational pursuits including education, youth services, housing and community development, cultural arts, economic development, health, civic engagement, and transportation. The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission has been strongly advocating for an updated Quality of Life report for some time now. The report that was published in 2013 is outdated and needs have changed, especially during and after multiple emergencies, including COVID and winter storm Uri. A systems-level intersectional approach is needed for this study. The success of the LGBTQIA+ study in reaching directly impacted residents is a testament to how successful this work can be. For: Afifi, Vigil, Solis, Garay, Ramirez, Perales, Silva Vote: Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Peña, Garcia Attest: _________________________________ Amanda Afifi, Chair Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Initiative Report - https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/City_Manager/HispanicReport-ver_6-0901_1 3.pdf
EQUITY-BASED HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN Briefing to Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission—March 22, 2022 GOAL Replace Austin’s 1981 preservation plan with an inclusive, equity-focused, and community- oriented process and outcome WHY NOW? • Substantial population growth • High development pressure • Existing preservation plan approved in 1981 WHY NOW? EQUITY + COMMUNITY • How can we better recognize, preserve, and share important places and stories? • How can preservation policies and tools address essential issues like sustainability, affordability, and displacement? • How can citizens co-create preservation policies? ) t h g i r ( i n o s u c n l I l i a c o S d n a n o i t a v r e s e r P , ) r e t n e c d n a t f e l ( n i t s u A f o y t i C / r i a h C n e p O : s e g a m I EQUITY + COMMUNITY Images (clockwise from top): Westside Preservation Alliance/Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, Columbia University, City and County of San Francisco, Calle 24 Latino Cultural District, National Trust for Historic Preservation, San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation HISTORY MATTERS HISTORY MATTERS HISTORY MATTERS Historic landmark COMMUNITY-BASED PROCESS Professional facilitator Community heritage survey Focus: vision for plan City staff from 12 departments Focus groups Cultural and heritage organizations, legacy businesses, neighborhood associations COMMUNITY-BASED PROCESS Preservation Plan Working Group Recruitment through community partners $25/hour compensation available Laptop and wifi hotspot loans available COMMUNITY-BASED PROCESS Preservation Plan Working Group 150 applicants Multipronged selection process – Short answers – Stakeholder representation – Lived experience + geographic diversity COMMUNITY-BASED PROCESS 29 community members 22 ZIP codes 17 members opting into compensation AUSTIN WORKING GROUP COMMUNITY-BASED PROCESS Affordable housing advocate Archaeologist Architect Attorney Business owner City board or commission Community member Contractor Developer Economic development organization Educational institution Engineer Heritage organization Heritage tourism professional Historic property owner Historical commission (City, County, State) Landscape architect Neighborhood association Preservation organization Preservation consultant Religious institution Social justice organization Urban planner/planning organization LAYING THE FOUNDATION LAYING THE FOUNDATION MEETING SCHEDULE – PHASE 1 Essential Background and Process July ’21 Introduction and goals Apr. May Enforcement and …
Community Needs Assessment Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Discussion on community needs and spending priorities for the FY 22-23 Action Plan Agenda Review of FY 20-21 Performance Federal Reporting Process Review of Existing Programs Community Needs Assessment/ Public Comment Schedule Provide Your Feedback Review of Past Performance A look at services provided with federal funding in FY 20-21 FY 20-21 Accomplishments Snapshot • Total number of people served through federally funded projects: 3,552 • Total number of people/households earning Extremely Low-Income (<30% MFI) served: 2,688 • Total number of federal dollars spent: Entitlement: $9,765,175 CARES Act: $10,196,749 4 Population Served by Income 2,688 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 411 406 85 Extremely Low Income (<30% MFI) Very Low Income (31%-50% MFI) Low Income (51%-80% MFI) >80% MFI 5 Population of Austin Vs. Population Served by Race Population of Austin Vs. Population Served by Ethnicity 120.00% 100.00% 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% 20.00% 0.00% 32.41% 33.90% 67.59% 66.10% Population Served, FY 20-21 Population of Austin, 2019 Not Hispanic/Latinx Hispanic/Latinx People Served by Investment Category Investment Category Persons/Households Served Special Needs Assistance Homeless Assistance Renter Assistance Homebuyer Assistance Homeowner Assistance Housing Development Assistance 33 Total 878 1,153 1,327 43 120 3,552 Austin Small Business Relief Grant Program Investment Category Businesses Served Other Community Development Assistance 89 8 FY 20-21 Services Provided- Goals vs. Outcomes Select Programs Down Payment Assistance Tenant Based Rental Assistance Senior Services • Goal: 25 • Actual: 43 • Budgeted: $1,484,108 • Expended: $1,585,999 Ownership Housing Development Assistance • Goal: 16 • Actual: 42 • Budgeted: $6,293,366 • Expended: Federal: $202,562; GO Bonds: $5,860,334 • Goal: 85 • Actual: 113 • Budgeted: $1,140,849 • Expended: $979,663 • Goal: 175 • Actual: 184 • Budgeted: $123,995 • Expended: $123,995 FY 20-21 Services Provided- Goals vs. Outcomes Select Programs Architectural Barrier Removal-Owner Minor Home Repair • Goal: 80 • Actual: 29 • Budgeted: $1,510,000 • Expended: $567,166 • Goal: 200 • Actual: 85 • Budgeted: $900,000 • Expended: $781,409 Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program • Goal: 9 • Actual: 6 • Budgeted: $840,000 • Expended: $748,584 *includes General Fund dollars) Rental Housing Development Assistance • Goal: 411 • Actual: 335 • Budgeted: $22,540,335 • Expended: Federal: $269,585; GO Bonds: $22,057,711 Homelessness Services* Tenants’ Rights Assistance Childcare Services • Goal: 1,118 • Actual: 426 • Budgeted: $682,911 • Expended: $1,638,420 • Goal: 527 • Actual: 297 • Budgeted: $287,223 • Expended: $287,223 • …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20220322-009 Resolution on the Retirement of Austin Energy’s Portion of the Fayette Power Project Recommendations Whereas the Resource Management Commission would like to provide recommendations regarding the Fayette Power Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission has the following comments and recommendations regarding the Fayette Power Project: 1. Recommend that the Austin City Council direct Austin Energy to reject all annual budgets and expenses that come to the Fayette Management Committee, with the exception of expenses specifically for containing or cleaning up coal ash pollution from the facility, or other compliance issues. Council should direct Austin Energy to refuse to pay for any expenses not approved by the Fayette Management Committee. 2. Recommend that Austin City Council make all proposed budgets and expenses related to Fayette subject to City Council approval. Such items should be submitted to the EUC for a vote before they are sent to Council and all such budgets and expenses shall, at a minimum, properly classify costs or expenses as Capital Betterments or Station Work as those terms are defined in the Agreement. Any parts of the Austin Energy budget that are related to Fayette should be publicly shown as line items in the proposed City Budget. 3. Recommend that Council direct Austin Energy to provide a rate impact analysis based on the best offer that LCRA was willing to agree to and present that analysis to the EUC, RMC and City Council. 4. Recommend City Council direct Austin Energy to immediately resume negotiations with LCRA and explore every avenue available to achieve closure of Austin Energy’s portion of Fayette as quickly as possible, in 2022 or 2023. 5. Recommend City Council direct Austin Energy to conduct a study on the cost of full decommissioning of Austin Energy’s share of Fayette. Those costs should be incorporated into the ongoing cost of service study and upcoming rate case. 6. Recommend that City Council direct Austin Energy to run its portion of Fayette at its low sustaining limit (LSL), subject to ERCOT requirements, if it can’t be closed by the end of 2022. 7. Recommend that City Council allocate adequate funding for environmental testing at the Fayette Coal Plant to assure full compliance with CCR and other environmental regulations. 8. Recommend that City Council direct Austin Energy to present to the EUC, RMC and City Council an …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220322-3aⅸ CONTINUE AND EXPAND FUNDING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND AFFORDABILITY Strategic Direction: Economic Opportunity & Affordability; Safety; Health & Environment Date: March 22, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned by: Silva Seconded by: Ramirez Recommendation to Council: Continue and expand funding for rental assistance, including programs like I Belong in Austin. Increase subsidization of on site affordability to keep people in their homes. These tools for anti-displacement should be available at <60% median family income. Background and Rationale: The need for rental and mortgage assistance did not start with the pandemic. Before COVID, people were being displaced due to gentrification. Affordability was, and continues to be, a major concern for the Hispanic/Latino community. The cost of housing continues to increase for both homebuyers and renters. Recently, Austin topped the list of cities where rent has risen the fastest. Rent is up 40% since February 2021. Additionally, the median home price in Austin has nearly doubled since January 2016, going from just under $255,000 to $499,995 in February 2022. There are incentives for developers to include affordable housing units in their developments; however, it is up to them to come to this decision. By state law, there can be no affordable housing requirement placed on developers. Currently, we do not know how many developers decide to provide affordable housing versus how many decide not to. This restriction limits the number of affordable units in our city. Even when developers provide affordable housing, it centers around residents at 60%-80% MFI. Developers do not want 30%-40% MFI and below because there is no profit in it. There are a variety of rental and mortgage assistance programs centering those impacted by COVID. The most recent RENT program funds were all disbursed, and the application portal is now closed. This is not the first time all funding was disbursed. However, the community continues to express the need for additional funds. Assistance should not solely be related to the impacts of COVID. Assistance must include people impacted by gentrification. For: Afifi, Vigil, Solis, Garay, Ramirez, Perales, Silva Vote: Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Peña, Garcia Attest: _________________________________ Amanda Afifi, Chair Development Agreements Rent Rates (PDF) - https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Housing_%26_Planning/Dev%20Incentives% 20%26%20Agreements/Development_Agreements_Rent_Rates_06012021_final.pdf Development Incentives Sales Prices (PDF) - https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Housing_%26_Planning/Dev%20Incentives% 20%26%20Agreements/Development_Incentives_Sale_Prices_06012021.pdf Development Incentives Rent Rates (PDF) - https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Development_Incentives_Rent_Rates_Rev.7. 7.21.pdf
