Recommendation 20241015-005: Adopt the Equity-Based Preservation Plan — original pdf

Recommendation

ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20241015-005 RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE EQUITY-BASED PRESERVATION PLAN Seconded By: Commissioner Sarah Chen October 15, 2024 Recommendation to Council to Adopt the Equity-Based Preservation Plan Date: Subject: Motioned by: Commissioner Hailey Easley RECOMMENDATION: The AAQoL Advisory Commission highly recommends that City Council Members adopt and direct the City Manager to implement the recently developed Equity-Based Preservation Plan. It has been 43 years since The City of Austin’s Historic Preservation Plan was last updated in 1981. A process for an Equity-Based Preservation Plan was initiated in 2021 with substantial time taken to include the broad diverse voices in a way that reflects marginalized communities of the past and the current scope of our communities' needs now. DESCRIPTION OF RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL: WHEREAS, the City of Austin is dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity, racial equity, and upholds the principles of equality and human rights; WHEREAS, the AAQoL Advisory Commission was created Ordinance No. 20141211-204 to advise the City Council on issues related to the Asian American Resource Center and to provide on-going guidance and support for the City's Asian American quality of life initiatives; WHEREAS, Austin’s existing plan to guide historic preservation policies, programs, and activities was adopted in 1981; and WHEREAS, both Austin and the historic preservation field have changed substantially in the past 43 years; and WHEREAS, the Historic Landmark Commission initiated the development of a new preservation plan for Austin in 2021; and WHEREAS, the resulting Equity-Based Preservation Plan (the preservation plan) was developed by a community working group with members from across Austin bringing diverse lived experiences as well as professional and community expertise; and  WHEREAS, broad, inclusive outreach and engagement around the draft preservation plan reached more than 2,500 people throughout the city to review and comment on the plan’s goals and recommendations; and WHEREAS, the community working group and Historic Landmark Commission revised and finalized the preservation plan based on public feedback; and WHEREAS, the preservation plan aligns with and furthers the goals of the AAQoL Commission, particularly recommendations related to our on-going guidance and support for the City's Asian American quality of life initiatives; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the AAQoL Advisory Commission that we strongly recommend City Council adopts the Equity-Based Preservation Plan and supports its timely implementation with the City Manager. RATIONALE: This resolution reflects the unwavering commitment of the City of Austin and its Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission to take action on the Equity-Based Preservation Plans 14 goals such as telling Austin’s full story, recognizing cultural heritage, and proactively identifying important places through a collaborative implementation of the plan. Vote: 8-0 For: Vice Chair Padmini Jambulapati, Commissioners Sarah Chen, Sarah X. Chen, Zachary Dolling, Hailey Easley, Pierre Nguyễn, Nayer Sikder, and Luan Tran Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Chair Huang, Commissioners Sabrina Sha, Sonny Sin, and Kuo Yang Attest: _____________________________________________ Eric Anderson, Staff Liaison, Office of the City Clerk