Draft PDR Work Group Report

Boards and Commissions Transition Taskforce – April 28, 2014

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DRAFT Planning & Development Review Department Working Group Subcommittee Report April 30, 2014 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Planning and Development Review (PDR) Working Group was formed as a Working Group under the full Boards and Commissions (B&C) Task Force to understand and evaluate B&C roles and membership requirements for those Boards and Commissions associated primarily or tangentially with the Planning and Development Review Department, and provide our recommendations to the full B&C Task Force. The PDR Working Group evaluated the following Boards and Commissions: • Board of Adjustment • Bond Oversight Committee (Capital Planning Office) • Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals • Building and Standards Commission • Land Development Code Advisory Committee • Construction Advisory Commission • Design Commission • Downtown Commission (Economic Development Department) • Electric Board • Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Advisory Board • Historic Landmark Commission • Planning Commission • Residential Design and Compatibility Commission • Sign Review Board • Waterfront Planning Advisory Board • Zoning and Platting Commission The PDR Working Group consisted of Dave Sullivan (scientist), Jeff Jack (architect), Gabe Rojas (planner), and Dave Anderson (engineering), and met as a group nine (9) times in March and April 2014, in addition to the regular meetings of the full Boards and Commissions Task Force. The PDR Working Group also presented at the City Council Work Session on April 8, 2014, where they responded to questions and received comments that were integrated into the recommendations The PDR Working Group’s recommendations are summarized in the Table ES-‐1. Table ES-‐1. Summary of Recommendations Board/ Commission Recommended Action Recommended # Members Board of Adjustment Maintain duties of the Board of Adjustment, without the two additional Sign Review Board members as currently organized 11 Bond Oversight Committee Reassign duties to a newly-‐created Economic and Capital Budget Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals Join the duties of the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals with the duties of the Electric Board and the Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board into a new Life Safety Board of Appeals 11 Building & Standards Commission Maintain duties of Buildings and Standards Commission as currently envisioned. 22 Land Development Code Advisory Committee Maintain duties of Land Development Code Advisory Committee as currently envisioned 11 Construction Advisory Commission Reassign duties to a new Municipal Contracts and Construction Commission. Design Commission Maintain duties of Design Commission; reassign the duties of the Residential Design and Compatibility Commission to the Design Commission. 11 Downtown Commission Reassign duties to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission. Electric Board Reassign duties to a new Life Safety Board of Appeals Mechanical, Plumbing, & Solar Advisory Board Reassign duties to a new Life Safety Board of Appeals Historic Landmark Commission Maintain duties of the Historic Landmark Commission 11 Planning Commission Reassign duties to focus on planning oriented activities City-‐wide, including the Comprehensive Plan, Area Plans (i.e., TOD plans, corridor plans, etc.), evaluating the CIP and other economic and budget initiatives, reviewing and initiating code amendments & ordinances. Utilize newly-‐created Joint Subcommittees with Zoning and Platting Commission. 13 Residential Design and Compatibility Commission Reassign duties to the Design Commission Sign Review Board Reassign duties to the Board of Adjustment, without the two additional Sign Review Board members as currently organized Waterfront Planning Advisory Board Reassign duties to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission Zoning and Platting Commission Reassign duties to focus on transactional activities City-‐wide, including re-‐zoning, platting and plat amendments, site plans, conditional overlays. Utilize newly-‐created Joint Subcommittees with Zoning and Platting Commission. 11 1. PURPOSE & BACKGROUND The Planning and Development Review (PDR) Working Group was formed as a Working Group under the full Boards and Commissions (B&C) Task Force to understand and evaluate B&C roles and membership requirements for those Boards and Commissions associated primarily or tangentially with the Planning and Development Review Department, and provide our recommendations to the full B&C Task Force. Most of the boards and commissions reviewed operated primarily in cooperation with PDR. For boards and commissions whose primary association is with another city department, that department is referenced. The PDR Working Group evaluated the following Boards and Commissions: • Board of Adjustment • Bond Oversight Committee (Capital Planning Office) • Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals • Building and Standards Commission • Land Development Code Advisory Committee • Construction Advisory Commission • Design Commission • Downtown Commission (Economic Development Department) • Electric Board • Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Advisory Board • Historic Landmark Commission • Planning Commission • Residential Design and Compatibility Commission • Sign Review Board • Waterfront Planning Advisory Board • Zoning and Platting Commission The PDR Working Group analyzed how the number of appointees to each B&C impacts the ability of that entity to operate effectively and evaluated the positive/negative impacts that may be realized by integrating, separating, or re-‐defining the roles and responsibilities of each B&C. 2. ORGANIZATION The PDR Working Group consisted of the following four members: 1. Dave Sullivan (Scientist) – Former Chairperson of the Planning Commission, current Chairperson of the CodeNEXT Land Development Code Advisory Group, current Chairperson of the Bond Oversight Committee, and current Zero Waste Advisory Commission member 2. Jeff Jack (Architect) – Current Chairman of the Board of Adjustment and Ex-‐Officio member of the Planning Commission 3. Gabriel Rojas (Planner) – Current member of the Zoning and Platting Commission 4. Dave Anderson (Engineer) – Current Chairman of the Planning Commission and former Chairman of the Environmental Board 3. MEETINGS The PDR Working Group has met continually since early March: 1. March 10 2. March 17 3. March 22 4. March 24 5. March 28 6. March 31 7. April 7 (Working Group representative at a meeting with City Clerk) 8. April 8 (Working Group representative at presentation at Council Work Session) 9. April 16 The Working Group has also provided ongoing updates to the full Boards and Commissions Task Force at regular meetings as appropriate. 4. CITY COUNCIL INQUIRIES At the April 8 City Council Work Session, Council Members asked specific questions about the PDR Working Group’s progress. This section presents their questions, and our responses. 4.1 Could ZAP be rolled into Planning? We don’t believe that there is enough capacity in one board to do both traditional zoning & platting and look long-‐term at planning. One of us (Sullivan) served on a 9 member Planning Commission from 1994 – 1999 that met weekly, but other members feel weekly meetings are a deterrent to attracting members. The City Clerk’s Office shared the City Council resolution that split the Building Standards Commission into two “panels” within one commission, as shown in the excerpt from Council Resolution 20131003-‐100 below. Council member Riley encourages the Task Force to consider such a split for a unified PC-‐ZAP. The PDR Working Group evaluated this option and while it has merit in the fact that it provides one body performing both zoning & platting and planning roles (which ensures the two concepts remain connected within one Commission), it may not provide enough emphasis on the planning aspects of the role of the Planning Commission – something all within the PDR Working Group agreed must be improved. Furthermore, the make-‐up of the Planning Commission is dictated by Article X of the City Charter and is constrained to the number of members of the City Council plus two, which is currently nine and will become 13. Thus, there is no even way to divide the PC, unless, say, the chairperson served on both panels. 4.2 Provide a list of the number appointees that would be impacted by the proposed mergers? The following table summarizes the impacts to the number of appointees due to the changes proposed by the PDR Working Group. Existing Proposed Board/Commission # Appointees Board/Commission # Appointees Board of Adjustment 7 Board of Adjustment 11 Bond Oversight Commission 7 Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals 7 Life Safety Board of Appeals 11 Building & Standards Commission 14 Building & Standards Commission 22 Land Development Code Advisory Cmte 11 Land Development Code Advisory Cmte 11 Construction Advisory Commission 7 Design Commission 7 Design Commission 11 Downtown Commission 7 Electric Board 7 Mechanical, Plumbing, & Solar Advisory Board 7 Historic Landmark Commission 7 Historic Landmark Commission 11 Planning Commission 9 Planning Commission 13 Residential Design & Compatibility Commission 7 Sign Review Board 2 Waterfront Planning Advisory Board 7 Zoning & Platting Commission 7 Zoning & Platting Commission 11 TOTALS 120 101 * Please see Section 5 for specific recommendations related to this table. The PDR Working Group is also evaluating the addition of additional outside citizens with specific expertise to joint permanent subcommittees. 4.3 The use of the word “innovative” rather than “eliminate”. Final recommendation will be sensitive in word choice. 4.4 Are we just shifting the bulk of the work from Planning to ZAP? No. Currently the Planning Commission (PC) has more work than the Zoning and Platting (ZAP) Commission. This is based on the relative length of regular meetings. According to the Channel 6 Website, between October 2010 and August 2011, ZAP meetings lasted 1:22 on average, while PC meetings averaged 2:46. Additionally, PC holds monthly subcommittee meetings for four standing subcommittees, and has individual appointees to several other Boards and Commissions. Further, Working Group representatives estimate that about 1/3 of PC work is zoning related where for ZAP is the percentage exceeds 50% (see Section 4.5 below). The intent of the Working Group’s recommendations is to move toward a more even allocation of work. 4.5 What portion of Planning is currently devoted to zoning cases? PDR Working Group representatives estimate that about 1/3 of PC work is zoning-‐related, while for ZAP the percentage exceeds 50%. 4.6 Is there a better way to balance the workload? The Working Group recommends a combination of the use of joint subcommittees and improved information technology may make work easier. 4.7 Provide a method for joint subcommittee members to have on-‐going interaction with zoning cases as a way to keep them informed and provide a broad understanding of zoning issues. The PDR Working Group believes that the Small Area Plan and the Comprehensive Plan joint subcommittees will allow both Commissions to keep abreast of zoning and comprehensive planning issues. 4.8 Is there anything in the Charter about the Planning Commission’s role in zoning cases? The Charter is explicit in Section X that the “Planning Commission” is responsible for making zoning recommendations to the City Council. The City Legal Department has interpreted this to mean that a Land Use Commission, either called the “Zoning and Platting Commission” or the “Planning Commission” may make such recommendations. 4.9 Are there PUD requirements for the Planning Commission? Yes, the Small Area Plan joint subcommittee would pass on recommendations to the Planning Commission, as may be required by the current PUD Ordinances. There has been some suggestion, however, that the use of PUD zoning may be affected by the CodeNEXT project. 4.10 How to best keep the joint committees active since past efforts have not been successful? By maintaining a regular schedule as the Planning Commission subcommittees have for several years will help sustain effective joint subcommittee work. 4.11 Review the model used with the Building and Standards Commission – 2 panels rather than splitting duties. Would this work with Planning and ZAP? Please see Response in Section 4.1. 4.12 Gauge commitment to board meetings and committee meetings to ensure we have enough commissioners for the proposed joint committees. This is what one of the advantages of the splitting the roles of the PC and ZAP are – each Commission can spread out subcommittee involvement to those willing and able to serve. Further, each Commission can also develop rules to provide alternates in either an ad hoc or rotation schedule to further ensure that commitments are met. However, new Single Member Districts and the higher likelihood that Board and Commission members may come from more suburban areas may create travel issues for folks in those outlying areas. These may be mitigated in the future by Project Connect mass transit improvements. Alternatively, it may be possible for the Legislature to liberalize Open Meetings rules to allow online participation in subcommittee meetings. 4.13 Life Safety Board – reach out to the B/C being considered for this body and review the expertise required and if that expertise can be covered in one Board? The PDR Working Group has sent an email to the Chairperson of each Commission and is awaiting response. 5. RECOMMENDATIONS The following subsections are organized by the Boards and Commissions that the PDR Working Group evaluated as part of our charge. Each subsection concludes with the Working Group’s recommendations. 5.1 Board of Adjustment The purpose of the Board of Adjustment is defined in City of Austin Land Development code Section 25-‐2 and Section 241.034 of the Local Government Code to 1) hear and decide a request for a variance from the requirements of Chapter 25-‐2 (Zoning), except as otherwise provided by the Code; 2) hear and decide an appeal of an administrative action under Chapter 25-‐2 (Zoning); 3) hear and decide on a request for a variance from the requirements of airport zoning regulations under Section 241.034, Local Government Code; and 4) perform other duties prescribed by ordinance or state law. The Board of Adjustment met in conjunction with the Sign Review Board eleven (11) times in 2013, and the Board of Adjustment By-‐Laws provide the rules under which the Sign Review Board operates. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Integrate the duties of the Sign Review Board into the duties of the Board of Adjustment, without the two additional Sign Review Board members as currently organized; and 2. Increase the Board’s membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members. 5.2 Bond Oversight Commission The Bond Oversight Commission ensures efficiency, equity, timeliness, and accountability in the implementation of the 2006 and 2010 bond programs, as well as all future bond programs. The committee reviews the annual appropriation and spending plan of bond funds. See Resolution No. 20110127-‐034, Resolution No. 20070215-‐028 and Resolution No. 20061214-‐041 for additional information. While the Bond Oversight Committee usually meets monthly immediately following a bond issuance, it currently meets quarterly. The Planning Commission is charged by City Charter to review annually the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. This is accomplished through the use of a standing CIP Subcommittee. Since it’s inception, this subcommittee has not met every month. The recent addition of Capital Planning Office’s Long Range Strategic Plan has provided the CIP Subcommittee with additional workload, but it still has capacity to take on additional work. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Bond Oversight Committee into a newly-‐created Economic and Capital Budget Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; and 2. Specify a membership of the Joint Subcommittee of at least seven (7) members from the PC & ZAP. 3. Allow up to four additional members appointed by the City Manager (or Capital Planning Office) and approved by the City Council with specific experience related to the GO bonds. For example, these could be veterans of the most recent bond election advisory committee, citizens with specific public finance experience, or representatives of key stakeholder groups. 4. Although the PC would receive and make a final decision on the CIP each year (as required by Charter), a separate report on the GO Bond program would go directly to the City Manager and City Council. 5.3 Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals reviews any appeal filed in accordance with Title 25 (Land Development). It hears and decides appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the building official relating to the application and interpretations of the Building Code and Fire Code. Section 2-‐1-‐121 of the City Code. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Join the duties of the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals with the duties of the Electric Board and the Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board into a new Life Safety Board of Appeals; 2. Increase the new Board’s membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members; and 3. Require the necessary expertise currently distributed amongst the three (3) Boards. 5.4 Building and Standards Commission The Building and Standards Commission was established to hear cases concerning alleged violations of the City's housing and dangerous buildings regulations. It shall have the powers and duties and comply with the procedures established by Texas Local Government, Chapter 54, Subchapter C (Quasi-‐Judicial Enforcement of Health and Safety Ordinances), Texas Local Government Code Chapter 214 (Municipal Regulation of Housing and Other Structures), Subchapter A (Dangerous Structures), and City Code Chapter 25-‐12, Article 9 (International Property Maintenance Code). See Section 2-‐1-‐122 of the Austin City Code. In 2014, the City Council initiated a Code amendment (and Code was accordingly processed) to increase the size of the BSC to 14 Commission members for the purpose of creating two panels that will allow the BSC to meet, as panels, more than once a month, with the Mayor appointing two members and each Council Member appointing two (2) members. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Maintain duties of Buildings and Standards Commission as currently envisioned; and 2. Increase the Board’s membership to 22 members, with the Mayor appointing two (2) members and each Council Member appoint two (2) members, for the purpose of creating two panels that will allow the BSC to meet, as panels, more than once a month. 5.5 Land Development Code Advisory Committee The Land Development Code Advisory Committee Act as an advisory group to assist in public outreach and provide feedback on the development and implementation of a revised land development code for the City of Austin. See Resolution No. 20121206-‐074 for additional information. The Land Development Code Advisory Committee shall be terminated automatically by the end of September 2015 or upon adoption of the new Land Development Code, whichever is earlier. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Maintain duties and membership of Land Development Code Advisory Committee as currently envisioned. 5.6 Construction Advisory Commission The Construction Advisory Commission monitors enforcement of prevailing wage scales and job classifications on municipal construction contracts. They advise Council and City Manager regarding categories and specific projects of maintenance and construction work that should be accomplished by contract through competitive bidding processes instead of by use of City personnel and equipment. They review implementation of state laws, Charter, ordinances and council policies relating to the award of construction contracts and purchase or rental of construction equipment materials and services, including advertising policies, specifications and lease purchase agreements. They advise Council and City Manager on other construction matters affecting the quality, cost and improvement of City construction programs. See Section 2-‐1-‐128 of the City Code for additional duties. The MBE/WBE/Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee is responsible for reviewing the City Manager's report, as described in Sections 2-‐9A-‐18, 2-‐9B-‐18, 2-‐9C-‐18 and 2-‐9D-‐18 (Program Review); and recommending changes to the City Code provisions, adopting rules and regulations, and programming operations. Section 2-‐1-‐163 of the City Code. As there are several overlapping roles in the two Commissions, the PDR Working Group evaluated whether or not to combine the two. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Construction Advisory Commission to a new Municipal Contracts and Construction Commission. 5.7 Design Commission The Design Commission provides advisory recommendations to the city council (as requested by the Council) to assist in developing public policy and to promote excellence in the design and development of the urban environment. See Section 2-‐1-‐129 of the City Code for additional duties. The Residential Design and Compatibility Commission (RDCC) makes determinations on requested modifications of certain residential design standards for specific developments, as prescribed in Chapter 25-‐2, Subchapter F (Residential Design and Compatibility Standards). See Section 2-‐1-‐167 of the City Code for additional duties. While one Commission addresses urban design issues, the other addresses residential design issues; but, they are similar issues and could be considered part of the work of one Commission. Additionally, the workload of the RDCC has been decreasing in the recent past, which may make it easier for another Commission to absorb their work. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Residential Design and Compatibility Commission to the Design Commission; 2. Increase the Design Commission membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members; and 3. Ensure that both urban, commercial and residential design expertise is included in a new 11-‐member Commission. 5.8 Downtown Commission The Downtown Commission advises the City Council and City staff regarding policies and projects impacting downtown Austin; the Commission serves as stewards for the Downtown Austin Plan; maintain liaison relationships with city staff and other Boards and Commissions; and perform other activities as directed by the City Council. See Section 2-‐1-‐141 of the City Code for additional duties. The PDR Working Group is recommending a Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee to address issues surrounding planning and zoning in areas such as Downtown, along Corridors and Centers, in and around Neighborhoods, on the Waterfront, in Planned Unit Developments, in Transit Oriented Developments, etc. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Downtown Commission to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; and 2. Specify a membership of the Joint Subcommittee of at least seven (7) members. 5.9 Electric Board The Electric Board hears and decides appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the building official relating to the application and interpretation of the Electrical Code. The board may not waive the requirements of the Electrical Code. See Section 2-‐1-‐142 of the City Code for additional duties. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Electric Board of Appeals with the duties of the Building & Fire Code of Appeals and the Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board into a new Life Safety Board of Appeals; 2. Increase the new Board’s membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members; and 3. Require the necessary expertise currently distributed amongst the three (3) Boards. 5.10 Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board The Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board hears and decides appeals of orders, decisions, or determinations made by the Building Official relating to the application and interpretation of the Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code and Solar Code. Section 2-‐1-‐161 of the City Code. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Mechanical, Plumbing, and Solar Board with the duties of the Building & Fire Code of Appeals and the Electric Board into a new Life Safety Board of Appeals; 2. Increase the new Board’s membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members; and 3. Require the necessary expertise currently distributed amongst the three (3) Boards. 5.11 Historic Landmark Commission The Historic Landmark Commission prepares and periodically revises an inventory of the structures and areas that may be eligible for designation as historic landmarks. The Commission prepares, reviews and proposes amendments to the Historic Landmark Preservation Plan. It reviews requests to establish or remove a historic designation, makes recommendations on the requests to the Land Use Commission, as determined in accordance with Section 25-‐1-‐46 (Land Use Commission). Section 2-‐1-‐147 of the City Code. The duties of the Historic Landmark Commission are to: • Promote historic preservation activities in Austin; • Review applications for heritage grant monies; • Review applications for historic zoning cases; • Review certificates of appropriateness and tax exemption applications for city landmarks; and • Review sign and building permits in historic districts. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Maintain the duties of the Historic Landmark Commission; and 2. Increase the Board’s membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members. 5.12 Planning Commission The Planning Commission makes and amends master plans, recommends approval or disapproval of proposed zoning changes and controls land subdivision within neighborhood planning areas and submits, annually, a list of recommended capital improvements. See Article X of the City Charter and Section 2-‐1-‐166 of the City Code for additional duties. The PDR Working group evaluated how the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission could work together to ensure that the decisions made in implementing zoning and platting are in line with the overall City planning initiatives. City Staff (Jerry Rusthoven) provided a history of how and why the two commissions were formed originally – and that the initial intent was to have two commissions organized as the PDR Working Group has proposed. Historically, all Boards and Commissions had the two additional members required of the Planning Commission via City Charter – and those were intended to represent an environmental/neighborhood interest and a development interest. At some point in the past, these additional members were removed from all Commissions but the Planning Commission. The PDR Working Group felt that it is important for there to be citizen oversight of the Planning and Development Review Department, as there is currently not an existing citizen advisory board that has these duties (i.e., the Environmental Board reviews the metrics and budget for the Watershed Protection Department annually). The PDR Working Group felt that economic impacts (both positive and negative) have not been addressed adequately in making planning decisions in the past, and that there should be a place for this kind of analysis in the future. This becomes increasingly more possible through the roles and responsibilities of a planning-‐oriented Planning Commission. The Waterfront Planning Advisory Board (WPAB) has both planning and transactional responsibilities. The PDR Working Group evaluated whether this remain a stand-‐alone board or if it was possible to reassign some of the roles into different Boards or Commissions. The Downtown Commission reports to the Economic Development Department, but certainly has issues that inform, and are informed by, planning and transactional decisions made at the Planning Commission and/or Zoning and Platting Commission. The PDR Working Group evaluated whether reassigning some of the Downtown Commissions duties to other Boards and Commissions made sense. The Planning Commission, by City Charter, must annually review the City of Austin Capital Improvement Program (CIP) program – which includes in its entirety the expenditure of GO Bonds approved by voters. The PDR Working Group evaluated whether it makes sense that this entity rolls up under the Planning Commission duties. Members of the PDR Working Group presented their work at the 2014 Planning Commission Retreat on March 17, 2014. Several Planning Commissioners noted the importance for their to be an official coordinating process or structure in place to ensure that decisions made by the Zoning and Platting Commission were in line with the activities of the Planning Commission. There was concern that the Zoning and Platting Commission – who may end up having a heft workload – would not have the benefit of the 2 additional members required by City Charter, while the Planning Commission – with potentially a smaller workload – would still have that benefit. The PDR Working Group evaluated a recommendation to address this inconsistency via a City Charter amendment. City Staff (Greg Guernsey) recommended we investigate a periodic meeting of the Executive Committees of the two commissions with some frequency to ensure that decisions were being made that were complementary. He also advised that we should be including the Historic Landmark Commission in our discussions – as it is associated with the Planning and Development Review Department. At the Planning Commission retreat, the idea of standing joint subcommittees was offered as another mechanism to tie the two commissions together. An idea was also put forward to reduce the number of appointees for both commissions, either by grouping districts together, or by instituting a process similar to the selection of re-‐districting members to the Independent Re-‐districting Committee, for appointments. It was offered that this process should address a review of the inclusion of Ex-‐Officio members to boards and commissions. Figure 5-‐1. Recommended Planning Commission, Zoning and Platting Commission and Joint Subcommittee Structure RECOMMENDATION: 1. Figure 5-‐1 presents a pictorial representation of the PDR Working Group recommendation of realigning the Planning Commission duties; 2. Reassign the duties of the Planning Commission to focus on planning oriented activities City-‐wide, including the Comprehensive Plan, Area Plans (i.e., TOD plans, corridor plans, etc.), evaluating the CIP and other economic and budget initiatives, reviewing and initiating code amendments & ordinances, etc. 3. Reassign the duties of the Downtown Commission to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; 4. Reassign the duties of the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; 5. Reassign the duties of the Bond Oversight Commission to a newly-‐created Economics and Capital Budget Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Planning Commission Zoning & Platting Commission Codes & Ordinances Small Area Planning Economics & Capital Budget Comprehensive Plan CIP Long Range Strategic Plan Economic Studies Bond Oversight Neighborhood Plans Area Plans Planned Unit Developments Transit Oriented Developments Corridor Plans Town/Neighborhood Center Plans Downtown Plan Waterfront Planning Joint Subcommittees (Minimum of 7 Members) Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission, plus up to four additional members appointed by the City Manager (see Section 5.2); 6. Specify a membership of the Joint Subcommittees of at least seven (7) members; and 7. Increase the Commission’s membership to 13, with three people appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members – satisfying the requirements of the City Charter. 5.13 Residential Design and Compatibility Commission The Residential Design and Compatibility Commission (RDCC) makes determinations on requested modifications of certain residential design standards for specific developments, as prescribed in Chapter 25-‐2, Subchapter F (Residential Design and Compatibility Standards). See Section 2-‐1-‐167 of the City Code for additional duties. The Design Commission provides advisory recommendations to the city council (as requested by the Council) to assist in developing public policy and to promote excellence in the design and development of the urban environment. See Section 2-‐1-‐129 of the City Code for additional duties. While one Commission addresses urban design issues, the other addresses residential design issues (and specifically McMansion issues); but, they are similar and could be considered part of the work of one Commission. The workload of the RDCC has been decreasing in the recent past, which may make it easier for another Commission to absorb their work. There has also been input from the community that there is a need for a Commission to protect the fabric of Austin’s neighborhoods and to advise City Council on neighborhood issues. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Residential Design and Compatibility Commission to the Design Commission; 2. Increase the Board’s membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members; and 3. Ensure that urban, commercial and residential design expertise is included in a new 11-‐member Commission; and 4. Ensure that neighborhood planning duties are explicitly stated in the role of the newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission. 5.14 Sign Review Board The purpose of the Board of Adjustment is defined in City of Austin Land Development Code Section 25-‐10 to 1) hear and decide a request for a variance from requirements of Chapter 25-‐10 (Sign Regulations); 2) exercise the power to revoke or suspend a sign registration under Section 25-‐10-‐236 (Revocation and Suspension); and 3) advise the Council regarding Chapter 25-‐10 (Sign Regulations). The Board of Adjustment met in conjunction with the Sign Review Board eleven (11) times in 2013, and the Board of Adjustment By-‐Laws provide the rules under which the Sign Review Board operates. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Sign Review Board to the duties of the 11-‐member Board of Adjustment, without the two additional Sign Review Board members as currently organized. 5.15 Waterfront Planning Advisory Board The Waterfront Planning Advisory Board provides recommendations to the council and city boards that assist in promoting excellence in design, development and protection of the City's waterfront; and helps provide harmonious interaction and transition between urban development and the parkland and shoreline of Lady Bird Lake and the Colorado River. It provides recommendations on: project-‐level recommendations regarding proposed development within the Waterfront Overlay (WO) combining district, as required under Section 25-‐2-‐715 (Review and Recommendation of the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board). It also provides planning-‐level recommendations regarding proposed amendments impacting the WO combining district, as required under Section 25-‐2-‐715 (Review and Recommendation of the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board.) Section 2-‐1-‐187 of the City Code. The Waterfront Planning Advisory Board (WPAB) has both planning and transactional responsibilities. The PDR Working Group evaluated whether this remain a stand-‐alone board or if it was possible to reassign some of the roles into different Boards or Commissions. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Reassign the duties of the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; and 2. Specify a membership of the Joint Subcommittee of at least seven (7) members. 5.16 Zoning and Platting Commission The Zoning and Platting (ZAP Commission performs duties relating to land use and development, as prescribed by Title 25 (Land Development) of the City Code and other duties as assigned by the council. Section 2-‐1-‐188 of the City Code. ZAP reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on all proposals to adopt or amend land development regulations for the purpose of establishing the relationship of such proposal to, and its consistency with, the adopted Comprehensive Plan, or element or portion thereof. “Land development regulations” includes zoning, subdivision, building and construction, environmental, and other police power regulations controlling, regulating, or affecting the use or development of land. Pursuant to ordinances adopted by the City Council, ZAP exercises control over platting and subdividing land within the corporate limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city to ensure the consistency of any such plats or subdivision with the adopted Comprehensive Plan, or element or portion thereof. The PDR Working Group evaluated the role of the Zoning and Platting Commission in conjunction with the Planning Commission. A detailed description of the evaluation is included in Section 5.12 above. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Figure 5-‐1 presents a pictorial representation of the PDR Working Group recommendation of realigning the Zoning and Platting Commission duties; 2. Reassign the duties of the Zoning and Platting Commission to focus on transactional activities City-‐wide, including re-‐zoning, platting and plat amendments, site plans, conditional overlays, etc. 3. Reassign the duties of the Downtown Commission to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; 4. Reassign the duties of the Waterfront Planning Advisory Board to a newly-‐created Small Area Planning Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; 5. Reassign the duties of the Bond Oversight Commission to a newly-‐created Economics and Capital Budget Joint Subcommittee of the Planning Commission and Zoning and Platting Commission; 6. Specify a membership of the Joint Subcommittees of at least seven (7) members; and 7. Increase the Commission’s membership to 11, with one person appointed by the Mayor and the remaining ten appointed by Council Members.