Meeting of the Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee September 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. Permitting and Development Center (PDC) – Room #1406 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee may be participating by video conference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in-person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, call or email the board liaison at 512-974-3509 or greg.dutton@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Nadia Barrera-Ramirez (Chair) Claire Hempel (Vice-Chair) Awais Azhar Todd Shaw Ann Denkler Jolene Kiolbassa Greg Anderson CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers signed up prior to commencement of the meeting will be allowed to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the June 15, 2022, meeting minutes. 2. Approval of the August 17, 2022, meeting minutes. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 2023 Meeting Schedule. Discuss and approve the 2023 meeting schedule. 4. Historic Design Standards Amendments. Discuss and consider a recommendation for initiation of amendments to Title 25 of the City Code to codify the Historic Design Standards as a tool for interpreting the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. (No changes to the historic review process are Facilitator: Chair Barrera-Ramirez City Attorney: None 1 proposed.) City Staff: Andrew Rice, Housing and Planning and Department, (512) 974-1686, andrew.rice@austintexas.gov 5. Project Connect. Discuss and consider a recommendation for adoption of an ordinance amending Title 25 of City Code to create a foundational ordinance for Transit System Projects to facilitate the construction of critical transportation infrastructure. City Staff: Donna Galati, Project Connect Office, (512) 974-2733, Donna.Galati@austintexas.gov DISCUSSION ITEMS 6. Update on Potential Upcoming and Current Code Amendments – City Staff: Greg Dutton, Housing and Planning and Department, (512) 974-3509, Greg.Dutton@austintexas.gov. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Future agenda items will NOT be discussed at the current meeting, but will be offered for initiation, discussion, and/or possible recommendation to the full Planning Commission at a FUTURE meeting. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or …
In-Process Code Amendments 9/16/22 AMENDMENT • C20-2022-013 Creative Space Bonus and Incentive Initiated by Council 9/1/22 • • C20-2022-012 Great Streets Fee-In-Lieu Mechanism Initiated by Council 7/28/22 • • C20-2022-011 Live Music • Venue Initiated by Council on 7/28/22 • C20-2022-009 Sixth St Height Exception Initiated by Council on 6/9/22 • • C20-2022-008 Capitol Dominance Overlay Initiated by Council on 5/19/22 • • C20-2022-007 ADU • Initiated by Council on 6/9/22 • Combined with C20-2021- 011 • • C20-2022-006 NBG CMU subdistrict change Initiated by Council on 5/19/22 • C20-2022-005a Environmental and Water Quality Initiated by Council on 6/9/22 • C20-2022-005b Environmental and Water Quality Initiated by Council on 6/9/22 • • 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. NOTES • Creates a new bonus and incentive program for creative spaces • Creates a mechanism for fees to be paid in-lieu of constructing great streets • Creates new use and bonus provisions for live music venue • Amends overlay to allow for additional height • Allows properties in CDO to participate in Downtown Density Bonus Program • Additional direction and clarification on ADU changes • Related to C20- 2021-011 • Amends height and FAR for CMU subdistrict • Amendments to environmental and water quality regulations • Amendments to environmental and water quality regulations LEAD DEPT • Economic Development EST. COUNCIL DATE • TBD • Housing and Planning • Economic Development • Housing and Planning • Late 2022/Early 2023 • Late 2022/Early 2023 • Late 2022 • Housing and Planning • Late 2022 • Development Services • Late 2022 • Housing and Planning • Fall 2022 • Watershed Protection • Fall 2022 • Watershed Protection • Early-Mid 2023 • C20-2022-004 • Relaxes Compatibility Changes compatibility • Housing and Planning • Fall 2022 In-Process Code Amendments 9/16/22 AMENDMENT • Initiated by Council on 6/9/22 • C20-2022-003 South Central Waterfront Regulating Plan Initiated by PC on 6/14/22 • • C20-2022-002 Parkland Dedication Expansion Initiated by Council on 4/7/22 • • C20-2021-013 Floodplain Regulations – Commercial Redevelopment Exception Initiated by PC on 12/14/21 • • C20-2021-012 Residential in Commercial Initiated by Council on 12/9/21 • C20-2021-011 ADU Expansion Initiated by Council on 12/9/21 • C20-2021-014 Project Connect Initiated by Council on 10/29/22 • • C20-2021-006 Vertical Mixed Use Affordable Housing Initiated by PC on 7/27/21 Initiated by Council on 11/18/21 • • C20-2021-003 Downtown Density Bonus Updates Initiated by Council on …
PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR PROJECT CONNECT ORDINANCE DRAFT SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL CHANGES Project Connect is the City’s high-capacity public transit system expansion, PART 1. which will ultimately consist of a light rail network, an expanded bus system, transportation terminals and stations, maintenance facilities, and all associated improvements necessary for operation of the transit system. To facilitate the construction of this critical transportation infrastructure, certain modifications and waivers to City Code are necessary to ensure the construction of a high-capacity transit system. PART 2. This ordinance and the attached Exhibits A and B consist of the “Transit System Regulations”. Development of the Transit System shall conform to the limitations and conditions set forth in this ordinance. If this ordinance and the attached exhibits conflict, this ordinance controls. Except as otherwise provided by this ordinance, all other rules, regulations, and ordinances of the City apply. PART 3. The attached exhibits are incorporated into this ordinance in their entirety as though set forth fully in the text of this ordinance. The exhibits are as follows: A. B. Transit System Exhibit Rail Construction Noise and Mitigation Plan Requirements PART 4. Definitions. A) Transit System Project means a transportation project generally depicted on Exhibit A with any related appurtenances, including but not limited to a rail and public transit line, rail station, or a transportation terminal, funded by a public entity and located on publicly owned land or in the right-of-way or a public easement. B) Unless otherwise specifically defined, all terms in this ordinance shall have the meaning established in Title 25 of Code of the City of Austin, Texas (the “Land Development Code”). PART 5. A Transit System Project for rail lines or any associated infrastructure necessary to construct the rail lines must comply with a noise and mitigation plan approved by the City that meets the requirements listed in Exhibit B. To the extent there is a conflict with Chapter 9-2 (Noise and Amplified Sound), the approved noise and mitigation plan will control. PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR PROJECT CONNECT ORDINANCE DRAFT SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL CHANGES PART 6. Transit System Uses as described in 25-2-6(28). A) The use of a site for a traction powered substation is a Local Utility Service use B) The use of a site for the provision of maintenance, repair, vehicular or equipment servicing, material storage, or similar activities for rail lines is a Maintenance and Facilities use as described in …
RESOLUTION NO. 20211029-003 WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan ("ASMP") (Ordinance No. 20190411-033) is the transportation element of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan and calls for a 50/50 mode share by 2039, which includes increasing use of sustainable modes such as walking, bicycling, teleworking and transit; WHEREAS, City Council adopted Resolution No. 20190808-081 directing the City Manager to "analyze and report on options for the City of Austin and other related or interested public or private entities to leverage resources to support the creation, operation, and maintenance of a high-capacity transit system"; WHEREAS, Austin voters approved Project Connect, the regional high- capacity transit system, on November 3,2020; WHEREAS, on December 18,2020, the City of Austin and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority created a local government corporation named the Austin Transit Partnership Local Government Corporation to aid the City and Capital Metro and act on their behalf to accomplish the governmental purpose of implementing the Project Connect System Plan; WHEREAS, in a report entitled Saving Time and Making Cents: A Blueprintfor Building Transit Better ("Eno Report"), published in 2021, the Eno Center for Transportation identified local regulation, permitting, and decision- making procedures throughout the United States as an obstacle to achieving viable, cost-effective transit systems on par with those of peer nations; WHEREAS, noting that local development codes are generally ill- suited to the nature and scale of mass transit, the Eno Report found that jurisdictions that have successfully constructed mass transit systems apply modified regulations and review procedures to accommodate the unique challenges Page 1 0f 3 transit construction presents and the ways it differs from private development or conventional transportation and public works projects; WHEREAS, the City ofAustin's Land Development Code does not provide for the design and permitting of linear construction required for mobility and transit facilities that encompass large areas, include subsurface and above-ground elements, and span multiple zoning districts and watersheds; WHEREAS, greater flexibility and more carefully tailored regulations are required to facilitate construction of Project Connect; WHEREAS, City staff routinely interprets and applies City Code to development and capital improvement applications; WHEREAS, the Land Development Code, existing regulations, criteria, and procedures should be flexibly applied to facilitate construction of Project Connect to the greatest extent possible until existing requirements can be amended; WHEREAS, there are Project Connect MetroRapid and MetroRail projects currently moving forward in advance of the Orange and Blue Line light rail projects; …
EXHIBIT B – Rail Construction Noise and Mitigation Plan Requirements The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) will submit the required components listed below to be reviewed and approved by City Staff. City Staff will review the plan to ensure that all required components are present in the plan and are satisfactory to City Staff before approval. ATP commits to adhere and ensure that contracted parties responsible for light rail construction activities adhere to the policies and procedures housed within the submitted plans. The following components are required: 1. Construction Noise Mitigation and Monitoring Plan Construction noise impacts will be documented in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Mitigation measures identified in the Mitigation Monitoring Plan, affirmed in the FEIS and Record of Decision, will be included in contract documents, monitored for implementation during final design and construction. Measures to minimize impacts will include, but are not limited to: • • • Sound monitoring during construction Limiting idling and back up alarms of equipment Limiting certain activities during certain times 2. Noise Control Plan Requirements for Contractors during Construction ATP will require all contractors to submit a Noise Control Plan as part of their contract that addresses mitigation for their specific schedule, equipment, and methods of construction. ATP will submit their requirements of contractors for this plan to the City. The requirements will include, but are not limited to: Schedule (dates and times of day) and methods of construction • Contractor’s specific equipment types • • Maximum noise limits for each piece of equipment with certification testing • Prohibitions on certain types of equipment and processes during the night or daytime hours • • Methods for projecting construction noise levels • • Methods for responding to community complaints in line with the Programmatic Project Identification of specific sensitive locations near construction sites Implementation of noise control measures where appropriate Communications Plan. 3. Programmatic Project Communications Plan This plan will contain requirements for programmatic communications including how the program will communicate to the public about construction impacts and timelines, posting of public-facing materials, procedures for submission of noise and construction impact complaints, and how complaints will be handled. • This plan will be adhered to by all contractors for the program. This plan will dictate high-level requirements that ensure consistency of information, noticing, monitoring, reporting, and responding to complaints. Items that are …
INITIAL INVESTMENT | August 2021 SOUTHEND Lago Vista Pickup Zone FOUR POINTS OHLEN B u r n e t R d NORTHCROSS R R E E D D L L I I N N E E LBJ High School E E N N I I L L N N E E E E R R G G To Hutto 130 TOLL ELGIN ELGIN MANOR MANOR WILDHORSE WILDHORSE WILDHORSE LEANDER LEANDER LAKELINE LAKELINE LAKELINE HOWARD HOWARD To Georgetown Pflugerville Pickup Zone Stoney Creek Park TECH RIDGE TECH RIDGE TECH RIDGE TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER 45 TOLL PARMER PARMER Howard Ln 325 Walnut Creek Metro Park PARMER ACC Northridge BROADMOOR/DOMAIN BROADMOOR/DOMAIN BRAKER LN BRAKER KRAMER MCKALLA MCKALLA M e t r i c B l RUTLAND CROSSROADS LOOP 360 CRESTVIEW CRESTVIEW CRESTVIEW A A B B M M N N U U E E D D R R N N N N O O C C E E A A H H T T K K A A T T C C H H O O A A I I L L L L ALLANDALE KOENIG KOENIG NORTH LOOP TEXAS HEALTH COMMISSION A A C C C C H H I I G G H H L L A A N N D D T T O O T T E E C C H H R R I I D D G G E E RUNDBERG 325 Rundberg Ln NORTH LAMAR NORTH LAMAR NORTH LAMAR TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER 325 10 N L a m a r B l St Johns Ave 300 E x p o s i t i o n B l 335 Seton Hospital L a m a r B l UT/WEST MALL UT/WEST MALL Enfield Rd DOWNTOWN AREA DELCO CENTER DELCO CENTER d r R o n a M SPRINGDALE SHOPPING CENTER PHILOMENA BERKMAN/ MUELLER M LK Bl Oak Springs Dr ACC EASTVIEW GOVALLE GOVALLE HIGHLAND HIGHLAND HIGHLAND HIGHLAND TRIANGLE TRIANGLE TRIANGLE TRIANGLE 7 HYDE HYDE PARK PARK HEMPHILL HEMPHILL PARK PARK ST. DAVID’S 20 University of Texas S a n J a c i n t o B MEDICAL MEDICAL SCHOOL SCHOOL l 7 10 CAPITOL CAPITOL EAST EAST CLARKSON HANCOCK 38½ St AIRPORT BLVD MLK Dell Seton Hospital MLK 2 COMAL Emma Long Metro Park LOOP 360 WHELESS EXPO EXPO COLONY PARK COLONY PARK TOWN CENTER 51st St 300 WESTMINSTER …
Historic Design Standards City of Austin September 2022 Welcome In Austin, historic preservation encourages the preservation of historic buildings, structures, sites, and districts; promotes awareness of cultural and architectural heritage; and helps shape a more sustainable, equitable, and livable place. As the city grows, these Historic Design Standards will help property owners, designers, builders, and historic preservation professionals make consistent decisions about how to meet present-day needs while stewarding local built heritage and achieving larger goals. Clear standards and graphics show good practices, as well as changes to avoid. The Historic Design Standards were created by a working group representing property owners, designers, developers, advocates, and the Historic Landmark Commission. The working group sought to develop locally relevant standards grounded in national preservation principles. Many members are laypeople, and readability was a key concern: the standards needed to be understandable by property owners and neighbors considering whether to apply for historic district designation, as well as by architects. A Maintenance and Preservation chapter and illustrated glossary support those who want to learn more about architectural elements and materials. The Historic Design Standards promote long-term sustainability by supporting the retention and repair of existing buildings, which keep tons of old-growth wood and other material in use and out of the landfill. They also support sustainable solutions for making buildings more energy efficient now, from high-impact improvements like attic insulation and duct sealing to DIY changes such as weather-stripping around windows and doors. Historic Preservation Office staff are available to answer questions and provide feedback on proposed projects. Reach out to preservation@austintexas.gov or call (512) 974-3393. Left cover image: People looking out over Austin, ca. 1940s Acknowledgments Design Standards Working Group The Historic Landmark Commission created the Design Standards Working Group on September 24, 2018 to create a new set of historic design standards, with the goals of providing clear, user-friendly standards and guidelines for all historic property owners and of simplifying the historic district application process. This document is the product of the working group’s efforts and is modeled on the Preservation Austin design standards template produced through a community initiative in April 2011. David Carroll, AIA Urban Design Commission, preservation architect Janet Beinke Historic district property owner Cara Bertron Historic Preservation Office staff Madeline Clites Preservation consultant Angela Gaudette Historic Preservation Office staff Laura Keating Urban Design staff Marie Oehlerking-Read Texas Historical Commission staff (prev.) Misael Ramos Representative from potential …
Frequently Asked Questions This FAQ sheet is intended to provide a brief orientation to the Historic Design Standards. Please contact preservation@austintexas.gov if you have further questions. 1 Why were the Historic Design Standards I own a property in a locally designated historic developed? Don’t we already have standards for district. How will the Historic Design Standards 3 historic properties? affect me? The Historic Design Standards were developed to clarify existing standards for historic landmarks and National Register districts. They will also make the historic district application process easier and more equitable for new districts. The Historic Design Standards will not affect previously agreed-upon design standards for existing historic districts. They do align with existing district design standards and may be adopted by property owners within each district if desired. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation form the foundation of preservation practice in the United States and are used in Austin to evaluate proposed changes to historic landmarks and in National Register districts. However, these very general standards can be hard to interpret when planning and evaluating specific projects. The Historic Design Standards clarify them with more specific good practices and illustrations. Right now, community members compiling a historic district application must hire a consultant or learn how to develop their own design standards. Then multiple rounds of review are required with other property owners and City staff. This adds time and cost to the application process—and results in design standards that are nearly identical to those for other districts. The Historic Design Standards will provide a consistent, predictable set of standards for all areas considering historic district designation. I own a historic landmark. How will the Historic 2 Design Standards affect me? If adopted by City Council, the Historic Design Standards will clarify existing standards for exterior changes to historic landmarks, as well as new construction on landmarked properties. The Historic Design Standards are based on the standards that City staff and the Historic Landmark Commission already use to evaluate projects. However, they are clearer, more specific, and easier to use. No process changes are proposed. 4 I own a property in a National Register district. How will the Historic Design Standards affect me? If adopted by City Council, the Historic Design Standards will clarify existing guidelines for National Register district properties. The Historic Design Standards are based on the standards that City staff and the Historic Landmark …
REGULAR MEETING CODES AND ORDINANCES JOINT COMMITTEE MINUTES Wednesday, August 17, 2022 The Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 17, at 1000 E. 11th St, Street Jones Building, Room 400A, Austin, TX 78702. Chair Barrera-Ramirez called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm. Committee Members in Attendance: Jolene Kiolbassa Awais Azhar Claire Hempel (Vice-Chair) City Staff in Attendance: Jorge Rousselin, Housing and Planning Department Andrea Bates, Watershed Protection Department Liz Johnston, Watershed Protection Department Pamela Abee-Taulli, Watershed Protection Department Katie Coyne, Watershed Protection Department Ann Denkler Nadia Barrera-Ramirez (Chair) CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the June 15, 2022, meeting minutes. The June 15 minutes will be available for approval at a future meeting. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Election of Officers. Elect a chair and vice-chair of the Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee. A motion was made to re-elect Commissioner Barrera-Ramirez as Chair and Commissioner Hempel as Vice Chair by Commissioner Azhar, seconded by Commissioner Kiolbassa. Vote: 5-0 (Commissioners Shaw and Anderson absent). 3. Environmental, Drainage, and Landscape Amendments. Discuss and consider a recommendation for adoption of an ordinance amending Title 25 of the City Code relating to environmental, drainage, and landscape requirements. City Staff: Liz Johnston, Watershed Protection Department, (512) 974-2619, Liz.Johnston@austintexas.gov Katie Coyne and Liz Johnston gave a presentation on a suite of amendments to the LDC Facilitator: Commissioner Barrera-Ramirez, Chair of COJC City Attorney: None 1 that would require green stormwater infrastructure as well as functional green elements. There was some concern from commissioners about the cost of these new requirements and how they might apply to sites that already have high impervious cover, such as in the downtown area. There was also discussion about whether the requirements would encourage or deter missing middle housing. A request was made to forward the backup to the ZAP Commission. No action taken. 4. North Burnet/Gateway Regulating Plan Subdistrict. Discuss and consider a recommendation for adoption of an ordinance amending Title 25 of the City Code to modify the Commercial Mixed Use – Gateway Zone Subdistrict of the North Burnet/Gateway Regulating Plan, to increase the maximum floor-area ratio (FAR) and building height when using a development bonus. City Staff: Jorge Rousselin, Housing and Planning Department, (512) 974-2975, Jorge.Rousselin@austintexas.gov Jorge Rousselin gave a presentation on a chance to a NBG subdistrict that would allow additional height and …
1 JOINT COMMITTEE ON CODES & ORDINANCES SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 DESIGN STANDARDS WORKING GROUP 3 PROCESS SEPT 2018 2019 JUNE 2020 Standards revised; graphics added NOV DEC HLC forms Design Standards Working Group Draft released for community review Working group does deep dive, creates draft UT graduate class surveys national best practices 2 SEPT -OCT DEC 2022 Initiation and recommend. (JSOC, Planning Commission) Review and possible approval by City Council Working group recommends Historic Design Standards; HLC adopts resolution in support Review by: -Planning Commission 12/8/20 -Zoning and Platting Commission 12/1/20 -Downtown Commission 12/16/20 -Design Commission 12/21/20 DESIGN STANDARDS Historic districts 5 Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation 1. A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships. 2. The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided. 3. Each property will be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or elements from other historic properties, will not be undertaken. 4. Changes to a property that have acquired historic significance in their own right will be retained and preserved. 5. Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property will be preserved. 6. Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence. 7. Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, will be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. Treatments that cause damage to historic materials will not be used. 8. Archeological resources will be protected and preserved in place. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures will be undertaken. 9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction will not destroy historic materials, features, and spatial relationships that characterize the property. The new work will be differentiated from the old and will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment. 10. …
