Page 1 of 3 DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 AT 6:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W. SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Commission Members _____ David Carroll, Chair (District 1) _____ Aan Coleman (District 8) _____ Martha Gonzalez, Vice-Chair (District 2) _____ Beau Frail (District 6) _____ Samuel Franco (District 3) _____ Katie Halloran (District 7) _____ Melissa Henao-Robledo (District 5) _____ Ben Luckens (District 10) City of Austin Planning & Zoning Staff _____ Evan Taniguchi (Mayor) _____ Jorge Rousselin, Executive Liaison _____ Bart Whatley (District 9) _____ Art Zamorano, Staff Liaison _____ Josue Meiners (District 4) ____ Aaron Jenkins, Staff Liaison AGENDA CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL a. The first five speakers, who shall sign up prior to the Call to Order, will each have three minutes to speak regarding items not on the agenda; 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. None; 3. OLD BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. None; Page 2 of 3 4. COMMISSION-SPECIFIC BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action on the September 23, 2019 meeting minutes; b. Discussion and possible action on the 2020 Design Commission Schedule request c. Liaison Reports; d. Appointment of Committee/Working Group members by Chair; e. Discussion of a letter to City Council regarding updating the Urban Design Guidelines (Vice-Chair M. Gonzalez); f. Discussion and possible action on the Memo Recommending Code Amendments related to the Downtown Density Bonus Program (Chair D. Carroll); 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: a. None; 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS: a. Chair Announcements; b. Items from Commission Members; c. Items from City Staff; 7. 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 alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please contact Aaron Jenkins in the Planning and Zoning Department Aaron.Jenkins@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2752, for additional information. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Page 3 of 3 Design Commission: Committees, Working Groups, Representatives and Liaisons Committees 1. Executive Committee: D. Carroll (Chair), M. Gonzalez (Vice Chair) Working Groups 1. Planning & Urban Design Working Group: E. Taniguchi, B. Whatley, A. Coleman, D. Carroll 2. Architecture & Development Working Group: B. Whatley, M. Gonzalez, D. …
1/2 DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Date: November 04, 2019 Re: Land Development Code amendments related to the Downtown Density Bonus Program Honorable Mayor Adler and City Council Members, In Austin, high-rise projects that comply with the current Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) can be awarded more than three-times the floor area than the base zoning allows in exchange for what today are considered modest design improvements. The Design Commission is a strong advocate for downtown density, but we also find that the DDBP is dated and does not create public benefits comparable to the entitlements that these projects receive. We are specifically concerned that the DDBP is not well aligned with more recently adopted policy goals including: mobility1, pedestrian safety2, climate and sustainability3, livability and affordability4. For example, a developer may approach the Design Commission with entitlements for an eight-story commercial building, and if compliant with the DDBP, walk away with the ability to construct 24 stories of hotel space (hundreds of units), and 8 stories of parking (thousands of additional parking spaces), in exchange for modest street level improvements5, and perhaps somewhat more energy efficient building design6. The Downtown Density Bonus Program’s gatekeeper requirements do not account for: • Design for ride share queuing and associated pedestrian safety • Public access to structured parking garages or parking demand management systems • Parking structures designed for future re-use as livable space • Downtown mobility planning, i.e. support for alternative mobility options through funding, and discouragement of parking structures, especially if not designed to support transit system. To this end, the Design Commission respectfully requests that Council consider a resolution directing the City Manager to assign multi-departmental staff7 to assist the Commission in drafting proposed code amendments to better align the DDBP with the city’s adopted goals. Input from public stakeholders will play an important role in this process as well to ensure the DDBP remains functional and attractive to developers. Further, the Design Commission recommends that the process to amend the Downtown Density Bonus Program should include an examination of the following recommendations: 1 Austin Strategic Mobility Plan 2 Vision Zero 3 Austin Community Climate Plan 4 Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan 5 City of Austin Great Streets Program. 6 Two-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building Program. 7 Austin Transportation Department, Office of Sustainability, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development with Capital Metro partnership. 2/2 FUNCTIONALITY • If a DDBP applicant receives …
1/2 DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Date: October 21, 2019 Re: Land Development Code amendments related to the Downtown Density Bonus Program Honorable Mayor Adler and City Council Members, In Austin, high-rise projects that comply with the current Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) can be awarded over three-times the floor area than the base zoning allows in exchange for what today are considered modest design improvements. The Design Commission is a strong advocate for downtown density, but we are also finding that the DDBP has become dated and does not create public benefits comparable to the entitlements that these projects receive. We are specifically concerned that the DDBP is not well aligned with the more recently adopted policy goals including: mobility1, pedestrian safety2, climate and sustainability3, livability and affordability4. For example, a developer may approach the Design Commission with entitlements for an eight-story commercial building, and if compliant with the DDBP, walk away with the ability to construct 24 stories of hotel space (hundreds of units), and 8 stories of parking (thousands of additional parking spaces), in exchange for modest street level improvements5, and perhaps somewhat more energy efficient building design6. The Downtown Density Bonus Program’s gatekeeper requirements do not account for: • Design for ride share queuing and associated pedestrian safety • Public access to structured parking garages or parking demand management systems • Parking structures designed for future re-use as livable space • Downtown mobility planning, i.e. support for alternative mobility options through funding, and discouragement of parking structures, especially if not designed to support transit system. To this end, the Design Commission respectfully requests that Council consider a resolution directing the City Manager to assign multi-departmental staff7 to assist the Commission in drafting proposed code amendments to better align the DDBP with the city’s adopted goals. Input from public stakeholders will play an important role in this process as well to ensure the DDBP remains functional and attractive to developers. Further, the Design Commission recommends that the process to amend the Downtown Density Bonus Program should include examining the following recommendations: 1 Austin Strategic Mobility Plan 2 Vision Zero 3 Austin Community Climate Plan 4 Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan 5 City of Austin Great Streets Program. 6 Two-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building Program. 7 Austin Transportation Department, Office of Sustainability, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development with Capital Metro partnership. 2/2 FUNCTIONALITY • If a DDBP applicant receives …
1/2 DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Date: November 04, 2019 Re: Land Development Code amendments related to the Downtown Density Bonus Program Honorable Mayor Adler and City Council Members, In Austin, high-rise projects that comply with the current Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) can be awarded more than three-times the floor area than the base zoning allows in exchange for what today are considered modest design improvements. The Design Commission is a strong advocate for downtown density, but we also find that the DDBP is dated and does not create public benefits comparable to the entitlements that these projects receive. We are specifically concerned that the DDBP is not well aligned with more recently adopted policy goals including: mobility1, pedestrian safety2, climate and sustainability3, livability and affordability4. For example, a developer may approach the Design Commission with entitlements for an eight-story commercial building, and if compliant with the DDBP, walk away with the ability to construct 24 stories of hotel space (hundreds of units), and 8 stories of parking (thousands of additional parking spaces), in exchange for modest street level improvements5, and perhaps somewhat more energy efficient building design6. The Downtown Density Bonus Program’s gatekeeper requirements do not account for: • Design for ride share queuing and associated pedestrian safety • Public access to structured parking garages or parking demand management systems • Parking structures designed for future re-use as livable space • Downtown mobility planning, i.e. support for alternative mobility options through funding, and discouragement of parking structures, especially if not designed to support transit system. To this end, the Design Commission respectfully requests that Council consider a resolution directing the City Manager to assign multi-departmental staff7 to assist the Commission in drafting proposed code amendments to better align the DDBP with the city’s adopted goals. Input from public stakeholders will play an important role in this process as well to ensure the DDBP remains functional and attractive to developers. Further, the Design Commission recommends that the process to amend the Downtown Density Bonus Program should include an examination of the following recommendations: 1 Austin Strategic Mobility Plan 2 Vision Zero 3 Austin Community Climate Plan 4 Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan 5 City of Austin Great Streets Program. 6 Two-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building Program. 7 Austin Transportation Department, Office of Sustainability, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development with Capital Metro partnership. 2/2 FUNCTIONALITY • If a DDBP applicant receives …
2020 DESIGN COMMISSION MEETING CALENDAR Austin City Hall 301 W. Second Street, Austin, Texas, 78701 Boards and Commissions Room 1101 6:00 PM Meeting Date Mondays at 6:00 p.m. (Unless otherwise noted) Application Deadline 10 Business Days Prior to Meeting by 2:00 PM (No Exceptions) Materials Deadline 7 Business Days Prior to Meeting by 2:00 PM (No Exceptions) January 27th January 10th January 15th February 24th February 7th February 12th March 23rd March 6th March 11th April 27th April 10th April 15th 1May 18th May 1st May 13th June 22nd June 5th June 10th July – No Meeting August 24th August 7th August 12th September 28th September 11th September 16th October 26th October 9th October 14th 2November 16th November 2nd November 4th 3December 14th 4December 1st December 2nd 1 Meeting moved from 4th Monday to 3rd Monday due to Memorial Day 2 Meeting moved from 4th Monday to 3rd Monday due to Thanksgiving Holiday occurring this week 3 Meeting moved from 4th Monday to 2nd Monday due to Christmas Holiday 4 Deadlines moved due to the Christmas Holiday
Page 1 of 3 DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 6:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W. SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Meeting Minutes Call to order by: Chair D. Carroll at 6:01 p.m. Member List X David Carroll – Chair X Melissa Henao-Robledo X Martha Gonzalez – Vice-Chair X Ben Luckens X Aan Coleman X Evan Taniguchi X Beau Frail X Bart Whatley X Samuel Franco X Josue Meiners X Katie Halloran Support Staff in attendance: Jorge Rousselin (Executive Liaison; PAZ); Nichole Koerth (Staff Liaison; PAZ); Aaron Jenkins (Staff Liaison; PAZ) Commissioner B. Frail arrived at 6:02 p.m. Vice-Chair M. Gonzalez arrived at 6:04 p.m. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether The Travis project, addressed at 80 Red River Street, complies with the Urban Design Guidelines, a gatekeeper requirement for the Downtown Density Bonus Program (LDC §25‐2‐586(C)(1)(a)(ii)) (Leah Bojo, Drenner Group; Gordon Ip, Genesis Living; Mike Fraze, Studio Outside; Stephen Drenner, Drenner Group); Stephen Drenner presented, with assistance from Michael Schooler (GDA Architects) and Mike Fraze (Studio Outside) The motion to support the project, as it complies with the Urban Design Guidelines, was made by Commissioner A. Coleman and seconded by Commissioner E. Taniguchi. A friendly amendment regarding communication with Capital Metro in consideration to transit location was made by Commissioner K. Halloran. The friendly amendment was accepted by Commissioners A. Coleman and E. Taniguchi. Page 2 of 3 A friendly amendment to consider more public restrooms be included in the plan was made by Commissioner B. Frail. The friendly amendment was accepted by Commissioners A. Coleman and E. Taniguchi. A friendly amendment to consider opening the proposed dog park to the public was made by Commissioner S. Franco. The friendly amendment was accepted by Commissioners A. Coleman and E. Taniguchi. The motion, including the friendly amendments, was approved by a unanimous vote of [11-0-0]. b. Courtesy briefing and discussion on the Walter E. Long Master Plan project (Ricardo Soliz, COA-PARD; Gregory Montes, COA- PARD; Kim McKnight, COA-PARD); Gregory Montes presented. No action taken. Commissioner B. Whatley left the dais at 8:09 pm. c. Courtesy briefing and discussion of the Street Impact Fee proposal (Cole Kitten, COA-ATD; Liane Miller, COA- ATD); Liane Miller presented. No action taken. 3. OLD BUSINESS (Discussion and possible Action): a. None 4. …
2020 DESIGN COMMISSION MEETING CALENDAR Austin City Hall 301 W. Second Street, Austin, Texas, 78701 Boards and Commissions Room 1101 6:00 PM Meeting Date Mondays at 6:00 p.m. (Unless otherwise noted) Application Deadline 10 Business Days Prior to Meeting by 2:00 PM (No Exceptions) Materials Deadline 7 Business Days Prior to Meeting by 2:00 PM (No Exceptions) January 27th January 10th January 15th February 24th February 7th February 12th March 23rd March 6th March 11th April 27th April 10th April 15th 1May 18th May 1st May 13th June 22nd June 5th June 10th July 27th July 10th July 15th August 24th August 7th August 12th September 28th September 11th September 16th October 26th October 9th October 14th November 23rd November 6th 2November 12th 3December 14th 4December 1st December 2nd 1 Meeting moved from 4th Monday to 3rd Monday due to Memorial Day 2 Deadline moved due to Veterans Day 3 Meeting moved from 4th Monday to 2nd Monday due to Christmas Holiday 4 Deadlines moved due to the Christmas Holiday
1/2 DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Date: October 21, 2019 Re: Land Development Code amendments related to the Downtown Density Bonus Program Honorable Mayor Adler and City Council Members, In Austin, high-rise projects that comply with the current Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) can be awarded over three-times the floor area than the base zoning allows in exchange for what today are considered modest design improvements. The Design Commission is a strong advocate for downtown density, but we are also finding that the DDBP has become dated and does not create public benefits comparable to the entitlements that these projects receive. We are specifically concerned that the DDBP is not well aligned with the more recently adopted policy goals including: mobility1, pedestrian safety2, climate and sustainability3, livability and affordability4. For example, a developer may approach the Design Commission with entitlements for an eight-story commercial building, and if compliant with the DDBP, walk away with the ability to construct 24 stories of hotel space (hundreds of units), and 8 stories of parking (thousands of additional parking spaces), in exchange for modest street level improvements5, and perhaps somewhat more energy efficient building design6. The Downtown Density Bonus Program’s gatekeeper requirements do not account for: • Design for ride share queuing and associated pedestrian safety • Public access to structured parking garages or parking demand management systems • Parking structures designed for future re-use as livable space • Downtown mobility planning, i.e. support for alternative mobility options through funding, and discouragement of parking structures, especially if not designed to support transit system. To this end, the Design Commission respectfully requests that Council consider a resolution directing the City Manager to assign multi-departmental staff7 to assist the Commission in drafting proposed code amendments to better align the DDBP with the city’s adopted goals. Input from public stakeholders will play an important role in this process as well to ensure the DDBP remains functional and attractive to developers. Further, the Design Commission recommends that the process to amend the Downtown Density Bonus Program should include examining the following recommendations: 1 Austin Strategic Mobility Plan 2 Vision Zero 3 Austin Community Climate Plan 4 Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan 5 City of Austin Great Streets Program. 6 Two-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building Program. 7 Austin Transportation Department, Office of Sustainability, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development with Capital Metro partnership. 2/2 FUNCTIONALITY • If a DDBP applicant receives …
