Page 1 of 3 DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019 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) Beau Frail (District 6) Martha Gonzalez, Vice-Chair (District 2) Katie Holloran (District 7) Samuel Franco (District 3) Aan Coleman (District 8) Josue Meiners (District 4) Bart Whatley (District 9) Melissa Henao-Robledo (District 5) Ben Luckens (District 10) Evan Taniguchi (Mayor) CITY OF AUSTIN PLANNING & ZONING STAFF Jorge Rousselin, Executive Liaison Art Zamorano, Staff Liaison Aaron D. Jenkins, Staff Liaison Patrick Colunga, Staff Liaison AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. 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; 3. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether The 90 Rainey project, addressed at 90 Rainey Street, complies with the Urban Design Guidelines, a gatekeeper requirement for the Downtown Density Bonus Program (LDC §25‐2‐586(C)(1)(a)(ii)) Amanda Swor Drenner Group; Carson Nelson, Nelson Partners; Daniel Woodroffe, DWG) 4. OLD BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): b. None; Page 2 of 3 5. COMMISSION-SPECIFIC BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action on the November 25, 2019 meeting minutes; b. Discussion and possible action on 2020 Downtown Density Bonus Working Group Schedule 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); Urban Design Guidelines 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: a. Courtesy Briefing of the Austin Core Transportation Plan from Austin Transportation Department 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS: a. Chair Announcements; b. Items from Commission Members; c. Items from City Staff; 8. 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), …
David Carroll, ChairMartha Gonzales, Vice ChairAan ColemanBeau FrailSamuel FrancoKatie HalloranMelissa Henao-RobledoBen LuckensJosue MeinersEvan TaniguchiBart WhatleyJorge Rousselin,Executive LiaisonAaron D. JenkinsStaff LiaisonPatrick ColungaStaff LiaisonDesign Commission - Recommendation for 17th and Guadalupe Apartment ProjectPage 1 City of Austin Design Commission 1 of 1 DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20191216-03A Date: December 19, 2019 Subject: Design Commission recommendation for the project located at 90 Rainey Street, to determine substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines. Motioned By: Aan Coleman Seconded By: Evan Taniguchi Recommendation: The Austin Design Commission recommends that the 90 Rainey Street project, as presented on December 16, 2019, is in substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines. Further, the Commission agreed that additional Community Benefits should be required for this project, beyond the onsite affordable housing, for exceeding the maximum 15:1 FAR allowed in this district by more than 200%. Rationale: Honorable Mayor, City Council Members, Planning Commission, and Director of Planning and Zoning, This letter is to confirm the Design Commission’s recommendation that the 90 Rainey Street project, as presented to the body on December 16, 2019 substantially complies with the Urban Design Guidelines as one of the gatekeeper requirements of the Downtown Density Bonus Program. The Commission also feels strongly that the Planning Commission, and City Council, should request additional Community Benefits from this project, beyond the onsite affordable housing being proposed, for exceeding the 15:1 FAR maximum in this district. These additional Community Benefits could include: 1. Mobility: Address mobility and pedestrian safety issues that will be exacerbated by this project putting thousands of more people on Rainey Street. These could focus on alternative modes such as pedestrian, rideshare, scooter, bicycle, etc. (It should be noted that the TIA results for this project were not available at the time this project was reviewed by the Design Commission.) 2. Food: Offer expanded hours and low-cost food options at the food service window being proposed. 3. Public Services: Consider providing a water bottle filling station, open to the public, for trail users and for late night users needing to hydrate. 4. Public Streetscape: Ensure an openness to the Bar component design to provide a connection to the public realm that reflects the character of the Rainey district. Respectfully, City of Austin Design Commission Vote: 7 - 0 - 0 For: David Carroll, Aan Coleman, Katie Halloran, Evan Taniguchi, Beau Frail, Melissa Henao-Robledo, Josue Meiners Absent: Bart Whatley, Martha Gonzalez, Ben Lukens, Samuel …
DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20191216-05E December 20, 2019 Re: Update to the Urban Design Guidelines for Austin Honorable Mayor Adler and City Council Members, The Design Commission prides itself in assisting the development of public policy and promoting excellence in the design of the urban environment in Austin. Thanks to our collective expertise, ranging from urban and landscape design, public policy, and architecture, the Design Commission helps shape the future of downtown through our shared vision found in the Urban Design Guidelines. That being said, since the Urban Design Guidelines were adopted by City Council in 2009 Austin has experienced tremendous growth and rapid change. During this time, Council has adopted many new policies that have influenced the vision of our urban core and the now ten-year-old Urban Design Guidelines no longer reflect Austin’s current values. Consequently, the Design Commission respectfully requests that City Council direct staff to initiate a revision process to the Urban Design Guidelines to better align them with Austin’s adopted policies; including, but not limited to: The Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, the Downtown Austin Plan, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, the Austin Core Transportation Plan, Vision Zero, and the Austin Community Climate Plan. Further, the Design Commission requests to be an integral part of this revision process. We offer our expertise to work alongside staff crafting these revisions and it is our hope that by updating the Urban Design Guidelines to reflect Austin’s current policy goals we will have a better tool to influence the design of our urban core. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to supporting Urban Design Guidelines that promote Austin’s vision of a world class urban environment. Sincerely, David Carroll, AIA Chair, City of Austin Design Commission
1/4 MEMORANDUM Date: November 27, 2019 To: City of Austin Design Commission From: Planning & Urban Design Working Group Subject: Downtown Density Bonus Program review of 90 Rainey Street project for substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines. Meeting Date: November 21, 2019; 12:00 pm, One Texas Center, Room 500 Applicant: Amanda Swor – Drenner Group Architect: Nelsen Partners The project is located at the corner of Rainey and Davis Streets. Existing zoning for the property is CBD. It lies within the boundary of the Rainey Street Subdistrict of the Waterfront Overlay and the Rainey Street District of the Downtown Austin Plan. The lot area is 0.3674 acres (16,004 SF) and the total proposed project area is 582,513 square feet. The proposed FAR for this project is 36.7:1, this is more than the base 8:1 FAR allowed and more than the maximum 15:1 FAR administratively allowed so City Council must approve an increase in FAR of 28.7:1. The proposed building height is 606 feet with 53 floors. The proposed breakdown of areas is Residential: 227,180 SF, Hotel: 349,508 SF, & Restaurant/Bar: 5,825 SF. Per the Density Bonus Program ordinance, the applicant is required, at a minimum, to meet the three gatekeeper requirements: 1. Substantially comply with the City’s Urban Design Guidelines 2. Provide streetscape improvements that meet the Great Streets Program Standards. 3. Commit to a minimum of 2-Star rating under Austin Energy’s Green Building Program. WORKING GROUP COMMENTS REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES AREA WIDE GUIDELINES 1. Create dense development- 36.4:1 FAR being requested. Height is also taller than most building in this area. Project complies with this section. 2. Create mixed-use development- The project has residential, hotel, and restaurant/bar use. This project complies with this section. 3. Limit development which closes downtown streets- This project is not proposing to permanently close any streets. Project complies with this section. 4. Buffer neighborhood edges- Project is not on neighborhood edge. Section not applicable to this project. 5. Incorporate civic art in both public and private development- Project is proposing wall mural along Rainey Street. Project complies with this section. 6. Protect important public views- Project is not within the Capitol View Corridor and does not encroach ROW. This project complies with this section. 7. Avoid historical misrepresentations- Project design is a modern style. Project complies. 2/4 8. Respect adjacent historic buildings- Project complies. 9. Acknowledge that rooftops are …
Page 1 of 2 DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 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 Carroll at 6:05 PM. Member List X David Carroll – Chair X Melissa Hanao-Robledo Martha Gonzalez – Vice-Chair Ben Luckens X Aan Coleman X Evan Taniguchi Beau Frail X Bart Whatley X Samuel Franco Josue Meiners Katie Halloran Vice-Chair Gonzalez and Commissioners Frail, Halloran, Luckens and Meiners were absent. Support Staff in attendance: Jorge Rousselin (Executive Liaison; PAZ); Aaron Jenkins (Staff Liaison; PAZ); Art Zamorano (Staff Liaison; PAZ); Patrick Colunga (Staff Liaison; PAZ) 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Courtesy briefing of the Waller Creek/Palm District Planning Initiative (Stevie Greathouse, COAPAZ); Stevie Greathouse provided a briefing on the Waller Creek/Palm District Planning Imitative No action was taken 3. OLD BUSINESS (Discussion and possible action): None; 4. COMMISSION-SPECIFIC BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action on the October 28, 2019 meeting minutes; Instead say “The motion to approve the minutes, as drafted, was made by Commissioner A. Coleman and seconded by Commissioner E. Taniguchi. The motion was approved on a vote of [6-0-0]. Page 2 of 2 b. ” Liaison Reports; Commissioner Hanao-Robledo- Was not present for the Downtown commission meeting, but was informed that they discussed the following; Capitol Complex North Congress Ave Project Connect Downtown Crime and Clean Up Chair Carroll – Huston-Tilloston University study on Affordability and housing in East Austin. Land Development Code with a focus on the environmental aspect c. Appointment of Committee/Working Group members by Chair; Chair Carroll- 2020 working group status; nothing yet d. This item has been postponed to the next meeting as Vice-Chair M. Gonzalez was not available to present” however comments were made by the following commissioners: Commissioner E. Taniguchi – made comments on the wording of some of the bullet points in the letter Commissioner B. Whatley – wants the document to be flexible and not to be too specific, however keeping the focus on the principles of the design commission such as human scale Commissioner A. Coleman – Expressed concern about the timing of the letter and recommended setting a deadline 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Chairman D. Carol requested Future briefing of Austin Core Transportation Plan 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS: a. Chair Announcements: Chairman – D. Carrol requested …
Working Group MeetingDesign Commission MeetingWorking Group MeetsWith ApplicantChair Finalizes Working Group MemoBackup Materials DueWorking Group Memo Posted Regularly-Scheduled Design Commission Meeting25-27 Days(4 weeks before)21 Days before(3 weeks)7 Business Days BeforeDesign Commission72 Hours BeforeDesign Commission4th Monday of Month*No SessionNo SessionJanuary 15th No SessionJanuary 27th January 30th February 3rdFebruary 12thFebruary 21stFebruary 24thFebruary 27thMarch 2ndMarch 11th March 20thMarch 23rdApril 2nd April 6thApril 15th April 24th April 27th April 23rd April 26thMay 13thMay 15th*May 18thMay 28th1-JunJune 10thJune 19thJune 22ndJune 25th July 2-5July 30thAugust 3rdAugust 12th August 21stAugust 24th September 3rdSeptember 7thSeptember 16thSeptember 25th September 28th October 1stOctober 5thOctober 14th October 23rd October 26th October 22ndOctober 21stNovember 4th November 13th*November 16th November 19thNovember 23rdDecember 2nd December 11th *December 14th * Except in May, November, and DecemberNO JULY MEETING2020 Design Commission Downtown Density Bonus Working Group Calander and Deadlines
December XX, 2019 Re: Update to the Urban Design Guidelines Honorable Mayor Adler and City Council Members The Design Commission prides itself in assisting in developing public policy and promoting excellence in the design of the urban environment in Austin. Thanks to our collective expertise, ranging from urban and landscape design, public policy, and architecture, the Design Commission helps shape the future of downtown through our shared vision of the Urban Design Guidelines. That being said, since the Urban Design Guidelines were adopted by Council in 2009 Austin has been experiencing tremendous growth and rapid change. During this time, the city has adopted many new policies that have influenced the vision of our urban core and the now ten-year-old Urban Design Guidelines no longer reflect these new values. Therefore, the Design Commission respectfully requests that City Council direct staff to initiate a revision process for the Urban Design Guidelines to better align them with the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, the Downtown Austin Plan, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, the Austin Core Transportation Plan, Vision Zero, and the Austin Community Climate Plan. Further, the Design Commission requests to be an integral part of this revision process. We offer our expertise to work alongside staff crafting these revisions. Our hope is that by updating the Urban Design Guidelines to reflect Austin’s current priorities, and vision, we will have a better tool to influence the future design of our urban core. We appreciate your attention to this matter……… Sincerely………. October 25,2019 Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, The Design commission prides itself in promoting the ideals and principles set forth by Imagine Austin through contributing guidance and recommendations for future development impacting the public realm. The public realm is the most extensive and personal connection to our citizens, it creates a physical manifestation of our values and investment in community, mobility, equity, social justice, and sustainability. Thanks to the collective expertise of the board, ranging from urban and landscape design, public policy, and architecture, the Design Commission’s critical evaluation of future projects protects our community from hasty and opportunistic development by providing an avenue for discourse and collaboration. The Design Commission would like to update you on the current state of the Urban Design Guidelines, the tool by which all projects we review are measured for substantial compliance. The purpose of these guidelines is to hold future development to a higher standard that reflects the …
