REGULAR MEETING of the DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024, 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Design Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Nicole Corona, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Conners Ladner AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Chi Lee Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on December 11, 2023. 1. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Equity-Based Preservation Plan. Presented by Cara Bertron, Planning Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Discussion and possible action to consider a recommendation to support the Green Streets Initiative. Presented by Jana McCann, McCann Adams Studio. Sponsors: Chair Salinas, Commissioner Wittstruck WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding updates to the guidelines. Update from representative of the Downtown Commission regarding last meeting. Update from representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding last meeting. Update from representative of the South-Central Waterfront Advisory Board regarding last 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 alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call or email Nicole Corona at the Housing and Planning Department, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Design Commission, please contact Nicole Corona at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov.
DESIGN COMMISSION | FEBRUARY 26, 2024 Austin History Center (C05767, PICA 24201, PICA 29995), Chen Chen Wu, City of Austin Plan Vision Historic preservation in Austin actively engages communities in protecting and sharing important places and stories. Preservation uses the past to create a shared sense of belonging and to shape an equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and economically vital future for all. Joe’s Bakery, anonymous, Amy Moreland/ Austin’s Atlas Community-Based Process 12 months 22 working group and drafting committee meetings 1,100 working group hours 38 focus group hours 2,200+ staff hours Icons from the Noun Project: Community by Gan Khoon Lay, focus group by mikicon, committee by Adrien Coquet Community-Based Process “Being part of the working group was a great experience mainly because the members had diverse backgrounds, but the same goal. It was a rare learning experience.” Michelle Benavides Ursula A. Carter Linda Y. Jackson Brenda Malik Emily Payne Gilbert Rivera 1 Brita Wallace* 1 Justin Bragiel 2 Mary Jo Galindo* Meghan King* Alyson McGee 1 Rocio Peña-Martinez* JuanRaymon Rubio 2 Bob Ward 1 Noel Bridges Jerry Garcia 1 Jolene Kiolbassa 1 Debra Murphy 2 Misael Ramos* Maria Solis* 1 Caroline Wright 1 *Drafting Committee member 1 Phase 1 only 2 Phase 2 only Julia Brookins* Ben Goudy 2 Kevin Koch Robin Orlowski 2 Mary Reed* 1 Erin Waelder Amalia Carmona 2 Hanna Huang* 1 Kelechi Madubuko Leslie Ornelas 1 Lori Renteria 1 Equity-Based Preservation Plan REVIEWING THE DRAFT Neal Douglass, Oct. 1949, ND-49-346-02, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. Draft Plan Goals 1. Tell Austin’s full history 9. Proactively identify important places 2. Recognize cultural heritage 10. Follow good designation practices 3. Preserve archaeological resources 11. Support stewardship of community 4. Stabilize communities assets 5. Support environmental sustainability 12. Be strategic with review 6. Engage communities equitably 13. Protect historic resources 7. Support people doing the work 14. Implement the plan collaboratively 8. Engage new partners What We Preserve Parade and mural unveiling (The Austin Chronicle), San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation Think broadly. • Recognize Austin’s rich and complex history through active listening, inclusive research, and interpretation • Better recognize and protect legacy businesses, murals, and archaeological resources • Use preservation tools to support community stabilization and environmental sustainability Who Preserves Invite and support. • Help people access knowledge, resources, and decision-making power • Streamline and explain historic review and designation processes • Support craftspeople, commissioners, and staff …
GREEN STREETS INITIATIVE to Keep Austin Cool February 26, 2024 City of Austin Design Commission Presentation Prepared by Kevin Howard, Urbinden, Jana McCann, FAIA, McCann Adams Studio and Kate McCarroll, LBJ School 2024 MPAF Candidate WHY AUSTIN NEEDS GREEN STREETS • We can address growth and climate change using public rights-of-way. As heat increases, shade and evaporative cooling from trees will be necessary for life, health and safety. • Street trees make walking, biking and taking transit possible in our increasingly longer and hotter summers. • Increasing vegetation - particularly trees - is an effective way to make Austin more livable and resilient to the effects of climate change. • Street trees are essential urban infrastructure, not just “nice-to-haves” or beautification”. Example of continuous shade trees at curbside, providing both shade and protection from road for sidewalk users STREET TREE BENEFITS LIFE SAFETY HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH AIR QUALITY WATER QUALITY URBAN HEAT CLIMATE CHANGE ECOSYSTEMS PUBLIC FINANCE CULTURE & IDENTITY Street trees along major transit corridors are essential if we expect to achieve our 50% mode split goal by 2039. WHERE ARE THE TREES? • Austin over-relies on private yards and natural areas for its urban forest, which are in wealthier parts of town. • • Less than 3% of Austin’s ROWs are required to have street trees, so our public pathways are rarely shaded. Yet, street trees are one of the most desired community benefits, according to many public surveys and in the “Contracts with Voters” in recent bond elections. The City’s Tree Canopy Map shows lack of “shade equity” on the east side. WHERE ARE OUR URBAN HEAT ISLANDS? • The worst urban heat island effects follow our paved street network. • YET, streets are where we walk, bike, roll, catch transit - exactly where it must be cooler. • AND, lower-income residents – who depend more on transit - live on the hotter, east side. • The worsening heat islands are a major public health risk for everyone, but especially for our must vulnerable communities. Heat Map of Austin showing the yellow, hottest areas focused in East Austin and Downtown WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES? 1. The LACK OF LEADERSHIP means that review staff are conducting reviews and making decisions, with little guidance and support. 2. Austin’s REGULATIONS are not aligned with City and community priorities: if they were, street trees would be required of development. 3. The …
1. DESIGN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 The Design Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, December 11, 2023, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco in Austin, Texas. Chair Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair David Carroll Kevin Howard Conners Ladner Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Santiago, Texas Department of Transportation’s I-35 Capital Express Central project. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on November 13, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of 11/13/2023 were approved on Vice Chair Meiners’ motion, Commissioner Wallace’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Gelles was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 1 Staff briefing regarding the Urban Design Guidelines Update Engagement Plan. Presented by Sophia Benner, Planning Department. The presentation was made by Sophia Benner, Planning Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action to recommend to City Council whether the project The Graduate Austin, located at 408 West 18th Street, complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Austin in accordance with Land Development Code § 25-2-586 (C)(1)(a)(ii). Presented by Amanda Swor, Drenner Group PC, Jillian Agdern, Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, and Chris Jackson, TBG Partners. There was a motion by Vice Chair Meiners, seconded by Commissioner Luckens, to recommend to City Council that the project the Graduate Austin, located at 408 West 18th Street, complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Austin in accordance with Land Development Code § 25-2-586 (C)(1)(a)(ii). There was a substitute motion to recommend to City Council that the project the Graduate Austin, located at 408 West 18th Street, complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Austin in accordance with Land Development Code § 25-2- 586 (C)(1)(a)(ii). The Design Commission recommends the following modifications: • Encourage the out-of-scale pedestrian gathering space along San Antonio Street • Encourage corner entrances to expand pedestrian access on San Antonio Street to be brought back into scale and Guadalupe Street • Enhance the north façade to encourage an active northeast corner • To use the City of Austin standard benches • Expand food and beverage service along 18th Street to enhance the primary entrance to the food and beverage area The substitute motion was approved …
REGULAR MEETING of the DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024, 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Design Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Nicole Corona, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Conners Ladner AGENDA ADDENDUM DISCUSSION ITEMS Chi Lee Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck 8. Discussion of the Urban Design Guidelines related to the review of Downtown Density Bonus Projects. Presented by Sophia Benner, Planning Department. 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 (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call or email Nicole Corona at the Housing and Planning Department, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Design Commission, please contact Nicole Corona at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov.
Urban Design Guidelines in action: A review of 2 DDBP projects Presented by Sophia Benner, Principal Planner Purpose: scope much urban design pencils wow guidelines Texas density omg Relevant guidelines: AW2 Create mixed-use development AW4 Buffer Neighborhood Edges AW5 Incorporate Civic Art in Both Public and Private Development B3 Accentuate Primary Entrances S4 Reinforce Pedestrian Activity S6 Enhance the Streetscape S13 Install Pedestrian-friendly Materials at Street Level PS1 Protect the pedestrian where the building meets the street PS2 Minimize curb cuts PS4 Reinforce pedestrian activity PS10 Provide an Appropriate Amount of Plaza Seating PZ7 Determine plaza function, size and activity PZ.8 Respond to microclimate in plaza design PZ.9 Consider views, circulation, boundaries and subspaces in plaza design- PZ.10 Provide an appropriate amount of plaza seating- PZ.11 Provide visual and spatial complexity in plaza design- PZ.12 Use plants to enliven urban spaces- PZ.13 Provide interactive civic art and fountains in plaza. PZ14 Provide Food Service for Plaza Participants Review of: The Graduate 18th & Guadalupe SP-2023-0042C Scale: Encourage the out of scale pedestrian gathering space along San Antonio Street be brought back into scale Entrances: Encourage corner entrances to expand pedestrian access on San Antonio Street and Guadalupe Street Activation: Enhance the north façade to encourage an active northeast corner To use the City of Austin standard benches Define activation Source: Google streetview Source: Google images Source: arch daily via Common Edge Source: KXAN Street furniture: To use the City of Austin standard benches Food & beverage service: Expand food and beverage service along 18th Street to enhance the primary entrance to the food and beverage area Review of: Block 32 Create mixed-use: At least two different uses per half block are required. Low occupancy uses such as warehouses, storage, and parking will not be counted in the evaluation of mixed use functions. Civic art: The eastern façade is just west of the Convention Center Civic art: The eastern façade is just west of the Convention Center Civic art: The eastern façade is just west of the Convention Center Curb Cuts: Plaza: Plaza: Plaza: fin
DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240226-003 Green Streets Initiative (Green Infrastructure Resolution-Agenda item 39) Date: February 28, 2024 Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation Support of the Green Infrastructure Resolution (Agenda Item 39 which advocates prioritizing the planting of street trees within Austin’s public rights-of-way.) Commissioner Luckens Seconded By: Commissioner Wittstruck Description of Recommendation to Council The Design Commission recommends that the Austin City Council approve the proposed Green Streets Infrastructure Resolution that minimizes barriers to plant and maintain street trees located in City of Austin public rights-of-way. Rationale: The goals and vision of the The Green Infrastructure Resolution align with the vision and shared values (sustainability and a connection to the outdoors) of the City of Austin Urban Design Guidelines. Specifically, it supports the use of trees to enhance the streetscape , provides protection from vehicular traffic and supports the use of plants to enliven urban spaces. 9-0-1 Vote For: Chair Salinas, Vice Chair Meiners, Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Gelles, Commissioner Ladner, Commissioner Luckens, Commissioner McKinney, Commissioner Wallace, Commissioner Witstruck Against: Abstain: Commissioner Howard Absent: Attest: Jon Salinas, Chair Design Commission 1 of 1
DESIGN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024 The Design Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 26, 2024, at the Permitting and Development Center located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Room 1405, in Austin, Texas. Chair Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Jon Salinas, Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Conners Ladner PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on December 11, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of 12/11/2023 were approved on Commissioner McKinney’s motion, Commissioner Wittstruck’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Lee was absent. 1. 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing regarding the Equity-Based Preservation Plan. Presented by Cara Bertron, Planning Department. 1 The presentation was made by Cara Bertron, Planning Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action to consider a recommendation to support the Green Streets Initiative. Presented by Jana McCann, McCann Adams Studio. Sponsors: Chair Salinas, Commissioner Wittstruck The motion to recommend the Green Streets Initiative (Green Infrastructure Resolution) to City Council was approved on Commissioner Lucken’s motion, Commissioner Wittstruck’s second on a 9-0-1 vote. Commissioner Howard recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest and left the dais. Commissioner Lee was absent. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding updates to the guidelines. Update was given by Commissioner Carroll. Update from representative of the Downtown Commission regarding last meeting. Update was given by Commissioner McKinney. Update from representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding last meeting. Update was given by Chair Salinas. Update from representative of the South-Central Waterfront Advisory Board regarding last meeting. Update was given by Commissioner Ladner. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion of the Urban Design Guidelines related to the review of Downtown Density Bonus Projects. Presented by Sophia Benner, Planning Department. The presentation was made by Sophia Benner, Planning Department. Chair Salinas adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the 3/25/2024 meeting on Vice Chair Meiners’ motion, Commissioner McKinney’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Howard, Commissioner Lee, and Commissioner Wittstruck were absent. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 2
