REGULAR MEETING of the DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2024, 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1401 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 February 26, 2024. 1. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. Discussion and action on the engagement plan for the update to the Urban Design Guidelines. Presented by Sophia Benner, Planning Department. Conduct a nomination for the representative for the Downtown Commission. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. 5. 6. 7. Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding the meeting on March 1, 2024. Update from representative of the Downtown Commission regarding the meeting on March 20, 2024. Update from representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding the meeting on February 28, 2024. Update from representative of the South-Central Waterfront Advisory Board regarding the meeting on March 18, 2024. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Note: City Code requires two board members sponsor an item to be included on an agenda. This section of the agenda provides members an opportunity to request items for future agendas. Staff should assume that if there is no objection from other members expressed at the meeting, the members’ silence indicates approval for staff to include on the next agenda. 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 …
Urban Design Guidelines Update - Engagement Plan 3 Groups of Stakeholders 3 Phases of Engagement Austin Foundation for Architecture AIA Austin (American Institute of Architects) Phase 1: Preparation Austin Center of Architecture APA Central Texas (American Planning Association) ULI (Urban Land Institute) Downtown Commission UTSOA professors ASLA (American Institute of Landscape Architects) EDD Cultural Arts Division and Music & Entertainment staff Phase 1 of engagement was led by commissioners through the creation of working groups, engagement with stakeholders in the Design Focus and Interest Group categories, engagement with ambassadors, and the onset of editing the guidelines. May 2021 - September 2022 Phase 2: Creation Phase 2 of engagement includes work led by commissioners, work led by staff, and more collaborative work. 1. A new working group was formed to shepherd the creation of the draft UDG. 2. Commissioners will provide the narrative, finalize the guidelines, test the guidelines & finalize the draft UDG document. 3. Staff will lead engagement with the Technical Focus stakeholders. Staff will lead the creation of the document design. 4. After the Technical stakeholders weigh in, commissioners will finalize the draft UDG. 5. When the final draft is ready, commissioners will create a recorded presentation to post on SpeakUp alongside the draft UDG for public comment. 6. Staff will assist by uploading documents to SpeakUp and managing the web page. 7. Commissioners will reach out to stakeholders in the Design and Interest groups to invite their feedback. 8. Commissioners will incorporate their feedback into the UDG document. Phase 3 of engagement includes: 1. Staff will lead the finalization of the UDG graphic design 2. Staff and Commissioners will collaborate on the finalization of the UDG document. 3. Commissioners will lead presentations to Downtown Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council. 4. Staff and Commissioners will collaborate on incorporating any feedback from Boards, Commissions & Council presentations into the UDG. 5. Upon City Council's adoption of a new UDG, staff will update the SpeakUp page and the Design Commission page with the new document. September 2022 - September 2024 September 2024 - February 2025 Downtown Austin Neighborhood Alliance (DANA) Phase 3: Finalization s u c o F n g i s e D s l a n o i s s e f o r p , s r e n n a l p n a b r u , s t c e t i h …
URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES UPDATE Adopted Priorities Climate & Environment – Strategy upholds the fundamental human right to clean, healthy and adequate air, water, land, food, education, transportation, safety, and housing by minimizes the harmful effects of construction projects on human health and the environment. Mobility & Connectivity- Strategy includes planning for density, reducing dependence on single occupant vehicles, increased multimodal transportation options, sidewalk and street connectivity, and uderutilized rights- of-way. Equity & Affordability - Strategy lowers and stabilizes costs related to basic living needs (housing, food, utilities, healthcare, transportation, etc.) for low-income communities, and communities of color, as well as eliminate disparities that can be predicted by race. Cultural Preservation - Strategy deliberately and respectfully honors cultural relevance and history to maintain cultural heritage from the past and present for the benefit of all generations. Project Types - Strategy includes design & planning for different project uses, sizes, and locations. Design Excellence - Strategy that upholds design standards that include: functionality, durability, beautiful design, creativity, contextual response, sustainability, good business, and legacy. Adaptability & Resilience - Strategy enhances the ability of a building to both prevent damage and to recover from damage as well as the ability to accommodate substantial change over the lifetime of the building. Adopted Plans & Policies- Strategy ensures design & planning efforts will be in alignment with adopted city policies and plans. Advisory Groups BUILDINGS (Includes all occupiable structures, both public & private) • Climate & Environment • Mobility & Connectivity • Equity & Affordability • Preserve Vibrant Culture of Austin • Various Project Types • City Adopted Plans • Design Excellence • Adaptability & Resilience OPEN SPACES (Includes public gathering spaces, like Plazas, Open Spaces, Parks, & Trails) • Climate & Environment • Mobility & Connectivity • Equity & Affordability • Preserve Vibrant Austin Culture • Various Project Types • City Adopted Plans • Design Excellence • Adaptability & Resilience STREETSCAPE (Elements placed in the streetscape, like Furniture, Trees, Art, Lighting, Signage, Barriers, Fencing, etc.) • Climate & Environment • Mobility & Connectivity • Equity & Affordability • Preserve Vibrant Austin Culture • Various Project Types • City Adopted Plans • Design Excellence • Adaptability & Resilience URBAN FABRIC (Components that connect with existing development to reinforce the surrounding urban fabric) • Climate & Environment • Mobility & Connectivity • Equity & Affordability • Preserve Vibrant Austin Culture • Various Project Types • City …
1. 2. 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 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. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing regarding the Equity-Based Preservation Plan. Presented by Cara Bertron, Planning Department. The presentation was made by Cara Bertron, Planning Department. 1 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. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 2
