REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026, 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Design Commission may be participating by video conference. 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 Chad Sharrard at 512- 974-8333 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard CALL TO ORDER AGENDA Saira Khan Conners Ladner Marissa McKinney Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes Brendan Wittstruck PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on March 23rd, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding the Barton Springs Road Bridge. Presented by Eric Bailey, Austin Capital Delivery Services. Sponsors: Chair Salinas and Commissioner Carroll. Staff briefing regarding Downtown Density Bonus Phase I Updates. Presented by Alan Pani, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Vice Chair Meiners and Commissioner Howard. 4. Staff briefing regarding the inclusion of West Campus into the Downtown area. Presented by Shanisha Johnson, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Chair Salinas and Vice Chair Meiners. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Fiesta Gardens, located at 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Clayton Korte and Travis Greig of Clayton Korte. Conduct officer elections for Design Commission Chair and Vice Chair. Discussion and action to appoint a member of the Design Commission to serve as the Commission’s representative on the Downtown Commission. Sponsors: Chair Salinas and Vice Chair Meiners. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City Code requires at least 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 …
To: From: Date: MEMORANDUM City of Austin Design Commission Jon Salinas – Chair Josue Meiners – Vice Chair Eric Bailey, Capital Delivery Services Deputy Director April 21, 2026 Subject: Barton Springs Road Bridge Design Commission Withdraw The purpose of this memorandum is to withdraw Item 2 (Staff briefing regarding the Barton Springs Road Bridge) from the 4/27/26 Design Commission agenda. Background and Context On December 14, 2023, after an extensive public outreach and preliminary engineering process, City Council directed Capital Delivery Services Staff to proceed with the replacement alternative for the Barton Springs Road Bridge. Since 2023, staff advanced the design and permitting of the new structure and was awarded a $32 million Federal Bridge Improvement Program grant for construction. The grant requires the project undertake the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in addition to the regular City permitting process which requires review from several boards and commissions, including the Design Commission. Unfortunately staff is unable to present at the 4/27/26 Design Commission due to a scheduling conflict. Next Steps Staff requests a postponement of the staff briefing to the May 18, 2026 Design Commission meeting. Staff will return to the Design Commission as the NEPA process continues with input from federal agencies and public comment. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Eric Bailey, Deputy Director of Austin Capital Delivery Services, at Eric.Bailey@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-7713. cc: Chad Sharrard, Design Commission Liason
DRAFT C20-2024-018 DDB Phase I Downtown Density Bonus Urban Design Standards These standards would apply only to projects seeking Downtown Density Bonus entitlements and are intended to implement public realm and pedestrian environment objectives that currently apply under §25-2-586. In order to participate in the proposed Downtown Density Bonus (DDB) program, projects would be required to adhere to all mandatory design standards and a minimum number of additional urban design standards from a menu of options. For Phase I of the Downtown Density Bonus update, the proposed requirements would be: - Projects zoned –DDB400 must adhere to all mandatory standards and at least 7 out of the 14 menu standards to participate in the DDB program - Projects zoned –DDB850 must adhere to all mandatory standards and least 10 out of the 14 menu standards to participate in the DDB program In future phases of the Downtown Density Bonus program update, additional combining districts may be created that have different requirements for the minimum number of urban design standards that must be met. Additionally, subdistricts may be created that provide additional urban design standards or requirements based on the unique character of specific areas (such as the Red River Cultural District). Additional design standards may be added in the future. If additional design standards are added to the menu, the minimum number of standards that must be met may be modified. The Urban Design team in Austin Planning will review site plans and determine compliance with the urban design standards. Mandatory Urban Design Standards Screening Requirements (A) Utility equipment, mechanical equipment, and solid waste collection areas, including loading docks, truck parking, outdoor storage, trash collection, trash compaction, and other service functions: a. are prohibited in the area between a building and a street; b. must not be visible from a street, adjacent property lines, or the property lines across adjacent public streets; and c. must be screened or located in a public alley. (B) This subsection applies to a site with frontage on an alley 20 feet or more wide. DRAFT C20-2024-018 DDB Phase I a. A transformer room or utility vault must be adjacent to and accessible from the alley, unless Austin Energy determines placement is required in another location. b. A pump room, sprinkler room, or other utility or mechanical room must be adjacent to and accessible from the alley unless the Fire Chief determines that placing the …
Downtown Density Bonus Phase 1 – Proposal Austin Planning | Design Commission | 04/27/2026 Agenda • • • Background Existing Program & Process Proposed Changes • Urban Design Standards • Community Benefits | • Downtown Density Bonus Process • Stakeholder Engagement and Timeline 2 Background City Council Resolution Downtown Density Bonus Update Resolution No. 20240718-185 in July 2024 directed staff to update the Downtown Density Bonus (DDB) program Requested: Updates to gatekeeper requirements Integration of Rainey subdistrict Creation of new subdistricts Prioritization of accessibility and shade opportunities Simplification of the affordability program Alignment of the program with the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) overlay. Downtown Density Bonus – Phase 1 In response to Senate Bill 840, Council adopted Ordinance No. 20251023-063, which amended the Central Business District Zone and directed staff to update the DDB program by June 2026 for three DDB subdistricts 4 Existing Program & Process Phase 1 - Existing Height & FAR Map After the recent adoption of the Central Business District Zone amendments and updates to the DDB, the three subdistricts in Phase 1 have the following entitlements available via the DDB program: Core Subdistrict – 350ft of height and 25:1 FAR* Rainey Subdistrict – 350ft of height and 15:1 FAR* Convention Center Subdistrict – 350ft of height and 15:1 FAR* Applicants can request Council approval to exceed these entitlements *FAR limits are only applicable to commercial developments 6 Proposed Changes Phase I – Proposed Applicability Revised to remove the Red River Cultural District from Phase I To be updated and included in Phase II of the DDB Update DDB is a voluntary program Supersedes the following overlays: Capitol Dominance Overlay Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Density Bonus Waterfront Overlay 8 Phase I – Combining Districts Each combining district will have different entitlements/requirements. Phase I will create 2 combining districts: DDB400 has +400 ft DDB850 has +850 ft Additional height is additive to the property’s base zoning height limit E.g., a CBD-DDB400 site could build up to 750 ft (350 ft base height + 400 bonus ft) Sites will be rezoned into DDB400 in Phase I. Sites will be eligible to request rezoning into DDB850 through the standard rezoning process. Max height cannot be exceeded by Council approval. …
April 20, 2026 Chad Sharrard City of Austin Planning – Urban Design Via email: chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov RE: Fiesta Gardens Design Commission Presentation Dear Chad, The Fiesta Gardens Complex Rehabilitation Project was originally scheduled for the April 27th meeting of the CoA Design Commission. Due to the extra time needed to revamp the presentation for a five-year-old project, and additional time required by for a proper review by PARD staff, the project team has requested a postponement until the next Design Commission meeting on May 18th. Sincerely, Travis Greig, AIA Project Manager 1 of 1
DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Monday, March 23, 2026 The Design Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Jon Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Salinas, Jon (Chair) Meiners, Josue (Vice Chair) Carroll, David Howard, Kevin Murkes, Jenny Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Aradhyula, Ramachandra Gelles, Nkiru Ladner, Conners Khan, Saira PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None Present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission Regular Meeting on . The minutes from the Design Commission regular meeting on February 23rd, 2026 were approved on Vice Chair Josue Meiners’s motion, Chair Jon Salinas’s second on a 9-0. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing on Downtown Density Bonus Program gatekeeper requirements. Presented by Alan Pani, Austin Planning. The motion to postpone this item to April 27th, 2026 was approved on Chair Jon Salinas’s motion, Josue Meiners’s second on a 9-0 vote. Staff briefing on Concourse M improvements at Austin Bergstrom Airport. Presented by Paul Bielamowicz, Project Architect. Item was discussed. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Discussion of the implications of expanding the boundaries of Downtown to match the Central City District Plan and how that affects Design Commission scope and rewrite of urban design guidelines. Sponsors: Commissioners Gelles and Howard. Presentation was made by Commissioners Gelles and Howard. Item was discussed. Discussion on the future of the Downtown Density Bonus Program and integrating urban design guidelines, principles, and standards into that process. Sponsors: Commissioners Howard and Carroll. Presentation was made by Commissioner Howard. Item was discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Nash Hernandez Building Renovation, located at 1621 Nash Hernandez Senior Road in Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Metropolitan Park at Festival Beach, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Philip Reed, Levy Dykema Architects. There was a motion with recommendations by Vice Chair Josue Meiners, seconded by Chair Jon Salinas to recommend to City Council that the project Nash Hernandez Building Renovation, located at 1621 Nash Hernandez Senior Road in Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Metropolitan Park at Festival Beach, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Recommendations: • Incorporate public art or interpretive elements within the interior space that reflect the cultural and historical …
DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Monday, March 23, 2026 The Design Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Jon Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Salinas, Jon (Chair) Meiners, Josue (Vice Chair) Carroll, David Howard, Kevin Murkes, Jenny Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Aradhyula, Ramachandra Gelles, Nkiru Ladner, Conners Khan, Saira PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None Present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission Regular Meeting on . The minutes from the Design Commission regular meeting on February 23rd, 2026 were approved on Vice Chair Josue Meiners’s motion, Chair Jon Salinas’s second on a 9-0. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing on Downtown Density Bonus Program gatekeeper requirements. Presented by Alan Pani, Austin Planning. The motion to postpone this item to April 27th, 2026 was approved on Chair Jon Salinas’s motion, Josue Meiners’s second on a 9-0 vote. Staff briefing on Concourse M improvements at Austin Bergstrom Airport. Presented by Paul Bielamowicz, Project Architect. Item was discussed. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Discussion of the implications of expanding the boundaries of Downtown to match the Central City District Plan and how that affects Design Commission scope and rewrite of urban design guidelines. Sponsors: Commissioners Gelles and Howard. Presentation was made by Commissioners Gelles and Howard. Item was discussed. Discussion on the future of the Downtown Density Bonus Program and integrating urban design guidelines, principles, and standards into that process. Sponsors: Commissioners Howard and Carroll. Presentation was made by Commissioner Howard. Item was discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Nash Hernandez Building Renovation, located at 1621 Nash Hernandez Senior Road in Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Metropolitan Park at Festival Beach, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Philip Reed, Levy Dykema Architects. There was a motion with recommendations by Vice Chair Josue Meiners, seconded by Chair Jon Salinas to recommend to City Council that the project Nash Hernandez Building Renovation, located at 1621 Nash Hernandez Senior Road in Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Metropolitan Park at Festival Beach, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Recommendations: • Incorporate public art or interpretive elements within the interior space that reflect the cultural and historical …
MEMORANDUM City of Austin Design Commission Jon Salinas – Chair Josue Meiners – Vice Chair Chris Ryerson, Division Manager, Austin Planning April 24, 2026 Staff briefing regarding the inclusion of West Campus into the Downtown area To: From: Date: Subject: The purpose of this memorandum is to withdraw Item 4 (Staff briefing regarding the inclusion of West Campus into the Downtown area) from the April 27, 2026, Design Commission agenda. Unfortunately, staff is unable to present at the April 27, 2026, Design Commission meeting. There is a scheduling conflict with the Project Manager out of town for a professional conference. Staff requests postponement of the briefing to the May 18, 2026, Design Commission meeting. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chris Ryerson, Division Manager, Austin Planning, at Chris.Ryerson@austintexas.gov or 512-978-1422 or Shanisha Johnson, Principal Planner, Austin Planning, at Shanisha.Johnson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-3458. cc: Chad Sharrard, Design Commission Liaison
DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Monday, April 27, 2026 The Design Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Jon Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Salinas, Jon (Chair) Aradhyula, Ramachandra Gelles, Nkiru Howard, Kevin Murkes, Jenny Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Meiners, Josue (Vice Chair) Ladner, Conners Khan, Saira Mckinney, Melissa (arrived at 7:20) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ryan Saunders, East Cesar Chavez Contact Team-Neighborhood Association Seeking to propose two future agenda items regarding Plaza Saltillo and activating public alleyways. Ryan is a local public space activist looking to reengage Plaza Saltillo as a community space as well as speak on bringing improvements to an alley that runs parallel to East Cesar Chavez Street. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Design Commission Regular Meeting on. The minutes from the Design Commission regular meeting on March 23rd, 2026, were approved on Vice Chair Josue Meiners’s motion, Chair Jon Salinas’s second on an 8-0. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Barton Springs Road Bridge. Presented by Eric Bailey, Austin Capital Delivery Services. Sponsors: Chair Salinas and Commissioner Carroll. Postponed to Design Commission Regular Meeting on May 18, 2026. 1 3. 4. Staff briefing regarding Downtown Density Bonus Phase I Updates. Presented by Alan Pani, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Vice Chair Meiners and Commissioner Howard. Item was discussed. Staff briefing regarding the inclusion of West Campus into the Downtown area. Presented by Shanisha Johnson, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Chair Salinas and Vice Chair Meiners. Postponed to Design Commission Regular Meeting on May 18, 2026. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Fiesta Gardens, located at 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Clayton Korte and Travis Greig of Clayton Korte. Postponed to Design Commission Regular Meeting on May 18, 2026. 6. Conduct officer elections for Design Commission Chair and Vice Chair. Kevin Howard was nominated for Vice Chair by Vice Chair Meiners and seconded by Chair Jon Salinas in a vote of 8-0. Marissa Mckinney was nominated for Chair by Nkiru Gelles and seconded by Chair Jon Salinas in a vote of 8-0. 7. Discussion and action to appoint a member of the Design Commission to serve …
