REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 18, 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 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 Chad Sharrard at 512- 974-8033 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Marissa McKinney, Chair Kevin Howard, Vice Chair Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Saira Khan CALL TO ORDER AGENDA Conners Ladner Josue Meiners Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes Jon Salinas 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 special-called meeting on May 4th, 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 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 4. 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. 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 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 Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications …
DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Monday May 4, 2026 The Design Commission convened in a Special Called meeting on Monday May 4, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Marissa McKinney called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Marissa McKinney (Chair) Kevin Howard (Vice Chair) Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula (arrived 6:05) David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes (arrived 6:09) Jon Salinas Brendan Wittstruck Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission Regular Meeting on April 27th, 2026. The minutes from the Design Commission regular meeting on April 27th, 2026, were approved on Vice Chair Kevin Howard’s motion, Jon Salinas’ second on a vote of 6-0. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and possible action on recommendations regarding the proposed Downtown Density Bonus Phase I Urban Design Standards. Motion to recommend that the Design Commission forward the alternative draft, as amended, to the Planning Commission. Sponsors Howard and Wittstruck. Vote 8-0. 1 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Working group update from a representative from the urban design guideline working group that will update the design commission about ongoing coordination with the planning commission regarding the downtown density bonus standards document and process. Sponsors: Howard and Gelles. ADJOURNMENT Chair Marissa McKinney adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m. without objection. 2
REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 18, 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 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 Chad Sharrard at 512- 974-8033 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Marissa McKinney, Chair Kevin Howard, Vice Chair Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Saira Khan CALL TO ORDER AGENDA REVISED Conners Ladner Josue Meiners Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes Jon Salinas 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 special-called meeting on May 4th, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding the Barton Springs Road Bridge. Presented by Eric Bailey, Austin Capital Delivery Services. Sponsors: Commissioner Salinas and Commissioner Carroll. Staff briefing regarding the inclusion of West Campus into the Downtown area. Presented by Shanisha Johnson, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Commissioner Salinas and Chair Meiners. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. Discussion and possible action on recommendations regarding the future of the Design Commission and their role in the development review process. Sponsors: Commissioner Murkes and Vice Chair Howard. 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. Discussion and action to appoint a member of the Design Commission to serve as the Commission’s representative on the Downtown Commission. Sponsors: Commissioner Salinas and 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 members expressed at the meeting, the members’ …
Central City District Plan Austin Planning | Design Commission | May 18, 2026 Agenda 01 02 03 04 05 Central City District Introduction Plan Overview Advisory Groups Project Timeline Progress to Date 2 The Central City District Plan Area Downtown Austin Plan area, South Central Waterfront area, and the University of Texas area Lamar Boulevard to the west Proposed UNO Update boundary to the north I-35 to the east Proposed South Central Waterfront regulating boundary to the south 3 About the Central City District Plan The 2011 Downtown Austin Plan is being updated as the Central City District Plan, including the University of Texas area and the South Central Waterfront. The Plan will create a 10-year blueprint for future growth and investments with a unified vision for improving land use, mobility, public spaces, and economic and cultural vibrancy in our urban core. It will align with existing citywide strategic plans and policies and seeks to build consensus for effective implementation. Community-informed vision and goals Place Type mapping to inform future development patterns Public realm and multimodal improvements Program, policy, project, and partnership recommendations Implementation action items Map: AECOM Data: City of Austin 4 Interagency Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) COA Departments Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Austin Housing Austin Capital Delivery Services Austin Parks & Recreation Austin Climate Action and Resilience Austin Planning Austin Communications and Engagement Austin Police Austin Development Services Austin Police Oversight Austin Economic Development Austin Public Library Austin Emergency Services Austin Resource Recovery Austin Energy Austin Small & Minority Business Resources Austin Equity and Inclusion Austin Project Connect Austin Facilities Management Austin Transportation and Public Works Austin Financial Services Austin Water Austin Fire Austin Watershed Protection Austin Government Relations Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations Meets once monthly via Teams Review draft deliverables using subject matter expertise Will remain in contact on annual basis to inform implementation tracking Partner Agencies Austin Community College Austin Transit Partnership CapMetro Central Health Rally Austin Texas Department of Transportation Travis County University of Texas 5 Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) Member Organizations Accessible Housing Austin (aha!) Endeavors Safe Streets Austin ADAPT of Texas allgo AURA ATX Greater South River City Combined Neighborhood Plan Contact Team Shoal Creek Conservancy Judge’s Hill Neighborhood Association South Congress Merchant's Association La Pena Texas School for the Deaf Austin Chamber of Commerce Mexic Arte The Contemporary Austin Housing Coalition Movability …
§ 2-1-130 DESIGN COMMISSION. (A) The Design Commission membership should include a diverse group of persons having expertise in urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, civic art, real property development, construction, and economic development. (B) The commission shall provide advisory recommendations to the city council as requested by the city council to assist in developing public policy and to promote excellence in the design and development of the urban environment. (C) The commission shall: (1) offer policy recommendations regarding specific issues of urban design; (2) participate in developing design guidelines; (3) unless otherwise directed by the city council, for projects that require the approval of the Planning Commission or the Zoning and Platting Commission: (a) review a project only after a formal request by the project sponsor or applicant; and (b) complete the review before the respective Planning or Zoning and Platting Commission takes final action; (4) provide citizen education and outreach regarding quality urban design; (5) provide a venue for citizen input on the design and development of the urban environment; (6) maintain liaison relationships with city staff and other boards and commissions; and (7) perform other activities as directed by the city council. (D) The commission may appoint one or more of its members to serve as liaison to a project-specific community advisory group addressing urban design and planning issues at the formal request of the project sponsor. Source: Ord. 20071129-011; Ord. No. 20171214-043, Pt. 1, 12-25-17. (Supp. No. 173) Page 1 of 1
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2021 – 6:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING COMMISSION MEMBERS: x x x x x x Terri Myers, Chair Ben Heimsath, Vice Chair Witt Featherston Mathew Jacob Kevin Koch Kelly Little x ab x x x Trey McWhorter Alex Papavasiliou Blake Tollett Beth Valenzuela Caroline Wright CALL TO ORDER: 6:01 PM AGENDA CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten (10) speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 25, 2021 – Offered for consent approval MOTION: Approve the minutes, per passage of the consent agenda, on a motion by Commissioner Koch. Commissioner Valenzuela seconded the motion. Vote: 10-0. 2. PRESENTATIONS, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION A. B. Presentation on the Translating Community History project. http://www.austintexas.gov/page/current-projects Presentation by Cara Bertron, Housing & Planning Department. Presentation on recently completed historic resource surveys: Historic Resources Survey for Old Austin Neighborhood Association (2020) Historic Building Survey Report for North Central Austin: West Campus, North University, Heritage, Bryker Woods, and North Hyde Park (2021) http://www.austintexas.gov/page/historic-survey Presentation by Andrew Rice, Housing & Planning Department. 1 C. Presentation, discussion, and possible action to seek a recommendation to City Council for the Parks and Recreation Department’s preferred design scenario for the Dougherty Arts Center Replacement Project. Presentation by Kevin Johnson, Parks & Recreation Department, and Jonathan Pearson, Studio8 Architects. MOTION: Recommend endorsement of either Option 1A or Option 1B on the basis of preservation of the historic PARD Headquarters building on a motion by Vice Chair Heimsath. Commissioner Little seconded the motion. Vote: 10-0. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Discussion and Possible Action on Applications for Historic Zoning, Discussion and Action on Applications for Historic District Zoning, and Requests to Consider Initiation of Historic Zoning Cases A.1. No cases. B. Discussion and Possible Action on Applications for Certificates of Appropriateness B.1. C14H-2009-0021 – 2406 Harris Blvd. – Discussion Jackson-Novy Kelly-Hoey House Council District 9 Proposal: Construct a swimming pool and terrace, landscape modifications; remove an attic vent opening on the front of the house Applicant: Tina Contros City Staff: Elizabeth Brummett, Historic Preservation Office, 512-974-1264 Committee Feedback: Provide evidence of historic nature of proposed changes and consider another location for the proposed pool; concerns regarding the appropriateness of a pool in the front yard. Staff Recommendation: Approve the …
A. PROJECT INFORMATION PROJECT NAME PROJECT T YP E Infrastructure Private project PROJECT LOCATIO N/ ADDR ESS PROJECT LOCATIO N/ ADDR ESS City building & site Other Density Bonus A PPLICANT PROPE RT Y O WN ER A PPLICANT MAILI NG A DDRESS PROPE RT Y O WN ER MAI LING AD DR ESS A PPLICANT TELEP HONE N UM BE R PROPE RT Y O WN ER TEL EPHONE NUMBER PROJECT START DATE PROJECT CO MPL E TION DATE A PPLICANT’S ARCHI TE CT A PPL IC ANT’S ENGI NEER Page 8 Design Commission - Project Review Application 1. Indi cate if propo se d Pro jec t is re q u ir e d by City Ordinance to be reviewed by the Design Commiss ion . 2. D escribe the r ec omm end atio n t h at yo u a re requesting from the Desig n Com mission. 3. Current De sig n P hase o f Pro jec t ( D e s ign C o mmission prefers to see pro jec ts right aft er ap proved conceptual, sc he m atic, d esign d ev e lo pm e nt ) . 4. Is thi s Proje ct su bjec t to Site Pl an an d /o r Zonin g application ap provals? Will it b e p rese nt e d to Plann ing Commission and/o r City Co uncil? I f s o , wh en? 5. D o es t his P roj ect c om ply with L an d D ev e l opment Code Subchapter E? List specific ally an y Alternative E quiva lent Comp lianc e r equ est if any. Ple ase refer to website for Alternate Equivalent Com plia nce ( AEC) requirements. Page 9 Design Commission - Project Review Application B. PROJECT BACKGROUND 6. Prov ide proj ec t b ackgro u nd inc lu d ing go als , scope, building/planning type, and sc hedule. Broadly addre ss e ach of the “Shar ed Value s fo r Ur ban A re as ” t hat are listed on Page 6 o f the Ur ban Design Guidelines . 7. Has this proje ct c ondu cted co m mu n it y/ s t ak eholder out reach? If so, please provide do c ume ntation to d emonstrate …
A R C H I T E C T U R A L A N D H I S TO R I C P R E S E R VAT I O N S E R V I C E S F O R F I E S TA GA R D E N S C O M P L E X R E H A B I L I TAT I O N D E S I G N C O M M I S S I O N | P R E L I M I N A R Y - N O T F O R C O N S T R U C T I O N | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 6 | 1 O F 3 1 2101 JESSE E. SEGOVIA ST. | AUSTIN, TEXAS 78702FIESTA GARDENS P R OJ E C T G OA L S T h e F i e s t a G a r d e n s R e h a b i l i t a t i o n fo c u s e s o n p r e s e r v i n g a n d r e s t o r i n g c h a r a c t e r - d e f i n i n g a r c h i t e c t u r a l fe a t u r e s o f t h e h i s t o r i c s t r u c t u r e s w h i l e r e h a b i l i t a t i n g t h e s t r u c t u r e s a n d s i t e t o m e e t c u r r e n t c o d e s a n d e n h a n c e u s e . T h e p r o j e c t s c o p e w a s c o n c e i v e d b y t h e A u s t i n P a r k s a n d R e c r e …
A R C H I T E C T U R A L A N D H I S TO R I C P R E S E R VAT I O N S E R V I C E S F O R F I E S TA GA R D E N S C O M P L E X R E H A B I L I TAT I O N S U P P O R T I N G I N F O R M AT I O N D E S I G N C O M M I S S I O N | P R E L I M I N A R Y - N O T F O R C O N S T R U C T I O N | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 6 | 1 O F 2 0 2101 JESSE E. SEGOVIA ST. | AUSTIN, TEXAS 78702FIESTA GARDENS S T A K E H O L D E R I N P U T D E S I G N C O M M I S S I O N | P R E L I M I N A R Y - N O T F O R C O N S T R U C T I O N | M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 6 | 2 O F 2 0 2101 JESSE E. SEGOVIA ST. | AUSTIN, TEXAS 78702FIESTA GARDENS V I S I O N P L A N I N T R O D U C T I O N • 2 0 1 2 : C i t y o f A u s t i n h i r e d t e a m t o p r e p a r e Pa r k I m p r o v e m e n t M a s t e r P l a n • I n c l u d e s 9 . 3 a c r e s o f n e w l y d e d i c a t e d p a r k l a n d a t H o l l y S t r e e t Po w e r P l a n …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 18, 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 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 Chad Sharrard at 512- 974-8033 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Marissa McKinney, Chair Kevin Howard, Vice Chair Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Saira Khan Conners Ladner Josue Meiners Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes Jon Salinas Brendan Wittstruck AGENDA ADDENDUM DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Discussion and possible action on a letter from Design Commission to City Council regarding the Density Bonus Standards. Sponsors: Chair McKinney and Vice Chair Howard. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Chad Sharrard at Austin Planning at 512-974-8033 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Design Commission, please contact Chad Sharrard at 512-974-8033 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov.
Design Commission – Barton Springs Rd. Bridge Update May 18, 2026 Eric Bailey, P.E. – Deputy Director Capital Delivery Services Barton Springs Road Bridge 100years old built in 1926 1946 Bridge Expansion 20,000 Vehicles per day Key Entrance to Zilker Park and for Major City Events FUNDING SOURCE: • Preliminary Design: 2012, 2018 and 2020 Bonds • Design: 2020 Bond • Construction: FHWA/City 2 Project Development Process - PRELIMINARY PHASE 2015 - 2023 - DESIGN PHASE 2024 - 2027 - CONSTRUCTION PHASE 2027 - 2029 PUBLIC MEETING April 2023 RESPOND TO COMMENTS Summer 2023 REFINE REPORT Fall 2023 COUNCIL ACTION December 2023 60% DESIGN + NEPA PUBLIC MEETINGS + BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FINAL DESIGN AND PERMITTING BID AND AWARD + COUNCIL ACTION CONSTRUCTION WE ARE HERE Current Condition Spalling Concrete in Bridge Structure Concrete Cores Delamination of Beams Curb And Railing Do Not Meet Current ADA Standards Load Restricted As Of November 2023 – Heavy Vehicles Moving Eastbound Must Use Outer Lanes 4 Analysis Structural and Mobility Analysis: • • • • External Structure - Spalling Concrete • ADA compliance – Pedestrian Circulation Internal Structure – Deteriorating Steel Geotechnical Data –Replacement Design • Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility – no improvement to existing condition Cost/Benefit Analysis – extended life vs. cost Historical Analysis: • Coordinated with US Army Corps (USACE) and Texas Historic Commission (THC) • The bridge is a contributing feature to the Zilker Park National Register of Historic Places District (1997) • The Texas Historic Commission has approved potentially fully replacing the bridge. As the process continues, the final design will be reviewed and approved by USACE and THC. • Additional analysis is underway as a part of the NEPA process 5 Project Options 6 Bridge Rehabilitation Bridge Structure Rehabilitation 1 Remove Existing Bridge Deck and Spandrel Columns 2 Remaining Portion of Existing Structure 3 New Components: Exterior Pairs of Arch Ribs, Spandrel Columns, Deck, and Abutment Extensions Less than half of the original structure will remain Remaining structure will require refacing with new material surfaces View of old arches will be mostly blocked by new structure 7 City Council Actions 1 Direction from Council in 2020 Bond Resolution (20200812-011): 2 Previous Council Action/Hearings: 11/30/23 – Council conducts a public hearing to recommend the bridge replacement alternative 12/12/23 – Council work session on the recommended option 12/14/23 – Council conducts a public hearing and directs Staff to …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Recommendation: Design Commission Description of Recommendation to Council: Date of Approval: 5/4/2026 The Design Commission recommends to City Council that the Downtown Density Bonus Program Urban Design Standards be adopted as recommended by the Planning Commission. Recommendation Number: 20260518-007: Urban Design Working Group Alternative Draft for the Urban Design Standards DRAFT ● The Urban Design Standards recommended by the Planning Commission were developed by the Design Commission to promote quality urban design that ensures safety, comfort, and vitality within the downtown public realm. These standards were directly informed by the Urban Design Guidelines update process. Commission and City Council in issues of urban design and should be engaged as a primary stakeholder in future phases of the Downtown Density Bonus program update and Citywide Density Bonus program updates to support the development of appropriate gatekeeper urban design standards. Urban Design Standards; the Commission believes it is essential to maintain the stronger mandatory and enhanced standards and frontage designations as recommended by the Planning Commission. ● The Design Commission does not support Staff’s recommended draft of the ● The Design Commission serves a critical function advising the Planning Rationale: The proposed amendments to the Downtown Density Bonus Program before City Council would eliminate both administrative design review and the public-facing Design Commission review for DDB projects, changes that significantly alter the role and function of the Design Commission and the Urban Design Guidelines. This process has historically helped secure meaningful public benefits and improve the quality of Austin’s Downtown. The removal of this process risks leaving the City of Austin without leverage to require that downtown projects contribute meaningfully to the urban fabric of downtown. The Commission supports continued growth and increased housing production downtown. We also recognize the evolving legal constraints surrounding discretionary development review and the value of a more predictable entitlement process. For this reason, we support the Urban Design Standards as recommended by the Planning Commission. The Urban Design Standards proposed by staff were a rushed and insufficient replacement for the previous design review process. In contrast, the standards recommended by the Planning Commission were developed by the Design Commission through a substantial multi-year effort to update the Urban Design Guidelines. These standards were shaped through extensive engagement with stakeholders, practitioners, and staff, and calibrated against real projects, professional practice, and national best practices for drafting objective design standards. Recognizing the relative inflexibility of …
