REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 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 Stephen Crews at 512- 978-1399. 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 regular meeting on August 24th, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on phase two of the DDBP and its stakeholder engagement plan. Presented by Warner Cook, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Vice Chair Howard and Commissioner Wittstruck. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion on items within the annual internal review, such as changes to the Design Commission bylaws and policies not currently covered by the Commission, as well as discussion of the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. Sponsors: Chair McKinney and Vice Chair Howard. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and possible action on clarifying the future role of the Design Commission. Sponsors: Chair McKinney and Vice Chair Howard. 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 and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 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, please call or email Stephen Crews at 512-978-1399 or Stephen.crews@austintexas.gov . CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Marissa McKinney, Chair Kevin Howard, Vice Chair Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Saira Khan COMMITTEE UPDATES Conners Ladner Josue Meiners Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes Jon Salinas Brendan Wittstruck AGENDA ADDENDUM 5. Update from the representative of the Downtown Commission regarding the meeting on September 16, 2026. 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 Stephen Crews at Austin Planning at 512-978-1399 or Stephen.crews@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Design Commission, please contact Stephen Crews at Austin Planning at 512-978-1399 or Stephen.crews@austintexas.gov .
DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Monday, August 24, 2026 The Design Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Monday, August 24, 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 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Marissa McKinney, Chair Kevin Howard, Vice Chair Brendan Wittstruck (arrived 6:13) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Saira Khan Connors Ladner Josue Meiners Jenny Murkes PUBLIC COMMUNICATION : GENERAL None Present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission Regular Meeting on June 22, 2026. The minutes from the Design Commission regular meeting on June 22, 2026, were approved on Vice Chair Howard’s motion, Commissioner Jenny Murkes second on a vote of 6-0. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff Briefing regarding the implementation of urban design guidelines into the Great Streets plan update. Presented by Jill Amezcua and Mudita Bilay, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Vice Chair Howard, Commissioner Nkiru Gelles. Item was discussed. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action regarding the Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP), including Phase I background and context, Design Guidelines Working Group recommendations, and the proposed approach, strategy, and stakeholder engagement process for Phase II. Sponsors: Vice Chair Kevin Howard and Commissioner David Carroll. Item was discussed and no action was taken. 4. Discussion and possible action to approve a recommendation regarding the future of the Design Commission and their role in the development review process. Sponsors: Commissioner Murkes and Vice Chair Howard. Item was discussed and no action was taken. 5. Discussion on alley access and promoting the use of alley spaces for economic vitality. Sponsors: Commissioner Nkiru Gelles and Commissioner Jon Salinas. Item was discussed and no action was taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion and possible action on items within the annual internal review, such as changes to the Design Commission bylaws and policies not currently covered by the Commission, as well as discussion of the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. Sponsors: Chair McKinney and Vice Chair Howard. Discussion item to provide an update on clarifying the future role of the Design Commission. Sponsors: Chair McKinney and Vice Chair Howard. Staff briefing on phase two of the DDBP and its stakeholder engagement plan. Sponsors: Vice Chair Howard and Commissioner Wittstruck. Discussion and possible action to learn about how the Art in Public Places …
Downtown Density Bonus Phase 2 Austin Planning | Design Commission Briefing | 9/28/26 Project Team Warner Cook Planner Principal Makayla Ponce Planner III Nick Smith Planner Senior 2 Phase 1 Overview Phase 1 – Summary of Changes ▪ Phase 1 changes to the Downtown Density Bonus (DDB) program were adopted in May 2026 by Ordinance No. 20260528-067, which: ▪ Created two new density bonus combining districts: ▪ DDB400 has +400 feet of height (rezoned Phase 1 sites into this) ▪ DDB850 has +850 feet of height (sites can request through the rezoning process) ▪ The additional height is additive to the property’s base zoning height limit ▪ e.g., a CBD-DDB400 site can build up to 750 ft (350 ft base height + 400 ft bonus) ▪ Modified gatekeeper requirements, including the addition of the Urban Design Standards and the removal of Design Commission review requirement ▪ Revised the list of community benefit options ▪ Updated affordability requirements and fee-in-lieu rates ▪ Adjusted site development standards and exemptions ▪ Retired the legacy DDB program within the Phase 1 area 4 DRAFT for internal discussion only 5 DDB Program Utilization Process If an Applicant seeks to utilize DDB400: 6 Phase 1 – Site Development Standards ▪ Exemptions: ▪ Maximum building coverage ▪ Landscaping requirements ▪ Minimum site area ▪ Private common open space ▪ FAR limits (unlimited FAR allowed) ▪ Non-transit supportive uses are prohibited or conditional The Residences at 6G is an example of how a project with these exemptions may build out. 7 Phase 1 – Gatekeeper Requirements Compliance with Urban Design Standards Great Streets Standards Streetscape Improvements Min. 2-Star Rating under the Austin Energy Green Building Program Selection from list of standards; no Design Commission review Will include any updates to Great Streets Plan With bird-friendly design standards required 8 Phase 1 – Community Benefits ▪ The primary community benefit is affordable housing. ▪ Units may be developed on-site, or a fee-in-lieu (FIL) can be paid to fund the Affordable Housing Trust Fund ▪ An additional optional community benefit may be provided to reduce the affordable housing requirement by either 2% of units or 20% of the FIL amount ▪ Community benefit options include: ▪ Grocery Store Use (min. 2,500 sq ft) ▪ Cultural Uses (min. 2,500 sq ft) ▪ Live Music Venue (min. 2,500 sq ft) ▪ Austin Energy Green Building 3-Star Rating ▪ Transit Supportive Infrastructure Affordability …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 _____________Design Commission_____________ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. The Design Commission has passed the following recommendations over the last year: April 28, 2025 Recommendation: 20250428-002 Austin Convention Center Redevelopment March 24, 2025 Recommendation 20250324-002: AUS West Garage February 24, 2025 Recommendation 20250224-003: Austin Core Transportation Plan January 27, 2025 Recommendation 20250127-003: Modifications to Project Review Application Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 Page # December 09, 2024 Recommendation 20241209-003: Asian American Resource Center Phase II Improvement Project Recommendation 20241209-004: Billboard Placement within or beside Residential Recommendation 20241209-004: Billboard Relocation Prohibition October 28, 2024 Recommendation 20241028-004: Equity-based Preservation Plan Recommendation 20241028-005: 305 W MLK September 23, 2024 Recommendation 20240923-002: 701 W 6th St August 26, 2024 Recommendation 20240826-003: Umlauf Plan Recommendation 20240826-004: 401 W 14th St DDBP 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. All of the Design Commission’s actions comply with the mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. -To provide policy recommendations regarding issues of urban design - Provide advisory recommendations to the city council to assist in developing public policy and to promote excellence in the design and development of the urban environment -Provide a venue for citizen input on the design and development of the urban environment - Provide a venue for citizen input on the design and development of the urban environment - Maintain liaison relationships with the Joint Sustainability Committee, Downtown Commission and continue to find a liaison for the South Central Waterfront Commission. -Per council resolution 20210902-046 the Design Commission has been tasked with updating the Urban Design Guidelines. The commission has met with and engaged the public to gather feedback and incorporate ideas beneficial to the community. The working group has provided a draft to staff. Staff is currently formatting the document and preparing to present back to the commission for feedback Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 Page # Per council resolution to create guidelines for infrastructure projects, the commission plans to review the latest draft of the updated urban design guidelines and determine if …
September 14th, 2026 DRAFT Recommended Bylaw Amendment Summary 1. Name change “Urban Design Commission” 2. Simplify and clarify authority (mechanisms) Recommend Council adopt bylaw amendments to: a. Change from discretionary to mandatory referral- Projects must come to the Design Commission and “shall be presented to Council and land use commissions with Design Commission recommendation attached". b. Amend existing code and criteria manual language updating name and cleaning-up language related to review of Downtown Density Bonus Program Projects for compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines 3. Clarify Purpose and Duties (focus areas) Purpose/Role clause: State that the Commission is the City's advisory body of record on urban design outcomes citywide. Mandatory Referral Items: Mandatory referral items must come before the Urban Design Commission for review and recommendation before the respective Planning or Zoning and Platting Commission takes final action. Items shall be presented to Planning Commission, Zoning and Platting Commission, and City Council with the Urban Design Commission recommendation attached; a. Plans, master plans, and major improvements on City-owned land. Major improvements are considered to be a project or series of projects with total construction costs of $2,000,000 or greater. b. Plans, programs, and projects with a material impact on the design of the public right-of-way, including major capital improvements in the right-of-way and updates or modifications to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) Street Network Table and Map. "Major capital improvements" include street reconstruction and rehabilitation projects, and any project involving 300 linear feet or more of excavation. Where “material impact” is unclear, the Chair shall determine applicability. c. Land Development Code (adoption and amendment), area plans (adoption and amendment), and City programs and projects affecting the following areas: i. transit station areas; ii. major transit corridors; and iii. the Central City District planning area. September 14th, 2026 DRAFT d. Regulating Plans, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, and Planned Unit Developments (adoption and amendment). Referral determination: Project staff determine applicability at case intake; where unclear, staff seek a determination from the Commission Chair. September 14th, 2026 DRAFT 4. (Focus Areas not mandated by bylaws)- Future commission-initiated goals and objectives. a. Major criteria manual adoptions and amendments related to: i. ROW design ii. Building siting iii. Ground floor design iv. v. Streetwalls and facade design Street yard landscaping b. Explore relieving PC or P&Z committees or joint committees of their pre-review responsibilities- taking over case load and making recommendations to PC and …
September 14th, 2026 DRAFT Recommended Bylaw Amendment Summary 1. Name change “Urban Design Commission” 2. Simplify and clarify authority (mechanisms) Recommend Council adopt bylaw amendments to: a. Change from discretionary to mandatory referral- Projects must come to the Design Commission and “shall be presented to Council and land use commissions with Design Commission recommendation attached". b. Amend existing code and criteria manual language updating name and cleaning-up language related to review of Downtown Density Bonus Program Projects for compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines 3. Clarify Purpose and Duties (focus areas) Purpose/Role clause: State that the Commission is the City's advisory body of record on urban design outcomes citywide. Mandatory Referral Items: Mandatory referral items must come before the Urban Design Commission for review and recommendation before the respective Planning or Zoning and Platting Commission takes final action. Items shall be presented to Planning Commission, Zoning and Platting Commission, and City Council with the Urban Design Commission recommendation attached; a. Plans, master plans, and major improvements on City-owned land. Major improvements are considered to be a project or series of projects with total construction costs of $2,000,000 or greater. b. Plans, programs, and projects with a material impact on the design of the public right-of-way, including major capital improvements in the right-of-way and updates or modifications to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) Street Network Table and Map. "Major capital improvements" include street reconstruction and rehabilitation projects, and any project involving 300 linear feet or more of excavation. Where “material impact” is unclear, the Chair shall determine applicability. c. Land Development Code (adoption and amendment), area plans (adoption and amendment), and City programs and projects affecting the following areas: i. transit station areas; ii. major transit corridors; and iii. the Central City District planning area. September 14th, 2026 DRAFT d. Regulating Plans, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, and Planned Unit Developments (adoption and amendment). Referral determination: Project staff determine applicability at case intake; where unclear, staff seek a determination from the Commission Chair. September 14th, 2026 DRAFT 4. (Focus Areas not mandated by bylaws)- Future commission-initiated goals and objectives. a. Major criteria manual adoptions and amendments related to: i. ROW design ii. Building siting iii. Ground floor design iv. v. Streetwalls and facade design Street yard landscaping b. Explore relieving PC or P&Z committees or joint committees of their pre-review responsibilities- taking over case load and making recommendations to PC and …
