Approved Minutes — original pdf
Approved Minutes
Page 1 of 3 DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2019; 6:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W. SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Meeting Minutes Call to order by: Chair D. Carroll at 6:06 p.m. Member List X David Carroll – Chair X Melissa Henao‐Robledo Martha Gonzalez – Vice‐Chair Ben Luckens X Aan Coleman X Evan Taniguchi X Beau Frail Bart Whatley X Samuel Franco X Josue Meiners X Katie Halloran Staff in attendance: Benjamin Campbell (Executive Liaison; PAZ); Nichole Koerth (Staff Liaison; PAZ), Vice‐Chair M. Gonzalez and Commissioners B. Luckens and B. Whatley were absent. 1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether The Travis project, addressed at 80 Red River Street, complies with the Urban Design Guidelines, a gatekeeper requirement for the Downtown Density Bonus Program (LDC §25‐2‐586(C)(1)(a)(ii)) (Leah Bojo, Drenner Group; Michael Schooler, GDA Architects; Anna Hoge, Consort, Inc.); Leah Bojo, representative for the applicant, said that the project will be presented at the August 26, 2019 Design Commission meeting. No action taken. b. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether the 17th & Guadalupe Apartments project, addressed at 313 W. 17th Street, complies with the Urban Design Guidelines, a gatekeeper requirement for the Downtown Density Bonus Program (LDC §25‐2‐586(C)(1)(a)(ii)) (Brockett Davidson, Rhode Partners); Page 2 of 3 Brockett Davidson presented with help from Trent Rush (Hitchcock Design Group). Discussion followed. Commissioner S. Franco motioned to recommend that the project does not comply with the Urban Design Guidelines. The motion died for lack of a second. The motion to recommend that the project complies with the Urban Design Guidelines, pending the inclusion of a permanent awning along Guadalupe was made by Commissioner B. Frail, seconded by Commissioner K. Halloran. A friendly amendment, recommending that if the corner space is not a gallery, that it be dedicated to publicly accessible retail/benefit/art and recommending that the outdoor space be used for public art, was made by Commissioner A. Coleman. The friendly amendment was accepted by Commissioner B. Frail. The motion to recommend that the project complies with the Urban Design Guidelines, pending the inclusion of the recommended awning and including the friendly amendment, failed [4‐3‐1]. Commissioners J. Meiners, S. Franco, and Chair D. Carroll voted against. Commissioner E. Taniguchi abstained. c. Discussion and possible action on the Austin Energy Rainey Street Substation, located at 55 East Avenue, seeking a courtesy review and recommendation of “compliance with city design and sustainability standards” per Resolution 20071129‐046 (Kim Doyal, Austin Energy); Kim Doyal presented with help from Tara Delagarza (Austin Energy), Sonny Krause (Stanley Consultants), Donna Carter (Carter Design & Associates), and Roberto Garcia (Garcia Design, Inc.). Discussion followed. No motion taken. Commissioner M. Henao‐Robledo left the dais at 7:30 pm and returned at 7:32 pm. 3. OLD BUSINESS (Discussion and possible Action): None. 4. COMMISSION‐SPECIFIC BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action on the May 20, 2019 meeting minutes; The motion to approve the minutes as drafted was made by Commissioner A. Coleman and seconded by Commissioner S. Franco. The motion was approved on a vote of [6‐0‐0]. Commissioners K. Halloran and B. Frail left the dais at 8:10 pm. Commissioner K. Halloran returned at 8:13 pm and Commissioner B. Frail returned at 8:14 pm. Neither were present for the vote. Page 3 of 3 b. Liaison Reports; Commissioner M. Henao‐Robledo reported that the Downtown Commission did not meet. Commissioner S. Franco reported that the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board had heard a presentation on the redevelopment of the Austin American‐Statesman property. Chair D. Carroll reported that he had not yet attended a meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee since being appointed. c. Appointment of Committee/Working Group members by Chair; None. d. Discussion of a letter to Council regarding updating the Urban Design Guidelines (Vice‐Chair M. Gonzalez) This item was postponed until the August 26, 2019 Design Commission meeting. Vice‐Chair M. Gonzalez was not present. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Chair D. Carroll requested a briefing of Pedestrian Advisory Council ‐ Congress Avenue recommendations for the August Design Commission meeting. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS: a. Chair Announcements: None. b. Items from Commission Members: The introduction of the newest Design Commission member, Josue Meiners (District 4: Greg Casar) was made. c. Items from City Staff: Executive Liaison Benjamin Campbell announced the Transportation Department is undergoing a Rainey Street Area Traffic Study, with an estimated completion in August. Benjamin Campbell announced he is leaving the City of Austin. He will be greatly missed. ADJOURNMENT at: 8:19 p.m.