Backup - Item #4 Clarifying the Role of the Design Commission — original pdf

Backup

Clarifying the Role of the Design Commission A Roadmap for Expanding Urban Design Leadership, Policy Integration, and Strategic Alignment in the City of Austin Introduction What We Are Doing? Why We Are Doing It? ● ● ● Recommend code amendments and council action to Clarify and reframe the Design Commission's role ● ● DDB project “design review” role eliminated Shift focus to citywide urban design policy leadership within city governance. ● Many projects and initiatives that critically impact the Change role to a standing advisory role providing public realm do not come to the Design Commission. recommendations to Council, Land Use Commissions, ● Purpose of review unclear for some projects required the City Manager, and City departments to present to the Design Commission. ● Adding clear triggers for projects to present before the Design Commission Focus Areas Capital Projects Small Area Planning Design oversight of civic buildings, Continuous stewardship of urban Development & Street Design Standards Continuous stewardship of urban bridges, right-of-way infrastructure, design development standards, street design development standards, street parks, and major civic assets to elevate design guidelines, and small area public realm design quality. planning framework integration. design guidelines, and small area planning framework integration. Focus Areas Economic Development & Placemaking Strategic alignment with economic development initiatives, cultural district creation, and redevelopment projects across Austin. Urban Design Leadership Tactical Engagement Advocate for structural leadership within the City of Austin, including Establish a centralized Urban Design Center to serve as a hub for community elevating urban design expertise within engagement, education, and innovation. the Innovation Office and establishing an Leverage real-world pilot projects to Assistant City Manager (ACM)-level demonstrate immediate urban design urban design champion. value in the public realm. Proposed Mechanisms Rename & Reframe: Transition title to "Urban Design Commission" (UDC) to shift perception moving away from association with “design review board” toward comprehensive citywide policy leadership. Joint Committees: Establish dedicated joint committees (e.g., ROW Design Joint Committee with UTC) OR secure UDC representation on existing bodies. Formal Review Triggers: Adopt code changes to trigger appropriate project review according to proposed strategy Quarterly Partner Updates: Host structured quarterly updates from key entity partners including Rally Austin on redevelopment and place-based efforts. Implementation Strategy Task Target Outcome Proposed Mechanism Renaming & Reframing Urban Design Commission Shift away from association with “design review board” Code amendment Capital Projects Design oversight on civic buildings, parks, streets, transit stations Opt. 1: New ROW Design Joint Committee (UTC + UDC) Opt. 2: Independent parallel review Development Standards Participate and advise on urban design standards. Includes regulating plans, PUDs, transportation plan amendments Code amendment Resolution- review triggers Street Design Standards Participate and advise on ROW design standards Code amendment Resolution- review triggers Small Area Planning Participate and advise on small area plans and small area transportation plans. Includes: Station area plans, neighborhood plans, cultural districts. Absorb Small Area Planning Commission role Absorb South Central Waterfront Commission role ROW Design Joint Commission (UTC + UDC) Economic Development Advise on placemaking and cultural district strategy Quarterly Rally Austin briefings with UDC Leadership & Outreach Inter-departmental leadership- systemic integration of urban design Engage the community with tangible examples that test urban design innovations or opportunities Opt. 1: Urban Design Lab Center Opt. 2: Pilot projects Work Plan Design Commission Meeting Dates Deliverables / Effort August 24th DC Meeting: Discussion- update, work plan September 28th DC Meeting: Discussion- Council letter, feedback, charter language October 28th DC Meeting: Action- approve final letter and proposed charter language ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Project planning Council recommendation research Charter language research Engage relevant commissions and Council offices Update and finalize letter to Council Update and finalize proposed charter language Continued engagement and advocacy final edits