RESOLUTION ON HOW DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS FEES-IN-LIEU SHOULD BE USED WHEREAS, currently all Downtown Density Bonus Program fee-in-lieu funds collected by the City are spent solely for the Housing Voucher Program; and WHEREAS, Housing Vouchers are an important component to affordable housing, but they do not help add any affordable housing units; and WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint calls for the creation of 60,000 affordable housing units throughout the city; and WHEREAS, the new Downtown Density Bonus fee-in-lieu structure will result in many times more fees that are currently being collected; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DESIGN COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: In order to meet the City’s stated affordable housing goals, we recommend that Council direct the City Manager to allocate Downtown Density Bonus fees-in-lieu to be used for building affordable housing units in Austin. The Housing Voucher Program could continue to receive the same amount of funding that it does today, but the additional fees being collected from the new fee structure should be earmarked for projects that will generate affordable housing units. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Examples of how this could be accomplished are: distributing these funds to the Austin Economic Development Corporation to help achieve their affordable housing development goals; and distributing to the Austin Housing Finance Corporation to award more funding to affordable housing developers for the construction of affordable housing in Austin. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The apportionment of the Downtown Density Bonus fees collected should be re-evaluated on a regular basis so that the City is effectively using these funds to meet our affordability goals. ADOPTED: ATTEST: David Carroll Chair, Design Commission Design Commission: DDBP Working Group 07/29/21 RESOLUTION FOR A TIERED DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM WHEREAS, currently, if a project stays below the density bonus program’s district FAR cap, it needs approval from city staff and support from the Design Commission; and WHEREAS, if a project exceeds a district’s FAR cap, it requires an additional step of needing council approval; and WHEREAS, exceeding the FAR cap does not require any additional requirements other than applying the same fee-in-lieu formula that was used when under the cap; and WHEREAS this additional administrative step in the process is discretionary, unpredictable, and does not result in any additional community benefit; and WHEREAS in the Rainey Street district, a tiered approach is used to require on site affordable housing in the first …
--- July 19, 2021 The City of Austin Design Commission Jen Weaver, AIA RID LEED AP MRED Density Bonus Fee Calibration Recommendation TO: CC: FROM: RE: DATE: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Austin Land Development Code team engaged ECO Northwest to consult on the fee calibration of the Downtown Density Bonus program. The current program is widely implemented as a requirement to develop projects downtown, but problematic assumptions yield no new actual Affordable housing downtown and increased costs to developers, who must include these fees in their costs. This causes increase rents or sales to end users as developers must meet minimum yields to cover their costs of financing. We recommend slowing down the process, creating two-way conversation with developers delivering product in areas where the City would like to see Affordable housing and market-rate housing, and evaluating the ultimate goal: fees or missing middle housing delivery to the market (although they are not mutually exclusive solutions.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Context: The City of Austin Land Development Code team engaged ECO Northwest, an independent consulting firm based in Oregon to advise on the fee calibration of the existing affordable housing density bonus program. The existing LDC-related affordable housing density bonus programs (areas) are the Downtown Density Bonus Program (including Rainey and the University Neighborhood Overlay.) The analysis was of in-lieu fees that capture a portion of the upside without discouraging developers from delivering product and is focused on calibrating in-lieu fees only. The stated exclusions are: recalibration of the affordable housing bonus incentives, or affordable housing performance requirements in the bonus areas which could change the target incomes or set aside requirements. This developer additionally notes that feedback from the developers responsible for financing these fees was not assessed. Critical feedback from two-way communication could include: 1) the challenges in the developer’s business model to cover fees and projected increases in fees, 2) effects on land acquisition 3) challenges in implementing on-site affordability 4) hurdles for market-rate (rather than luxury) housing. Problems in Assessing Success: The City of Austin Land Development Code department cites the current program as a success noting that many developers participate in the program. Currently, the City of Austin requires more fees up front, encouraging developers to develop luxury product with a higher margin of safety to covers fees and the cost to finance fees a successful project. In short, increasing costs by various fees causes the …
DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20210805-1A August 06, 2021 Honorable Mayor Adler Honorable City Council Members City Manager Spencer Cronk Re: Downtown Density Bonus Program Dear Mayor and City Council Members, Given that the Design Commission is the Gatekeeper of the Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP), we believe our input is valuable to the work that is currently underway to revise the fees for this program. To this end, we have attached two resolutions recently passed by the Design Commission related to this work. The first resolution speaks to how the fees-in-lieu should be spent, while the second resolution is more comprehensive and recommends additional changes to the structure of the DDBP. As the Design Commission reviews all of the DDBP projects, we believe we have a great understanding of the program’s successes and failures and it is in this vein that we offer our resolutions to improve the program for your consideration so that it may provide more benefit to our community. Sincerely, David Carroll Chair City of Austin Design Commission RESOLUTION ON HOW DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS FEES-IN-LIEU SHOULD BE USED WHEREAS, currently all Downtown Density Bonus Program fee-in-lieu funds collected by the City are spent solely for the Housing Voucher Program; and WHEREAS, Housing Vouchers are an important component to affordable housing, but they do not help add any affordable housing units; and WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint calls for the creation of 60,000 affordable housing units throughout the city; and WHEREAS, the new Downtown Density Bonus fee-in-lieu structure will result in more fees than are currently being collected; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DESIGN COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: In order to meet the City’s stated affordable housing goals, we recommend that Council direct the City Manager to allocate Downtown Density Bonus fees-in-lieu to be used for building affordable housing units in Austin. The Housing Voucher Program could continue to receive the same amount of funding that it does today, but the additional fees being collected from the new fee structure should be earmarked for projects that will generate affordable housing units. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Examples of how this could be accomplished are: distributing these funds to the Austin Economic Development Corporation to help achieve their affordable housing development goals; and distributing to the Austin Housing Finance Corporation to award more funding to affordable housing developers for the construction of affordable housing in Austin. …
DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, August 5, 2021 5:30 PM VIA REMOTE WebEx Meeting Minutes Call to order by: Chair D. Carroll at 5: 33 p.m. Member List David Carroll – Chair (District 1) Jessica Rollason – Vice-Chair (District 7) X X X Martha Gonzalez (District 2) X Samuel Franco (District 3) Josue Meiners (District 4) Evan Taniguchi (Mayor) “X” Denote Commission Members who were in attendance X Jorge E. Rousselin, Executive Liaison X Aaron D. Jenkins, Staff Liaison X Art Zamorano, Staff Liaison CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. 1. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): CITY OF AUSTIN HOUSING AND PLANNING STAFF X Melissa Hanao-Robledo (District 5) X X X Jen Weaver (District 6) Aan Coleman (District 8) Bart Whatley (District 9) Ben Luckens (District 10) a. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations related to the Downtown Density Bonus Program. • Chair D. Carroll informed the committee that the Working Group has provided three recommended resolutions for the Downtown Density Bonus program o Resolution on how Downtown Density Bonus Fees-In-Lieu Should be used o Resolution for the Tiered Downtown Density Bonus Program o Resolution on Downtown Density Bonus Fees-In-Lieu Calibration. Page 1 of 2 • Commissioner B. Luckens made a motion to adopt the Resolution on how Downtown Density Bonus Fees-In-Lieu Should be used, seconded by Commissioner E. Taniguchi. o The motion was approved [ 7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 Abstain] • Commissioner B. Whatley made a motion to adopt the Resolution for the Tiered Downtown Density Bonus Program, seconded by Commissioner E. Taniguchi. o The motion was approved [ 7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 Abstain] • The resolution on Downtown Density Bonus Fees-In-Lieu Calibration has been tabled for the next regular Design Commission August 23rd meeting, with no objection. ADJOURNMENT by consensus at: 6:31 PM. Page 2 of 2
Design Commission June 28, 2021 Design Commission to be held June 28, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 27th by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Design Commission Meeting, members of the public must: • Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-1243 and aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Design Commission FECHA de la reunion (Junio 28, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Junio 27th antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben • junta en (512) 974-1243 and Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. la • • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los residentes recibirán un correo electrónico o una …
DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, May 24, 2021 5:30 PM VIA REMOTE WebEx Meeting Minutes Call to order by: Chair D. Carroll at 5:34 p.m. X X X Member List David Carroll – Chair (District 1) Jessica Rollason – Vice-Chair (District 7) Martha Gonzalez (District 2) Samuel Franco (District 3) Josue Meiners (District 4) Evan Taniguchi (Mayor) “X” Denote Commission Members who were in attendance X Jorge E. Rousselin, Executive Liaison X Aaron D. Jenkins, Staff Liaison X Art Zamorano, Staff Liaison CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. 1. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): CITY OF AUSTIN HOUSING AND PLANNING STAFF X Melissa Hanao-Robledo (District 5) X X X Jen Weaver (District 6) Aan Coleman (District 8) Bart Whatley (District 9) Ben Luckens (District 10) a. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations for the City of Austin, Austin Energy; Rainey Street Sub Station Project, addressed at 806 ½ Lambie Street. Tara Delagarza - Austin Energy; Kim Doyal - Austin Energy; Girard Kinney – Kinney Architects; Zak Robinson - Carter Design. • Tara Delagarza and Kim Doyal – Austin Energy; Girard Kinney – Kinney Architects and Roberto Garcia – Carter Design presented and answered questions. • Commissioner J. Meiners made a motion to support the project as presented, seconded by Commissioner B. Whatley. Page 1 of 3 • Commissioner A. Coleman made a friendly amendment to include a Silva Cell or similar systems beneath the landscaping. Commissioner J. Meiners and Commissioner B. Whatley accepted the friendly amendment. • The motion was approved [ 7 ayes, 0 nays] b. Courtesy Briefing on the City of Austin Palm District Planning Initiative, to be presented by Stevie Greathouse – City of Austin Housing and Planning Department. • Stevie Greathouse – City of Austin Housing and Planning Department provided a courtesy briefing of the City of Austin Palm District Planning Initiative. c. Courtesy Briefing on the Austin Land Development Code Functional Green component, to be presented by Pamela Abee-Taulli–City of Austin Development Services Department • Pamela Abee-Taulli–City of Austin Development Services Department provided a courtesy briefing on the Austin Land Development Code Functional Green component and answered questions. 2. COMMISSION-SPECIFIC BUSINESS (Discussion and possible action): a. Approval of April 26th meeting minutes. • Commissioner A. Coleman made a motion to approve the April 26th meeting minutes as distributed, seconded by Commissioner J. Meiners. • The motion was approved [ 7 ayes, 0 nays] b. Discussion and …
Design Commission June 28, 2021 Design Commission to be held June 28, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 27th by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Design Commission Meeting, members of the public must: • Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-1243 and aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Design Commission FECHA de la reunion (Junio 28, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Junio 27th antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben • junta en (512) 974-1243 and Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. la • • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los residentes recibirán un correo electrónico o una …
Downtown Density Bonus Program Options to modify 25-2-586 (B)(6) 2 Council Direction Resolution No. 20210422-039 1. City Council initiates an amendment to City Code section 25-2-586 (Downtown Density Bonus Program) to amend subsection (B) (6). 2. The City Manager is directed to present a report on Floor to Area Ratio best practices. 3 Best Practice Research 4 Staff conducted research on eight major Texas cities for the purpose of comparing existing Programs or Zoning, which incentivized additional building density within the Central Business District or Downtown. El Paso Research concluded that Austin is the only Texas City that has a Downtown Density Bonus Program and specifically, a pathway to achieve greater density beyond specified limits of FAR and height. Lubbock Ft. Worth Plano Dallas Arlington Waco San Antonio Map not to scale 5 The City of Dallas has an Incentive Zoning Program that is the closest resemblance to Austin’s DDBP. Through this program additional density is granted in exchange for mixed income housing. These are specific to areas outside of downtown and main incentives offered are the removal of the FAR requirement and additional maximum unit density. Dallas Map not to scale 6 Options to address 25-2-586 (B)(6) Option 1 Leave existing language (no changes) Option 2 Eliminate Section (B)(6) Option 3 Modify Section (B)(6) 7 Options to address 25-2-586 (B)(6) Option 1 No modifications to Section 25-2-586 (B)(6) based on new calibration Based on revised development bonus fees as adopted under Ordinance No. 20210520-009, Staff could recommend no changes to Sub-section (B)(6). The amount of in-lieu fees expected under the revised in Exhibit A of the Ordinance include development types under Residential and Commercial properties zoned CBD will increase the amount of funds per square feet of bonused areas. (Continued) 8 Options to address 25-2-586 (B)(6) – (Continued) No modifications to Section 25-2-586 (B)(6) based on new calibration Option 1 Interim development bonus fees as adopted under Ordinance No. 20210520-009 9 Options to address 25-2-586 (B)(6) Option 2 Complete removal of Section 25-2-586 (B)(6) Removal of this section would eliminate the ability for an applicant to request additional FAR beyond the administrative provisions of the Program. In certain areas of downtown, development potential would be limited to the base entitlements plus the voluntary participation in the administrative DDBP up to the entitlement limits of the DDBP Maps. Removal will limit the potential for additional on-site affordable housing or contributions …
Great Streets Recommendations on Fee-in-lieu Options “Planning for the transportation as a component of the development of an active and vibrant downtown must begin with the premise that ‘Streets are for people.’” From: 1991 AIA Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) 2 Goals and Objectives of Great Streets Balance use of the public right-of-way Create Streets as Places Create Interactive Streets Encourage private sector initiatives to activate the street scenes Occupy the wider sidewalk zone with an array of well designed, functional elements Public Art 3 Goals and Objectives of Great Streets The Great Streets program is the main source for providing: • Shade trees to incentivize an active and safe pedestrian realm for walkability • Specific street furniture: benches, bike racks, trash receptacles • Consistent street lighting These elements work as part of an infrastructure system 4 Fee-in-lieu Recommendations 5 Applicability of Great Streets Standards Certain properties in Downtown are eligible to participate in the Downtown Density Bonus Program (the Program) as outlined in 25-2-586. In accordance with Program requirements, the applicant is required to execute a restrictive covenant committing to provide streetscape improvements along all public street frontages, consistent with the Great Street Standards (the Standards). General Boundary of Great Streets with locations of improvements highlighted 6 Conflict with extra-jurisdictional control • Properties in the Rainey St. Subdistrict of the Waterfront Overlay are eligible to participate in the Program per 25-2-739. • Certain properties in the subdistrict front on Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) right-of-way (ROW). • On such portion where properties front said ROW, the City of Austin has no jurisdiction to require streetscape improvements. Any proposed improvements outside private property on said frontage are to be coordinated with TxDOT. Downtown Austin with Capitol View Corridors TxDOT ROW and jurisdiction: 5,584 linear feet outside of CVC 7 Council Direction Resolution No. 20200312-040 • Recommendations for creating FIL option • Applies to specific projects • Establishing an administrative process • Establish a fund to collect FIL contributions to be used for Great Streets 8 Staff Recommendations • • Specify an initial range costs average of $55-$60 per square foot for construction of Great Streets improvements based on calculations used for the South-Central Waterfront initiative which will be implementing Great Streets. Include an additional amount of 10% of the cost for construction ($5.50-$6 per square foot) to cover maintenance of any Great Streets improvements, including landscape elements, trash receptacles, benches, …
DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, June 28, 2021 5:30 PM VIA REMOTE WebEx Meeting Minutes Call to order by: Chair D. Carroll at 5:35 p.m. X X X X Member List David Carroll – Chair (District 1) Jessica Rollason – Vice-Chair (District 7) Martha Gonzalez (District 2) Samuel Franco (District 3) Josue Meiners (District 4) Evan Taniguchi (Mayor) “X” Denote Commission Members who were in attendance X Jorge E. Rousselin, Executive Liaison X Aaron D. Jenkins, Staff Liaison X Art Zamorano, Staff Liaison CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. 1. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): CITY OF AUSTIN HOUSING AND PLANNING STAFF X Melissa Hanao-Robledo (District 5) X X X X Jen Weaver (District 6) Aan Coleman (District 8) Bart Whatley (District 9) Ben Luckens (District 10) a. Discussion and possible action on recommendations addressing Fee-in-lieu recommendations for Great Streets, as requested by Resolution No. 20200312-040, to be presented by Jorge E. Rousselin - City of Austin Housing and Planning Department • Jorge E. Rousselin – City of Austin Housing and Planning Department presented the Great Streets program addressing the Fee-in-lieu recommendations. • Vice Chair J. Rollason made a motion to support the staff recommendations for the Great Streets program. Commissioner J. Weaver seconded the motion. • The motion was approved [ 7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 Abstain] Page 1 of 3 Commissioner A. Coleman joined the meeting. b. Discussion and possible action on recommendations related to the Downtown Density Bonus Program, to be presented by Jorge E. Rousselin and Sam Tedford – City of Austin Housing and Planning Department • Jorge E. Rousselin and Sam Tedford – City of Austin Housing and Planning Department presented the Downtown Density Bonus program. • Commissioner E. Taniguchi requested the creation of a Working Group be created to provide recommendations to City Council in a timely manner. Commissioner B. Whatley seconded the motion. • Commissioner A. Coleman offered up a substitute motion in that the Urban Design Commission take a yes/no vote on the recommendations as presented. Seconded by J. Meiners. • Commissioner J. Meiners withdraws his motion and thereby rejecting the substitute motion. • The motion was approved [ 8 ayes, 1 nay] 2. COMMISSION-SPECIFIC BUSINESS (Discussion and possible action): a. Approval of May 24th meeting minutes. • Commissioner E. Taniguchi made a motion to approve the May 24th meeting minutes as distributed. Vice Chair J. Rollason seconded. • The motion was approved [ 9 ayes, …
Design Commission May 24, 2021 Design Commission to be held May 24, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (May 23rd by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Design Commission Meeting, members of the public must: • Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-1243 and aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión del Design Commission FECHA de la reunion (Mayo 24, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (May 23rd antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben • junta en (512) 974-1243 and Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de aaron.jenkins@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. la • • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los residentes recibirán un correo electrónico o una …
DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, April 26, 2021 5:30 PM VIA REMOTE WebEx Meeting Minutes X X X X Vacant (District 6) Jessica Rollason (District 7) Aan Coleman (District 8) Bart Whatley (District 9) Ben Luckens (District 10) Call to order by: Chair D. Carroll at 5:34 p.m. Member List David Carroll – Chair (District 1) X X Melissa Hanao-Robledo – Vice-Chair (District 5) X Martha Gonzalez – (District 2) Samuel Franco (District 3) X Josue Meiners (District 4) X Evan Taniguchi (Mayor) X “X” Denote Commission Members who were in attendance X Jorge E. Rousselin, Executive Liaison X Aaron D. Jenkins, Staff Liaison X Art Zamorano, Staff Liaison CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: None. 1. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): CITY OF AUSTIN HOUSING AND PLANNING STAFF a. Courtesy Briefing of the City of Austin George Washington Carver Museum Expansion, to be presented by Terry Smith-Smith & Co. Architects; Gregory Montes-City of Austin Park and Recreation Department (PARD). • Gregory Montes and Terry Smith, Smith & Co. Architects presented and answered questions from the Commissioners. • No action was taken by Design Commission for this item. Page 1 of 3 2. COMMISSION-SPECIFIC BUSINESS (Discussion and possible action): a. Approval of March 22nd meeting minutes. • Commissioner E. Taniguchi made a motion to approve the March 22nd meeting minutes as presented. Commissioner J. Meiners seconded. • The motion was approved [10 ayes, 0 nays] b. Attendance Reports for the Commissioners • Aaron Jenkins briefed the commission that attendance reports were requested by the City Clerk’s office on a regular basis. Mr. Jenkins provided a courtesy reminder that Commissioners need to attend all meetings if possible; more than (3) unexcused consecutive absences will place the Commissioners in jeopardy of being removed from the Commission. Mr. Jenkins asked that staff be notified of any absence, so that the attendance report and be marked accordingly. c. Officer Elections: Chair & Vice Chair • Commissioner A. Coleman made a motion to approve David Carroll as Chair and Melissa Hanao-Robledo as Vice chair for the next election cycle. Commissioner S. Franco seconded. [Commissioner A. Coleman withdrew her motion.] • Commissioner A. Coleman made a motion to approve David Carroll as Chair and Jessica Rollason as Vice chair for the next term. Commissioner J. Meiners seconded. • The motion was approved [9 ayes, 0 nays] * Commissioner M. Gonzalez was unable to connect into the meeting, due to technical difficulties. …
Table of Contents The Downtown Substation Community Engagement Report documents outreach and community input for all phases of the community engagement process. This report will continue to be updated throughout the course of the project. Community Engagement Report Community Engagement Phases & Timeline ..................................................................................... 1 Phase 1: Outreach Summary ...................................................................................................................... 2 Phase 2: Outreach Summary ................................................................................................................... 10 Phase 3: Outreach Summary ....................................................................................................................... Appendix A: Phase 1 Materials and Comments ................................................................ 19 Appendix B: Phase 2 Materials and Comments ............................................................... 41 Appendix C: Phase 3 Materials and Comments ................................................................... Prepared by CD&P – Updated November 2019 IREPOWERING DOWNTOWN Engagement DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION Community Austin Energy is committed individuals, community preferences design. that outlined goals of the engagement A Community Engagement Report to active and engaging effort: and opinions are heard and considered leaders. businesses. and organizations to ensure that their for inclusion in the substation communication with residents. Plan was developed for the Downtown Substation • Create public awareness about the substation and public engagement process through a deliberative outreach • Provide an open and transparent effort process throughout the entire planning process • Provide a variety of accessible opportuni ties and options for all those interested to conveniently • Engage a diverse set of participants • Provide engaging • Collect input on considerations interactions that facilitate collecting and certain aspects of design be involved and share input valuable input of tools will be used to reach these goals. including meetings A variety stakeholders. presence local business online such as an updated webpage and surveys. and civic at community events. holding public meetings, group outreach, and providing opportunities to participate with conducting COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PHASES & TIMELINE Community engagement phase will encompass stakeholders and members of the community in the process. the entire effort to share information. collect will occur throughout this process in three phases. Each input, and involve COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: ENGAGEMENT: Collect community nputon concerns. desires. and preferences Share aesthetic design concepts for enclosure and work with the public to SUMMER them 2019 refine COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Present draft plan. collect feedback. incorporate into design and SUBSTATION ENERGIZATION ... SUMMER 2018 .. EARLY 2019 Preliminary engineering and design begins Begin construction to move water and wastewater line PHASE 1: OUTREACH The purpose of the first outreach phase was to introduce the project and process, continue to build awareness in the community, and collect input on concerns, desires, and preferences. To …
City of Austin - Design Commission Project Review Application The Design Commission provides 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. The Design Commission reviews three types of projects: 1. City projects (see page ii for process) The Commission reviews all municipal buildings and associated site plans to ensure they demonstrate compliance with city design and sustainability standards (Council Resolution No. 20071129-046), including those seeking Subchapter E Design Standards Alternative Equivalent Compliance (AEC) (Council Resolution No. 20100923-086). 2. Destiny Bonus projects (see page iv for process) The Commission reviews density bonus projects for substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines for Austin in accordance with the Gatekeeper requirements of LDC 25-2-586 for the Downtown Density Bonus Program. 3. Advisory Recommendations for Private projects (see page ii for process) The Commission will consider Project Review Applications from private projects during its regularly scheduled monthly public meetings and may issue an advisory recommendation in the form of a Project Review Letter to the Applicant. This Project Review Application must be submitted before your project can be presented to the Design Commission for their review. Design Commission requests project be presented in their Conceptual/Schematic Design phase. This application primarily addresses inhabited buildings and structures and their effect on the public realm; please refer to Appendix A for infrastructure type projects. The Commission's review of projects is based on the planning/design principles in the Urban Design Guidelines for Austin. Ensure that all applicable principles are addressed in the application questions and in your presentation. https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Boards_and_Commissions/ Design_Commission_urban_design_guidelin es_for_austin.pdf The Design Commission supports the vision and principles of Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, especially those that affect the urban environment and fabric. All projects should consider this vision and principles, many of which are similar to the Urban Design Guidelines. Refer to Appendix C for the most pertinent sections of Imagine Austin. The Design Commission expects the applicant’s design team to present their project with those most knowledgeable and encourages the inclusion of sub-consultants at the presentation, when deemed necessary. EXHIBITS TO PRESENT 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) Completed Project Review Application (p.1-6) Existing zoning classification, adjacent zoning & uses, future land use map classification, topography Vicinity plan, including public transportation and connectivity on-site and within quarter mile Site plan and landscape plan Ground level, basement …
Repowering Downtown $60M initiative to increase capacity, resiliency, and reliability to meet the needs of our growing city. • Increase Distribution Tie Circuits • Add 70 MVA to Seaholm Substation • Build New Downtown Substation • Rebuild Brackenridge Substation • Upgrade Network Distribution Feeder Circuits • Convert 69kV Transmission Lines to 138kV Downtown Network Substation Locations 806 ½ LAMBIE ST. 1 1 Downtown Substation Austin Energy operates 77 substations across 437 square miles of service area. The downtown substation is being designed as a gas-insulated switchgear substation, which is ideal for densely-populated urban locations. Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Compared to Air-Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Compact Design Significant footprint reduction (approximately 70% smaller) Capital Costs Approximately 2x more O&M Lower maintenance costs Aesthetics GIS portion in a building and station surrounded by enclosure Reliability GIS is less susceptible to faults Installation Equipment Faster site assembly with pre-assembly and testing completed at manufacturer Standard power transformers and enclosed medium voltage utilized to reduce cost and increase maintainability 2 2 The Site • Selected in 1999 for the future electric needs of downtown • Austin Energy is coordinating with other involved agencies, including: • TxDOT • Watershed Protection for storm drain • Total Site: 1.46 acres • Substation Footprint: 0.81 acres • Site Updates: • 3 transmission poles (currently 2) to allow clearance over heritage trees • Two driveways PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN SUBJECT TO FINAL SITE APPROVAL 3 3 KEY MILESTONES PUBLIC MEETING #3 September 2020 Shared results of site name, preferred design concepts, materials, and construction plans WATER & WASTEWATER RELOCATION Fall 2019 - Spring 2020 Relocation of wastewater and electric lines from to within City of Austin ROW along East Avenue REZONING OF SITE LOCATION June 2020 FINALIZE DESIGN Spring 2021 90-100% completion of substation engineering and design 4 4 Community Engagement Summary Over 600 responses on preferences from the community WHAT WE HEARD PUBLIC MEETING #1: June 2018 • Purpose: Introduce project, build awareness, collect feedback on priorities • 178 surveys received PUBLIC MEETING #2: February 2019 • Purpose: Collect feedback on aesthetic and layout concepts • 440 surveys received PUBLIC MEETING #3: September 2020 • Purpose: Share preferred concepts, potential materials, site design, and process updates Priority for colorful and artistic features Desire to preserve trees and incorporate native landscaping Support for modern design for enclosure wall 5 5 PUBLIC MEETING #3 September 24, 2019 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INPUT • Shared …
Landscape 23-3D-3110 23-3D-3110 Functional Green (A) Description. (1) Functional Green Landscape is a two-tiered approach to fulfilling the purpose of the landscape code. The first tier requires landscape elements to be placed in specified areas of a site, thus protecting private and public investment, providing visual buffering, limiting overcrowding, and enhancing property values. The second tier is a scoring system that measures the ecosystem service value created by landscape; it is intended to improve ecological balance, replenish native vegetation, and enhance public health, safety, and welfare. (2) The Functional Green Score measures the total amount of ecosystem services provided by the landscape elements proposed for a development site. Landscape plans are required to reach a total target Functional Green Score based on the assigned value per square foot area of each landscape element in relation to the area of the site. (B) Applicability. (1) Functional Green Score applies to all sites that allow an impervious cover total exceeding 80 percent. (2) Functional Green Score may also apply to a site that is restricted to an impervious cover less than 80 percent and elects to use this approach to meet requirements of the landscape code. 3D-3 pg. 13 City of Austin | Proposed LDC Revision – January 31, 2020 23-3D-3110 Landscape (C) Requirements. (1) A Functional Green Landscape plan is required to: (a) Comply with all applicable landscape and buffer types (Sections 23-3D-3030 through 23-3D-3100); (b) Comply with Planting and Soil Standards in the ECM; (c) Reach the Functional Green Target Score (prescribed in the ECM); if the target score cannot be reached by providing the applicable landscape and buffer types, Functional Green Landscape Elements must be added in order to reach the Functional Green Target Score; (d) Be designed to accommodate the minimum space requirements for each landscape element proposed to meet the Functional Green Score. (e) Provide 100 percent of plant selections as prescribed in the ECM; (f) Provide 100 percent drought tolerant plants, as prescribed in ECM Appendix N; (g) Ensure that Functional Green landscapes provide a variety of ecosystem services by providing a minimum of 3 different Functional Green Landscape Elements, 2 which must be living elements; trees and shrubs/ornamental grasses of different sizes may count independently as different elements; and (h) Prepare and submit an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan for the proposed development, as prescribed in the ECM. (i) The following note shall be added …
EC Key CodeNEXT Watershed Proposals 11/1/2017 FUNCTIONAL GREEN A Component of the Proposed Revised Landscape Code 1 - F E B - 1 7 1 Functional Green Landscape Code Integrates nature Provides flexibility Is straightforward Functional Green is a new tool in the City’s landscape code tool chest. It applies to sites with an IC allowance over 80% and is designed for getting nature into these dense urban sites. Functional Green integrates nature into parcels where building cover or other impervious surfaces limit what the standard landscape code can accomplish. It gives developers a planning tool that is flexible and provides ecological benefits comparable to those achieved by the standard landscape code. And it provides a program that is straightforward and clear to implement and review. 2 Ecosystem Services Microclimate Regulation Water Filtration Carbon Storage and Sequestration Biodiversity Benefits Human Well‐Being Air Pollutant Removal Stormwater Retention Effects on Developable Area Effects on Property Value Functional Green is based on the science of “ecosystem services,” the important benefits that people receive from healthy functioning ecosystems. A consultant team reviewed over 120 scientific, environmental studies, identifying ecological and economic benefits that could be expected from each Landscape Element in Austin’s geography and climate. We chose 8 Ecosystem Service benefits to base the Functional Green landscape code on: • • • • • • • • Microclimate Regulation Water Filtration Carbon Storage and Sequestration Biodiversity Benefits Human Well‐Being Air Pollutant Removal Stormwater Retention Effects on Developable Area Effects on Property Value 3 Ecosystem Services of Functional Green Landscape Elements The draft brochure from February of 2018, illustrates the relative benefits provided by each landscape element in a bar‐graph format. 4 EC Key CodeNEXT Watershed Proposals 11/1/2017 FUNCTIONAL GREEN How it Works The designer of a development chooses what landscape to provide by selecting from a menu of Functional Green landscape elements. 5 Menu of Landscape Options Vegetated (green) walls Porous paving Vegetated (green) roofs Irrigation with Auxiliary Water Source Rain Gardens Existing & new trees The landscape element menu includes, for example: • • • • • • Existing and new trees Vegetated (green) walls Vegetated (green) roofs Porous paving Rain gardens Irrigation with Auxiliary Water Source 6 Functional Green Score Area of Landscape Element A x Factor A + Area of Landscape Element B x Factor B + Area of Landscape Element C x Factor C Total Site Area …
Palm District Planning Initiative Urban Design Commission May 24, 2021 Content Project Background Study Area Project Scope Project Team How to Get Involved Project Background Engage stakeholders and the public to develop a shared vision for a complex, culturally rich, and rapidly transforming part of downtown Austin that includes: ▪ Palm School Palm Park Convention Center ▪ Waller Creek ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Red River Cultural District ESB-Mexican American Cultural Center Proposed Mexican American Heritage Corridor And more…. 4 Resolution 20190523-029 ▪ Palm School Negotiations ▪ Rainey Street District Fund ▪ Fifth Street Mexican American Heritage Corridor ▪ Convention Center Expansion ▪ District Planning Process ▪ Improved Connectivity 5 Recent Planning History ▪ Waller Creek Master Plan (2010) ▪ Downtown Austin Plan (2011) ▪ Imagine Austin (2012) ▪ Waller Creek Design Plan (2012) ▪ Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life ▪ Downtown Austin Wayfinding Master Plan (2013) ▪ Convention Center Master Plan (2013) (2015) ▪ ESB-MACC Master Plan (2018) ▪ Project Connect Vision (2019) ▪ Brush Square Master Plan (2019) ▪ UT Analysis of Convention Center Expansion (2019) ▪ Convention Center Master Plan Update (2020) ▪ Urban Land Institute Study of IH 35 (2020) …and more 6 Study Area 8 History of Study Area ▪ Long, layered history ▪ Palm School dates back to the 1890s ▪ Palm District originally part of East Austin ▪ Mexican-Americans, African- Americans and German Immigrants called Palm district home 9 PICA 21043 Austin History Center, Austin Public Library Historic Connection To East Austin 10 CO3746 Austin History Center, Austin Public Library Sir Swante Palm School 11 Sir Swante Palm School 12 waterloogreenway.org Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park 13 Sir Swante Palm Neighborhood Park 14 PICA 04088 Austin History Center, Austin Public Library Waller Creek 15 Waller Creek Tunnel 16 waterloogreenway.org Waterloo Greenway/Waterloo Park 17 texasfreeways.com I-35 18 texasfreeways.com I-35 19 texasfreeways.com I-35 20 I-35 21 statesman.com: Photo Credit, Jay Jannier Project Connect and Downtown Transit Station 22 Neil Kocurek Memorial Austin Convention Center 23 Brush Square/O. Henry Museum 24 Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) 25 Rainey Street Neighborhood & Historic District 26 lostinaustin.org: Photo Credit, Will Taylor Rainey Street Neighborhood & Historic District 27 Rainey Street Neighborhood & Historic District 28 Sixth Street Historic and Entertainment District 29 lostinaustin.org: Photo Credit, Will Taylor Red River Cultural District 30 Innovation District 31 KXAN.com m o c . N A X K 32 …
