Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) Affordable Housing Implementation Design Commission Briefing, August 26, 2024 Rachel Tepper, Brendan Kennedy and James May Content Program History and Requirements Program Outcomes Density Bonus Funds at Work Discussion Program History and Requirements 3 Downtown Density Bonus Program History 2013: Downtown Density Bonus Ordinance 20130627-105 passes replacing CURE (Central Urban Redevelopment). 2014: Downtown Density Bonus program is updated with a new ordinance 2014022-054 that provides additional definitions and sets up current Rainey Street subdistrict requirements 2021 and 2022 Recalibration: Added commercial fees, increased residential Fee Recalibration 2014 Fee ($/SF Bonus Area) 2021 Interim Fees ($/SF Bonus Area) 2022 Proposed Fee ($/SF Bonus Area) Residential - CBD zoned properties $10 or $5 Residential - all other $5 or $3 Residential - Rainey Street district Commercial - CBD zoned Commercial - all other $5 $0 $0 $12 $10 $5 $18 $12 $12 $10 $5 $9 $6 5 2024-2025 DDBP Fee-in-Lieu 6 Affordability Requirements ▪ 50% of bonus area must be achieved thru affordable housing benefits which can be done through a fee-in-lieu or on-site affordable units ▪ Rainey Street Subdistrict is only subdistrict that requires on-site affordable units calculated as 5% of the square footage of dwelling units developed within the FAR ratio of 8:1 and made affordable at 80% MFI or below On-site Affordability Terms Ownership: 120% MFI or below for 99 years *Rainey Street Subdistrict is an exception with an 80% MFI limit Rental: 80% MFI or below for 40 years Program Outcomes To Date 8 Program Outcomes Project Status As of 08/14/2024 DDB Program Rainey Street Subdistrict Certified Site Plan Under Review Under Construction Project Completed 2 3 7 6 1 1 4 7 These totals are only inclusive of projects that included an affordability community benefit contribution and were tracked through the Affordable Housing Inventory. These totals do not include non-residential projects that did not pay a fee in-lieu of Affordable Housing but may have utilized the Downtown Density Bonus Program. These totals also do not include cancelled projects. Certified Projects** by year Overall DDB Program Rainey Street Subdistrict 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Total 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 5 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 1 1 0 **Projects certified by Housing Dept. Does not reflect Design Commission approval 19 12 Development …
DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240826-003 Date: August 26, 2024 Subject: Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum Historic Preservation, Expansion, and Unification Plan Motioned By: Commissioner Wittstruck Seconded By: Commissioner Lee Recommendation Support of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum Historic Preservation, Expansion, and Unification Plan. Description of Recommendation to Council The Design Commission recommends that the Austin City Council approve the proposed Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum Plan but with additional consideration for mobility, parking, and circulation. Rationale: The goals and vision of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum Plan are in line with the vision and shared values of the City of Austin Urban Design Guidelines, particularly with Civic Art and a Connection to the Outdoors; however, additional scrutiny of the following details would further bolster the values of Human Character, Sustainability, and Safety: • Mobility planning with an understanding of transit and shuttle offerings • A more robust plan to address both onsite/offsite parking • An evaluation of circulation to optimize user experience Vote 8-0-0 For: Vice Chair Meiners, Commissioner Gelles, Commissioner Howard, Commissioner Ladner, Commissioner Lee, Commissioner McKinney, Commissioner Wallace, Commissioner Wittstruck Against: Abstain: Absent: Chair Salinas, Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Luckens Attest: Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Design Commission 1 of 1
DESIGN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240826-004 Date: August 26, 2024 Subject: 400 W 14th Street - Downtown Density Bonus Program project Motioned By: Commissioner Howard Seconded By: Commissioner Wittstruck Recommendation Contingent support that the project located at 400 W 14th Street complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Austin in accordance with Land Development Code § 25-2-586 (C)(1)(a)(ii). Description of Recommendation to Council The goals and vision of the project located at 400 W 14th Street would better align with the City of Austin Urban Design Guidelines if the applicant were to address the items outlined in the rationale below. Rationale: The goals and vision of the project located at 400 W 14th Street mostly align with the City of Austin Urban Design Guidelines; however, we recommend the following adjustments: • East/west connectivity underneath the covered colonnade • Reducing and/or incorporating trees into the drop-off zone • Increasing the size of the ADA access to the Retail 1 patio to make it comparable with the stair access • Extending Retail 2 access to Guadalupe St. to activate the transit-oriented streetscape • Considering something on the Myrick site to continue to activate that streetscape as it For: Vice Chair Meiners, Commissioner Gelles, Commissioner Howard, Commissioner Ladner, Commissioner Lee, Commissioner McKinney, Commissioner Wittstruck Against: Recuse: Commissioner Wallace Absent: Chair Salinas, Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Luckens moves west Vote 7-0-1 Attest: Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Design Commission 1 of 1
DESIGN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 The Design Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday August 26, 2024, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Meiners called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Conners Ladner Chi Lee Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. STAFF BRIEFINGS 1 Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on June 24, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 6/24/2024 were approved on Commissioner Wallace’s motion, Commissioner Howard’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Salinas and Commissioners Carroll and Luckens were absent. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Staff briefing regarding the status of the affordable housing component to the Downtown Density Bonus Program. Presented by Rachel Tepper and Brendan Kennedy, Housing Department. The presentation was made by Rachel Tepper and Brendan Kennedy, Housing Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action to recommend to City Council whether the Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum Historic Preservation, Expansion, and Unification Plan reflects the Shared Values for Urban Areas in the Urban Design Guidelines. Presented by Alyssa Tharrett, Parks and Recreation Department, Katie Robinson Edwards and Amanda Valbracht, Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum, and Leland Ulmer, Melissa Gutierrez Soto, and Ginny Chilton, Page. A motion to recommend to City Council that the Umlauf Sculpture Garden + Museum Historic Preservation, Expansion, and Unification Plan located at 605 Azie Morton Road meets the City Design and Sustainability Standards in addition to consideration for mobility, parking, and circulation was approved on Commissioner Wittstruck’s motion, Commissioner Lee’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Salinas and Commissioners Carroll and Luckens were absent. Discussion and possible action to recommend to City Council whether the project 400 W 14th Steet located at 400 West 14th Street complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Austin in accordance with Land Development Code § 25-2-586 (C)(1)(a)(ii). Presented by Leah Bojo and Drew Rafael, Drenner Group PC, Jonathan Schwartz, Page, and Cameron Campbell, Campbell Landscape Architecture. A motion to recommend to City Council that the project 400 W 14th Steet located at 400 West 14th Street complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Austin in accordance with …
REGULAR MEETING of the DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024, 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO 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 Nicole Corona, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Conners Ladner AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Chi Lee Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck 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 Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on May 13, 2024. 1. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. Discussion and possible action to approve the Design Commission Annual Internal Review. Select a representative to serve on the Downtown Commission per City Code § 2-1-140. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. 5. Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding the meeting on May 31, 2024. Update from the representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding the meeting on May 22, 2024. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Note: City Code requires 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 American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call or email Nicole Corona at the Planning Department, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 ____________________________________ (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. (Reference all reports, recommendations, letters or resolutions presented to the City Council on mission-specific issues. If some of the elements of the mission statement were not acted on by the board in the past year, the report should explain why no action was taken.) 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. (If any of the board’s actions were outside the scope of the mission statement, the report should explain the non-compliance issues.) 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. (Make sure the goals and objectives fall within the mission statement of the board/commission.)
1. DESIGN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024 The Design Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco in Austin, Texas. Chair Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Jon Salinas, Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Conners Ladner Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1 Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on April 22, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 04/22/2024 were approved on Commissioner McKinney’s motion, Commissioner Wallace’s second on a 7-0-1 vote. Commissioner Carroll abstained. Vice Chair Meiners, Commissioner Howard, and Commissioner Lee were absent. 2. 4. Select a representative to serve on the Downtown Commission per City Code § 2-1-140. No action was taken. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 3. Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding the meeting on May 10, 2024. Update was given by Commissioner Carroll. Update from the representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding the meeting on April 24, 2024 and April 30, 2024. Update was given by Chair Salinas. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update membership of the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group Sponsor: Cosponsor: Chair Salinas adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m. without objection. 2
DESIGN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 The Design Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, June 24, 2024, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco in Austin, Texas. Chair Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Jon Salinas, Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Brita Wallace Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Ben Luckens PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on May 13, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 05/13/2024 were approved on Chair Salinas’ motion, Commissioner Howard’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Ladner, Lee, McKinney, Wittstruck were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and possible action to approve the Design Commission Annual Internal Review The motion to approve the Design Commission Annual Internal Review was approved on Chair Salinas’ motion, Commissioner Howard’s second on a 7-0 vote. 1 3. 4. 5. Select a representative to serve on the Downtown Commission in accordance City Code § 2- 1-140. No action was taken. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding the meeting on May 31, 2024. Update was given by Commissioner Carroll. Update from the representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding the meeting on May 22, 2024. Update was given by Chair Salinas. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT Chair Salinas adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the 08/26/2024 meeting on Commissioner Wallace’s motion, Commissioner Howard’s second on an 8-0 vote. Chair Salinas and Commissioners Carroll and Luckens were absent. 2
REGULAR MEETING of the DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024, 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO 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 Nicole Corona, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Conners Ladner AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Chi Lee Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck 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 Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on April 22, 2024. 1. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Select a representative to serve on the Downtown Commission per City Code § 2-1-140. 2. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 3. 4. Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding the meeting on May 10, 2024. Update from the representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding the meeting on April 24, 2024 and April 30, 2024. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Note: City Code requires 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 American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call or email Nicole Corona at the Planning Department, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the …
1. DESIGN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024 The Design Commission convened a regular meeting on Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Kevin Howard Nkiru Gelles Chi Lee Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Design Commission meeting on March 25, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 03/25/2024 were approved on Vice Chair Meiner’s motion, Commissioner McKinney’s second on a 7-0-1 vote. Commissioner Howard abstained. Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Ladner, and Commissioner Luckens were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. Presentation by Lily Rerecich and Heidi Trudell, Travis Audubon Society, regarding bird- safe buildings. The presentation was made by Lily Rerecich and Heidi Trudell. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and action to recommend to City Council the Sound Assessment and Disclosure Requirements Proposal. Presented by Brian Block, Development Services Department. The motion to not recommend the Sound Assessment and Disclosure Requirements Proposal to City Council was approved on Commissioner Wallace’s motion, Commissioner McKinney’s second on a 7-0-1 vote. Commissioner Lee abstained. Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Ladner, and Commissioner Luckens were absent. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Mexic-Arte Museum Renovation, located at 419 Congress Avenue, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Matt Catterall, Levy Dykema, and Sylvia Orozco, Mexic-Arte Museum. The motion that the project Mexic-Arte Museum Renovation, located at 419 Congress Avenue, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards was approved on Vice Chair Meiner’s motion, Commissioner Wittstruck’s second on a 7-0-1 vote. Commissioner Howard recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest and left the dais. Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Ladner, and Commissioner Luckens were absent. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. The motion to nominate Jon Salinas as Chair was approved on Vice Chair Meiner’s motion, Commissioner Whittstruck’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Ladner, and Commissioner Luckens were absent. The motion to nominate Josue Meiners as Vice Chair was approved on Chair Salinas’s motion, Commissioner Whittstruck’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner Ladner, and Commissioner Luckens were …
Urban Design Guidelines Table of Contents (Draft with Notes) CORE PRINCIPLES CP-A: Protect pedestrians and bicyclists from the elements: Compared to those in motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists are more vulnerable to wind, precipitation, and sun. To make walking and biking more safe, convenient, and enjoyable, projects should be designed to protect people from inclement conditions. As climate change escalates, days of extreme heat and other extreme weather events will increase. Protection from these elements will become even more critical to life-safety and livability in the coming years. GUIDELINE A1: Protect pedestrians and bicyclists from wind. GUIDELINE A2: Protect pedestrians from precipitation. ○ Provide suspended paving or structural soil for street trees. GUIDELINE A3: Protect pedestrians and bicyclists from the sun and heat. GUIDELINE A4: Design to mitigate heat island effect. (Zoomed out, not microclimate around ped bike environment but reducing region urban impact). ○ Utilize high-albedo materials on roofs and walking surfaces. ○ Include green roof(s) or vertical green. CP-B: Protect pedestrians and bicyclists from motor vehicles: Motor vehicles pose a physical threat to the health and safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The design of the public realm has the ability and responsibility to promote safe driver behavior and provide the appropriate barriers to protect pedestrians and cyclists from the perceived or real risk of physical harm. GUIDELINE B1: Locate curb cuts to minimize their impact on the streetscape and curb lane. GUIDELINE B2: Provide driveway and intersection designs that clearly indicate that bicycles and pedestrians have the right of way. ○ conditions include - Loading zones and drop-off areas should not conflict or encroach. ○ Service areas, loading docks, and garage entries. GUIDELINE B3: Minimize crossing distances. GUIDELINE B4: Provide self-enforcing physical barriers between motor vehicles and bikes and peds. ○ conditions include - Loading zones and drop-off areas should not conflict or encroach. GUIDELINE B5: Slow motor vehicles to safe speeds using environmental design. GUIDELINE B6: Provide lighting with high uniformity around intersections, curb cuts and areas of modal conflict. CP-C: Activate and engage the sidewalk, and publicly accessible open spaces: To make Austin more walkable, there must be functional reasons to be on the sidewalk, and sidewalks must be visually interesting and social- with high visual and physical connectivity from the sidewalk to active ground floor uses. This is about the public realm engaging the public realm GUIDELINE C1: Do Not Provide Drive-Thrus or auto-oriented uses. …
DESIGN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024 The Design Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco in Austin, Texas. Chair Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Jon Salinas, Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Conners Ladner Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on April 22, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 04/22/2024 were approved on Commissioner McKinney’s motion, Commissioner Wallace’s second on a 7-0-1 vote. Commissioner Carroll abstained. Vice Chair Meiners, Commissioner Howard, and Commissioner Lee were absent. 2. 4. Select a representative to serve on the Downtown Commission per City Code § 2-1-140. No action was taken. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 3. Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding the meeting on May 10, 2024. Update was given by Commissioner Carroll. Update from the representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding the meeting on April 24, 2024 and April 30, 2024. Update was given by Chair Salinas. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update membership of the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group Sponsor: Cosponsor: Chair Salinas adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the 06/24/2024 meeting on Commissioner Salinas’s motion, Commissioner Howard’s second one a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Ladner, Lee, McKinney, and Wittstruck were absent. 2
REGULAR MEETING of the DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024, 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO 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 Nicole Corona, at 512-974-3146 or nicole.corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard Conners Ladner AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Chi Lee Ben Luckens Marissa McKinney Brita Wallace Brendan Wittstruck 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 Approve the minutes of the Design Commission regular meeting on March 25, 2024. Presentation by Lily Rerecich and Heidi Trudell, Travis Audubon Society, regarding bird-safe buildings. 1. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council the Sound Assessment and Disclosure Requirements Proposal. Presented by Brian Block, Development Services Department. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Mexic-Arte Museum Renovation, located at 419 Congress Avenue, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Matt Catterall, Levy Dykema. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. Select a representative to serve on the Downtown Commission per City Code § 2-1-140. 5. 6. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 7. 8. 9. Update from the Urban Design Guidelines Working Group regarding the meeting on April 12, 2024. Update from the representative of the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding the meeting on March 27, 2024. Update from the representative of the South-Central Waterfront Advisory Board regarding the meetings on April 1, 2024, and April 15, 2024. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Note: City Code requires 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 …
April 22, 2024 Design Commission The Travis Audubon Society requested this report on bird safe buildings for presentation to the City of Austin and general dissemination within the Central Texas community. It was submitted to the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board on March 18, 2024, and was prepared by Heidi Trudell, a bird collision prevention researcher and consultant, who in March 2024 was hired as a technical advisor by Guardian Glass. Passing directly over Austin, North America’s Central Flyway serves as the primary migration corridor1 during spring and fall for hundreds of species of birds. Due to this geographic funneling, Texas is home to three of the top ten most deadly cities for birds2 (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio), making it especially critical to proactively preserve biodiversity. Travis County alone has documented 4273 species of birds, which is more than fourteen states4 have recorded. With bird populations in steep decline,5 and an estimated 621 million to 2 billion6 birds dying at windows in the US annually, it is critical now more than ever that municipal leaders, especially in ecologically significant areas like Austin, step forward to reverse the trend. Initial steps have already been taken; Austin’s dedication to bird conservation has already been established by committing to meet the standards of a Bird City.7 This includes a pledge to reduce nonessential lighting during migration8 that comes as part of a statewide initiative9 to address the detrimental impact that artificial light at night has on migrating birds. As Austinites are well aware, however, it’s not just birds that need dark skies to thrive; even outside of bird migration, bats are especially sensitive to lighting.10 1allaboutbirds.org/news/heres-how-to-use-the-new-migration-forecast-tools-from-birdcast/# 2news.cornell.edu/stories/2019/04/chicago-tops-list-most-dangerous-cities-migrating-birds 3ebird.org/region/US-TX-453?yr=all 4ebird.org/region/US/regions 53billionbirds.org 6meridian.allenpress.com/wjo/article-abstract/125/2/406/129654/Evaluating-the-Effectiveness-of-Select-Visual/ 7austintexas.gov/news/austin-now-designated-bird-city-working-protect-habitats-and-promote-bird-friendly-practices 8traviscountytx.gov/news/2021/2113-lights-out-for-migrating-birds 9tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation/lights-out-texas 10batcon.org/new-paper-suggests-light-pollution-limits-bat-habitat/ The next step is to address the built environment directly. Glass is a dynamic material; it can reflect habitat or be entirely transparent. As a result, birds are unable to see glass11 unless it is modified. Poorly designed buildings dramatically increase the risk of collision. One way to significantly improve the odds of survival for birds living in or migrating through Central Texas is to ensure that buildings meet bird safe standards.12 Every building that is made bird safe - as new construction or a retrofit - will save dozens to hundreds of birds13 per building, per year. Best practices in bird safe building standards align with Austin’s values14 of being a biodiverse, ecologically resilient community. The US …
Sound Assessment & Disclosure Requirements Proposal Presentation to City of Austin Design Commission April 22, 2024 Background • Council approved Resolution No. 20181018- 038 directing the City Manager to propose programs, rules, and ordinances necessary to improve compatibility between residents, lodging establishments, and music-related businesses. • The resolution was part of Council efforts to support music, arts and culture. Purpose • Policy related to residential development responsibility is still outstanding. • In addition to the sound ordinance and enforcement, the sound management system should also anticipate and address quality of life issues for residences in proximity to nightlife and entertainment establishments and districts. Ensure Accurate Expectations Policy Goals • Improve compatibility between entertainment uses with amplified sound and residential and hotel uses. • Anticipate, plan for, and minimize common conflicts between residential and hotel uses and entertainment-related amplified sound. • Ensure residential and hotel development projects understand the sound levels in the area so they can design and construct the building considering the sound impact from nearby code-compliant entertainment uses. • Provide residential development projects and new residents with accurate expectations about the level of sound that will be present in the environment, and the information they need to make informed decisions. Approach A commonsense solution that is not prescriptive and focuses on education and awareness Sound Assessment & Disclosure Requires residential and hotel developments near Outdoor Music Venues and Performance Venues to: • conduct a sound assessment • disclose to future residents when they sell or lease units about the presence of nearby venues, and that a sound assessment was conducted Description and Intent • Does NOT mandate building standards. • Requires residential developers to: Promotes Education and Informed Decisions 1. document that they have studied the sound levels in the area they are building. • This includes assessing the impact of legally compliant sound from nearby music and nightlife establishments. 2. disclose to future residents the presence of nearby music and nightlife establishments, and that a sound assessment has been conducted. Description and Intent • Residents are encouraged to ask questions about sound mitigation efforts, make informed decisions Promotes Education and Informed Decisions • Does NOT require anything further from Outdoor Music Venue Permit Holders or Performance Venues. • Their sound level is already regulated with a fixed sound level standard that is appropriate for the context, is predictable and doesn’t change when new residential is built nearby. …
