DOWNTOWN COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 15, 2021, TIME: 5:30 p.m. Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Downtown Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: August Harris, Chair Christopher Lehman, Vice Chair Megan Meisenbach, Commissioner Chris Kanipe, Commissioner Melissa Henao-Robledo, Commissioner Mike Lavigne, Commissioner Preston Reine Commissioner Josh Lickteig, Commissioner Laura Templeton, Commissioner Joel Sher, Commissioner Christopher Limon, Commissioner Ben Heimsath, Commissioner kYmberly Keeton, Commissioner Kelan Robinson, Commissioner David Gomez, Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez, Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby, Commissioner Kimberly Taylor, Commissioner AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten 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. 1. Approval of Minutes of the August 18, 2021 Meeting Minutes Discussion and Possible Action (5 minutes) 2. New Business – Discussion and Possible Action a. Downtown Density Affordable Housing Program: Presentation by Sam Tedford, Housing and Planning Department b. Briefing on the Convention Center Redevelopment and Expansion Project: Presentation by Trisha Tatro and Katy Zamesnik, Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) c. Discussion and possible action on the creation of a Convention Center Expansion Working Group voting members: 3. Old Business – Items from representatives of collaborating commissions including non- a. Update from Commissioner Melissa Henao-Robledo on recent activities and actions taken by the Design Commission b. Update from Commissioner Ben Heimsath on recent activities and actions taken by the Historic Landmark Commission c. Update from Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby on recent activities and actions taken by the Urban Transportation Commission d. Update from Commissioner kYmberly Keeton on recent activities and actions e. Update from Commissioner Christopher Limon on recent activities and actions taken by the Arts Commission taken by the Music Commission f. Update from Commissioner Kimberly Taylor on recent activities and actions taken by the Parks & Recreation Board g. Update from Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez on recent activities and actions taken by the Public Safety Commission 4. Potential Future Agenda Items The Commission may discuss and identify future agenda items, topics, or presentations 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 …
Downtown Density Bonus Program Affordable Housing Fee Calibration September 15 Downtown Commission Content Resolution No 20210422-039 Draft Fees Fee Calibration Discussion Next Steps Resolution No 20210422-039 FAR Policy •Amend City Code section 25-2-586 (Downtown Density Bonus Program) to amend subsection (B)(6). •The amendments shall maximize participation in the Program and maximize community benefits, especially the funding of permanent supportive housing and housing vouchers. •Before deliberation on the code changes by the Planning Commission or City Council, the City Manager is directed to present a report on Floor to Area Ratio best practices. Interim Fees •Implement interim revisions to the in-lieu affordable housing fees for residential development for the Downtown Density Bonus Program; •Implements interim revisions to the in-lieu affordable housing fees for non-residential development for the Downtown Density Bonus Program and Rainey Density Bonus Programs; and •Moves revised fees described above to the City Fee Schedule so they can be updated more effectively. Fee Calibration •Update the fee-in-lieu analysis provided by EcoNorthwest to reflect current market conditions and existing zones of the Downtown Density Bonus Program area and return to Council with, if necessary, an item for action no later than August 26, 2021, or prior to budget approval if possible. 3 Resolution No 20210422-039 ▪ The City Council directs the City Manager to post an item for action on May 20, 2021 that accomplishes the following: – Implements interim revisions to the in-lieu affordable housing fees for residential development for the Downtown Density Bonus Program; – Implements interim revisions to the in-lieu affordable housing fees for non-residential development for the Downtown Density Bonus Program and Rainey Density Bonus Programs; and – Moves revised fees described above to the City Fee Schedule so they can be updated more effectively. 4 LDC Revision Calibrated DDBP fees Interim Fees Based on LDC Revision calibrated fees for the Downtown Density Bonus Program: - Calibrated using late 2019 market - Based on new zones of the LDC dynamics Revision - Calibrated to a site’s base zoning not the downtown sub-district - Tuned to specific requirements of proposed LDC Revision from January 28, 2020 memo from economic consultants, EcoNorthwest 5 Resolution No 20210422-039 ▪ Update the fee-in-lieu analysis provided by EcoNorthwest to reflect current market conditions and existing zones of the Downtown Density Bonus Program area and return to Council with, if necessary, an item for action no later than August 26, 2021, or prior …
Hotel Occupancy Tax Review History of Convention Center Redevelopment and Expansion Convention Center Redevelopment and Expansion Update and Next Planning Steps 2 3 Sec. 351.101. USE OF TAX REVENUE*. (a) Revenue from the municipal hotel occupancy tax may be used only to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry, and that use is limited to the following: (1) the acquisition of sites for and the construction, improvement, enlarging, equipping, repairing, operation, and maintenance of convention center facilities or visitor information centers, or both; (2) the furnishing of facilities, personnel, and materials for the registration of convention delegates or registrants; (3) advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to attract tourists and convention delegates or registrants to the municipality or its vicinity; (4) the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts, including instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture, design and allied fields, painting, *https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TX/htm/TX.351.htm 4 sculpture, photography, graphic and craft arts, motion pictures, radio, television, tape and sound recording, and other arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of these (5) historical restoration and preservation projects or activities or advertising and conducting solicitations and promotional programs to encourage tourists and convention delegates to visit preserved (A) at or in the immediate vicinity of convention center facilities or visitor information centers; or (B) located elsewhere in the municipality or its vicinity that would be frequented by tourists and (9) signage directing the public to sights and attractions that are visited frequently by hotel guests in the major art forms; historic sites or museums: convention delegates; municipality; Chapter 351 prohibits HOT use for general government activities 5 6 7 Convention Center Long Range Master Plan (May 2015) Outside core not viable Musts include proximity to Existing and planned hotel room supply Variety of services Dining Entertainment Concluded west expansion was the only viable option Urban Land Institute (Spring 2015) Created Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) TAP review reaffirmed the Master Plan conclusion of westward expansion Visitor Impact Task Force (June 2017) Council appointed 18 members Recommended expansion to the west, leaving Trinity open 8 Center for Sustainable Development at University of Texas (April 2019) Council Resolution No. 20170928-052 Concluded westward expansion was well vetted and the only realistic …
