REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Wednesday April 16, 2025, 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 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 register, please contact Christi Vitela at Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. telephone. To CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Ed Ishmael, Vice Chair Peter Breton Pat Buchta David Carroll Liz Coufal Kimberly Levinson Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley CALL TO ORDER AGENDA Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Amy Mok Anne Charlotte Patterson Nelly Paulina Ramírez Spencer Schumacher PUBLIC 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on March 19, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing by Charles Loosen, Community Engagement Consultant, Austin Public Health and David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer, Homeless Strategy Office, regarding an update on the work of the Homeless Strategy Office in the downtown Austin area. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation and discussion on proposed amendments to the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO), which includes height allowances, uses, affordability requirements, district boundaries, parking standards, and design criteria. Presentation by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Planning Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Cap and Stitch Initial Funding. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk, at (512) 974-2792 for additional information; TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Downtown Commission, please contact Christi Vitela …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 19, 2025 DOWNTOWN COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 The Downtown Commission convened the regular meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at City Hall, 301W 2nd St, in a hybrid meeting format. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE Ed Ishmael, Vice-Chair David Carroll Liz Coufal Kimberly Levinson Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY Jennifer Franklin Nkiru Gelles Anne-Charlotte Patterson Nelly Paulina Ramírez Spencer Schumacher CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Ishmael called the meeting of the Downtown Commission to order at 5:31 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on February 19, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on February 19, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Peveto’s motion, Commissioner Levinson’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Breton was absent. Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 19, 2025 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the recent work towards renovating the Austin Convention Center. Presentation by Trisha Tatro, Director, Austin Convention Center Department. The presentation was made by Katy Zamesnik, Assistant Director, Austin Convention Center, and Riley Triggs, Capital Delivery Consultant, Capital Delivery Services Department. 3. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Historic Resource Survey by the Historic Preservation Office. Presentation by Sofia Wagner, Planner III, Planning Department. The presentation was made by Sofia Wagner, Planner III, Planning Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS Item 5 was taken up before Item 4 without objection. 5. Update from the liaison from the Urban Transportation Commission on Recommendation Number 20250304-003: Austin Core Transportation Plan and Recommendation Number 20250304-006: Austin Light Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Discussed. 4. Update from the liaison from the Parks and Recreation Board on the topics discussed at the January 2025, and February 2025, board meetings. Discussed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS University Neighborhood Overlay Officer Elections Shared Micromobility Program Homeless Office Update Downtown Austin Plan Update Red River Cultural District ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Peveto’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Breton was absent.
C20-2024-010 UNO Update Downtown Commission April 16, 2025 Alan Pani, Principal Planner Content Background Process Proposed Changes Next Steps Background Subdistrict Outer West Inner West Guadalupe Dobie Background UNO: A Brief History – Established in 2004 (Updated: 2014, 2019) – Overlay district for the West University area designed to promote high-density and pedestrian-oriented redevelopment that maintains the existing character of the area – Helped to facilitate population growth to over 28,000 residents in the West Campus area 4 City Council Resolution Resolution No. 20240418-077 – Adopted on April 18, 2024 – Includes 29 distinct items for further investigation – Initiated updates to the Land Development Code & Building Criteria Manual – Requested programmatic updates – Land Development Code changes to be considered in Spring 2025 5 Resolution Goals Provide quality, safe, affordable living for all, especially for students attending colleges and universities by: Increasing housing capacity, quality, and affordability Ensuring the area provides daily needs and services Supporting the implementation of light rail and mobility enhancements 6 Land Development Code Council Direction Height limits achievable with participation in the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) density bonus program in alignment with the Planning Commission's recommendation to remove height limits for Inner West Campus and Dobie Height limits that are similar to what can be achieved with participation in the ETOD overlay, at minimum Expansion of UNO boundaries Subdistrict boundaries that expand Inner West Campus An appropriate step down of heights within expansion areas Modifying development requirements to discourage above-ground parking and encourage shared parking and underground parking Stakeholder and community engagement 7 Process How it Works 3-Step Process for Code Amendments: Initiation Development & Engagement Review & Adoption 9 Rezoning Process To update the regulations, staff proposes to create a new zoning district that incorporates the existing overlay with requested updates Rezoning requires notice to impacted properties and review by the Planning Commission and City Council at public hearings 10 Plan Amendment Process UNO is part of the Central Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan, an element of the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan Current Future Land Use Map 11 Plan Amendment Process Mixed use land use designation allows up to 3:1 floor-to-area ratio (FAR) High density mixed use is appropriate for areas with 3:1 FAR or greater Staff propose updating the Central Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan to ensure …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number_________________________: Cap and Stitch Initial Funding Recommendation: WHEREAS the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s I-35 Capital Express Central project will lower the highway’s main lanes between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard; and WHEREAS the City of Austin has identified a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the landscape of Central Austin through the construction of "caps" and "stitches" over the highway (“Caps and Stiches); and WHEREAS the City of Austin has undertaken the Our Future 35 Austin project which is a community-centered initiative to create public spaces along the I-35 corridor caps and stitches that will reconnect East and West Austin; and WHEREAS the Caps and Stitches, while being built and once completed, will directly impact the quality of life for those working and living in Downtown; and WHEREAS the City of Austin is in the process of developing plans for constructing the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS the City has identified phases of the Cap and Stitch Construction which are: • Ceasar Chavez to 4ht Street 4th Street to 7th Street • 11th Street to 12 street • 38th Street to Airport Blvd. (Northern Cap); and • WHEREAS I-35 from Lady Bird Lake to Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard marks the eastern boundary of the Downtown Commission’s jurisdiction; and WHEREAS the Downtown Commission supports the timely and efficient planning and construction of the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS the City of Austin is considering several funding and design options for the roadway elements of the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS City staff has presented funding scenarios to the City Council for consideration; and WHEREAS the Our Future 35 project has included years of stakeholder engagement and visioning for building out each full cap; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has provided options for shortened (800’) caps along the I-35 corridor; and WHEREAS the 800’ shortened caps scenario does not support the design and vision of the Our Future 35 project; and WHEREAS neither funding scenario includes design and construction of the full-size caps envisioned in the Our Future 35 Austin project even though the intention is to someday finish the full caps; and WHEREAS: it is the considered opinion of the Downtown Commission that funding of the Our Future 35 roadway elements should include all full-size caps. NOW THEREFORE we, the Commissioners of the Austin Downtown Commission, do hereby strongly recommend and urge the Austin …
HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE CITY OF AUSTIN DOWNTOWN COMMISSION David Gray Homeless Strategy Officer City of Austin Est. Homeless Population: 6,300 People Exiting Homelessness: 3,000 (50% increase from 2022) Unique People Served: 24,300 (60% increase from 2022) First-Time Service Recipients: 8,400 (72% increase from 2022) Chronic Homeless Rate: 30% 2023 AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM (HRS) DATA/METRICS HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE ESTABLISHED DECEMBER 2023 The Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) collaborates with public agencies, community organizations, and individuals to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. Homeless Strategy Office Core Objectives 1. Manage the City of Austin’s homeless response resources, including 80+ contracts with various providers. 2. Create and support opportunities to produce more shelter and housing options for people experiencing homelessness. 3. Prioritize and coordinate cleanups and closures of encampments on public land. 4. Collaborate with research partners to incorporate best practices into services. 5. Proactively communicate the City of Austin’s efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. 6. Broaden the base of financial support for local initiatives and organizations. HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS Homeless Prevention: Activities that support households at-risk of homelessness. Street Outreach: Activities that meet the immediate needs of people living unsheltered. Public Space Management: Activities that ensure public spaces are safe, accessible, and welcoming for all community members. Diversion/Rapid Exit: Activities that immediately address the needs of someone who has recently lost their housing and become homeless. Emergency Shelters: Facilities that provide people experiencing homelessness with access to food, sleep, medical care, and safety. Rapid Rehousing (RRH): Activities that provide short- term rental assistance and case management services to help tenants stabilize in their new homes. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): A long-term housing model that combines affordable housing with case management and supportive services. PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: HOUSING-FOCUSED ENCAMPMENT ASSISTANCE LINK (HEAL) Austin City Council Resolution No. 20210204-049 • The HEAL initiative compassionately closes the most unsafe encampments in our city. • Everyone residing at an encampment is offered a direct path to shelter and opportunities for stable housing. • Two emergency shelters (called “BRIDGE” shelters) are designated for HEAL. • 71% of clients who enter shelters have been homeless for 12+ months. • Half of clients leaving shelter go to a housing destinations. 31 Encampment Decommissions 1075 People Moved to Bridge Shelter AUSTIN EMERGENCY SHELTER NETWORK CITY-OWNED SHELTER LOCATIONS Shelter Name and Location 1. Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) 130 semi-congregate beds Male …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number_________________________: Cap and Stitch Initial Funding Recommendation: WHEREAS the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s I-35 Capital Express Central project will lower the highway’s main lanes between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard; and WHEREAS the City of Austin has identified a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the landscape of Central Austin through the construction of "caps" and "stitches" over the highway (“Caps and Stiches); and WHEREAS the City of Austin has undertaken the Our Future 35 Austin project which is a community-centered initiative to create public spaces along the I-35 corridor caps and stitches that will reconnect East and West Austin; and WHEREAS the Caps and Stitches, while being built and once completed, will directly impact the quality of life for those working and living in Downtown; and WHEREAS the City of Austin is in the process of developing plans for constructing the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS the City has identified phases of the Cap and Stitch Construction which are: • Ceasar Chavez to 4ht Street • 4th Street to 7th Street 11th Street to 12 street • 38th Street to Airport Blvd. (Northern Cap); and • WHEREAS I-35 from Lady Bird Lake to Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard marks the eastern boundary of the Downtown Commission’s jurisdiction; and WHEREAS the Downtown Commission supports the timely and efficient planning and construction of the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS the City of Austin is considering several funding and design options for the roadway elements of the Caps and Stitches; and Draft WHEREAS City staff has presented funding scenarios to the City Council for consideration; and WHEREAS the Our Future 35 project has included years of stakeholder engagement and visioning for building out each full cap; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has provided options for shortened (800’) caps along the I-35 corridor; and WHEREAS the 800’ shortened caps scenario does not support the design and vision of the Our Future 35 project; and WHEREAS neither funding scenario includes design and construction of the full-size caps envisioned in the Our Future 35 Austin project; and WHEREAS: it is the considered opinion of the Downtown Commission that funding of the Our Future 35 roadway elements should include all full-size caps. NOW THEREFORE we, the Commissioners of the Austin Downtown Commission, do hereby strongly recommend and urge the Austin City Council to fully fund the roadway elements necessary to …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Downtown Commission Recommendation Number 20250416-005: Cap and Stitch Initial Funding Recommendation: WHEREAS the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s I-35 Capital Express Central project will lower the highway’s main lanes between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard; and WHEREAS the City of Austin has identified a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the landscape of Central Austin through the construction of "caps" and "stitches" over the highway (“Caps and Stitches); and WHEREAS the City of Austin has undertaken the Our Future 35 Austin project which is a community-centered initiative to create public spaces along the I-35 corridor caps and stitches that will reconnect East and West Austin; and WHEREAS the Caps and Stitches, while being built and once completed, will directly impact the quality of life for those working and living in Downtown; and WHEREAS the City of Austin is in the process of developing plans for constructing the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS the City has identified phases of the Cap and Stitch Construction which are: • Cesar Chavez to 4th Street • 4th Street to 7th Street • 11th Street to 12th Street • 38th Street to Airport Blvd. (Northern Cap); and WHEREAS I-35 from Lady Bird Lake to Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard marks the eastern boundary of the Downtown Commission’s jurisdiction; and WHEREAS the Downtown Commission supports the timely and efficient planning and construction of the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS the City of Austin is considering several funding and design options for the roadway elements of the Caps and Stitches; and WHEREAS City staff has presented funding scenarios to the City Council for consideration; and WHEREAS the Our Future 35 project has included years of stakeholder engagement and visioning for building out each full cap; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has provided options for shortened (800’) caps along the I-35 corridor; and WHEREAS the 800’ shortened caps scenario does not support the design and vision of the Our Future 35 project; and WHEREAS neither funding scenario includes design and construction of the full-size caps envisioned in the Our Future 35 Austin project; and WHEREAS: it is the considered opinion of the Downtown Commission that funding of the Our Future 35 roadway elements should include all full-size caps. NOW THEREFORE we, the Commissioners of the Austin Downtown Commission, do hereby strongly recommend and urge the Austin City Council to fully fund the roadway elements necessary to …
