Downtown Commission Regular Meeting of the Downtown Commission

Agenda — original pdf

REGULAR MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 AT 5:30 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Pat Buchta David Carroll Kevin Chen Liz Coufal Jennifer Franklin Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Nancy Pollak Sania Shifferd Joe Silva Philip Wiley AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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 meeting of March 11, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding updates to the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan. Presentation by Chris Ryerson, Division Manager and Evelyn Mitchell, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. 3. Briefing regarding Downtown Density Bonus Phase I Updates. Briefing by Nicholas Smith, Planner Senior and Stevie Greathouse, Capital Program Consultant, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation providing a general update on progress and plans for the new Austin Convention Center. Presentation by Katy Zamesnik, Interim Director, Austin Convention Center. 5. Presentation regarding the Red River Cultural District’s economic impact on the downtown area. Presentation by Nicole Klepadlo, Executive Director, Red River Cultural District. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding renaming Cesar Chavez Street. 7. Conduct officer elections for Chair and Vice Chair. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Ryan Sperling at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional …

Item 1: March 11, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

REGULAR MEETING DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Levinson called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:46 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kimberly Levinson (Vice Chair) Pat Buchta David Carroll Sania Shifferd Joe Silva Phillip Wiley Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ed Ishmael (Chair) Kevin Chen Gina Houston PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular meeting of February 18, 2026. The February 18, 2026 minutes were approved on Commissioner Buchta’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Coufal, Gelles, McDaniel, Peveto, and Pollak were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on the Central City District Plan. Presentation by Shanisha Johnson, Planner Principal, Austin Planning; Aaron A. May, AICP, Associate Principal, AECOM; and Sean P. Tapia, AICP, ENV SP, Digital and Geospatial, AECOM. 1 The presentation was made by Shanisha Johnson, Planner Principal, Austin Planning; Aaron A. May, AICP, Associate Principal, AECOM; and Sean P. Tapia, AICP, ENV SP, Digital and Geospatial, AECOM. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget. The budget recommendation for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget was approved on Chair Ishmael’s motion, Vice Chair Levinson’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Coufal, Gelles, McDaniel, Peveto, and Pollak were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Report on cultural funding for programs from the Arts Commission. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Levinson adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m. without objection. 2

Item 2: Imagine Austin Slide Deck — original pdf

Imagine Austin Update Austin Planning | April 15, 2026 AGENDA  Why Updating Imagine Austin Matters  Overview of the Past Six Months  Project Goals and Scope  Advisory Groups  Imagine Austin Plan Framework  Imagine Austin Implementation  Compact & Connected  Project Timeline 2 Why Updating Imagine Austin Matters  Provides a guiding framework Turning community, Council, and department priorities into actionable programs  Cross-departmental alignment and collaboration Breaking down silos so departments can work together more easily and effectively  Provides a strong foundation for decision making Guides choices with up-to-date policies and alignment across citywide plans  Strengthens how the City operates Building a more proactive city 3 Overview of the Past Six Months AUG 28, 2025 SEP - NOV 2025 NOV 20, 2025 NOV 2025 - PRESENT Resolution Adopted Consultant Selected and Onboarded City Council Reallocated $1.5M of IA’s $3M Budget Project Rescoping Phase • Refined scope based on reduced project budget • Identified staff tasks and internal responsibilities 4 Project Goals  Develop a Place Types map to support consistent land use planning throughout Austin that helps achieve citywide goals while recognizing the needs of different communities.  Create regular engagement opportunities with the community.  Update policies to provide clear guidance for current and future planning and decision-making.  Refine the plan document for clearer organization and to be more user-friendly.  Strengthen alignment between Imagine Austin and other citywide strategic plans to provide clearer direction and consistency. 5 Project Scope CONSULTANT LED CITY STAFF LED Project Support Existing Conditions and Future Trends Assessment Task 0 Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Engagement Vision and Goals Task 4 Priority Programs and Policies Land Use Goals and Policies Task 5 Place Types Palette and Methodology Place Types Map Task 6 Task 7 Task 8 Task 9 Plan Alignment Implementation Document Design Task 10 Plan Writing 6 Imagine Austin Community Working Group Evaluation and Selection Process  Applications: ~360 applications  Evaluation Committee comprised of seven departments  Austin Communications and Engagement  Austin Development Services  Austin Housing  Austin Planning  Austin Public Health  Austin Watershed Protection Final Working Group  45 members - aimed to reflect City of Austin demographics as closely as possible  Duration: 5-6 meetings – Spring 2026 to Summer 2027  Goal: Support with the creation of the Place Types Map and policy revisions 7 …

Item 3: Downtown Density Bonus Updates Slide Deck — original pdf

Downtown Density Bonus Phase 1 – Proposal Austin Planning | Downtown Commission | 04/15/2026 Agenda • • • Background Existing Program & Process Proposed Changes • Urban Design Standards • Community Benefits | • Downtown Density Bonus Process • Stakeholder Engagement and Timeline 2 Background City Council Resolution  Downtown Density Bonus Update  Resolution No. 20240718-185 in July 2024 directed staff to update the Downtown Density Bonus (DDB) program  Requested:  Updates to gatekeeper requirements  Integration of Rainey subdistrict  Creation of new subdistricts  Prioritization of accessibility and shade opportunities  Simplification of the affordability program  Alignment of the program with the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) overlay.  Downtown Density Bonus – Phase 1  In response to Senate Bill 840, Council adopted Ordinance No. 20251023-063, which amended the Central Business District Zone and directed staff to update the DDB program by June 2026 for three DDB subdistricts 4 Existing Program & Process Phase 1 - Existing Height & FAR Map  After the recent adoption of the Central Business District Zone amendments and updates to the DDB, the three subdistricts in Phase 1 have the following entitlements available via the DDB program:  Core Subdistrict – 350ft of height and 25:1 FAR*  Rainey Subdistrict – 350ft of height and 15:1 FAR*  Convention Center Subdistrict – 350ft of height and 15:1 FAR*  Applicants can request Council approval to exceed these entitlements *FAR limits are only applicable to commercial developments 6 Proposed Changes Phase I – Proposed Applicability  Revised to remove the Red River Cultural District from Phase I  To be updated and included in Phase II of the DDB Update  DDB is a voluntary program  Supersedes the following overlays:  Capitol Dominance Overlay  Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Density Bonus  Waterfront Overlay 8 Phase I – Combining Districts  Each combining district will have different entitlements/requirements. Phase I will create 2 combining districts:  DDB400 has +400 ft  DDB850 has +850 ft  Additional height is additive to the property’s base zoning height limit  E.g., a CBD-DDB400 site could build up to 750 ft (350 ft base height + 400 bonus ft)  Sites will be rezoned into DDB400 in Phase I.  Sites will be eligible to request rezoning into DDB850 through the standard rezoning process.  Max height cannot be exceeded by Council approval. …