REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2025, 5:30 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND STREET 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 remotely, contact Christi Vitela at participation by Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. telephone. To to speak register Kevin Chen Nkiru Gelles Gina Houston Jennifer Franklin CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Pat Buchta David Carroll Liz Coufal Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Nancy Pollak Sania Shifferd 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 Called meeting on October 15, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Presentation regarding Staff’s response to Council Resolution 20241121-073 related to Bird-Friendly design by Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection. Presentation regarding the Central City District Plan by Shanisha Johnson, Principal Planner, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Presentation by Central Health regarding an overview of services as it relates to downtown Austin. Presentation by Virginia Potter, Development Director, Central Health. Presentation by Safe Streets Austin regarding one-way to two-way street conversions downtown. Presentation by Adam Greenfield, Advocacy Director, Safe Streets Austin. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding one-way to two-way street conversions downtown. 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 Christi Vitela at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Downtown Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Downtown Commission Regular Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 15, 2025 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Austin City Hall Chambers, Room 1001, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Pat Buchta David Carroll Gina Houston Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: Kevin Chen Jennifer Franklin PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on September 17, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on September 17, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Peveto’s motion, Vice Chair Levinson’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner McDaniel was off the dais. Commissioners Coufal and Pollak were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 15, 2025 2. Update on the Downtown Density Bonus Program/Affordable Housing and SB 840. Presentation by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. 3. Update on a proposed amendment to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a base height limit within the Central Business District (CBD) zoning district and update the Downtown Density Bonus (DDB) and Rainey Street Subdistrict to incorporate the CBD base height limit into the DDB program. Presentation by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. The presentation was made by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. 4. Presentation regarding Staff’s response to Council Resolution 20241121-073 related to Bird- Friendly design by Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection. Withdrawn. 5. Update on the Downtown Austin Alliance’s (DAA) construction mitigation strategy. Presentation by Matt Geske, Vice President - Public Affairs, DAA, and Vanessa Olson, Vice President -Communication and Marketing, DAA. The presentation was made by Matt Geske, Vice President - Public Affairs, DAA, and Vanessa Olson, Vice President -Communication and Marketing, DAA. 6. Update on the Downtown Austin Alliance’s (DAA) active urbanism team regarding programs to support Artists and Creatives: DASA, Musicians activating spaces. Presentation by Raasin McIntosh, Vice President - Active Urbanism, DAA, and Emily Risinger, Director of Planning, DAA. The presentation was made by Emily Risinger, Director of Planning, DAA. 7. Update from the Arts Commission representative on the Cultural Funding/Grants process and information regarding the …
1 City Staff Watershed Protection Building Services Liz Johnston, Leslie Lilly, Elizabeth Funk Matt Hollon, Sean Watson Austin Energy Green Building Garret Jaynes, Heidi Kasper Development Services Department Farhana Biswas Kit Johnson, Nate Jackson Animal Services Emery Sadkin Planning Jordan Feldman 2 Resolution 20241121-073 Came out of a recommendation from a working group and Resolution 20210902-050 on Lights Out Austin Directs staff to: Update on Light’s Out Austin Explore integration of bird-friendly building techniques for new low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise buildings Conduct a feasibility analysis on the potential impacts of these standards Seek input from stakeholders, including developers, environmental organizations, and the public. 3 Migration and Habitat Austin was designated a Bird City in 2023 Austin within North America’s Central Flyway Over 400 species of birds Edwards Plateau and the Blackland Prairies habitat Premier destination for birdwatchers throughout most of the year. Birding generates more than $5 billion in annual ecotourism revenue in Texas ($279 billion nationwide) 4 The Problem Birds do not perceive glass as a barrier. In daytime, birds encounter reflective or translucent glass. At night, birds encounter artificial sources of light. Birds fly to these confusing features without seeing the glass barriers. The collision is deadly. An estimated 1 billion birds die every year. 5 Solutions Glass Strategies Bird-friendly design includes: Reducing the use of glass Reducing glass exposure (using solar shading, external insect/solar screens, louvers, etc.) Incorporating bird-friendly signals (markers) in or on the glass UV coating, glazing, and etched or fritted glass patterns that follow the "2x2 rule” 7 Design Strategies Incorporate physical barriers and architectural design that improve glass visibility Options include: Exterior screens Shutters Awnings Facades Structural shading systems Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah 8 Lighting Exterior Eliminate uplighting, use fully shielded fixtures that direct light downward, and avoid event searchlights Use lighting management systems that can automatically reduce non-essential lighting during peak migration Also beneficial to bats and lightning bugs year-round Use warmer lightbulbs (as white/blue light can disorient birds) Interior Program automatic controls with timers and occupancy sensors Use window treatments to reduce light spillage Schedule janitorial services during daylight hours 9 Benchmarking What have other cities done? New York City (2021) Arlington County, VA …
Central City District Plan Austin Planning | Downtown Commission | November 19, 2025 Agenda Plan Overview Progress to Date Advisory Groups Planning Timeline Next Steps 2 Plan Overview Purpose and Goals: Create a 10-year blueprint for future growth and investments with a unified vision Align with existing citywide strategic plans and policies and build consensus for effective implementation. Community-informed vision and goals Place Type mapping to inform future development patterns Public realm and multimodal improvements Program, policy, project, and partnership recommendations Implementation Plan 3 Progress to Date Launched Speak Up Austin page Onboarded AECOM Developed an Information Sheet, translated to Spanish Planning process overview Engagement overview Held first Interagency Technical Advisory Group meeting – October 28, 2025 Held first community events: In-Person Open House @ ACC Rio Grande – November 10, 2025 65 - 70 attendees Virtual Open House via Zoom – November 12, 2025 18 - 20 attendees Launched Phase 1 survey (November 12 – December 6) 4 Advisory Groups Interagency Technical Advisory Group COA Departments/Offices Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Austin Planning Austin Capital Delivery Services Austin Police Austin Climate Action and Resilience Austin Police Oversight Austin Communications and Engagement Austin Public Library Austin Development Services Austin Resource Recovery Austin Economic Development Austin Small & Minority Business Resources Austin Emergency Services Austin Project Connect Austin Energy Austin Transportation & Public Works Austin Equity and Inclusion Austin Water Austin Facilities Management Austin Watershed Protection Austin Financial Services Austin Fire Austin Government Relations Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations Austin Housing Austin Parks & Recreation Meet once monthly via Teams Review draft deliverables using subject matter expertise Will remain in contact on annual basis to inform implementation tracking Partner Agencies Austin Community College Austin Transit Partnership CAPMETRO Central Health Rally Austin Texas Department of Transportation Travis County University of Texas 5 Advisory Groups Stakeholder Advisory Group Neighborhood Associations Transportation and Mobility Advocates Market-rate and Affordable Housing Advocates/Developers Economic Development Program Specialists Trail and Park Conservancies Placemaking Advocates Small Business and Workforce Development Programs Homeless Service Providers Cultural District Associations Underrepresented Interest Advocates Youth Organizations Student Organizations Real Estate Developers Climate Resilience and Environment Advocates Retail and Hospitality Worker Labor Organizations Group Structure …
Building the Future of Health: Central Health's Platform for Generational Change Downtown Commission JP Eichmiller, Vice President of Strategy Virginia Potter, Development Director 11/19/2025 Who We Are • Travis County’s hospital district • Created by voters in 2004 to manage city- and county-owned clinics and provide care to low-income residents • Provides affordable healthcare access through Medical Access Program (MAP) • Created as we know it today by Central Health in 2009 to manage and operate health clinics • One of the largest FQHCs in Texas and Central Health’s primary care backbone • Serves over 143,000 patients annually at 30+ locations • Nationally recognized as a top 10 teaching center • Created by Central Health in 2011 • Nonprofit health insurer offering plans through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace • Closes the coverage gap that traditional insurance models cannot address • Unified coverage and care for vulnerable populations No other entity in Central Texas has the scale, integration, and resources to make generational investments required for true health equity One System, Centered Around the People We Serve FY26 Snapshot Uses: $1,015 M • Health Care Delivery • Health Plans • Admin • Debt Service • Other Sources: $924 M • Tax • Patient Service Revenue • Health Plan Revenue • Grants & Philanthropy • Investments & Leases • Other Impact (System + Network) • People Served: 209,000+ • Total Visits: 1,245,000+ • Total Episodes*: 11,700+ • Total Providers: 10,600+ *Inpatient, post-acute, hospital, case management 2026: The Year of Access This is the year we close the health care gap Our goal – reduce appointment wait times to 2 weeks or less Patients Eliminating health care delays so people get the quality care they need— faster. Team Creating one connected system and strengthening our workforce to enhance the patient experience. Sustainability Delivering maximum value to stretch every tax dollar to reach more people. Commitment to Homeless Services Housing for Health Partnership Our goal - engaged in care and stable housing at one year Central Health Homeless Services Overview Targeted Investments 525% increase in targeted investments in homeless initiatives from FY23 ($4.5M) to FY25 ($28.2M). 9% of all Central Health enrollees are in the MAP-Homeless population (~10k people). There are significant additional primary, specialty, and dental care investments for MAP-H enrollees beyond the $28.2M. $30.0M $25.0M $20.0M $15.0M $10.0M $5.0M $0.0M $28.2M $13.0M $4.5M FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 7 FY26 Proposed Expansions • …
Two-Way Street Conversions in Downtown Austin Time to finish the job? Adam Greenfield, Advocacy Director, Safe Streets Austin Two-Way Conversions: What Happened in Louisville KY 49% Fewer crashes 39% Property value rise 23% Less crime Two-Way Street Conversion: Evidence of Increased Livability in Louisville (Riggs & Gilderbloom (2015), Journal of Planning Education and Research "One-way streets should not be allowed in prime downtown retail areas. We've proven that." Rebecca Ocken, Executive Director, Vancouver WA Downtown Association “The design has facilitated a better response from police and fire.” “When we experience a problem, we are provided with more options to redirect traffic.” Wm. Todd Bailey, Police Chief, New Albany IN “Dozens of cities have reconfigured one-way streets into two-way streets as a means of bringing their downtowns to life.” Governing Magazine Two-Way Conversions: One Policy, Many Benefits ● Safer streets ● More walking and bicycling ● Healthier local businesses ● Higher property values ● Faster emergency access ● Lower crime ● Easier navigation and access Less Congestion, Shorter Travel Times Addressing Left-Turn Lanes & Transit Reliability ● Left-turn pockets ● Leading left-turn traffic signals ● All-way stops ● Prohibit left turns at certain intersections and/or at certain times Two-Way Conversions: Success Every Time in Austin 1992: First Street / E Cesar Chavez, Second Street (east of I-35) 2008: Cesar Chavez, Second Street 2015: Brazos Street 2017: 5th Street 2018: Colorado Street 2019: 16th, 17th, 18th Street “Sixth Street should be immediately converted to two-way traffic…" Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), 1991 “Just do it!” “15 minutes after you make the change [to two-way], people will be asking why you didn’t do it 25 years earlier.” Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak (2010)
REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION Wednesday October 15, 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 telephone. To register to speak remotely or in person, please contact Christi Vitela at Christi.Vitela@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2792. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Pat Buchta David Carroll Liz Coufal Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Nancy Pollak Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley Kevin Chen Nkiru Gelles Gina Houston Jennifer Franklin CALL TO ORDER AGENDA 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 September 17, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on the Downtown Density Bonus Program/Affordable Housing and SB 840. Presentation by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. 3. Update on a proposed amendment to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to establish a base height limit within the Central Business District (CBD) zoning district and update the Downtown Density Bonus (DDB) and Rainey Street Subdistrict to incorporate the CBD base height limit into the DDB program. Presentation by Alan Pani, Planner Principal, Austin Planning. 4. Presentation regarding Staff’s response to Council Resolution 20241121-073 related to Bird-Friendly design by Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection. 5. Update on the Downtown Austin Alliance’s (DAA) construction mitigation strategy. Presentation by Matt Geske, Vice President - Public Affairs, DAA, and Vanessa Olson, Vice President -Communication and Marketing, DAA. 6. Update on the Downtown Austin Alliance’s (DAA) active urbanism team regarding programs to support Artists and Creatives: DASA, Musicians activating spaces. Presentation by Raasin McIntosh, Vice President - Active Urbanism, DAA, and Emily Risinger, Director of Planning, DAA. 7. Update from the Arts Commission representative on the Cultural Funding/Grants process and information regarding the work of Austin Arts, Culture, Music, …
Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Downtown Commission Regular Called Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 17, 2025 The Downtown Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Austin City Hall Chambers, Room 1001, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ishmael called the Downtown Commission Meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Ishmael, Chair Kimberly Levinson, Vice Chair Pat Buchta Liz Coufal Nathan McDaniel Charles Peveto Sania Shifferd Philip Wiley COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: Nkiru Gelles Nancy Pollak Nelly Paulina Ramírez PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Commission regular called meeting on August 20, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of August 20, 2025, were approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Buchta’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Carroll was absent. 1 Downtown Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 17, 2025 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on the Downtown Austin Strategic Initiative (DASI). Presentation by Jon Fortune, Deputy City Manager, Austin City Manager’s Office. The presentation was made by Jon Fortune, Deputy City Manager, Austin City Manager’s Office and Roberto Treviño, Deputy City Manager Advisor, Austin City Manager’s Office. 3. Update from the Public Safety Commission representative regarding the Austin Police’s response to questions about their process with regards to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Public Safety Commission’s future discussions regarding this topic. Commissioner Ramírez provided an update. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Downtown Commission Boundary Expansion. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Downtown Commission Boundary Expansion was approved on Vice Chair Levinson’s motion, Commissioner Shifferd’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Carroll was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Briefing on the update to the Great Streets Master Plan Briefing on the 6th Street Engineering Report Valet Permitting Process ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Peveto’s motion, Vice Chair Levinson’s second a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Carroll was absent. 2
Downtown Commission 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm 1. January 21, 2026 2. February 18, 2026 3. March 11, 2026* 4. April 15, 2026 5. May 20, 2026 6. June 17, 2026 7. July 15, 2026 8. August 19, 2026 9. September 16, 2026 10. October 21, 2026 11. November 18, 2026 12. December 16, 2026 *revised
SB 840 & DDB Austin Planning | Downtown Commission | 10/15/2025 Content • SB 840 Overview Impacts of SB 840 • • Next Steps SB 840 Overview SB 840 Summary Allows by-right mixed-use or multifamily in all zoning districts that allow non-residential uses (excluding zones with heavy industrial). Sets minimum standards for height, density, and maximum setbacks for multifamily and multifamily and mixed-use developments in commercial zones. Exempts residential conversions of existing commercial or office buildings from impact fees and other city requirements. Effective Date: September 1, 2025 4 SB 840 Applicability: Residential by Right Allows residential by-right on any property where mixed-use, office, commercial, retail, or warehouse uses are currently allowed in the zoning district. Does not apply to: Zones that allow a heavy industrial use Properties within 1,000 ft of a heavy industrial use or development site or within 3,000 ft. of an airport or military base An area designated by a city as “a clear zone or accident potential zone” 5 SB 840 Applicability: Residential by Right (cont’d) Residential is allowed by right in the following zoning districts in Austin: All office base zones: Neighborhood Office (NO), Limited Office (LO), General Office (GO) All commercial base zones: Community Recreation (CR), Neighborhood Commercial (LR), Community Commercial (GR), Lake Commercial (L), Central Business District (CBD), Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU), Warehouse/Limited Office (W/LO), Commercial Services (CS), Commercial Highway (CH) Special purpose base zones: Agriculture (AG), Planned Unit Development (PUDs)* Industrial base zones: Research & Development (R&D)* Regulating plans: Lamar/Justin, Plaza Saltillo, MLK, East Riverside Corridor, North Burnet/Gateway Regulating Plans *Applicable to properties with PUD and R&D zoning that allow commercial uses & prohibit heavy industrial uses 6 SB 840 Applicability: New Minimum Entitlements Bill sets new minimum entitlements for “mixed-use residential” and “multifamily residential” development, for sites where SB 840 applies. Mixed-Use Residential = any site in which the residential uses are at least 65% of the development’s total square footage. Multifamily Residential = any site for 3 or more dwelling units within one or more buildings. 7 New Minimum Entitlements Under SB 840 Density: Cities must allow the greater of 36 units per acre or the highest residential density currently allowed in the city. This is 54 units per acre in Austin. Cannot restrict …
C20-2025-010 Central Business District Amendments Austin Planning | Downtown Commission | 10/15/25 Content • Background • Proposed Changes • Next Steps Background Texas Senate Bill 840 Texas SB 840 went into effect on September 1. Allows for multifamily or mixed-use in any commercial zone Under SB 840, multifamily and mixed-use residential developments in commercial zones will, by right, be able to: Reach a height that is the greater of 45 feet or the height that applies to commercial uses for the site. Reach a density of up to 54 units per acre. Include setbacks that are the lesser of 25 feet or the setbacks imposed on commercial uses. Develop unlimited floor-to-area ratio (FAR). 4 Central Business District Central Business District (CBD) is the designation for an office, commercial, residential, or civic use located in the downtown area CBD currently regulates development based on floor-area ratio (FAR) Currently, the allowed FAR is 8:1 There is no maximum building height under CBD As of September 1, the City can no longer regulate FAR in developments utilizing Senate Bill 840 CBD 5 Downtown Density Bonus Produces highest density/heights in our city and produces the most affordable housing fees- in-lieu for the City CBD and Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) zoning today: CBD zoning does not have a height limit but has FAR limit of 8:1. DMU zoning has height limit of 120’ and FAR limit of 5:1. DDB allows for developments to go above their base entitlements Additional entitlements are mapped, but in general, DDB can increase CBD and DMU sites: Up to 25:1 FAR Up to unlimited height 6 Proposed Changes CBD Median Height Equivalent Staff analyzed the median and average height for sites participating in the Downtown Density Bonus to find the height equivalent for 8:1 FAR Site Area (acres) Floors with 8:1 FAR* Height with 8:1 FAR* (feet) Density Bonus Sites CBD Median CBD Average 0.55 0.72 *8:1 FAR equivalent for developed sites. 16 18 207 233 8 9 10 Proposed Changes to CBD Create a new maximum by-right height limit of 350 feet for the Central Business District. 350 feet follows the trend toward taller buildings in Downtown to help support development and growth in the city center. The height limit will address the effects of …
1 City Staff Watershed Protection Building Services Liz Johnston, Leslie Lilly, Elizabeth Funk Matt Hollon, Sean Watson Austin Energy Green Building Garret Jaynes, Heidi Kasper Development Services Department Farhana Biswas Kit Johnson, Nate Jackson Animal Services Emery Sadkin Planning Jordan Feldman 2 Resolution 20241121-073 ▪ Came out of a recommendation from a working group and Resolution 20210902-050 on Lights Out Austin ▪ Directs staff to: ▪ Update on Light’s Out Austin ▪ Explore integration of bird-friendly building techniques for new low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise buildings ▪ Conduct a feasibility analysis on the potential impacts of these standards ▪ Seek input from stakeholders, including developers, environmental organizations, and the public. 3 Migration and Habitat ▪ Austin was designated a Bird City in 2023 ▪ Austin within North America’s Central Flyway ▪ Over 400 species of birds ▪ Edwards Plateau and the Blackland Prairies habitat ▪ Premier destination for birdwatchers throughout most of the year. ▪ Birding generates more than $5 billion in annual ecotourism revenue in Texas ($279 billion nationwide) 4 The Problem ▪ Birds do not perceive glass as a barrier. ▪ In daytime, birds encounter reflective or translucent glass. ▪ At night, birds encounter artificial sources of light. ▪ Birds fly to these confusing features without seeing the glass barriers. ▪ The collision is deadly. An estimated 1 billion birds die every year. 5 Solutions Glass Strategies Bird-friendly design includes: ▪ Reducing the use of glass ▪ Reducing glass exposure (using solar shading, external insect/solar screens, louvers, etc.) ▪ Incorporating bird-friendly signals (markers) in or on the glass ▪ UV coating, glazing, and etched or fritted glass patterns that follow the "2x2 rule” 7 Design Strategies ▪ Incorporate physical barriers and architectural design that improve glass visibility ▪ Options include: ▪ Exterior screens ▪ Shutters ▪ Awnings ▪ Facades ▪ Structural shading systems Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, Utah 8 Lighting Exterior ▪ Eliminate uplighting, use fully shielded fixtures that direct light downward, and avoid event searchlights ▪ Use lighting management systems that can automatically reduce non-essential lighting during peak migration ▪ Also beneficial to bats and lightning bugs year-round ▪ Use warmer lightbulbs (as white/blue light can disorient birds) Interior ▪ Program automatic controls with timers and occupancy sensors ▪ Use window treatments to reduce light spillage ▪ Schedule janitorial services during daylight hours 9 Benchmarking What have other cities done? New York City (2021) Arlington County, VA …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION YYYYMMDD-XXX [XXX is the agenda item number] Date: 10/15/2025 Subject: Density Bonus recommendation Motioned By: Recommendation Seconded By: The Downtown Commission recommends that the City of Austin adopt the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association proposal for replacing the current density bonus program (which is necessitated by SB840). Description of Recommendation to Council The DTC believes that removing height and FAR restrictions downtown, and directing a dedicated share of the resulting revenue permanently into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund or a similar entity will provide a much more stable and permanent stream of funding for Permanent Supportive Housing and other affordable housing, as well as other community benefits, because it will not be dependent on constant new development. It will remain in place as long as the building exists. We therefore request that the City Council not adopt further restrictions on downtown development, which will only complicate an already complex building code, and instead simplify the code by removing restrictions and designating the increased revenue to housing our neighbors and fellow citizens. Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] 1 of 1
SOCIAL KNOWLEDGEABLE INFLUENTIAL Philip Wiley President Cyrus Tehrani Vice President Maria Wiley Treasurer Marshall Geyer Secretary Bob Bellin Roger L. Cauvin Megan Dude Kimberly Levinson Preston Salce October 3, 2025 Honorable City Council, Commissioners, and Staff: (DANA) The Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association opposes height limits and other exclusionary zoning downtown, and we specifically oppose the base height limit proposed in the C20-2025-010 Central Business District (CBD) amendments. We recognize that the proposed CBD base height limit is an attempt to restore the incentive to participate in the Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP), given that SB 840 removed the floor area ratio (FAR) limits on which the program depends. As we noted in a March 2024 letter, density bonus programs rely on exclusionary zoning to "work" and produce less housing relative to granting the same entitlements by right. (TOC) program Indeed, a 2024 Terner Center and UCLA study of Los Angeles’ that Transit Oriented Communities removing the affordability requirements, and granting the "bonus" entitlements by right, would produce 38% more housing over a decade. The report confirmed that calibration is futile; housing production suffers dramatically no matter how lenient the affordability requirements (short of eliminating them entirely). found We thus reiterate our March 2024 proposal to replace the DDBP with a mechanism that (1) captures the extra property tax revenue resulting from having no FAR caps or height limits and (2) dedicates a portion of it to affordable housing and other community benefits. This alternative will produce more housing overall, and provide a larger and steadier funding stream for these community benefits, than would downzoning the CBD to restore the incentive to participate in the DDBP. Sincerely, Board of Directors Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA) info@downtownaustin.org (512) 593-2621 DOWNTOWN AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 997 Austin, TX 78767 • downtownaustin.org
RESPONSE TO COUNCIL RESOLUTION 20241121-073 BIRD-FRIENDLYDESIGN REPORT 10/6/2025 Response to 20241121-073 Table of Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 4 Overview of Bird Friendly Design .......................................................................................................... 5 Migration and Habitat in Austin............................................................................................................ 5 Glass and Building Design Elements ..................................................................................................... 6 Lighting Standards to Minimize Light Pollution .................................................................................... 9 Behavioral practices ............................................................................................................................ 10 Benchmarking Report on Bird Friendly Design in North America ....................................................... 11 New York City, NY ............................................................................................................................... 11 Madison, WI ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Portland, ME ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Berkeley, CA ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Toronto, ON ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Arlington County, VA........................................................................................................................... 14 Bird Friendly Design in Austin ............................................................................................................. 15 Austin Energy Green Building ............................................................................................................. 15 Lights Out Austin! ................................................................................................................................ 16 Site Specific Regulations ..................................................................................................................... 16 Glass and Lighting Requirements in Code ........................................................................................... 17 Case Studies of Bird Friendly Projects in Austin.................................................................................. 17 Considerations for New Construction ................................................................................................. 19 Co-Benefits of Bird Friendly Design .................................................................................................... 19 The 100/100/100 rule ......................................................................................................................... 21 Best Practices for Low-, Mid-, and High-Rise Buildings ...................................................................... 21 Feasibility of Bird Friendly Building in Austin ....................................................................................... 23 Cost Estimates ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Building Plan Review ........................................................................................................................... 25 Inspection and Compliance ................................................................................................................. 26 Education ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Stakeholder Engagement .................................................................................................................... 26 Boards and Commissions ................................................................................................................... 28 Staff Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 29 1. Land Development Code Amendment ............................................................................................ 29 10/6/2025 Response to 20241121-073 2. Austin Energy Green Building Program and Policy Updates ........................................................... 29 3. Residential Educational Campaign .................................................................................................. 30 Contributors: ..................................................................................................................................... 31 References:........................................................................................................................................ 32 Appendix A: Benchmarking Data and Regulations ............................................................................... 33 Appendix B: Austin Energy Green Building Program Requirements ..................................................... 34 Appendix C: Stakeholder Engagement Plan ........................................................................................ 36 Appendix D: Bird Friendly Design for Residential ................................................................................. 37 10/6/2025 Response to 20241121-073 Executive Summary implementation, In response to City Council Resolution 20241121-073, staff conducted comprehensive research on bird- friendly building design including stakeholder engagement with developers, environmental organizations, and the public through virtual sessions, public tours of the Austin Airport IT building, and professional roundtable discussions in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The following analysis provides an overview of the impact that building collisions have on bird populations and how Austin can address the problem through assessing local case studies, cost feasibility, and regulatory frameworks from peer cities including New York, Madison, Portland, Toronto, Berkeley, and Arlington County, VA. The report explores how Austin's built environment and land development regulations present many opportunities for bird-friendly design implementation, including already existing regulatory mechanisms and programs like Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zoning and the Austin Energy …
DOWNTOWN COMMISSION October 15, 2025 DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE VP, Public Affairs DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE VP, Communication & Marketing DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE VANESSAOLSONMATT GESKE Urban Design Initiative The Downtown Austin Alliance is working with Transportation and Public Works to develop a comprehensive Construction Engagement & Mitigation Strategy. The tentative strategy will advance fifteen recommendations of the report, including: Proactive notices of street and sidewalk closures Business Support Toolkits Construction Inspection Task Force PLANNING FOR CONSTRUCTIONCONGRESS AVENUE DOWNTOWNAUSTIN ALLIANCECommunication & Business Support Update CONSTRUCTION MITIGATION STRATEGY MARKETING BENEFITS Photo by Ismael Quintilla III DOWNTOWN CALENDAR Submit your events to our Downtown Events Calendar & get free promotion! 1,100+ views per month SUBMIT EVENTS: https://downtownaustin.com/do wntown-events-submission- form/ VIEW THE CALENDAR: https://downtownaustin.com/ev ents-calendar/ VIDEO INTERVIEWS BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS SOCIAL SHARING Content created or provided by us to promote downtown businesses to our social following (50K+ across channels) Examples include an in-depth interview from the folks behind Moonshine and Kinfolk and a new business opening for HokkaiSan DOWNTOWN DEALS GIVEAWAYS & POP UPS DOWNTOWN DEALS & GIVEAWAYS DOWNTOWN DEALS: Partner with us for one of our seasonal campaigns and get a custom landing page on the XOXO App to feature deals. GIVEAWAYS & POP UPS: We’ve partnered with Miranda’s Cafe and Parkside to do exclusive gift card giveaways for our app subscribers. Contact us to host your own! DOWNTOWN ENGAGEMENT XOXO STICKER: Businesses can drive traffic to campaigns on the app, increasing visibility for all businesses that opt in A FRAMES: Request an A frame from us to drive interest to your business from pedestrians STOREFRONT WRAPS: Reach out to us if you’d like to beautify your storefront with window wraps SOAK UP SUMMER ADS PAID SOCIAL: Meta CITYCAST: Preroll ads, sponsored segments, email marketing CULTUREMAP: Newsletter marketing, social media, dedicated emails DATAFY: Web banner ads 6AM CITY/ATX TODAY: Article and newsletter marketing 13,000 views on campaign landing page 50% of campaign landing page engagement is organic and not from paid ads 23,500+ impressions on paid social ads Construction Communication & Business Support DOWNTOWN XOXO APP Launched the XOXO App to promote businesses and communicate road closure notices. Future integration with a live roadway impact map in discussion. BUSINESS CAMPAIGN Launched the Soak up Summer campaign in the XOXO App to attract patrons to businesses impacted by Convention Center construction BUSINESS PROMOTIONS Actively highlighting local businesses within a half-mile radius of the Convention Center across social …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Downtown Commission Recommendation Number: 20251015-009: Downtown Density Bonus Recommendation Date of Approval: October 15, 2025 Recommendation: The Downtown Commission recommends that the City of Austin adopt the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association proposal for replacing the current Downtown Density Bonus program (which is necessitated by SB840). Description of Recommendation to Council: The DTC believes that removing height and FAR restrictions downtown, and directing a dedicated share of the resulting revenue permanently into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund or a similar entity, charged with actually building affordable housing, will provide a much more stable and permanent stream of revenue for Permanent Supportive Housing and other affordable housing as well as other community benefits, because it will not be dependent on constant new development. It will remain in place as long as the building exists. We therefore request that the City Council not adopt further restrictions on downtown development, which will only complicate an already complex Land Development Code, and instead simplify the code by removing restrictions and designating the increased revenue to housing our neighbors and fellow citizens. Motioned By: Commissioner Shifferd Seconded By: Commissioner Buchta Vote: 8-0 For: Chair Ishmael, Vice Chair Levinson, Commissioners Buchta, Carroll, McDaniel, Peveto, Shifferd, and Wiley Against: None Abstain: None Off the dais: None Absent: Commissioners Coufal and Pollak Attest: Christi Vitela
