REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Environmental 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 Nicole Corona, 737-291-3084, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan 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 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 19, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the City of Austin's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit. Presentation by Jacob Johnson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Sullivan. 3. Staff briefing to provide an update on Austin City Council action taken at the May 21, 2026, and July 23, 2026, meetings and to discuss next steps regarding the area commonly known as Dog's Head, bounded by the Colorado River, US Highway 183, and State Highway 130. Presentation by Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Commissioners Brimer and Sullivan. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 4. Update from the Dog’s Head Working Group regarding the meetings on September 10, 2026. COMMITTEE UPDATES 5. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee regarding the meeting on September 14, 2026. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City Code requires at least 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 Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Richard Brimer Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Isabella Changsut PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 5, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 5, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were off the dais. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment, C20-2026-008 Applicant: Thompson Land Engineering Location: 5811 Southwest Parkway, Austin, Texas, 78735 Council District: 8 1 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-535-8914, leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov; Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-963-2167, sean.watson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: In response to Council Resolution No. 20190131-040, consider a site- specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions The public hearing was conducted and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. The motion to recommend the project 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment, C20-2026-008, located at 5811 Southwest Parkway, to Council was approved on Chair Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Brimer, seconded by Commissioner Sullivan, and approved on an 8-0 vote. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. The amendment was to add the inclusion of dark sky building practices into the recommendation. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 3. 4. Update from the Artificial Turf Working Group regarding future meeting dates. The update was given by Commissioner Sullivan. Update from the Dog’s Head Working Group regarding the meeting on August 6, 2026, and future meeting dates. The update was given by Vice Chair Bristol. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff briefing …
MS4 Permit Update Environmental Commission | September 16, 2026 From The Top ▪ MS4 = Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System ▪ Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit that allows Austin to convey stormwater and discharge to waterways ▪ Prohibit non-stormwater discharges ▪ Reduce pollutants to the Maximum Extent Practicable ▪ Originates from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program as part of the Clean Water Act ▪ 1990 – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues NPDES Stormwater Phase I rule ▪ 1992 - City of Austin applies for EPA MS4 permit ▪ 1998 - EPA authorizes Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to develop and implement TPDES program ▪ 2006 - TCEQ issues Phase I MS4 permit to COA 2 MS4 Permit ▪ Tells the City what needs to be done ▪ Broken up into 8 Minimum Control Measures ▪ Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements are now included in MS4 permits ▪ Five-year permit cycle ▪ Annual reporting ▪ Periodic TCEQ audits 3 Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) ▪ SWMP informs TCEQ how COA will fulfill permit requirements ▪ Collection of best management practices and quantified targets ▪ Over 100 targets across various City of Austin departments ▪ Targets include activities staff has control over 4 Who’s Involved? Section of the SWMP MS4 Maintenance Activities Post Construction Stormwater Control Measures Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations Industrial and High Risk Runoff Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Core Contributing Departments WPD, ARR, TPW WPD, DSD, PLAN WPD, AW, ARR, AFD WPD, ARR, TPW, AFD, AUS, FMS, APR, AW WPD, AW, DSD, AFD DSD Public Education, Outreach, Involvement and Participation WPD, ARR, AW Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting WPD Total Maximum Daily Loads WPD- Austin Watershed Protection, ARR – Austin Resource Recovery, TPW – Transportation and Public Works, DSD – Austin Development Services, PLAN – Austin Planning, AW – Austin Water, AFD – Austin Fire, AUS – Austin Bergstrom International Airport, FMS – Fleet Mobility Services, APR – Austin Parks, HSO – Homeless Strategies Office WPD, AW, HSO 5 Current Status ▪ TCEQ audit in July 2026 resulted in General Compliance (no violations) ▪ TCEQ issued a draft permit June 2026 as part of Austin’s permit renewal process ▪ Potential to have new permit by end of the fiscal year ▪ Minimal TCEQ edits/additions compared to the current permit ▪ Once the permit is issued,180 days to submit …
Dog’s Head Update to Environmental Commission Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Watershed Protection Department | September 16, 2026 Dog’s Head Update This presentation is focused on items primarily related to Austin Watershed Protection and will provide an overview on the following topics: ▪ Site Context ▪ May Council action ▪ July Council action ▪ Regulatory Comparison Table ▪ Floodplain Update ▪ Next Steps, including brief explanation of a regulatory plan ▪ Q&A 2 Property Information ▪ Annexed into Full Purpose May 2026 ▪ District 3 & 2-mile ETJ ▪ Colorado River & Carson Creek ▪ Bounded by Colorado River to north & east ▪ Previously used as sand/gravel mining operations Colorado River Watershed Carson Creek Watershed Watershed boundaries and creek centerlines Council District 3 boundaries. Information from Property Profile 3 US 183 Longhorn Dam Colorado River SH 71 Aerial imagery courtesy of NearMaps Dog’s Head Current and Historic Aerial Images 1940 2017 2026 Current Aerial Aerial imagery courtesy of Nearmap – May 2026 May 21, 2026 Council Action ▪ Development Agreement – 45-year contract (Item 38) ▪ Interlocal Agreement with Travis County granting City of Austin regulatory authority over the Dog’s Head (Item 39) ▪ Annexation Ordinance (Item 60) 7 July 23, 2026 Council Action ▪ Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreement with Travis County (Item 14) ▪ Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone preliminary project and financing plan (Item 15) ▪ Right-of-way vacation of portions of Hergotz Lane and Dalton Lane (Items 75 & 76) ▪ Annexation of 37 acres of right-of-way land (Item 106) ▪ Creation of TIRZ Zone, approval of boundaries, City participation rate, and appointment of the board of directors (Item 111) ▪ Development Agreement Amendment (Item 142) 8 Drainage & Environmental Regulatory Comparison Table (1 of 3) City of Austin Mining Reclamation May Development Agreement July Development Agreement Cut and Fill · Up to 4' allowed · 4'-8' administrative variance (with conditions) · 8+ Land Use Commission variance · Allowed to restore pits back to previous grade · Not applicable except in the CWQZ unless associated with necessary bank stabilization · No Change Critical Environmental Features (wetlands and springs/seeps) · Standard setback 150', may be administratively reduced to 50' · Wetlands protected per definition defined in 1987 US Army Corps of Engineers delination manual · Wetlands may be mitigation · Mining pits not exempt · Staff generally would allow mitigation for wetlands · Wetland protections do not apply if …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2026, AT 10:30 A.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1401 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Forestry Committee 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 Nicole Corona, 737-291-3084, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Richard Brimer, Chair Martin Luecke, Vice Chair Annie Fierro Justin Fleury 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 Urban Forestry Committee Regular Meeting on May 13, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding the Wildfire Symposium Summary. Presentation by Nico Hauwert, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, Austin Community College. 3. Discussion of the East Austin tree planting project. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City Code requires at least 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 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 Nicole Corona at Austin Watershed Protection at 737-291-3084, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Urban Forestry Committee, please contact Nicole Corona at 737-291- 3084, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov.
URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 The Urban Forestry Committee convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Luecke called the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Martin Luecke, Vice Chair Justin Fleury Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer, Chair Annie Fierro PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Committee Regular Meeting on December 1, 2025. The minutes from the Urban Forestry Committee Regular Meeting on December 1, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Fleury’s motion, Chair Brimer’s second, on a 3-0 vote. Commissioner Fierro was off the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund. Presentation by Emily King, Urban Forester, Austin Climate Action and Resilience. The presentation was made by Emily King, Urban Forester, Austin Climate Action and Resilience. Staff briefing regarding the Youth Forestry Council. Presented by Britney Huynh, Program Development Coordinator, and Zane Williams, Austin Climate Action and Resilience. The presentation was made by Britney Huynh, Program Development Coordinator, and Zane Williams, Austin Climate Action and Resilience. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion of Windsor Park Neighborhood Association's Shade the Streets initiative. Presented by Commissioner Luecke. Discussed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Luecke adjourned the meeting at 1:21 p.m. without objection. 2
March 2023 Aerial Photo Barton Creek Greenbelt west of Mopac Wildfire remains October 2025 by Nico Hauwert Justice Jones Austin Fire Dept 2024 talk (https://youtu.be/aRCwN_fdFWM?list=PLLf4G2eXDF-5Rke2Ixjdo3DC7tcxdaIKo) Sept 15, 2023 Message from Nico Hauwert to Mayor Kirk Watson regarding City plan to expand tree clearing, prescribed burning and pesticides on parkland, including unacknowledged Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan endangered species permit. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DADSz42NhCD3Eoe0AGlpJKEITivvFm99/view?usp=sharing Jan. 26, 2025 Nico Hauwert Wildfire Comments to Mayor and City Council https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vPBQ9ROr0Pd-jb6Dq6UWxkvk6jZ72MAR/view?usp=sharing 2023 Wildfire Assessment report on Bright Leaf Preserve with Austin Fire Dept. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-TgjTQFdllJSqXUoEvngbvpc9Mwi9PIV/view?usp=sharing Redman, C.1999. Human Impact on Ancient Environments. University of Arizona Press.240 p. Aronson, James L. Hailemichael, Million, Savin, Samuel M.. 2008. Hominid environments at Hadar from paleosol studies in a framework of Ethiopian climate change: Journal of Human Evolution V 55 p 532–550. Levin, N. E., Brown, F. H., Behrensmeyer, A. K., Bobe, R. & Cerling, T. E. 2011. Paleosol carbonates from the Omo Group: Isotopic records of local and regional environmental change in East Africa. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.04.026. Wright DK (2017) Humans as Agents in the Termination of the African Humid Period. Front. Earth Sci. 5:4. doi: 10.3389/feart.2017.00004 Hughes, Donald J. 1975. Ecology in Ancient Civilizations. The University of New Mexico Press. 181 p. Ehrlich, Ann and Erhich Paul. 1980. Ecoscience: The Greeks and Romans did it too! Mother Earth News. https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/greeks-and-romans-zmaz80mjzraw The land was the best in the world…Many great deluges have taken place during the nine thousand years, .. there has never been any considerable accumulation of the soil coming down from the mountains, as in other places, but the earth has fallen away all round and sunk out of sight. The consequence is, that in comparison of what then was, there are remaining only the bones of the wasted body..all the richer and softer parts of the soil having fallen away, and the mere skeleton of the land being left. But in the primitive state of the country, its mountains were high hills covered with soil, and the plains, as they are termed by us, of Phelleus were full of rich earth, and there was abundance of wood in the mountains. Of this last the traces still remain, for although some of the mountains now only afford sustenance to bees, not so very long ago there were still to be seen roofs of timber cut from trees growing there, which were of a size sufficient to cover the largest houses; …
Buckley, S.B. 1874. First Annual Report of the Geological and Agricultural Survey of Texas. State Geologist 142 p. From Bray 1904 O’Donnell. 2019. Historical ecology of the Texas Hill Country, Historical Accounts of Vegetation Communities from 1700-1900, with an Emphasis on the Eastern Edge of the Edwards Plateau: Austin Water Balcones Canyonland Technical Report. 35 p. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331582514_HISTORICAL_ECOLOGY_OF_THE_TEXAS_HILL_COUNTRY • Findell and Eltahir (1997) tested the hypothesis suggested by Shukla and Mintz (1982) that soil moisture increases local precipitation by comparing a 14-year soil moisture record in Illinois with precipitation. It found that summer initial soil moisture conditions were a strong predictor of drought or flood years. • Englehart and Douglas (2002) examined patterns of drought and flooding from 1910 to 2000 in central United States with large-scale climate modes, including El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), La Niña, and Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and found that antecedent soil moisture and vegetation growth were better predictors of extended dry conditions. • Pal et al (2000, 2001, 2002) used regional modeling to show that local soil moisture conditions affected drought and flood conditions in the Midwest United States by creating anticyclones similar to Namias (1960) hypothesis. • Koster et al (2004) used multiple models to show Central Texas into the high plains to the north have a strong coupling between soil moisture and local climate, including temperature and precipitation. Findell, Kirsten L. and Eltahir, Elfatih A.B. 1997. An analysis of the soil moisture-rainfall feedback, based on direct observations from Illinois: Water Resources Research, vol. 33, no. 4, pages 725–735, April 1997 Englehart, Phil J. and Douglas, Arthur V. 2002. On some characteristic variations in warm season precipitation over the central United States (1910–2000): Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 107, no. D16, 4286, 10.1029/2001JD000972 Pal, J. S., E. E. Small, and E. A. B. Eltahir. 2000. Simulation of regional scale water and energy budgets: Influence of a new moist physics scheme within Reg CM, J. Geophys. Res., 105, 29,579 – 29, 594. 2000 -Pal et al, JGR Simulation regional-scale.pdf Pal, J. S., and E. A. B. Eltahir. 2001. Pathways relating soil moisture conditions to future summer rainfall within a model of the land-atmosphere system., J. Climate, 14, 1227 – 1242. Pal, J. S., and E. A. B. Eltahir. 2002. Teleconnections of soil moisture and rainfall during the 1993 midwest summer flood: Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 29, No. 18, 1865, doi:10.1029/2002gl014815. 2002GL014815 (mit.edu) Temperature measurements collected over …
Namias, Jerome. 1960. Factors in the initiation, perpetuation, and termination of drought: International Association of Scientific Hydrology Commission on Surface Waters Publication 51, p. 81-94. Makarieva AM, Gorshkov VG, Li B-L (2009) Precipitation on land versus distance from the ocean: evidence for a forest pump of atmospheric moisture. Ecol Complex 6:302–307. Sheil, Douglas. 2018. Forests, atmospheric water and an uncertain future: the new biology of the global water cycle: Forest Ecosystems (2018) 5:19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-018-0138-y
Wilcox, B. P., and Y. Huang (2010), Woody plant encroachment paradox: Rivers rebound as degraded grasslands convert to woodlands, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L07402, doi:10.1029/2009GL041929. Nowak et al 2014 calculated that across the United States 17 million tons of NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2 were removed by trees in 2010. In Travis and Hays Counties a range of 1.87-3.37 tons/km2 of NO2, O3, PM2.5, SO2 were removed by trees in 2010. “96.3 percent of pollution removal from trees occurred on rural land” Brabec et al. 2002 concluded that impervious cover needed to be refined with forest versus open cover to accurately predict pollution attenuation and surface runoff for land planning. ” In addition to the focus on impervious thresholds, there is preliminary evidence in the scientific literature that the new model for watershed-based water quality planning requires an equal focus on threshold amounts of forest cover in the watershed that can act to mitigate the impervious areas within the system.” Nowak, David J.; Hirabayashi, Satoshi; Bodine, Allison; Greenfield, Eric. 2014. Tree and forest effects on air quality and human health in the United States. Environmental Pollution. 193: 119-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.05.028 Available from: https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/46102 Brabec, Elizabeth; Schulte, Stacey; and Richards, Paul L. 2002. Planning Impervious Surfaces and Water Quality: A Review of Current Literature and Its Implications for Watershed: Journal of Planning Literature 2002 16: 499. DOI: 10.1177/088541202400903563. Available at: http://jpl.sagepub.com/content/16/4/499 • Wildfire/prescribed burning in general result in increasing runoff, soil erosion, loss of sequestered carbon, release of downstream nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, algal blooms with potential for toxic cyanobacteria, and release of mercury (Planas et al 2000; Lucotte et al., 2016). • Worldwide release of stored carbon, phosphorus and nitrates (Pellegrini et al., 2018) • Wildfires are calculated to contribute 800 tons per year of airborne mercury which constitutes 25% of all anthropogenic sources of mercury (Cyberwest, 2001). • Particulate matter >2.5 microrons “air pollution called PM2.5 – responsible for an estimated 4.2 million premature deaths every year globally. This includes over a million deaths in China, over half a million in India, almost 200,000 in Europe, and over 50,000 in the United States.” Cyberwest. 2001. Mercury emissions found in wildfire smoke: Cyberwest Magazine August 24, 2001. Available from: Mercury emissions found in wildfire smoke (cyberwest.com) Feiger Erin. 2023. Research uncovers stunning factor behind nearly 200,000 cases of dementia each year: ‘Toxins for the brain’ :Cool Down 9/14/2023 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/research-uncovers- stunning-factor-behind-nearly-200-000-cases-of-dementia-each-year-toxins-for-the- …
“Considering all the interests dependent upon the water supply of this region, there would seem to be little ground for opposing the policy of maintaining (and where necessary establishing) a forest cover upon these arid hills.” Bray 1904.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Environmental 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 Nicole Corona, 737-291-3084, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan 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 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 5, 2026. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment, C20-2026-008 Applicant: Thompson Land Engineering Location: 5811 Southwest Parkway, Austin, Texas, 78735 Council District: 8 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov; Sean Watson, Environmental Protection, 512-535-8914, Austin Watershed Coordinator, Program sean.watson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: In response to Council Resolution No. 20190131-040, consider a site- specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions 512-963-2167, Protection, WORKING GROUP UPDATE 3. 4. Update from the Artificial Turf Working Group regarding future meeting dates. Update from the Dog’s Head Working Group regarding the meeting on August 6, 2026, and future meeting dates. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City Code requires at least 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 Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allision Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer Annie Fierro PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kimery Duda, The Expedition School. Adam Shedlosky, The Expedition School. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Luecke’s second, on a 9-0. Commissioner Changsut was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an update to the Bird-Friendly Design Resolution. Presentation by Leslie Lilly, Lily Rerecich, and Hannelore Sederholm, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Vice Chair Bristol. The presentation was made by Leslie Lilly, Lily Rerecich, and Hannelore Sederholm, Austin Watershed Protection. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D Applicant: John Dailey, Gray AES, PSC Location: 3900 West Howard Lane, Austin, Texas, 78728 Council District: 7 Staff: Brad Jackson, Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior, Austin Development Services, 512-974-2128, Brad.Jackson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 20 feet; request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 20 feet. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions The public hearing was conducted and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Luecke’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Changsut was absent. The motion to recommend the project Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D, located at 3900 West Howard Lane, to Council with conditions was approved on Secretary Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. Commissioner Changsut was absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee regarding upcoming meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Brimer. The update was given by Commissioner Brimer. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from the Artificial Turf Working Group regarding future meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Sullivan. ADJOURNMENT Chair Krueger adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. without objection. 2
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: August 19, 2026 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment C20-2026-008 Thompson Land Engineering LOCATION: 5811 Southwest Parkway COUNCIL DISTRICT: 8 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-535-8914, leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-963-2167, sean.watson@austintexas.gov Barton Creek Watershed/Barton Springs Zone In response to Council Resolution No. 20190131-040, consider a site- specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Page 2 of 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended with conditions STAFF CONDITIONS: 1. Development proposed for 5811 Southwest Parkway shall comply with 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative) at the time of permit application, except as modified below. a. Section A of 25-8-514 (Pollution Prevention Required) shall be modified to allow a maximum impervious cover for the site of 33.5% gross site area. 2. Additionally, development proposed for 5811 Southwest Parkway, shall comply with the following requirements: a. Small reduction in impervious cover from 33.9% to 33.5% b. SOS non-degradation water quality treatment for entire site c. Austin Energy Green Building rating of 2 star d. Bird friendly building design e. Integrated Pest Management f. No artificial turf g. h. Complies with the Hill Country Roadway regulations i. Two electric charging stations j. Caliper inches of trees for mitigation has increased by Interpretive signage 1 inch (3-inch to 4-inch) k. All disturbed areas are shown to be revegetated with 609S l. Landscape plants will be Texas native plantings
MEMORANDUM To: From: Date: Subject: Mariana Kreuger, Chair, and Commissioners of the Environmental Commission Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Austin Watershed Protection August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that on the August 19, 2026, Environmental Commission agenda is a proposed amendment to the City’s Save Our Springs ordinance and related variances to Chapter 25-8 of the Land Development Code. The ordinance is being brought forward to enable development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway (SPC-2025-0066C). This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Project Description and Background On January 31, 2019, City Council approved Resolution No. 20190131-040 to initiate variances and amendments to the Land Development Code, including site-specific amendments to Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative) as minimally required to address development related to the proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway. The 3.206-acre site is an abandoned mobile home park with outdated septic systems and failing drain fields that were constructed several years before the property was annexed by the City of Austin. The septic fields are to be removed, and the new development will be utilizing public wastewater. The applicant is proposing a site-specific SOS amendment to allow for the proposed development of the site while providing on site water quality treatment, a small reduction in impervious cover, and native plantings. The site is in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and Barton Springs Zone within the Barton Creek Watershed. The entire 3.206-acre site is located in uplands with no Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) or Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ). There are also no Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) on the site. The existing impervious cover is 1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 square feet. Summary of Code Amendment The amendment under consideration is related to proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway that was submitted for review in February 2025. The property is located in the Barton Creek Page 1 of 3 Date: Subject: August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C Watershed, in the Barton Springs Zone, and within the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, which pursuant to current city code and the Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance, requires non-degradation water quality treatment for all development and impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA). The 3.026-acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway is …
5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment SPC-2025-0066C Austin Watershed Protection | August 19, 2026 SOS Amendment ▪ 1992 Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance adopted by citizen initiative ▪ Per 25-8-515, variances to SOS are not allowed ▪ Supermajority of Council must approve amendments to SOS ▪ Council Resolution #20190131-040 on January 31st, 2019 “The City Council initiates site specific amendments to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of the 3.026- acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway.” 2 The Site SPC-2025-0066C 3 Site Features ▪ Barton Creek Watershed ▪ Barton Springs Zone Classification ▪ Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ▪ Full Purpose Jurisdiction ▪ Council District 8 ▪ All uplands (no Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ); no Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ) ▪ No Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) ▪ 3.206 Acres ▪ Existing Impervious Cover 33.9% (1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 sqft) ▪ Septic fields will be removed and the new development will utilize public wastewater 4 The Site 5 The Site 6 SOS Initiating Resolution ▪ January 31, 2019: City Council initiates a site-specific amendment to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of 5811 Southwest Parkway. ▪ Once a complete application for development has been filed by representatives of 5811 Southwest Parkway (submitted February 2025), the City Manager is directed to work with the applicant to minimize departure from code requirements while maximizing environmental protection and return to Council with an ordinance that: a) allows for no increase in existing impervious cover on the site; if feasible, identifies ways to decrease the amount of impervious cover; b) c) provides water quality treatment consistent with City Code Section 25-8-26 (Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone) for all redevelopment areas and to the extent feasible for the entire site; incorporates additional environmental and resource-efficient strategies; and d) e) preserves the requirements of the Hill Country Roadway regulations. 7 SOS Amendment ▪ SOS requirement for impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA) (0.4539 acres or 19,771.88 sqft) ▪ Proposed impervious cover reduced from 33.9% to 33.5% Gross Site Area (GSA) (1.01 acres or 43,995.60 sqft) 8 SOS Amendment ▪ SOS requirement for non-degradation water quality treatment ▪ The initiating resolution only requires Barton Springs Zone Redevelopment level water quality …
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET C20-2026-008 Amendment: C20-2026-008 Site-Specific SOS Amendment. Description: Amends Land Development Code (LDC) 25-8 Article 13 Save Our Springs Initiative of the Land Development Code for proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Proposed Language: Consider an ordinance granting a site-specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Summary of proposed code amendment The amendment under consideration is related to proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway that was submitted for review in February 2025. The property is located in the Barton Creek Watershed, in the Barton Springs Zone, and within the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, which pursuant to current city code and the Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance, requires non-degradation water quality treatment for all development and impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA). The 3.026-acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway is an abandoned mobile home park. To redevelop the site as a childcare facility (commercial), the owner is committed to no expansion of impervious cover and standards that meet and exceed all the requirements of the Barton Springs Zone redevelopment ordinance. The owner is also committed to incorporating additional environmental and resource-efficient strategies such as rainwater harvesting systems and green roofs, design of swales and appropriate setbacks integrated into a healthy landscape, clustered development and hardscapes to preserve undisturbed space and trees, use of native plant species, and no use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. The SOS ordinance would limit the total impervious cover for the site to 15% Net Site Area (NSA) (0.4539 acres or 19,771.88 sqft). The proposed SOS amendment requests an impervious cover limit of 33.5% Gross Site Area (GSA) (1.01 acres or 43,995.60 sqft). The site currently has existing impervious cover of 33.9% (1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 sqft ). Lastly, because LDC 25-8-515 prohibits variances from the SOS Ordinance, a site-specific amendment to the SOS Ordinance approved by a supermajority of the City Council is necessary to allow the proposed development of 5811 Southwest Parkway. The proposed site-specific SOS amendments are being requested to allow the following improvements: • Removal of an abandoned mobile home park with outdated septic systems and failing drain fields • Construction of a childcare facility with a covered play area, sport court, …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: August 19, 2026 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment C20-2026-008 Thompson Land Engineering LOCATION: 5811 Southwest Parkway COUNCIL DISTRICT: 8 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-535-8914, leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-963-2167, sean.watson@austintexas.gov Barton Creek Watershed/Barton Springs Zone In response to Council Resolution No. 20190131-040, consider a site- specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Page 2 of 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended with conditions STAFF CONDITIONS: 1. Development proposed for 5811 Southwest Parkway shall comply with 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative) at the time of permit application, except as modified below. a. Section A of 25-8-514 (Pollution Prevention Required) shall be modified to allow a maximum impervious cover for the site of 33.5% gross site area. 2. Additionally, development proposed for 5811 Southwest Parkway, shall comply with the following requirements: a. Small reduction in impervious cover from 33.9% to 33.5% b. SOS non-degradation water quality treatment for entire site c. Austin Energy Green Building rating of 2 star d. Bird friendly building design e. Integrated Pest Management f. No artificial turf g. h. Complies with the Hill Country Roadway regulations i. Two electric charging stations j. Caliper inches of trees for mitigation has increased by Interpretive signage 1 inch (3-inch to 4-inch) k. All disturbed areas are shown to be revegetated with 609S l. Landscape plants will be Texas native plantings
MEMORANDUM To: From: Date: Subject: Mariana Kreuger, Chair, and Commissioners of the Environmental Commission Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Austin Watershed Protection August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that on the August 19, 2026, Environmental Commission agenda is a proposed amendment to the City’s Save Our Springs ordinance and related variances to Chapter 25-8 of the Land Development Code. The ordinance is being brought forward to enable development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway (SPC-2025-0066C). This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Project Description and Background On January 31, 2019, City Council approved Resolution No. 20190131-040 to initiate variances and amendments to the Land Development Code, including site-specific amendments to Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative) as minimally required to address development related to the proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway. The 3.026-acre site is an abandoned mobile home park with outdated septic systems and failing drain fields that were constructed several years before the property was annexed by the City of Austin. The septic fields are to be removed, and the new development will be utilizing public wastewater. The applicant is proposing a site-specific SOS amendment to allow for the proposed development of the site while providing on site water quality treatment, a small reduction in impervious cover, and native plantings. The site is in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and Barton Springs Zone within the Barton Creek Watershed. The entire 3.026-acre site is located in uplands with no Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) or Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ). There are also no Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) on the site. The existing impervious cover is 1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 square feet. Exhibit 1. Existing Conditions for 5811 Southwest Parkway Page 1 of 5 Date: Subject: August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C Exhibit 2. Proposed Development Page 2 of 5 Date: Subject: August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C Summary of Code Amendment Page 3 of 5 Date: Subject: August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C The amendment under consideration is related to proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway that was submitted for review in February 2025. The property is located in the Barton Creek Watershed, in the Barton Springs Zone, and within the …
5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment SPC-2025-0066C Austin Watershed Protection | August 19, 2026 SOS Amendment ▪ 1992 Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance adopted by citizen initiative ▪ Per 25-8-515, variances to SOS are not allowed ▪ Supermajority of Council must approve amendments to SOS ▪ Council Resolution #20190131-040 on January 31st, 2019 “The City Council initiates site specific amendments to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of the 3.026- acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway.” 2 The Site SPC-2025-0066C 3 Site Features ▪ Barton Creek Watershed ▪ Barton Springs Zone Classification ▪ Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ▪ Full Purpose Jurisdiction ▪ Council District 8 ▪ All uplands (no Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ); no Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ) ▪ No Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) ▪ 3.026 Acres ▪ Existing Impervious Cover 33.9% (1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 sqft) ▪ Septic fields will be removed and the new development will utilize public wastewater 4 The Site 5 The Site 6 SOS Initiating Resolution ▪ January 31, 2019: City Council initiates a site-specific amendment to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of 5811 Southwest Parkway. ▪ Once a complete application for development has been filed by representatives of 5811 Southwest Parkway (submitted February 2025), the City Manager is directed to work with the applicant to minimize departure from code requirements while maximizing environmental protection and return to Council with an ordinance that: a) allows for no increase in existing impervious cover on the site; if feasible, identifies ways to decrease the amount of impervious cover; b) c) provides water quality treatment consistent with City Code Section 25-8-26 (Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone) for all redevelopment areas and to the extent feasible for the entire site; incorporates additional environmental and resource-efficient strategies; and d) e) preserves the requirements of the Hill Country Roadway regulations. 7 SOS Amendment ▪ SOS requirement for impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA) (0.4539 acres or 19,771.88 sqft) ▪ Proposed impervious cover reduced from 33.9% to 33.5% Gross Site Area (GSA) (1.01 acres or 43,995.60 sqft) 8 SOS Amendment ▪ SOS requirement for non-degradation water quality treatment ▪ The initiating resolution only requires Barton Springs Zone Redevelopment level water quality …
C20-2026-008 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2026-008 Site-Specific SOS Amendment. Description: Amends Land Development Code (LDC) 25-8 Article 13 Save Our Springs Initiative of the Land Development Code for proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Proposed Language: Consider an ordinance granting a site-specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Summary of proposed code amendment The amendment under consideration is related to proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway that was submitted for review in February 2025. The property is located in the Barton Creek Watershed, in the Barton Springs Zone, and within the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, which pursuant to current city code and the Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance, requires non-degradation water quality treatment for all development and impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA). The 3.026-acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway is an abandoned mobile home park. To redevelop the site as a childcare facility (commercial), the owner is committed to no expansion of impervious cover and standards that meet and exceed all the requirements of the Barton Springs Zone redevelopment ordinance. The owner is also committed to incorporating additional environmental and resource-efficient strategies such as rainwater harvesting systems and green roofs, design of swales and appropriate setbacks integrated into a healthy landscape, clustered development and hardscapes to preserve undisturbed space and trees, use of native plant species, and no use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. The SOS ordinance would limit the total impervious cover for the site to 15% Net Site Area (NSA) (0.4539 acres or 19,771.88 sqft). The proposed SOS amendment requests an impervious cover limit of 33.5% Gross Site Area (GSA) (1.01 acres or 43,995.60 sqft). The site currently has existing impervious cover of 33.9% (1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 sqft ). Lastly, because LDC 25-8-515 prohibits variances from the SOS Ordinance, a site-specific amendment to the SOS Ordinance approved by a supermajority of the City Council is necessary to allow the proposed development of 5811 Southwest Parkway. The proposed site-specific SOS amendments are being requested to allow the following improvements: • Removal of an abandoned mobile home park with outdated septic systems and failing drain fields 1 • Construction of a childcare facility with a covered play area, sport …
5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment SPC-2025-0066C Austin Watershed Protection | August 19, 2026 SOS Amendment ▪ 1992 Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance adopted by citizen initiative ▪ Per 25-8-515, variances to SOS are not allowed ▪ Supermajority of Council must approve amendments to SOS ▪ Council Resolution #20190131-040 on January 31st, 2019 “The City Council initiates site specific amendments to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of the 3.026- acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway.” 2 The Site SPC-2025-0066C 3 Site Features ▪ Barton Creek Watershed ▪ Barton Springs Zone Classification ▪ Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ▪ Full Purpose Jurisdiction ▪ Council District 8 ▪ All uplands (no Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ); no Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ) ▪ No Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) ▪ 3.026 Acres ▪ Existing Impervious Cover 33.9% (1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 sqft) 4 The Site 5 Background ▪ Originally developed as a mobile home park in the 70’s before the passage of the SOS Ordinance ▪ No water quality treatment provided and wastewater treatment was provided with septic system ▪ Site struggled with outdated septic systems and failing drain fields ▪ Redevelopment of the site was not possible using the 25-8-26 (Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone) due to residential use ▪ SOS Amendment initiated by City Council in 2019 6 The Site 7 The Site 8 SOS Initiating Resolution ▪ January 31, 2019: City Council initiates a site-specific amendment to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of 5811 Southwest Parkway. ▪ Once a complete application for development has been filed by representatives of 5811 Southwest Parkway (submitted February 2025), the City Manager is directed to work with the applicant to minimize departure from code requirements while maximizing environmental protection and return to Council with an ordinance that: a) allows for no increase in existing impervious cover on the site; if feasible, identifies ways to decrease the amount of impervious cover; b) c) provides water quality treatment consistent with City Code Section 25-8-26 (Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone) for all redevelopment areas and to the extent feasible for the entire site; incorporates additional environmental and resource-efficient strategies; and d) e) preserves the requirements of the Hill Country …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation 20260819-002: 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment, C20- 2026-008 WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the applicant, Thompson Land Engineering, has submitted a site-specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in Barton Creek Watershed, the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, and Council District 8; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this site-specific amendment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Environmental Commission recommends the request for a site-specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 with the following conditions: Staff Conditions: • Small reduction in impervious cover from 33.9% to 33.5% • SOS non-degradation water quality treatment for entire site • Austin Energy Green Building rating of 2 stars • Bird-friendly building design • Integrated Pest Management • No artificial turf • • Complies with the Hill Country Roadway regulations • Two electric charging stations • Caliper inches of trees for mitigation have increased by 1 inch (3-inch to 4-inch) • All disturbed areas are shown to be revegetated with 609S • Landscape plants 100% native Interpretive signage Environmental Commission Conditions: • Work with the Texas Children in Nature Network to incorporate best practices for outdoor learning environments, including the use of playscapes made exclusively of natural materials . • As part of the bird-friendly building design package, use native plants that feed or attract birds, such as Texas Red Mallow, Texas Persimmon, and American Beauty Berry • Reduce the number of parking spaces to 18 • Overall reduction of on-site impervious cover to 25% • Narrowing of the driveway to 20ft • Increase of on-site tree planting to 40 or more trees, with the rest of the mitigation as indicated per staff conditions Inclusion of dark sky building practices • Date of Approval: August 19, 2026 Motioned By: Chair Krueger Seconded By: Commissioner Sullivan Vote: For: 8-0 Chair Krueger, Vice Chair Bristol, Commissioner Brimer, Commissioner Changsut, Commissioner Fleury, Commissioner Luecke, Commissioner Morrison, Commissioner Sullivan Against: None Abstain: None Off the dais: None Absent: Secretary Qureshi, Commissioner Fierro Attest: _____________________________________________ Mariana Krueger, Chair
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Environmental 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 Nicole Corona, 737-291-3084, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan 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 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an update to the Bird-Friendly Design Resolution. Presentation by Leslie Lilly, Lily Rerecich, and Hannelore Sederholm, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Vice Chair Bristol. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D Applicant: John Dailey, Gray AES, PSC Location: 3900 West Howard Lane, Austin, Texas, 78728 Council District: 7 Staff: Brad Jackson, Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior, Austin Development Services, 512-974-2128, Brad.Jackson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 20 feet; request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 20 feet. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee regarding upcoming meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Brimer. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City Code requires at least 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 Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Kruger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Isabella Changsut Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Changsut and Luecke were off the dais. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the history of Austin Watershed Protection ordinances. Presentation by Matt Hollon, Regulatory Policy Analyst, Austin Watershed Protection. The presentation was made by Matt Hollon, Regulatory Policy Analyst, Austin Watershed Protection. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. Discussion of Environmental Commission Bylaws. Discussed. Discussion of Robert’s Rules of Order, the Texas Open Meetings Act, and general commission procedures. Presentation by Commissioner Sullivan. The presentation was made by Commissioner Sullivan. Discussion of public comment process. Discussed. Discussion of the 2025-2026 goals and objectives of the Environmental Commission. Discussed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from the Urban Forestry Committee regarding upcoming meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Brimer. ADJOURNMENT Chair Krueger adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m. without objection. 2
Bird Friendly Design Update to Council Resolution No. 20241121-073 Austin Watershed Protection | August 5, 2026 Context ▪ Investigating Bird Window Collisions following City Council Resolution No. 20241121-073 ▪ Objectives from January 2026 Memorandum ▪ Residential Outreach Program ▪ Data Collection ▪ Green Building Policy Green Heron (credit: Jupiterimages/ Getty Images) 2 Intern Data ▪ Process ▪ Consulted Lights Out Texas Volunteer and Data Collection Protocol Coordination ▪ Systematically searched for dead or stunned birds, then photographing evidence ▪ Interns collected data during and after the close of migration season ▪ Walks occurred midday (after many bird strikes were already picked up) Poster of "Lights Out Texas Data Collection & Volunteer Protocol" (credit: Audubon Texas) Dead sparrow with ruler (credit: H. Sederholm) 3 Intern Data ▪ Results ▪ Found evidence of over 30 bird strikes in the span of six weeks ▪ Timing of data collection underscores greater number and distribution of bird strikes Spreadsheet recording the conditions, images, and locations of dead birds (credit: L. Rerecich and H. Sederholm) 4 Intern Data ▪ Process ▪ Route located in the South Central Waterfront ▪ Includes all faces of the building with windows and accessible to surveyors Map of survey route throughout the South Central Waterfront (credit: H. Sederholm) 5 Intern Data ▪ Cooperating with Building Services ▪ Meeting with building managers ▪ Creating data collection methods Digital form for collecting data on bird strikes, in Spanish Digital form for collecting data on bird strikes, in English 6 Downtown Austin Alliance Data ▪ Downtown Austin Alliance is a local nonprofit with a mission to "create, preserve and enhance the vibe, vitality and value of Downtown Austin for everyone." ▪ Conducts myriad projects, direct services, and research ▪ Regularly encounters and records bird fatalities in downtown Image of downtown Austin's skyline (credit: Wirestock/ Getty Images) 7 Downtown Austin Alliance Data ▪ They have recorded 446 collisions this year alone ▪ Indicates large impact of collisions Map of bird strike fatalities in July (credit: Downtown Austin Alliance) Dead white-winged dove (credit: H. Sederholm) 8 Downtown Austin Alliance Data Map of bird strike fatalities in January (credit: Downtown Austin Alliance) Map of bird strike fatalities in February (credit: Downtown Austin Alliance) Map of bird strike fatalities in March (credit: Downtown Austin Alliance) Map of bird strike fatalities in April (credit: Downtown Austin Alliance) Map of bird strike fatalities in May (credit: Downtown Austin Alliance) …
GREAT WAVE "D" AND "C" PLAN SET NOTES: 1. PROJECT GREAT WAVE "C" SITE PLAN APPROVAL PENDING PROJECT GREAT WAVE "D" SITE PLAN APPROVAL. 2. PROJECT GREAT WAVE "D" SITE PLAN MID SUBMITTED TO CITY OF AUSTIN ON MARCH 25, 2026 FOR EXPEDITED SITE PLAN PROCESS REVIEW. Z H E E H Z EHZ Z H E E L C Y C E R E S A E L P Water Easement Water Easement N 26°25'08" E 695.11' Water Easement Sidewalk Easement N 27°44'45" E 1,027.50' N 27°49'16" E 313.02' N 27°45'08" E 346.90' LEGEND EHZ Z H E Z H E N 6 7 ° 1 3 0 3 " W ' 2 , 3 8 4 . 5 0 ' E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z 10' P.U.E REFERENCE CONTOURS PFLUGERVILLE WEST NE FROM COA GIS Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E LINE TABLE Line Direction Length L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10 L11 L12 S79°29'18"E S79°04'08"E 2.00 9.50 N78°10'50"W 50.00 S79°04'08"E 10.50 N79°30'53"W 177.36 S19°23'41"E 88.70 S08°03'36"W 116.40 S80°31'21"E 145.34 S24°24'25"W 194.22 S18°04'35"W 423.82 S60°36'41"W 69.92 N84°15'30"W 96.63 CURVE TABLE Curve Radius Length Chord Direction Chord Length DELTA C1 2,845.50 660.74 S 03°36'02" E 659.26 13°18'16" C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 7,180.50 720.48 S 05°57'02" W 720.18 5°44'56" 7,182.45 263.94 S 09°52'44" W 263.93 2°06'20" 7,192.00 111.58 S 11°22'32" W 111.58 0°53'20" 7,142.00 110.81 N 11°22'32" E 110.81 0°53'20" 7,152.45 263.72 N 09°52'31" E 263.71 2°06'45" 7,177.50 423.88 S 15°39'14" W 423.82 3°23'01" 1,467.41 102.78 N 82°04'29" W 102.76 4°00'47" 1,157.79 344.35 N 75°44'17" W 343.08 17°02'27" E H Z E H Z EHZ E H Z Z H E Z H E Z H E E H Z EHZ C 9 Z H E CEF F E C C E F EHZ CEF EHZ Z H E EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ L9 EHZ EHZ EHZ L10 EHZ Z Z H Q E W C CWQZ EHZ 15'30' DRAINAGE & P.U.E. WATER LINE EASEMENT EHZ QZ CW EHZ CWQZ 15' ELECTRIC EASEMENT 15' DRIANAGE AND LANDSCAPE EASEMENT EHZ EHZ L7 L 8 C7 7.5' P.U.E. 15' P.U.E. EHZ CWQZ EHZ L 1 2 C 8 EHZ EHZ L11 CWQZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ CWQZ CWQZ EHZ CWQZ CWQZ 3 2 9 . 5 5 ' …
E L C Y C E R E S A E L P A 822 820 818 816 814 812 810 PROPOSED TRUCK PARKING C HEAVY DUTY CONCRETE TRUCK DOCK EXISTING DOCK AREA 4 0 8 D 6 0 8 800 4 0 8 2 0 8 800 798 796 4 9 7 EHZ 792 PROPOSED EMERGENCY 20' WIDE FIRE LANE (LIGHT DUTY ASPHALT) 808 PROPOSED 24' WIDE HEAVY DUTY CONCRETE DRIVE 806 804 26' WIDE ARIEL APPARATUS FIRE LANE PROPOSED HEAVY DUTY CONCRETE DOCK AREA 802 800 798 E N I L T U O S R S A D E S O P O R P 796 34' 6" X 18' 1" x 23 58" DEEP PIT. TO BE COORD W EQUIPMENT. 34' 6" X 18' 1" x 23 58" DEEP PIT. TO BE COORD W EQUIPMENT. "BLDG 2" PROPOSED FACILITY FFE=813.60' BUILDING 2 SHOWN FOR REFERENCE ONLY. APPROVAL OF PERMANENT STRUCTURES, PAVING, AND APPURTENANCES ARE DEFERRED TO THE "C" PLAN. 34' 6" X 18' 1" x 23 58" DEEP PIT. TO BE COORD W EQUIPMENT. 34' 6" X 18' 1" x 23 58" DEEP PIT. TO BE COORD W EQUIPMENT. 34' 6" X 18' 1" x 23 58" DEEP PIT. TO BE COORD W EQUIPMENT. BLDG 2 MAIN ENTRANCE NO PARKING NO PARKING VAN NO PARKING VAN NO PARKING VAN NO PARKING VAN NO PARKING - DROP OFF ZONE 810 4 0 8 6 0 8 POND RAW WATER HEX P MEMBRANEFILTER MEMBRANEFILTER MEMBRANEFILTER H SO P 4 2 TANK BLOWER BLOWER BLOWER BLOWER MMF MMF MMF MMF I I I I R R E E F F S S A A G G E E D D P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P SOFT WATER TANK SOFT WATER TANK FILTERED W. FILTERED W. TANK TANK P P SOFTENER SOFTENER MMF TREATED MMF TREATED W. TANK W. TANK P P P P ACTIVATED ACTIVATED CARBON CARBON ACTIVATED ACTIVATED CARBON CARBON X X E E H H R R E E T T S S C C A A 26' WIDE ARIEL APPARATUS FIRE LANE 794 802 800 798 POND 796 794 790 POND EHZ 790 EHZ PROPOSED WALLS A 790 788 786 784 786 788 Z H E Z H E 784 Z H E 782 E H Z E H Z E H Z B 152 …
LANDSCAPE NOTES 1. MATERIALS AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT APPLICABLE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE STATE OF TX STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS. 2. CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING THE SITE BEFORE LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION IN ORDER TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE EXISTING CONDITIONS. 3. CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCATING UNDERGROUND UTILITIES, NEW AND PRIOR EXISTING, BEFORE BEGINNING LANDSCAPE INSTALLATION. DAMAGE TO UTILITIES SHALL BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTRACTOR'S EXPENSE. 4. THE LANDSCAPE PLAN IS FOR PLANTING PURPOSES ONLY. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING BUILDINGS, GRADING, WALLS, ETC., REFER TO ARCHITECTURE, SITE, GRADING DRAWINGS, ETC. 5. CONTRACTOR SHALL FULLY REVIEW PLANS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION AND SHALL NOTIFY OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE NOTES, SPECIFICATIONS, DRAWINGS, OR SITE CONDITIONS FOR RESOLUTION PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. 6. VERIFICATION OF TOTAL PLANT QUANTITIES AS SHOWN IN THE PLANT SCHEDULE SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTOR. DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE PLANT SCHEDULE AND LANDSCAPE PLAN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THE BID/PROPOSAL. 7. CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING THAT PLANT MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE AS SPECIFIED WHEN BID/PROPOSAL IS SUBMITTED AND RESERVING / SECURING PLANT MATERIAL AS NECESSARY TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LANDSCAPE PLAN. 31. PROPOSED TREES TO BE PLANTED A MINIMUM [20 FEET] FROM LIGHT POLES AS MEASURED FROM TRUNK OF THE TREE TO THE POLE. 32. PROPOSED TREES TO BE PLANTED A MINIMUM [10 FEET] FROM FIRE HYDRANTS AS MEASURED FROM TRUNK OF THE TREE TO THE HYDRANT. 33. CONTRACTOR SHALL LAY OUT ON THE GROUND SHRUBS, ORNAMENTAL GRASSES, AND GROUNDCOVERS FOR APPROVAL BY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. CONTRACTOR SHALL ANTICIPATE THAT SOME REARRANGEMENT OF MATERIAL WILL OCCUR. 34. SEE LANDSCAPE DETAILS FOR TREE STAKING REQUIREMENTS. 35. ALL TREE PLANTINGS SHALL BE MULCHED TO A DEPTH OF [3 INCHES] AND WITH A MINIMUM [3 FOOT] RADIUS FROM BASE OF TREE OR TO DRIPLINE. MULCH SHALL NOT COVER THE ROOT FLARE. 36. MULCH SHALL BE ORGANIC, FREE OF TRASH, AND MAINTAINED WEED FREE. MULCH SHALL BE APPLIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPLETION OF PLANTING OPERATIONS. 37. EXCAVATE EDGES OF ALL PLANTING BEDS TO 2 INCH DEPTH TO FORM A NEAT AND CRISP DEFINITION. 38. CONTRACTOR TO SUPPLY AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM, COMPLETE AND INSTALLED. SYSTEM TO INCLUDE VALVES, PIPE, HEADS, FITTINGS, CONTROLLER, AND BACKFLOW PREVENTOR, AND PROVIDE 100% COVERAGE OF SOD, SEED, AND PLANTING BEDS. SEE IRRIGATION DRAWINGS. 39. PLANT MATERIALS …
L1.12 L1.10 L1.11 L1.01 L1.02 L1.03 L1.06 L1.05 L1.04 L1.07 L1.08 L1.09 CONTEXT MAP SCALE: 1"= 500' LEGEND xxxxx REGULATED /PROTECTED TREE TO REMAIN xxxxx REGULATED /PROTECTED TREE TO BE REMOVED xxxxx TREE TO REMAIN BUT DOES NOT MEET PRESERVATION REQUIREMENTS TREE PROTECTION FENCE REF. DETAIL 01/L1.00 NOTES 1. THERE ARE NO HERITAGE TREES WITH IMPROVEMENT AREA 2. ALL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES (CEFS) AND ASSOCIATED SETBACKS MUST COMPLY WITH THE CITY OF AUSTIN LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. THE NATURAL VEGETATIVE COVER MUST BE RETAINED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE, CONSTRUCTION IS PROHIBITED EXCEPT AS IDENTIFIED IN THIS SITE PLAN; AND WASTEWATER DISPOSAL OF ANY FORM IS PROHIBITED." REFERENCE: LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(A) OR 30-5-121(C)(2)(A) MATCHLINE L1.06 MATCHLINE L1.05 TREE PROTECTION FENCING, TYP. GRAPHIC SCALE 30 15 0 60 1 inch = 30 ft. LIMIT OF CONSTRUCTION DIRT TRAIL TO BE DEMOLISHED REGULTED TREE TO REMAIN CEF 794 CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF 792 CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF 796 CEF CEF M A T C H L I N E L 1 0 8 . M A T C H L I N E L 1 0 9 . M A T C H L I N E L 1 0 7 . M A T C H L I N E L 1 0 8 . CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF CEF EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ 790 EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ REGULATED TREE TO REMAIN EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ REGULTED TREE TO REMAIN EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ CEF CEF EHZ EF C EHZ F E C EHZ F E C EHZ EHZ F E C F E C F E C F E C F E C F E C F E C F E C F E C F E C EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ The John R. McAdams Company, Inc. 4400 State Highway 121, Suite 800 Lewisville, Texas 75056 phone 972. 436. 9712 fax 972. 436. 9715 TBPE: F-19762 TBPELS: F-10194440 TBAE: BR3185 www.mcadamsco.com GRAY AES, PSC 10 Quality Street Lexington, Kentucky 40507-1450 Telephone: (859) 474-8666 10 Quality Street Lexington, Kentucky 40507-1450 Telephone: (859) 281-5000 Food & Beverage …
E H Z Drainage Easement Electric Easement E H Z E H Z E H Z Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E EHZ Water Easement Z H E EHZ EHZ Water Easement Water Easement Sidewalk Easement Wastewater Easement 15' Gas Easement Water Easement LX.12 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M LX.10 M M M M LX.11 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M LX.01 LX.02 LX.03 LX.06 EHZ LX.05 E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z LX.04 CEF EHZ EHZ CEF EHZ CEF CEF CEF EHZ CEF EHZ CEF EHZ EHZ LX.07 E H Z EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ CEF LX.08 CEF EHZ F E C EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ LX.09 EHZ CWQZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ (1,928 sf) HENP 2 EHZ CWQZ CEF CEF CEF CEF Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E F E C F E C EHZ CEF EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ CEF CEF CEF CEF C E F C E F EHZ EHZ EHZ E H Z EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ EHZ F E C EHZ EHZ EHZ 10' P.U.E EHZ Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E Z H E E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z E H Z Z H E Z H E Z H E Z …
MATCHLINE L5.12 MATCHLINE L5.11 LIMIT OF CONSTRUCTION M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M . 0 1 5 L E N I L H C T A M . 1 1 5 L E N I L H C T A M M M M M M M M M M M SHADE TREE FOR MITIGATION, TYP. M M M M M M M M M M M LIMIT OF CONSTRUCTION M M M M M REFER TO C SET FOR ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS AND FINAL TREE LOCATION. M M M M M M M M 820 M 818 M M 816 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M 834 M M M 832 M M M M M M M M 830 M M M M 828 M M M M M M M M M 836 M M M 838 M M M M M M M EXISTING TREE TO REMAIN. TYP. M M M M M M 822 M M M M M M 826 M M M M M M M M 824 M M M M M M M M M M M M SHADE TREE FOR MITIGATION, TYP. M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M 842 840 M M M M M M GRAPHIC SCALE 30 15 0 60 1 inch = 30 ft. Water Easement Water Easement Water Easement Sidewalk Easement Water Easement L5.12 L5.10 L5.11 L5.01 L5.02 L5.03 L5.06 L5.05 L5.04 L5.07 L5.08 L5.09 CWQZ (1,928 sf) HENP 2 CWQZ M M M M M CONTEXT MAP SCALE: 1"= 500' PLANT SCHEDULE SHRUB AREAS SYMBOL CODE BOTANICAL / COMMON NAME HENP 1 HERBACEOUS NATIVE PLANTING 1 - MOISTURE TOLERANT M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M HENP 2 HERBACEOUS NATIVE PLANTING 2 - UPLAND SHADE HENP 3 HERBACEOUS NATIVE PLANTING 3 - UPLAND SUN GROUND COVERS CYDS CYNODON DACTYLON 'TIFTUF' BERMUDA 'TIFTUF' MITIGATION TREE M TREES EX.TR. xxxxx EXISTING TREES EXISTING TREES ORNAMENTAL TREE …
July 20, 2026 Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Austin Watershed Protection 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, TX 78752 Via Electronic Delivery Re: 3900 W. Howard Lane – Environmental Variance Request for the 170.178-acre property located at 3900 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78728, comprised of TCAD ID 0267110101 (the "Property") Dear Ms. Johnson: The following request is on behalf of Otsuka ICU Medical LLC ("Owner") for approval of an environmental variance in connection with the proposed Great Wave development (“D” permit (2025170-D)) at 3900 W. Howard Lane, Austin, TX 78728 ("Project"). The Project proposes a new manufacturing facility for ICU Medical which will be permitted under the “C” permit (2025170-C). A variance of the following code sections is requested under the “D” permit: • • Land Development Code ("LDC") §25-8-341 (Cut Requirements): o Allow cut greater than 4’, up to 20’ of cut. Land Development Code ("LDC") §25-8-342 (Fill Requirements): o Allow fill greater than 4’, up to 20’ of fill. An existing medical facility building occupies the southern portion of the site. The proposed structure, located on the northern portion of the property, is constrained by the existing development and its established grades. Additionally, the natural topography of the site has significant variation, with the highest elevation located at the northwest corner. To accommodate the intended use of the structure, a single finished floor elevation with level docking and loading areas is required. The large, level footprint of the building results in cut at the northern end of the structure and fill at the southern end of the structure, both exceeding code requirements for a finished floor elevation of 813.60 NAVD88. While the proposed grading will transition to the existing grades at the limits of construction, the existing medical facility has a finished floor of 806.40 +/- NAVD88. The difference in finished floor elevations is due to the natural topography of the site and the presence of shallow bedrock at the northern portion of the site. To limit the disturbance of the site, the following mitigation measures are proposed: retaining walls along the McNeil Merriltown Road frontage, 2.79 acres of native restoration planting and 676 proposed trees. All required tree mitigation is met, and the landscaping exceeds code requirements (total stabilized, vegetated area of approximately 13.58 acres). Please see included plan sheets for additional detailed information. 2705 Bee Caves Road Suite 100 | Austin, Texas 78746 | 512-807-2900 | www.drennergroup.com …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: August 5, 2026 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: Great Wave - D Permit NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: SP-2026-0221D John Dailey, Gray AES, PSC LOCATION: 3900 West Howard Lane, Austin, Texas, 78728 COUNCIL DISTRICT: 7 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: Brad Jackson, Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior Austin Development Services, 512-974-2128, Brad.Jackson@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: Walnut Creek Watershed, Suburban Classification, Desired Development Zone Variance requests are as follows: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 20 feet. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 20 feet. Page 2 of 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: STAFF CONDITION: recommends Staff determined the findings of fact to have been met. these variances with conditions, having 1. Tree mitigation requirements will be fully met by planting trees on site instead of paying into the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund. 2. 2.79 acres of riparian area will be enhanced with native, herbaceous plantings as shown in the landscape plan. 3. Livestock and any other agricultural uses will no longer be permitted in the detention pond area of the site. 4. Grading with the proposed consolidated site plan associated with this project will not exceed the cut and fill limits shown on the exhibits provided with this variance request beyond necessary, incidental changes approved by City staff.
Great Wave 3900 West Howard Lane SP-2026-0221D Mike McDougal Environmental Policy Program Manager Austin Development Services | 08/05/2026 Property Data • Located within the City of Austin Zoning Jurisdiction (Zoned LI-PDA) • Walnut Creek Watershed, classified as Suburban; Desired Development Zone • Located over the Northern Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone • 170.18 acre site with 36 acres of Critical Water Quality Zone along the eastern boundary of site adjacent to Mopac ROW. • Critical Environmental Features – Wetlands within tributary along eastern boundary of site (approximately 6 acres in total size) • Council District 7 2 Location Site Site Location Austin ETJ Austin City Limits Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone 3 Location 4 Existing Conditions Existing Impervious Cover: 33.85 acres (20% of Gross Site Area) 5 Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) 6 Existing Topography 7 Site photos 8 Site Constraints • The site has a grade change from 790 feet to 830 feet elevation over a distance of approximately 1,600 linear feet across the limits of construction. • Cut and fill over 4 feet are required to provide a level finished floor elevation for the approximately 425,000 square foot building and associated drive aisles and loading zones. 9 Proposed Site Plan Limits of Construction: • 39 acres New Building Coverage: • 425,000 square feet Total Impervious Cover: • 34% Gross Site Area 10 Variance Request The applicant has requested variances to: 1. LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 20 feet; and 2. LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 20 feet. 11 Cut/Fill Exhibit – Mass Grading (“D” site plan) 12 Cut Exhibit – Final Buildout (“C” site plan) 13 Variance Recommendation Staff recommends the variances, with conditions, having determined that the findings of fact per LDC 25-8-41 have been met. 14 Variance Conditions Staff recommends the following variance conditions: 1. Tree mitigation requirements will be fully met by planting trees on site instead of paying into the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund 2. 2.79 acres of riparian area will be enhanced with native, herbaceous plantings 3. Livestock and any other agricultural uses will no longer be permitted in the detention pond areas of the site 4. Grading with the proposed consolidated site plan associated with this project will not exceed the cut and fill limits shown on the exhibits provided with this variance request beyond necessary, incidental changes approved by City staff. 15 Thank you Next …
Development Services Department Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Great Wave, SP-2026-0221D Ordinance Standard: Current code Variance Request: Request to vary from Land Development Code 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 20 feet. A. Land Use Commission variance determinations from Chapter 25-8-41 of the City Code: 1. The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege available to owners of other similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development subject to similar code requirements. Yes. The variance will not be providing a special privilege to the applicant. Other owners with similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development have received variances for cut and fill in order to construct very large industrial buildings for warehouse and manufacturing uses. 2. The variance: a. is not necessitated by the scale, layout, construction method, or other design decision made by the applicant, unless the design decision provides greater overall environmental protection than is achievable without the variance. Yes. The requested cut variance is necessary due to the operational requirements of the manufacturing facility proposed at the site, which will require a level floor for the various stages of a complex assembly line for advanced manufacturing. The scale of the project is in line with the supply demands for medical IV bag production and the building is sited on the portion of the site easily accessible to existing drive aisles and on slopes less than 15% in grade. In addition, the applicant will provide full tree mitigation on site and riparian zone restoration as conditions of the variance approvals. b. is the minimum deviation from the code requirement necessary to allow a reasonable use of the property; and Yes. The cut proposed will be evenly split between each side of the building, allowing a balance of cut and fill across the site. The approximately 425,000 square foot building will extend 960 feet end to end across the site, which encompasses a large grade change of around 40 feet of elevation rise over that distance. c. Does not create a significant probability of harmful environmental consequences; and Yes. The proposed site plan will have robust erosion controls during construction to prevent erosion by utilizing large, rough-cut sedimentation basins to collect runoff and prevent sediment laden water from entering the adjacent tributary on the site. 3. Development with the variance will result in water quality that is at least equal to the water quality achievable without the …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation 20260805-003: Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant, John Dailey of Gray AES, PSC, has submitted a variance request located at 3900 W Howard Lane; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in Walnut Creek Watershed, the Northern Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and Council District 7; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this variance request with conditions. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Environmental Commission recommends the Great Wave D Permit variance request with the following conditions: Staff Conditions: • Tree mitigation requirements will be fully met by planting trees on site instead of paying into the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund • 2.79 acres of riparian area will be enhanced with native, herbaceous plantings • Livestock and any other agricultural uses will no longer be permitted in the detention pond areas of the site • Grading with the proposed consolidated site plan associated with this project will not exceed the cut and fill limits shown on the exhibits provided with this variance request beyond necessary, incidental changes approved by City staff. Environmental Commission Conditions: • Reduction of overall footprint of the manufacturing building by ten percent • Exceed tree mitigation requirements at 150 percent to increase the likelihood of a full 1:1 replenishment of lost trees, given local survival rates; with a minimum of 676 trees planted • Use of solar panels on buildings and parking structures to reduce noxious energy impact and to shade the parking area • All cut and fill limestone and soil products will remain on site • On-site water reclamation for manufacturing efforts, and a rain-barrel catchment system for landscaping maintenance • Ensure a “no-mow zone” within 200 ft of the Critical Environmental Feature (CEF) (along MoPac), to improve water quality and provide habitat for biodiverse species . • 100 percent native planting throughout the site, including trees; walnut trees, live oaks, Ashe juniper, and Maximilian sunflowers will be included in the species list; no ornamental trees will be included • Landscape management plan for the life of the project, in perpetuity, that is both bird friendly and wildfire preventive • Utilization of a “green” company for pest control management • No herbicide or pesticide use on the exterior of the site • Ensure bird-friendly building design best practices and warm tone lighting with bird safe …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allision Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer Annie Fierro PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kimery Duda, The Expedition School. Adam Shedlosky, The Expedition School. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Luecke’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Changsut was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an update to the Bird-Friendly Design Resolution. Presentation by Leslie Lilly, Lily Rerecich, and Hannelore Sederholm, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Vice Chair Bristol. The presentation was made by Leslie Lilly, Lily Rerecich, and Hannelore Sederholm, Austin Watershed Protection. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D Applicant: John Dailey, Gray AES, PSC Location: 3900 West Howard Lane, Austin, Texas, 78728 Council District: 7 Staff: Brad Jackson, Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior, Austin Development Services, 512-974-2128, Brad.Jackson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 20 feet; request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 20 feet. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions The public hearing was conducted and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Luecke’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Changsut was absent. The motion to recommend the project Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D, located at 3900 West Howard Lane, to Council with conditions was approved on Secretary Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. Commissioner Changsut was absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee regarding upcoming meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Brimer. The update was given by Commissioner Brimer. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from the Artificial Turf Working Group regarding future meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Sullivan. ADJOURNMENT Chair Krueger adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the August 19, 2026, …
