1. 2. 3. 4. Environmental Commission Regular Meeting February 19, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. City Hall Council Chambers, 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 Agenda COMMISSIONERS: Andrew Creel (D-1) Curtis Smith (D-2) Pam Thompson (D-3) Ryan Nill (D-4) Kevin Ramberg (D-8) Secretary Mary Ann Neely (D-5) Peggy Maceo (D-7) Katie Coyne (D-6) Vice Chair Wendy Gordon (D-10) Perry Bedford (Mayor) Linda Guerrero (D-9) Chair _________________________________________________________________________________ CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers should sign up to speak prior to the meeting being called to order; you will receive a three-minute allotment to discuss topics not posted on the agenda. EDUCATION a. Update on Texas Children in Nature and the Austin Cities Connecting Children to Nature project—Sarah Coles Texas Children in Nature State Coordinator and Melody Alcazar, Program Coordinator, Austin Parks and Recreation Department (15 minutes) APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approve the minutes of the regular Environmental Commission meeting of February 5, 2020 (5 minutes) ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER’S UPDATE ON PAST COMMISSION ACTIONS AND REPORT ON ITEMS OF INTEREST a. Update on Davenport West PUD Amendment 12 b. Update on Ventura at Parmer Lane, SP-2018-0564D (5 minutes) STAFF BRIEFINGS* a. Carbon Impact Statement Tool and Air Quality Update—Caitlin Admire and Phoebe Romero, Office of Sustainability (30 minutes) 1 5. 6. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Overview of the Austin Energy Green Building Program—Heidi Kasper, Manager, Residential Green Building and Kurt Stogdill, Manager, Green Building and Sustainability, Austin Energy (30 minutes) PUBLIC HEARINGS AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Name: Lantana PCA Applicant: Michael Whellan, Armbrust & Brown, PLLC Watershed: Williamson Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone, Drinking Water Protection Location: 415 Southwest Parkway (District 8) Staff: Atha Phillips, Environmental Officer’s Office Zone Request: Consider a Project Consent Agreement waiving provisions of City Code Chapters 25-7 (Drainage) and 25-8 (Environment), including Chapter 25-8, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), to allow construction of a mixed-use residential project located at 7415 Southwest Parkway in the East Oak Hill Neighborhood Planning Area. This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions. (45 minutes) 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Growth Policy and Water Quality Protection Committee – Pam Thompson, Kevin Ramberg, Mary Ann Neely, Curtis Smith, and Perry Bedford b. Urban Forestry Committee – Peggy Maceo, Pam Thompson, Linda Guerrero, and Mary Ann Neely Ann Neely c. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne d. …
Texas Children in Nature ENCOURAGING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO SPEND TIME OUTSIDE, BECAUSE CHILDREN WHO SPEND TIME IN NATURE ARE HEALTHIER, HAPPIER AND SMARTER. Vision We envision that Texas children and their fa m ilie s , fro m a ll w a lks o f life , w ill s p e n d m o re tim e o u td o o rs , e n g a g in g w ith n a tu re fo r a h e a lth ie r, h a p p ie r a n d s m a rte r Te xa s . Ou r Mis s io n is to s tre n g th e n a n d le ve ra g e th e n e tw o rk a n d re g io n a l c o lla b o ra tive s to im p ro ve th e c o n n e c tio n b e tw e e n n a tu re a n d a ll c h ild re n a n d th e ir fa m ilie s in Te xa s . History In 2009 SB 205 resolved to address the problem of Nature De fic it Dis o rd e r th ro u g h th e c re a tio n o f a w o rkin g g ro u p b e tw e e n TPWD a n d TEA. Ou t o f th is a g ro u p o f le a d e rs fro m a c ro s s th e s ta te g a th e re d a n d fo rm e d TCiN in 20 10 . Sin c e th a t tim e TCiN h a s b e e n p a rt o f TPWD. In 2010 TCiN released its first strategic plan, la yin g o u t five p illa rs o f w o rk to b e d o n e . • He a lth • Co m m u n ity • Ac c e s s • Ed u c a tio n • Ma rke tin g Th e TCiN c o lla b o ra tive is a …
Strategic Plan 2016 www.texaschildreninnature.org 1 Dear fellow Texans, We all have fond childhood memories of a special place where play, imagination and wonder reigned. For most, that place was outdoors. Through these experiences, we gained understanding, appreciation and a personal relationship with the natural world. Sadly, today’s children are allowed less time for unstructured, creative play in nature than ever before. As the trend away from outdoor play and learning deepens, we are witnessing sobering consequences for children’s health, well-being and quality of life. Additionally, this youngest generation is missing out on critical experiences that lay the foundation for future stewardship of our natural resources. We can reverse this trend. One achievable solution is to restore active play and learning in nature. This issue has brought together an unprecedented coalition of partners from all walks of life who formed Texas Children in Nature. These experts from many disciplines thoroughly examined the issues and outlined their recommendations in this strategic plan. Their wisdom, insights and integrity are reflected throughout the plan. By design, the plan is concise, optimizes partnerships and focuses on implementation across multiple public and private sectors. Please consider the recommendations in this plan and join us in restoring our children’s well-being and their relationship with Texas’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The trend is real, the problem is solvable and the time to act is now. Thank you for caring for our wild things and wild places. They need you now more than ever. Carter Smith Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Texas Children in Nature Strategic Plan 2016 Executive Summary Strategic Agenda Health Education Access Community Marketing Steering Committee Citations About Texas Children in Nature 4 6 8 10 13 16 19 20 22 22 2 Strategic Plan 2016 www.texaschildreninnature.org Executive Summary The evidence is clear and growing. Nature is not just a “nice-to-have” for people with the means. Nature is a “need-to-have” for all people, essential to our health, human development and in building stronger, more vibrant communities. Texas Children in Nature is dedicated to benefitting both nature and people. We envision that all children and their families, from all walks of life, will spend more time outdoors, engaged with nature for a healthier, happier, smarter Texas. The mission of the Texas Children in Nature network is to strengthen and leverage the work of the partners and regional collaboratives to improve the connection between nature …
Austin Environmental Commission Carbon Emissions and Air Quality Impacts February 19, 2020 Carbon Impact Statement 2015 Climate Plan Net-Zero community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Currently being updated. 2018 Austin Community Climate Footprint Industrial 8% Natural Gas 7% Other Electricity 7% Transportation 38% Waste 2% AE Electricity 38% 12.8 million metric tons CO2e 4 Carbon Impact of New Development WHERE development happens: - near transit and alternative mobility options, - in IA Activity Centers and Corridors; HOW development is designed: - energy efficient buildings, - on-site renewable energy, - efficient land use and connectivity, - a mix of uses, and - adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Carbon Impact Checklist Tool Carbon Impact Checklist Tool TRANSPORTATION ➔ Bicycle Transit Connectivity ➔ Bicycle Infrastructure ➔ Walkability ➔ Utilize TDM Strategies ➔ Electric Vehicle Charging ➔ Maximize Parking Reductions Carbon Impact Checklist Tool LAND USE ➔ Imagine Austin Activity Center or Corridor ➔ Floor -to -Area Ratio (FAR) Carbon Impact Checklist Tool WATER + ENERGY ➔ On-site Renewable Energy ➔ Reclaimed Water Carbon Impact Checklist Tool FOOD and MATERIALS ➔ Access to Food ➔ Adaptive Reuse Projects Submitted to Date 425 W. Riverside (AKA Snoopy PUD) Project Name Holdsworth Center Goodnight Ranch Austin Green Camelback COTA 218 S. Lamar Project Total CIS Score 7 9 10 8 8 7 7 9 3501 Ed Bluestein (AKA Eightfold/Motorola) 305 Congress (AKA Statesman Site) Not yet Submitted 2018 O3 Season Weekday NOx Emissions for Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA Air Quality Co-benefits • 50% of Carbon Impact Statement questions are centered on transportation • Passengers cars are the largest source of NOx emissions in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA • Sustainable transportations choices have the biggest air quality impact on NOx/ ground -level ozone CAPCOG 2018 Air Quality Report Air Quality Updates Hack for Resilient Communities • Hosted by UT Center for Transportation Research on Saturday, February 29 th from 10:30AM -7:30PM • Call for all participants of all discipline levels to help design and implement software tools to improve community resiliency using real Austin transportation, pollution, weather and health data Localized Monitoring • PurpleAir sensors, which measure particulate matter, are used to help provide a real-time air quality monitoring network • A couple of sensors were installed by the UT Center for Transportation Research in the Dove Springs neighborhood for Hackathon event analysis • Several are installed throughout the city by different people or organizations, and the …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: February 19, 2020 Lantana PCA NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Michael Whellan Armbrust & Brown, PLLC LOCATION: 7415 Southwest Parkway COUNCIL DISTRICT: 8 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF Atha Phillips, Environmental Officer’s Office (512)974-2132, atha.phillips@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS: Williamson Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone Consider a Project Consent Agreement waiving provisions of City Code Chapters 25-7 (Drainage) and 25-8 (Environment), including Chapter 25-8, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), to allow construction of a mixed-use residential project located at 7415 Southwest Parkway in the East Oak Hill Neighborhood Planning Area. This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Staff recommended with conditions. 1. Applicant will provide additional acreage of 3.098 acres to meet the Hill Country Roadway requirement of 40% undisturbed natural area per 25-2-1025 and development on this lot will be restricted to only allow trails. 2. Impervious cover for the project will be capped at 17.5 acres (49% of current site plan SP-2014-0262C(XT2)). Project Consent Agreement Lantana (PCA) Briefing to the Environmental Commission Atha Phillips Environmental Officer’s Office February 19, 2020 What is a PCA? • PCA = Project Consent Agreement • PCAs are part of the 245 process detailed in 25-1-544 • PCAs are considered when the extent of a project’s vested rights are unclear and for incentivizing projects with clearly established vested rights to achieve greater compliance with current regulations • The 245 process lives within the Development Services Department • DSD has determined that this project is a candidate for a PCA Site Data: • Williamson Creek Watershed • Barton Springs Zone (SOS Applies) • Drinking Water Protection Zone • Contributing Zone of the Edwards Aquifer • Full-Purpose • Existing approved site plan (SP-2014-0262C(XT2)) • Existing project has vested rights under 245 • Existing site plan wants to change zoning from Office to Mixed Use • Mixed Use would allow for multi-family use • Existing Preliminary Plan referenced within the vesting documents limits multi-family Site Location Austin ETJ Austin City Limits Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Hwy 290 West Site Location Barton Creek Watershed Williamson Creek Watershed Watershed Boundary Site Location Site Location Site Location Current Code Amendments: Modification to 25-8 Environmental: 1. 25-8-301 Restricts driveways of slopes greater than 15% • Project shall not exceed 65% impervious cover on slopes 10-20%, …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20200219 005a Date: February 19, 2020 Subject: Green Building Materials Motion by: Linda Guerrero Seconded by: Mary Ann Neely RATIONALE: WHEREAS, many common materials used in buildings contain toxic chemicals; and WHEREAS, building construction workers and building occupants can be exposed to toxic chemicals through direct contact or inhalation; and WHEREAS, many non-toxic and less toxic alternative building products are available at little or no additional cost. NOW BE IT RESOLVED the Environmental Commission recommends to City Council to ensure Austin Energy and other City entities are consistently working to improve building design standards to restrict toxic material use in constructing or redeveloping structures in the City of Austin BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Environmental Commission recommends that the Austin Energy Green Building program explore revised standards that will actively encourage the installation of non-toxic and less-toxic alternatives through its voluntary point system. VOTE 10-0 For: Bedford, Smith, Thompson, Nill, Ramberg, Guerrero, Coyne, Neely, Maceo, and Gordon Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Creel Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 1
