1. 2. 3. Environmental Commission Regular Meeting March 4, 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 City of El Paso Resilience Strategy, Nicole Ferrini, City of El Paso Chief Resilience Officer (30 minutes) APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approve the minutes of the regular Environmental Commission meeting of February 19, 2020 ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER’S UPDATE ON PAST COMMISSION ACTIONS AND REPORT ON ITEMS OF INTEREST a. Update on XSpace Group SP-2019-0189D variances b. Process for how to discuss miscellaneous reports at Environmental Commission meetings (5 minutes) (5 minutes) 1 4. 5. 6. STAFF BRIEFINGS* a. Presentation on Water Quality Compliance Pollution Data Viewer—Thain Maurer, Environmental Compliance Supervisor, Watershed Protection Department (20 minutes) ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Discuss and consider the future of Austin resilience planning—Katie Coyne, Environmental Commission Member and Vice Chair (20 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. (30 minutes) b. Name: HEB 10, SP-2019-0034C Applicant: Joe Farias, Stantec Consulting Service Location: 7901 W US Hwy, Austin, TX 78749 (District 8) Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Watershed: Williamson Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone Classification, Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Variance request is as follows: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut in excess of 4 feet (maximum cut 7 feet) …
Spatially Displaying Water Quality Compliance Pollution Data Thain Maurer Environmental Compliance Supervisor Watershed Protection Department “Pollutant Locations” GIS Viewer Why am I presenting here today? Why did we create this tool? What does this new tool do? Context and cautions. Some ideas for future applications. Why am I Presenting Here Today? WQC is starting to use this viewer for reports Intro on interpreting data Ideas for other applications Why Create This Viewer? New Regulatory Requirements Why Create This Viewer? Educational Outreach Why Create This Viewer? Problem Areas by Pollutant Category Why Create This Viewer? Can We Correlate EII and Spills? What Does This Viewer Show? https://arcg.is/e0Pbe Spatially displays WQC pollutant data Has various statistical analyses of pollution data date range Allows sorting by pollutant group and Can display large spills and unrecovered volumes of pollutants Context and Cautions No toxicity information Heat map/Hotspot map are based on occurrences, not volumes Some data and trends are more easily seen in non-spatial analyses Context matters, especially for volumes Spatial vs Non-Spatial Spatial vs Non-Spatial Spatial vs Non-Spatial Spatial vs Non-Spatial Future Applications and Projects Combining pollutant data with drainage maps to prioritize outfalls for dry weather screening Publicly available tool for raw pollutant location data Exploring how spills degrade stream health Thanks! Any questions?
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%, …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: March 4, 2020 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: HEB 10 SP-2019-0034C NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Joe Farias Stantec Consulting Services LOCATION: 7901 W US 290 Hwy, Austin, TX 78749 COUNCIL DISTRICT: District 8 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: WATERSHED: REQUEST: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department, 512-974-1879 Williamson Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone Classification, Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone Variance request is as follows: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut in excess of 4 feet (maximum cut 7 feet) in the Barton Springs Zone. 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill in excess of 4 feet (maximum fill 14 feet) in the Barton Springs Zone. 3. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302(A)(1) to construct a building on a slope with a gradient of more than 25 percent. 4. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302(A)(2) to construct a parking area that is not a parking structure on a slope with a gradient of more than 15 percent. 1 Staff recommends this variance, having determined the findings of fact to have been met, with the following conditions: 1. Engineered structural containment for fill exceeding 4 feet; 2. No non-organic mulch (including stone of any size) allowed in the 3. Rainwater harvesting storage tanks shall have a total volume of at least 4. Condensate storage tanks shall have a total volume of at least 3,000 landscaped areas; 3,000 gallons; gallons; 5. Cut shall be limited to a maximum of 7 feet and limited to the areas as generally noted on the site plan; and 6. Fill shall be limited to a maximum of 14 feet and limited to the areas as generally noted on the site plan. Page 2 of 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: 2 Development Services Department Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Ordinance Standard: Watershed Protection Ordinance Variance Request: HEB 10 Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut in excess of 4 feet (maximum cut 7 feet) in the Barton Springs Zone. Include an explanation with each applicable finding of fact. A. Land Use Commission variance determinations from Chapter 25-8-41 of the City Code: The site elevation rises briefly and then slopes down, southward from The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege available to owners of similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development subject to similar code …
H-E-B Store #10 Environmental Commission Variance TBPE No. 6324 TBPLS No. 10194230 January 10, 2020 HEB Variance Backup One, p. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION VARIANCE APPLICATION FORM PROJECT DESCRIPTION Applicant Contact Information Name of Applicant Street Address City State ZIP Code Work Phone E-Mail Address Case Name Case Number Address or Location Environmental Reviewer Name Environmental Resource Management Reviewer Name Applicable Ordinance Watershed Name Watershed Classification Variance Case Information Reece Whitley 1905 Aldrich St, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78723 512-328-0011 Reece.Whitley@stantec.com H-E-B Store #10 SP-2019-0034C 7901 West Highway 290 US Pamela Abee-Taulli Pamela Abee-Taulli Ordinance 920903-D Williamson Creek Watershed ☐Urban ☐ Suburban ☐Water Supply Suburban ☐Water Supply Rural ■ Barton Springs Zone HEB Variance Backup One, p. 2 Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ☐ Barton Springs Segment ☐ Northern Edwards Segment ■ Not in Edwards Aquifer Zones Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Distance to Nearest Classified Waterway ■ Yes ☐ No 5270 feet Water and Waste Water service to be provided by City of Austin Request Impervious cover square footage: acreage: percentage: Provide general description of the property (slope range, elevation range, summary of vegetation / trees, summary of the geology, CWQZ, WQTZ, CEFs, floodplain, heritage trees, any other notable or outstanding characteristics of the property) The variance request is as follows (Cite code references: Existing ___0____ _30.29__ ___0%__ Proposed _322,344_ _30.29__ _25%___ The proposed H-E-B Store #10 located at 7901 West Highway 290 US in the full purpose jurisdiction of City of Austin, Travis County, Texas. A site vicinity map has been provided as Vicinity Map Exhibit. The proposed development will consist of approximately 88,000 square feet of retail grocery store with on-site parking. The Proposed site is a ±30.96 acre tract of undeveloped land with nature vegetation, small and heritage cedar and oak trees, and a gradual slopes of 1% to 12%. The surface elevations range from a low point elevation of ±908 Mean Sea Level (MSL) located at the east end of the tract, to a high point elevation of ±977 MSL located on the west edge of the property along FM 1826. Overall, the property slopes west to east, draining toward the existing channel within the property. According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Web Soil Survey, the property consists of soil classified as Brackett-Rock outcrop complex (BID) and Volente silty clay loam (VoD), and Hydraulic Soils Group C and D. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), …
HEB Variance Backup Two, p. 1 H-E-B STORE #10 Exhibit 5 Topographic Map January 10, 2020 EXHIBIT 5 TOPOGRAPHIC MAP C:\Users\tpho\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\405YLYUD\20200110_env_comm_variance.docx/sg 5 HEB Variance Backup Two, p. 2 1 2 3 4 5 N n o i t c u d o p e R r . c e t n a t S f r r o y t r e p o p e h t e a s g n w a d d n a s n g i s e d r i l l a o t s t h g i r y p o C e h T e h t e a c s T l O N O D . s n o i s n e m d i l l a r o f l e b i s n o p s e r e b d n a y f i r e v l l a h s r o t c a r t n o C e h T . y a e d l t u o h t i w c e t n a t S o t d e t r o p e r e b l l a h s s n o i s s i m o r o s r o r r e y n a - i g n w a d r . n e d d b o r i f s i c e t n a t S y b d e z i r o h t u a t a h t n a h t r e h t o e s o p u p y n a r r o f e s u r o 4 2 3 6 - F # E P B T 0 3 2 4 9 1 0 1 # S L P B T . c n i I s e c v r e S g n i t l u s n o C c e t n a t S 0 0 3 e t i u S t e e r t S h c i r l d A 5 0 9 1 4 4 5 3 - 3 2 7 8 7 X T n i t s u A …
RESILIENT EL PASO N I C O L E F E R R I N I , C H I E F R E S I L I E N C E O F F I C E R 1 KEY PRINCIPLES OF A RESILIENCE STRATEGY Broad Understanding of Resilience Inclusive, Strategic + Actionable Fact Based + Data Driven Forward Looking, Not Reactionary Accountable + Transparent 2 2 N I C O L E F E R R I N I , C H I E F R E S I L I E N C E O F F I C E R 9 1 5 . 2 1 2 . 1 6 5 8 F E R R I N I N M @ E L PA S O T E X A S . G O V 6
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20200304 005a Date: March 4, 2020 Subject: Discuss and consider the future of Austin resilience planning Motion by: Katie Coyne Seconded by: Linda Guerrero RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the future resilience of our City is a fundamental area of focus for this body; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that climate and other shocks and stressors to our environmental, social, and economic systems disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color; WHEREAS, the Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20190509-019 May 9th, 2019 directing the City Manager and Office of Sustainability to explore the best path forward for creating a comprehensive, community-wide climate resilience plan that is fair, just, and equitable; and, asked for recommendations for funding options for the hiring of a Chief Resilience Officer and a consultant to lead Resilience Planning efforts; WHEREAS, City staff delivered an interim memo on August 22, 2019 outlining no clear path forward for this work and did not meet an October 31, 2019 deadline for final recommendations; WHEREAS, many City departments and community leaders are actively working on projects and programs that positively impact resilience outcomes but there is not a comprehensive vision for that work city-wide or regionally; WHEREAS, the Rockefeller Foundation recently launched their Global Resilient Cities Network and is amenable to working collaboratively with the City of Austin on our future resilience planning work; WHEREAS, three other major cities in Texas (El Paso, Houston, and Dallas) have all completed resilience plans and have Resilience Officers in place working to implement their plans; WHEREAS, resilience experts are moving to convene cities across the state on these issues to present a united front in the face of statewide politics; WHEREAS, there has been disagreement between stakeholders on the path of our resilience work and the intent behind Council’s May 2019 resolution; and, 1 WHEREAS, the widely-held opinion of resilience practitioners statewide and globally is that resilience plans should look beyond climate shocks and thoughtfully weave together a plan of action that centers equity and holistically addresses economic, environmental, and social resilience to both shocks and stressors. Therefore, the Environmental Commission recommends the following action by our City leadership: 1. Clarify the intent of City Council’s Resolution No. 20190509-019 from May 9th, 2019. 2. Take steps to move forward a comprehensive resilience strategy for our City that looks beyond climate shocks and thoughtfully weaves together a plan …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20200304 006a Date: March 4, 2020 Subject: Lantana Project Consent Agreement Motion by: Kevin Ramberg Seconded by: Peggy Maceo RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting the Commission 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 at located at 7415 Southwest Parkway in the East Oak Hill Neighborhood Planning Area; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes this action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that City of Austin staff recommend approval of the variance requests with conditions. Therefore, the Environmental Commission recommends approval of the requested project consent agreement (PCA) to allow for the construction of a mixed-use development with a residential component with the following; Staff Conditions: 1. applicant shall 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)); and the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. Phase 5 will develop within 25% impervious cover on a net site area; 2. dedicate 6.32-acre Tract 1 as additional lands to meet impervious cover needs; 3. dedicate necessary acreage of Tract 2 as additional lands for the Phase 5 development to not exceed 25% impervious cover Net Site Area on; and 4. pursue use of rain garden in Phase 5 as allowable under TCEQ Edwards Rules. 1 VOTE 6-0 Approved By: For: Bedford, Thompson, Ramberg, Guerrero, Coyne, and Maceo Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Creel, Smith, Nill, Neely, Gordon Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20200304 006b Date: March 4, 2020 Subject: HEB 10, SP-2019-0034C at 7901 West US Hwy 290 Motion by: Kevin Ramberg Seconded by: Perry Bedford RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting the Commission consider several variance requests: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut in excess of 4 feet (maximum cut 7 feet) in the Barton 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill in excess of 4 feet (maximum fill 14 feet) in the Barton 3. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302(A)(1) to construct a building on a slope with a gradient of more Springs Zone. Springs Zone. than 25 percent. 4. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302(A)(2) to construct a parking area that is not a parking structure on a slope with a gradient of more than 15 percent. WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes this action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that City of Austin Staff recommend approval of the variance requests with conditions. Therefore, the Environmental Commission recommends approval of the requested project consent agreement (PCA) to allow for the construction of a mixed-use development with a residential component with the following Staff Conditions: 1. engineered structural containment for fill exceeding 4 feet; 2. no non-organic mulch (including stone of any size) allowed in the landscaped areas; 3. rainwater harvesting storage tanks shall have a total volume of at least 4,000 gallons; 4. condensate storage tanks shall have a total volume of at least 3,000 gallons; 5. cut shall be limited to a maximum of 7 feet and limited to the areas as generally noted on the site plan; and 6. fill shall be limited to a maximum of 14 feet and limited to the areas as generally noted on the site plan; and the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. eight heritage trees to be preserved in place with supplemental drip irrigation. 1 VOTE 6-0 Approved By: For: Bedford, Thompson, Ramberg, Guerrero, Coyne, and Maceo Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Creel, Smith, Nill, Neely, Gordon Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 2
2. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2020 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 in Council Chambers City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Commissioners in Attendance: Pam Thompson Peggy Maceo Perry Bedford Kevin Ramberg Katie Coyne Linda Guerrero Commissioners Absent: Andy Creel Curtis Smith Ryan Nill Mary Ann Neely Wendy Gordon Staff in Attendance: Kaela Champlin Marc Coudert Susana Herrera Chris Herrington Thain Maurer Atha Phillips Pamela Abee-Taulli Mike McDougal CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Guerrero called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. 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. None 1. EDUCATION a. Update on City of El Paso Resilience Strategy, Nicole Ferrini, City of El Paso Chief Resilience Officer (30 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approve the minutes of the regular Environmental Commission meeting of February 19, 2020 (5 minutes) 1 3. 4. 5. 6. The minutes of the regular Environmental Commission meeting of February 19, 2020 were approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Creel, Smith, Nill, Neely, and Gordon were absent. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER’S UPDATE ON PAST COMMISSION ACTIONS AND REPORT ON ITEMS OF INTEREST a. Update on XSpace Group SP-2019-0189D variances b. Process for how to discuss miscellaneous reports at Environmental Commission meetings Item conducted as posted. No action taken. (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. STAFF BRIEFINGS* a. Presentation on Water Quality Compliance Pollution Data Viewer—Thain Maurer, Environmental Compliance Supervisor, Watershed Protection Department (20 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Discuss and consider the future of Austin resilience planning—Katie Coyne, Environmental Commission Member and Vice Chair (20 minutes) Speakers Thomas Visco A motion to consider the future of Austin resilience planning was approved on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Guerrero’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Creel, Smith, Nill, Neely, and Gordon were absent. 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: 7415 Southwest Parkway (District 8) Staff: Atha Phillips, Environmental Officer’s Office Zone Request: Consider a Project Consent Agreement waiving provisions of City Code …
