Environmental Commission Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission - Remote meeting to be held with social distancing modifications. See agenda for details.
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission September 16, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. Environmental Commission to be held September 16, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications. Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (day before the scheduled meeting, September 15, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the September 16, 2020 Environmental Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the commission liaison at: Kaela Champlin (512) 974-3443 or Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov, no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live 1 Reunión del Environmental Commission Fecha de la reunion (16 de septiembre de 2020 a las 3:00 P.M.) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (15 de septiembre de 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512) 690-6729, Kaela.Champlin@gmail.com a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: Sept. 16, 2020 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: Koenig Lane Commercial SP-2019-0561C NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Caitlin Kuglen Kimley-Horn LOCATION: 1512-1/2 W Koenig Lane Austin, Texas 78757 COUNCIL DISTRICT: District # 7 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: WATERSHED: REQUEST: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: STAFF CONDITION: Jonathan Garner, Environmental Program Coordinator Development Services Department (512) 974-1665 Jonathan.Garner@austintexas.gov Shoal Creek Watershed, Urban Classification, Desired Development Zone Variance request is as follows: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 to allow private driveway and parking in a critical water quality zone. Staff recommends this variance, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. Provide ribbon strips in the drive aisle, provide vegetative filter strips throughout the property to capture and treat stormwater runoff, and provide porous concrete for pedestrian paths to reduce overall impervious cover and promote more infiltration on site. Staff Findings of Fact Variance to LDC XX-XX-XXX 1 Development Services Department Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Ordinance Standard: Watershed Protection Ordinance Variance Request: Koenig Lane Commercial (SP-2019-0561C) Request to vary LDC 25-8-261 to allow a private driveway and parking lot in a critical water quality 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: 1. The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege available to owners of similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development subject to similar code requirements. Yes. LDC 25-8-261 will deprive the property owner of a privilege available to owners of other similarly situated property because the surrounding development (and zoning, LO-MU-NP) is all commercial businesses with similar sized lots and development. Additionally, due to the width and traffic volume along Koenig Drive, on-street parking is not an option. If the applicant is deprived of the privilege to develop this property in context with its current zoning and the surrounding uses, the property will remain vacant and unable to be developed or used in its current condition. 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. In order for the property to be developed under current zoning regulations and in context with the surrounding uses, the applicant is required to provide a means of vehicular ingress and …
KOENIG LANE COMMERCIAL 1512 W. KOENIG LANE AUSTIN, TX 78757 SP-2019-0561C Jonathan Garner Environmental Program Coordinator Development Services Department SP-2019-0561C KOENIG LANE COMMERCIAL Site Location Austin ETJ Austin City Limits Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone This product is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. It does not represent an on-the- ground survey and represents only the approximate relative location of property boundaries. This product has been produced by the Watershed Protection Department for the sole purpose of geographic reference. No warranty is made by the City of Austin regarding specific accuracy or completeness. 2 PROPERTY DATA • Full-Purpose Jurisdiction • Desired Development Zone • Shoal Creek Watershed (Urban classification) • Not located over Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone • Current code regulations apply 3 VARIANCE REQUEST 1. To allow development in a CWQZ (LDC 25-8-261) • Private driveway and parking lot 4 FINDINGS OF FACT (LDC 25-8-41) 5 FINDINGS OF FACT [LDC 25-8-41(A)] • 1: The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege available to owners of similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development subject to similar code requirements. • Staff determination: Yes. • LDC 25-8-261 will deprive the property owner of a privilege available to owners of other similarly situated property because the surrounding development (and zoning, LO-MU-NP) is all commercial businesses with similar sized lots and development, and on-street parking is not an option along W. Koenig Drive (slides 7-9). 6 SITE CONTEXT 7 SITE AERIAL EXHIBIT 8 SITE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE 100-YR FULLY DEVELOPED FLOODPLAIN SITE LOCATION 9 FINDINGS OF FACT (LDC 25-8-41) • 2a: The variance 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: • Staff determination: Yes. For commercial development the applicant is required to provide a means of vehicular ingress and egress, as well as parking on site. The applicant is proposing vegetated filter strips for on-site water quality (slide 12), reducing the overall proposed impervious cover on the property by providing “ribbon strips” for the driveway and porous concrete (slide 13) for all pedestrian walkways These design decisions result in a total proposed impervious cover amount of 55%, where as much as 70% is allowed, and provides on-site water quality …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: September 16, 2020 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: 8921 US Hwy 290 West Wastewater Service Extension Request #4796 NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Joe Longaro, P.E. LJA Engineering, Inc. LOCATION: 8921 US 290 Hwy West, Austin, TX 78737 COUNCIL DISTRICT: Austin 2-Mile Extraterritorial Jurisdiction PROJECT FILING DATE: May 18, 2020 WPD/ENVIRONMENTAL STAFF: Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department (512) 974-3443, kaela.champlin@austintexas.gov Slaughter Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone, Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone WATERSHED: REQUEST: STAFF DETERMINATION: Wastewater Service Extension Staff recommends approval 1 TO: FROM: MEMORANDUM Linda Guerrero, Chair, and Members of the Environmental Commission Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department September 9, 2020 DATE: SUBJECT: 8921 US Hwy 290 West Wastewater SER #4976 Service Extension Requests (SER) located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone and outside of the City of Austin’s full purpose jurisdiction require Council approval and review by the Environmental Commission. Watershed Protection Department staff have completed the review for 8921 US Hwy 290 West wastewater SER #4976 and recommend approval of the request. Site Overview The site consists of one tract of approximately 69.12 acres, located at 8921 W US 290 Hwy. The site is in the City of Austin’s Limited Purpose Jurisdiction, the Slaughter Creek Watershed, the Barton Springs Zone, and the Drinking Water Protection Zone. The site is also within the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone and is subject to the Composite Ordinance due to 245 determination. This property has an approved site plan for the Junction Athletic Complex, SP-2016-0607D, a proposed sports complex that has not been constructed. The applicant is now proposing to develop a 280-unit multi-family project in the same development footprint with 140 Land Use Equivalents (LUEs). A revised site plan has not yet been submitted; however, the applicant will comply with the development requirements of the approved site plan. This site is also adjacent to the Ledgestone Multifamily wastewater SER #4622, located at 9021 W US 290 Hwy, approved by Council on June 11, 2020. Environmental Impacts The eastern portion of the site is within the Devils Pen Creek critical water quality zone and water quality transition zone. There are seven wetland critical environmental features (CEFs) and one seep CEF on the property. The site does not drain to occupied salamander habitat. 2 Development Impacts Water: The site is located in the water service area …
8921 US Hwy 290 West Wastewater Service Extension Request #4796 Request Summary • 69.12 acres • 2-Mile ETJ • Slaughter Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone • Located in the Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone • Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ) • Applicant is proposing to develop a 280-unit multi- family project with 14- Land Use Equivalents (LUEs) SER #4622 Site Location Austin City Limits Austin ETJ Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Austin City LimitsETJRechargeContributingAustin City LimitsETJRechargeContributing Site Location Devils Pen Creek Honeycomb Dr Devils Pen Creek Ledgestone Multifamily SER #4622 8921 US Hwy 290 W SER #4976 Devils Pen Creek SER #4796 Proposed Wastewater Extension Map provided by AWU SER #4796 Wastewater Summary • 1,000 feet of 8-inch gravity wastewater main in Circle Dr and extend south along Circle Dr and then west along US 290 to the highest point that can be served by the proposed gravity wastewater main. • 6,000 feet of appropriately sized force main from the proposed lift station and extend north through the subject tract and northeast along US 290 Hwy to the proposed 8-inch gravity wastewater main in US 290 Hwy. • 1,800 feet of 15-inch gravity wastewater main from the existing 15- inch gravity wastewater main along Williamson Creek, and extend west to the existing 12-inch gravity wastewater main located west of Covered Bridge Dr. • 2,250 feet of 12-inch gravity wastewater main (minimum 1.0% slope) from the existing 8-inch gravity wastewater main located north of Towana Trl, and extend south towards Towana Trl, west along Towana Trl, and then south along Mowinkle Dr to the existing 8-inch gravity wastewater main in Mowinkle Dr. SER #4796 Summary Lift station • Construction of the wastewater main and lift station are required to be located outside of the water quality transition zone and critical water quality zone. • The appropriately sized lift station and force main shall be sized to provide service to the subject tract only. • The adjacent tract (Ledgestone SER #4622) also requires a lift station and force main, and the applicant has indicated that it is preferable that only one lift station be constructed to serve both tracts. SER #4796 Summary • Approximately 1,600 feet of the 1,800 feet of 15-inch gravity wastewater main is also proposed to be constructed by Granada Ridge (SP-2018-0138, SER #3299). – If the applicant’s project timeline needs these wastewater improvements prior to the …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 202000916-004a Date: September 16, 2020 Subject: Koenig Lane Commercial, SP-2019-0561C Motion by: Kevin Ramberg Seconded by: Perry Bedford RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting a variance from LDC 25- 8-261 to allow private driveway and parking in a critical water quality zone; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the site is located in the Shoal Creek Watershed, Urban Classification, and Desired Development Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this variance (with conditions) having determined the required Findings of Fact have been met. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following: Staff Conditions: 1. Provide ribbon strips in the drive aisle, 2. provide vegetative filter strips throughout the property to capture and treat stormwater runoff, and 3. provide porous concrete for pedestrian paths to reduce overall impervious cover and promote more infiltration on site. VOTE 9-0 Absent: Smith, Nill Approved By: For: Bedford, Creel, Thompson, Neely, Coyne, Maceo, Guerrero, Ramberg, and Gordon Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair 1
2. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Andrew Creel Pam Thompson Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Perry Bedford Katie Coyne Peggy Maceo Mary Ann Neely Wendy Gordon Commissioners Absent: Curtis Smith Ryan Nill Staff in Attendance: Kaela Champlin Jonathan Garner Chris Herrington Brett Ueno CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Guerrero called the meeting to order at 3:03 P.M. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the September 2, 2020 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) The minutes of the September 2, 2020 Environmental Commission meeting were approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Neely’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Creel was off the dais. Commissioners Smith and Nill were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Update on 2019 State of Our Environment Report—Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department (10 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 3. 4. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. None b. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Name: Koenig Lane Commercial, SP-2019-0561C Applicant: Caitlin Kuglen, Kimley-Horn Location: 1512-1/2 W Koenig Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 (District 7) Staff: Jonathan Garner, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department Watershed: Shoal Creek Watershed, Urban Classification, Desired Development Zone Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 to allow private driveway and parking in a critical water quality zone. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions. (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Creel’s second on a 9-0 vote. A motion to recommend the variance request with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Smith and Nill were absent. Name: 8921 US Hwy 290 W Wastewater Service Extension Request #4796 Applicant: Joe Longaro, LJA Engineering Location: 8921 US Hwy 290 W, Austin, TX 78737 (Located in Austin Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Staff: Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Slaughter Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone, Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Wastewater Service Extension Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this Service Extension Request. (30 minutes) Item 4b was postponed indefinitely. No action taken. 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 – …
