REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026, AT 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, EVENTS 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, 512-974-3146, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jennifer Bristol, Chair Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Mar Moretta-Urdiales Allison Morrison David Sullivan AGENDA The first 10 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 Special Called meeting on February 19, 2026. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation on Austin Watershed Protection’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget, Programs, and Projects Overview and approve recommendations for their FY27 budget. Presentation by Albert Castro, Financial Manager, and Janae Spence, Assistant Director, Austin Watershed Protection. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Circuit Of the Americas (COTA) Planned Unit Development Amendment (PUD), C814- 2018-0122.03 Applicant: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael Whellan) Location: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, Texas Council District: 2 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, 512-535-8914, Leslie.Lilly@austintexas.com Applicant request: The applicant proposes to amend a previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD). This is amendment #3. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Nicole Corona at Austin Watershed Protection at 512-974-3146, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Environmental Commission, please contact Nicole Corona, 512-974- 3146, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov.
SPECIAL-CALLED MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a special-called meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Kreuger called the Environmental Commission meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Richard Brimer Justin Fleury Martin Luecke David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro Mar Moretta-Urdiales PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Craig Nazor, bird-friendly building construction, watershed restoration, and tree planting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on February 4, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission regular meeting on February 4, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Chair Bristol, Secretary Qureshi, and Commissioner Morrison were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on Austin Youth River Watch’s mission and programming. Presentation by Melinda Chow and Fidel Campuzano Gonzalez, Co-Executive Directors, and Jasalyn Franco, Program Specialist, Austin Youth River Watch. The presentation was made by Melinda Chow and Fidel Campuzano Gonzalez, Co- Executive Directors, and Jasalyn Franco, Program Specialist, Austin Youth River Watch. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation, discussion, and action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council on the creation, continuation, terminations, and status of a concession including issuance for a Request for Proposal for a concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park for inclusion in the joint report between the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission that is provided to City Council annually. Presentation by Karen Charles, Contract Management Specialist, and Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation. There was a motion to approve the recommendation to Council to approve the 2025 concessions report, acknowledging that the reporting requirements were met, and additionally recommend that future joint reports include the following: • • Information from contractors detailing the environmental stewardship initiatives and accomplishments they achieved, in specific qualitative and quantitative terms, and specifically request detailed metrics regarding erosion control, streambed restoration, grassland maintenance, trash pick-up, water quality, and biodiversity Information regarding environmental equity in terms of access and concession usage Include concessions from parks other than Lady Bird Lake • • Delay the implementation of Phase II of the Parks Operations and Maintenance Agreements with the Trail Conservancy until the financial audit is finalized and made public, and until it …
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Overview Austin Watershed Protection Overview ▪ Mission & Organizational Structure ▪ FY26 Operating and Maintenance(O&M) Budget Overview ▪ FY26 O&M Budget Program Activities ▪ Capital Improvement Program(CIP) Budget ▪ CIP Project Overview ▪ Resources 2 Mission & Organizational Structure Mission ▪ Austin Watershed Protection(AWP) protects lives, property, and the environment of our community by reducing the impact of flooding, erosion, and water pollution. ▪ AWP’s mission is achieved through services such as responding to/developing: ▪ Drainage issues ▪ Water pollution ▪ Storm drain item retrieval ▪ Integrated pest management ▪ Floodplain mapping ▪ Storm drain infrastructure. 4 Organizational Structure 5 AustinWatershed ProtectionTotal FTEs: 456.75OperationsFTEs: 182Modeling,Monitoring, and ComplianceFTEs: 89Office of the DirectorFTEs: 69Business EnterprisesFTEs: 61.25Project Design & DesignFTEs: 45.5Environmental Policy & ReviewFTEs: 10 AWP Budget Information FY26 AWP O&M BUDGET BY PROGRAM Total Budget - $127.9M Business Enterprises, $10,045,470 , 8% Environmental Policy and Review, $1,356,811 , 1% Transfers, $48,869,392 , 38% Modeling, Monitoring, and Compliance, $13,433,743 , 11% Office of the Director, $11,988,137 , 9% Project Design and Delivery, $6,858,186 , 5% Operations, $35,311,386 , 28% 7 Funding Sources ▪ Operations ▪ Drainage Utility Charge ▪ Based on the amount and percent of impervious cover ▪ Other Fees and Interest Income ▪ Site plans, subdivisions, MUD, PUDs; Permit Fees ▪ Capital Projects ▪ Cash transfer from operations ▪ GO Bonds ▪ Grants ▪ Tax Increment Financing ▪ RSMP and USCF Payments 8 FY26 Funds Sources and Expense Type FY26 Revenue by Funding Category Drainage Utlility Charge 95% Interest Income and other misc. revenue Development, licenses and permit Fees 4% $5,459,738 1% $887,176 FY26 Budget by Expense Category Personnel Contractuals Transfers 47% 28% 23% $36,026,186 $29,119,257 Non-CIP Capital Expenditures Commodities 3% $3,233,339 0% $157,000 Expense Refunds -$751,608 -1% $118,655,633 $60,078,951 9 AWP Program Activities Operating & Maintenance Activities ▪ Drainage Infrastructure Maintenance ▪ Trash and Debris Removal ▪ Land Management & Ponds Maintenance 11 Operating & Maintenance Activities ▪ Pollution Prevention & Response ▪ Floodplain Modeling & Development Review ▪ Environmental Policy and Planning ▪ Environmental Research and Data Analysis 12 Operating & Maintenance Activities ▪ Storm Event Monitoring ▪ Replenishing Creek Beds ▪ Community Education & Outreach 13 Capital Improvement Program Capital Improvement Program: Overview ▪ Projects in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) are major improvements to our infrastructure, facilities, and waterways. ▪ CIP projects have a higher price tag and longer lifespan than routine maintenance …
Acreage Use Zoning Jurisdition Green Building Water Quality Current Code 1,153 acres Iterim-Rural Residential I-RR Full-Purpose 100% GSI (starting in 2022) Existing PUD 1,153 acres Mixed Use PUD Full-Purpose 2 star 100% GSI + additional WQ treatement for asphalt trail Drainage Floodplain Modification Impervious Cover CWQZ 25-7-93 & 96 25-8-263 80% 25-8-91 & 92 Current code Current code 68% Current code CWQZ Development Critical Environmental Features (CEF) 25-8-261 & 262 specifies and limits trail crossings 25-8-281 & 282 Current code and as defined by wetland mitigation plan Restoration Required in some situations 14.36 acres of Blackland Prairie Restoration native restoration along asphalt trail as shown in Exhibit H Open Space Cut/Fill Current code 25-8-341 & 342 298 acres of public open space up to 20' in Planning Area 4 Construction on Slopes 25-8-301 current code Proposed Amendment 1,153 acres Mixed Use PUD Full-Purpose 2 star 100% GSI + additional WQ treatement for asphalt trail Modification to 25-7-93 & 96 to allow maintenance buildings associated with golf course Current code 68% current code Development allowed in the CWQZ associated with golf course and CWQZ crossing of race track (1:1 mitigation for crossing required) Current code and as defined by wetland mitigation plan Surplus wetland restoration 0.87 CEF / 0.56 CEF Buffer 14.38 acres of Blackland Prairie Restoration native restoration along asphalt trail as shown in Exhibit H Riparian restoration plan for 4.59 areas shown in Exhibit H 100 acres of open space (off site open space provided) up to 20' for Planning areas 4,5,6 For golf course - cut allowed within CWQZ outside EHZ up to XXX Admin variance for over 20ft to match grade in Planning area 4 Admin variance for up to 15 ft outside of Planning areas 4, 5, 6 w/ commensurate mitigation Allowed in Planning Area 8 with commensurate mitigation Admin variance for construction on slopes over 15% Landscape Requirements Current code additional 400 native trees planted minimum 2-in, native Central Texas seed stock, 1000 cubic feet of soil volume for each newly planted tree additional 400 native trees planted minimum 2-in, native Central Texas seed stock, 1000 cubic feet of soil volume for each newly planted tree Tree Protection IPM Current code Native tree species from Appendix F Native and adapted plants per Grow Green Central Texas Native seed stock Beneficial reuse of condensate water for irrigation Current code Required additional 1000 caliper inches of native …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: March 4, 2026 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: Circuit of the Americas PUD Amendment #3, C814-2018-0122.03 NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael Whellan) LOCATION: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard COUNCIL DISTRICT: 2 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: WATERSHED: REQUEST: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, 512-535-8914, Leslie.Lilly@austintexas.com Suburban Watershed, Dry Creek East Watershed, Desired Development Zone The applicant proposes to amend a previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD). This is amendment #3. Recommended with conditions. Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment #3 C814-2018-0122.03 Austin Watershed Protection | March 4, 2026 COTA PUD C814-2018-0122 2 History of the Site 1940’s Lady Bird Lake ▪ Clearing and grading activities documented from 1940s on. ▪ Dam built in 1970s ▪ Site development permit for racetrack approved in 2011 ▪ Planned Unit Development (PUD) approved in 2020 1970’s 3 Existing Conditions Lady Bird Lake ▪ 1,153 acres ▪ Suburban Watershed, Dry Creek East ▪ Desired Development Zone ▪ Major Critical Water Quality Zones (CWQZ) ▪ 100-yr Floodplain ▪ Critical Environmental Features (CEF) ▪ Slopes in excess of 15% COTA PUD Wetlands Wetland Buffer CWQZ 100-yr Floodplain 4 5 Proposed Amendment ▪ 3rd Amendment ▪ Hotel / Convention Center in Planning Area 4 ▪ Golf Course in Planning Area 4, 5, & 6 ▪ Practice racetrack in Planning Area 8 ▪ Wetland Mitigation and Riparian Restoration 6 The COTA PUD Existing vs Proposed Lady Bird Lake Requirement Existing Proposed Green Building 2-star 2-star Water Quality Impervious Cover IPM 100% GSI + additional WQ treatment for asphalt trail 100% GSI + additional WQ treatment for asphalt trail 68% Required 68% Required 7 Green Building Basic Requirements Lady Bird Lake ▪ EV Charging Stations requirements ▪ Potable Water Use Reduction (for water features - 100% non-potable water supply) ▪ Bike Parking ▪ Energy Performance ▪ Additional requirements Link to Austin Energy Green Building Guides: Rating Documents 8 The COTA PUD Existing vs Proposed Lady Bird Lake Requirement Existing Proposed Drainage Current code Modification to 25-7-93 & 96 to allow structures associated with golf course Floodplain Modification Current code Current code CWQZ Defined Current code current code CWQZ Development specifies and limits trail crossings Development allowed in the CWQZ associated with golf course and CWQZ crossing of racetrack (1:1 mitigation for crossing required) Critical Environmental Features (CEF) Current code and as …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: March 4, 2026 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: Circuit of the Americas PUD Amendment #3, C814-2018-0122.03 NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael Whellan) LOCATION: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard COUNCIL DISTRICT: 2 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: WATERSHED: REQUEST: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, 512-535-8914, Leslie.Lilly@austintexas.com Suburban Watershed, Dry Creek East Watershed, Desired Development Zone The applicant proposes to amend a previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD). This is amendment #3. Recommended with conditions. ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C814-2018-0122.03 DISTRICT: 2 (Circuit of the Americas PUD Amendment #3) ADDRESS: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard ZONING FROM: PUD TO: PUD* *The applicant is requesting a PUD amendment to change conditions of the approved PUD zoning in Ordinance No. 20201001-042 and Ordinance No. 20231214-105 (Please see Applicant’s Request Letter – Exhibit C and Proposed Redlined PUD Exhibits – Exhibits D - K). SITE AREA: 1,153 acres PROPERTY OWNER: Circuit of the Americas, Inc. (Alyssa Epstein, Secretary) AGENT: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael J. Whellan) CASE MANAGER: Sherri Sirwaitis (512-974-3057, sherri.sirwaitis@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMEDATION: Recommendation Pending PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD: February 23, 2026: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION: March 4, 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: ORDINANCE NUMBER: C814-2018-0122.03 ISSUES: N/A CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: 2 The Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development is a 1,153 acre property generally located east of State Highway 130 and north of FM 812 on Circuit of the Americas Boulevard. The PUD consists of a mixed-use development and is currently comprised of eight planning Areas with approximately 967 acres of commercial space (Areas 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8) and 186 acres of mixed use (Area 2). The land use plan includes 298 acres of open space that is dispersed throughout Areas 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 on the site. The CS, General Commercial Services District, is the baseline zoning district for the PUD. The property in question was annexed in 2012 through Ordinance No. 20121108-027. The site is surrounded by residential and commercial properties within the City’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) that do not have zoning and are not part of an active or near-future neighborhood planning effort. Although there are residential uses within 540 feet of the project, the majority of the properties are not located within the City of Austin and are not subject to compatibility requirements. …
Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment #3 C814-2018-0122.03 Austin Watershed Protection | March 4, 2026 COTA PUD C814-2018-0122 2 History of the Site 1940’s Lady Bird Lake ▪ Clearing and grading activities documented from 1940s on. ▪ Dam built in 1970s ▪ Site development permit for racetrack approved in 2011 ▪ Planned Unit Development (PUD) approved in 2020 1970’s 3 Existing Conditions Lady Bird Lake ▪ 1,153 acres ▪ Suburban Watershed, Dry Creek East ▪ Desired Development Zone ▪ Major Critical Water Quality Zones (CWQZ) ▪ 100-yr Floodplain ▪ Critical Environmental Features (CEF) ▪ Slopes in excess of 15% COTA PUD Wetlands Wetland Buffer CWQZ 100-yr Floodplain 4 5 Proposed Amendment ▪ 3rd Amendment ▪ Hotel / Convention Center in Planning Area 4 ▪ Golf Course in Planning Area 4, 5, & 6 ▪ Practice racetrack in Planning Area 8 ▪ Wetland Mitigation and Riparian Restoration 6 The COTA PUD Existing vs Proposed Lady Bird Lake Requirement Existing Proposed Green Building 2-star 2-star Water Quality Impervious Cover IPM 100% GSI + additional WQ treatment for asphalt trail 100% GSI + additional WQ treatment for asphalt trail 68% Required 68% Required 7 Green Building Basic Requirements Lady Bird Lake ▪ EV Charging Stations requirements ▪ Potable Water Use Reduction (for water features - 100% non-potable water supply) ▪ Bike Parking ▪ Energy Performance ▪ Additional requirements Link to Austin Energy Green Building Guides: Rating Documents 8 The COTA PUD Existing vs Proposed Lady Bird Lake Requirement Existing Proposed Drainage Current code Modification to 25-7-93 & 96 to allow structures associated with golf course Floodplain Modification Current code Current code CWQZ Defined Current code current code CWQZ Development specifies and limits trail crossings Development allowed in the CWQZ associated with golf course and CWQZ crossing of racetrack (1:1 mitigation for crossing required) Critical Environmental Features (CEF) Current code and as defined by wetland mitigation plan Current code and as defined by wetland mitigation plan 9 10 The COTA PUD Existing vs Proposed Lady Bird Lake Requirement Existing Proposed Restoration 14.36 acres of Blackland Prairie Restoration 14.38 acres of Blackland Prairie Restoration native restoration along asphalt trail as shown in Exhibit H native restoration along asphalt trail as shown in Exhibit H Open Space 298 acres of public open space Riparian restoration plan for areas shown in Exhibit H Surplus wetland restoration 0.87 CEF / 0.56 CEF Buffer 100 …
COTA PUD AMENDMENT #3 Environmental Commission March 4, 2026 PROJECT OVERVIEW • 1,000+ key hotel resort • Golf course • Mid-size conference center (3.5x smaller than downtown CC) • Possible secondary racetrack • Flexible uses for future development at COTA PROJECT IMPACT • $925 million total development costs; $650 million in hard construction costs • $10 billion in total economic activity over 30 years • Hundreds of million in tax revenues going to the City budget • Experience developing in environmentally sensitive areas (Chula Vista, CA) PROJECT IMPACT • Economic anchor in Del Valle and the Eastern Crescent • 1,000s of jobs over project life from construction to operation • Labor peace agreement with hospitality union = first large- scale, privately-owned union hotel in Austin ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS & SUPERIORITY Water Quality & Water Forward Habitat Mitigation & Restoration Trees Open Space 100% green stormwater infrastructure 14.38 acres of Blackland Prairie Restoration 400 new native trees planted (min. 2-in caliper) 100 acres of on-site open space in PUD, with likely add’l 100+ acres for golf course Development Standards AEGB 2-Star Green Building Standard 38,332 sf of enhanced WQ treatment for asphalt trails 4.59 acres of riparian restoration Additional 1,000 caliper inches of native trees Minimum 14 acres if off-site dedication is selected 68% impervious cover maximum Condensate for irrigation; Onsite Water Reuse System (OWRS) 37,897 sf of new CEF 24,393 sf of new CEF buffer 1,000 cubic feet of engineered soil volume for every new tree ~$2 million of improvements (off-site parkland) Integrated Pest Management Comprehensive native restoration along asphalt trail Certified arborist hired on-site to oversee landscaping and tree establishment
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation 20260403-003: C814-2018-0122.03 Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment #3 WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant, Armbrust & Brown, PLLC, is requesting an amendment to a previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD); and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in Suburban Watershed, Dry Creek East Watershed, and the Desired Development Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this Planned Unit Development amendment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Environmental Commission recommends the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) PUD Amendment #3 with the following conditions: Staff Conditions: • An additional 0.87 acres of wetland Critical Environmental Feature (CEF) and 0.56 wetland CEF buffer will be restored above what is minimally required for mitigation • AC condensate and Rainwater will be used for irrigation • 4.59 acres of riparian restoration will be completed • An additional 1000 caliper inches of trees planted in addition to the 400 trees required Environmental Commission Conditions: • Restrict administrative cut/fill approvals to 15’ throughout the PUD • Remove the “fee in lieu” option for parkland • Require each cut/fill approval exceeding 15’ to be reviewed and specifically approved by the Environmental Commission throughout the PUD • Maintain existing requirement for 298 acres of open space in Area 8, including two soccer fields, related amenities, and public access easement • Require construction within the 25-year flood zone to meet current City Code requirements • Require COTA to dedicate 11.38 acres to the City within the PUD • Retain existing Affordable Housing requirements. • Maintain existing bicycle infrastructure requirements • Maintain 30’ easement to parkland • Work with CapMetro to establish bus lines to COTA facilities from downtown Austin and the airport • Prevent construction within Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) without specific approval of the Environmental Commission . • Maintain a 200-foot buffer for CWQZs per City Code • Prohibit CWQZ buffer averaging • Prohibit illuminated signs • Prohibit mobile homes within the PUD • Prohibit short-term rentals within the PUD • Require noise mitigation action be taken around any practice tracks (including, but not limited to, racetracks, kennels, aviation facilities), or any other facilities whose normal operation may exceed noise limits specified in the City’s noise ordinances • Prohibit operation of practice tracks and aviation facilities between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. local time • Erect acoustic monitors around racetracks, kennels, …
