REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 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, 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 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Mar Moretta-Urdiales 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 March 4, 2026. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. 3. Name: 1404 East Riverside PUD, C814-2025-0111 Applicant: Amanda Swor, Drenner Group Location: 1404 East Riverside Drive Council District: 3 Staff: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-963-2167, Sean.Watson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: The applicant proposes a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions Name: Rundberg Multifamily, SP-2024-0381C.SH Applicant: Sydney Barre, WGI Location: 204 East Rundberg Lane Council District: 4 Staff: John Clement, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-974-1475, John.Clement@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ); Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in good condition. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding the impact of data centers and their energy consumption and water usage. Sponsors: Commissioners Fleury and Sullivan. Conduct officer elections for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. 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 …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 06:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: David Sullivan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Special Called Meeting on February 19, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Special Called Meeting on February 19, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Secretary Qureshi’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Sullivan was off the dais. Chair Bristol and Commissioners Changsut, Fierro, and Moretta-Urdiales were absent. 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. 1 The motion to approve the recommendation to Council to support Austin Watershed Protection’s budget, programs, and projects was approved on Secretary Qureshi’s motion, Vice Chair Kruger’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Chair Bristol and Commissioners Changsut, Fierro, and Moretta-Urdiales were absent. 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, 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 The public hearing was conducted, and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Luecke’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Chair Bristol and Commissioners Changsut, Fierro, and Moretta-Urdiales were absent. Program Manager, Environmental Conservation 512-535- There was a motion to recommend the project Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment, C814-2018-0122.03, located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, to Council, with Staff conditions and the following 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 • …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C814-2025-0111 (East Riverside PUD) DISTRICT: 3 ADDRESS: 1404 East Riverside Drive ZONING FROM: ERC- CMU TO: PUD SITE AREA: approximately 2.6069 acres (approximately 113,556 square feet) PROPERTY OWNER: South Shore Apartments Owner LP AGENT: Drenner Group, PC (Amanda Swor) CASE MANAGER: Jonathan Tomko 512-974-1057, jonathan.tomko@austintexas.gov STAFF RECOMMEDATION: Pending PLANNING COMMISSION / OTHER COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: March 10, 2026: Small Area Joint Planning Commission approved unanimously April 1, 2026: Case is scheduled to be heard by the Environmental Commission April 14, 2026: Case is scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission CITY COUNCIL ACTION: TBD ORDINANCE NUMBER: TBD ISSUES: None CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The subject tract is approximately 2.5 acres of cleared land from the former Acton School north of East Riverside Drive just east of Manlove Street. It fronts Lady Bird Lake to the north, four multifamily apartments to the west, single family commercial to the south across East Riverside Drive (up a steep embankment) and older two-story multifamily buildings to the east. The site is approximately ¼ mile from the proposed Project Connect rail stop at East Riverside Drive and South Lakeshore Boulevard. Ther are several power lines and an easement along the front of the property, as well as a gravel off- street trail separate from the existing sidewalk. As a result, the building will have to be set back from East Riverside Drive further to the north. There is a substantial amount of tree cover on the northern and eastern portions of the tract. This site is within the Riverside Stations Imagine Austin Activity Center, along Riverside Drive which is an Imagine Austin Activity Corridor, an ASMP level 3 corridor, and part of the ASMP transit priority network. BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION: Site North (across Lady Bird Lake) South (across East Riverside Drive) East C814-2025-0111 TBD EXISTING ZONING AND LAND USES: 2 LAND USES ZONING ERC-CMU Undeveloped land P-NP Undeveloped parkland/trail ERC-NMU Office/retail in a two-story single family constructed in approximately 1951 ERC-CMU Several multifamily apartment buildings of 2 stories constructed in approximately 1963 West ERC-CMU Four apartment buildings were constructed in approximately 2012. The buildings are approximately 11, 9, 6, and 4 stories each. NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AREA: East Riverside/Oltorf (Riverside) Combined Neighborhood Planning Area WATERSHED: Lady Bird Lake and Harpers Branch Watersheds SCHOOLS: A.I.S.D. Sanchez Elementary School Martin Middle School Austin High School COMMUNITY REGISTRY LIST: Austin Independent School District, …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: April 1, 2026 1404 East Riverside PUD, C814-2025-0111 Amanda Swor, Drenner Group LOCATION: 1404 East Riverside Drive COUNCIL DISTRICT: 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: WATERSHED: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, 512-963-2167, Sean.Watson@austintexas.gov Urban Watershed, Lady Bird Lake Watershed, Harpers Branch Watershed, Desired Development Zone REQUEST: The applicant proposes a new Planned Unit Development (PUD). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: STAFF CONDITIONS: Recommended with conditions. Staff recommends approval of the PUD with the environmental superiority elements as conditions. • PUD will provide for additional off-site water quality capture of currently untreated stormwater from Manlove Street of a minimum of 7,000 square feet using innovative Jellyfish filter • A 54-inch live oak heritage tree will be relocated to rear of property per approved SP-2021-0451C • PUD will achieve a 3-star Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) rating, at a minimum • The project shall collect condensate from air conditioning units to support 100% of ground level irrigationThe project will be compliant with the LEED pilot Bird Collision Deterrence credit, ST7 Light Pollution Reduction and comply with Dark Sky regulations • All required tree plantings shall utilize native tree species selected from Appendix F of the Environmental Criteria Manual • Project shall utilize methods to support local Austin biodiversity through innovative native plant landscaping and/or rooftop installations • 100% of required stormwater will be treated using on-site water quality methods • This project will include several landscape solutions that will be achieved with the installation of raised terrace green roof media to be planted with a focus on pollinator-friendly species. 100% of rooftop plantings shall be native to the Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairie ecoregions. A minimum of 10% of the roof terrace shall be dedicated to landscape installations • The Critical Water Quality Zone will remain free from all development except approved storm drain outfalls and restoration • 100% of all non-turf plant materials will be native or adapted • Shade trees that are not influenced by utility constraints shall be upsized to 4” caliper within the PUD • 1.17 acres of the property is dedicated to the City of Austin as parkland which constitutes approximately 44% of the property. As otherwise specifically modified by the PUD ordinance, the development will comply with current code. 1404 East Riverside PUD C814-2025-0111 Austin Watershed Protection | April 1, 2026 1404 East …
February 4, 2026 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION VARIANCE APPLICATION FORM PROJECT DESCRIPTION Applicant Contact Information Name of Applicant Street Address City State ZIP Code Work Phone E-Mail Address Sydney Barre 4700 Mueller Blvd, Suite 300 Austin, Texas 78723 512-669-5560 Sydney.Barre@wginc.com Variance Case Information Case Name Case Number Address or Location Environmental Reviewer Name Environmental Resource Management Reviewer Name Applicable Ordinance Rundberg Multifamily SP-2024-0381C.SH 204 E. Rundberg Lane David Michael John Clement LDC 25-8-261 (G) and LDC LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) Watershed Name Little Walnut Creek Watershed Classification X Urban ☐ Suburban ☐ Water Supply Suburban ☐Water Supply Rural ☐ Barton Springs Zone City of Austin | Environmental Commission Variance Application Guide 1 February 4, 2026 Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ☐ Barton Springs Segment ☐ Northern Edwards Segment X Not in Edwards Aquifer Zones Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Distance to Nearest Classified Waterway ☐ Yes X No The centerline of Little Walnut Creek is located north of the subject property and clips the property boundary at the northeast corner of the parcel according to COA GIS. Water and Waste Water service to be provided by Austin Water Utility (AWU) 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: Floodplain modification in the COA fully developed floodplain and CWQZ (LDC 25-8- 261(G)) and floodplain modification outside of the CWQZ with a FAFH score of good (LDC 25-8-263(C)(3)). Existing ____0____ ____0____ ____0____ Proposed ____185,173 SF__ _____4.251 ac___ ____65.01%_____ The proposed development for the site is a 199-unit affordable multifamily development located at 204 E. Rundberg Lane. The total site area is +/- 6.54 acres and is currently undeveloped. The existing topography ranges from roughly 688 to 664 and there is one heritage tree located on site that is being preserved. There are primary Cedar and Hackberry trees located on site that are being preserved where feasible for development. There are no CEFs identified on the project site. While there is no FEMA delineated floodplain on site, there is City of Austin 25-yr and 100-yr full developed floodplain that crosses the northern border of the site due to the offsite contributing area greater than 64 acres immediately upstream. The offsite contributing area is routed along the northern …
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY City of Austin March 8, 2024 PE Project No.: 202402082 Approximately 6.54 Acres 204 East Rundberg Lane Austin, Texas 78753 Travis County Prepared for: Elmington Capital 1030 16th Avenue South Suite 500 Nashville, TN 37212 Prepared by: Phase Engineering, LLC 5524 Cornish Street Houston, Texas 77007 Case No.: (City use only) Environmental Resource Inventory For the City of Austin Related to LDC 25-8-121, City Code 30-5-121, ECM 1.3.0 & 1.10.0 The ERI is required for projects that meet one or more of the criteria listed in LDC 25-8-121(A), City Code 30-5-121(A). 1. SITE/PROJECT NAME: Rundberg Lane 2. COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT PROPERTY ID (#’s): 814678 3. ADDRESS/LOCATION OF PROJECT: Approx. 6.54 acres at 204 East Rundberg Lane, Austin, Travis County, Texas 78753 4. WATERSHED: Little Walnut Creek 5. THIS SITE IS WITHIN THE (Check all that apply) Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone* (See note below) .................. ☐YES ☒ No Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone*.................................. ☐YES ☒ No Edwards Aquifer 1500 ft Verification Zone* ....................... ☐YES ☒ No Barton Spring Zone* .......................................................... ☐YES ☒ No *(as defined by the City of Austin – LDC 25-8-2 or City Code 30-5-2) Note: If the property is over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge zone, the Hydrogeologic Report and karst surveys must be completed and signed by a Professional Geoscientist Licensed in the State of Texas. 6. DOES THIS PROJECT PROPOSE FLOODPLAIN MODIFICATION?.......☐YES** ☒ NO If yes, then check all that apply: (1) The floodplain modifications proposed are necessary to protect the public health and safety; (2) The floodplain modifications proposed would provide a significant, demonstrable environmental benefit, as determined by a functional assessment of floodplain health as prescribed by the Environmental Criteria Manual (ECM), or (3) The floodplain modifications proposed are necessary for development allowed in the critical water quality zone under LDC 25-8-261 or 25-8-262, City Code 30-5-261 or 30-5-262. (4) The floodplain modifications proposed are outside of the Critical Water Quality Zone in an area determined to be in poor or fair condition by a functional assessment of floodplain health. ** If yes, then a functional assessment must be completed and attached to the ERI (see ECM 1.7 and Appendix X for forms and guidance) unless conditions 1 or 3 above apply. 7. IF THE SITE IS WITHIN AN URBAN OR SUBURBAN WATERSHED, DOES THIS PROJECT PROPOSE A UTILITY LINE PARALLEL TO AND WITHIN THE CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE? …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: April 1, 2026 Rundberg Multifamily, SP-2024-0381C.SH Sydney Barre, WGI LOCATION: 204 East Rundberg Lane COUNCIL DISTRICT: 4 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: John Clement, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-974-1475, John.Clement@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: Little Walnut Creek REQUEST: • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended with conditions. STAFF CONDITIONS: Staff recommends the following conditions: • Restoration of 0.67 acres of floodplain to include: o Native seeding throughout the restoration area Invasive plant removal throughout the restoration area o o Planting of 0.22 acres of the restoration area with native trees and shrubs to improve canopy cover Installation of a bunchgrass hedgerow at the stormwater outfall to reduce erosion risk and facilitate infiltration o • Payment of $119,403 into the Riparian Zone Mitigation Fund Rundberg Multifamily SP-2024-0381C.SH Austin Watershed Protection | 4/1/26 John Clement Rundberg Multifamily Property Data • Little Walnut Creek Watershed • Urban Watershed Regulation Area • No Critical Environmental Features on site • Council District 4 2 Rundberg Multifamily Project Background • Currently undeveloped • Proposes 199 units of affordable housing through the Affordability Unlocked and SMART Housing programs, with more than 50% of units having 3 or more bedrooms • The site is on an Imagine Austin Corridor and adjacent to an elementary school • The site is constrained by parking needs of the development and total lack of nearby street parking • Variance would allow full build-out of the site by permitting modification of a portion of the floodplain 3 Rundberg Multifamily Variance Request 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. 4 Rundberg Multifamily Location 5 Rundberg Multifamily Site Plan 6 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Modification 0.72 acres 7 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Health • Floodplain is in “Good” condition due to high canopy/understory cover • However, much of that cover is invasive and the creek typically has little to no base flow • The modification and …
Austin Watershed Protection Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Rundberg Multifamily, SP-2024-0381C.SH Ordinance Standard: Watershed Protection Ordinance (current code) Variance Request: • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. 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; Yes The project proposes 199 units of affordable housing facilitated through the SMART Housing and Affordability Unlocked programs. The site is uniquely situated on an Imagine Austin growth corridor and adjacent to a public elementary school. The on-site parking needed to serve the high density of affordable housing proposed necessitates expanding the development footprint into the floodplain and further modification of the floodplain, including a small portion of Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ), to compensate for the displaced flood volume. The site is further constrained by fire lane requirements for the adjacent shared private driveway which prohibits street parking on the driveway. 2. The variance: a. Is not based on a condition caused by the method chosen by the applicant to develop the property, unless the development method provides greater overall environmental protection than is achievable without the variance; Yes The project will reduce the total width of the floodplain but improves environmental protection by 1) benching a portion of the remaining floodplain, 2) increasing the density and diversity of native vegetation, 3) removing the dominant invasive understory vegetation, and 4) provide additional protection by installing a native bunchgrass hedgerow at the stormwater outfall. b. Is the minimum change necessary to avoid the deprivation of a privilege given to other property owners and to allow a reasonable use of the property; and Yes The project proposes 199 units of affordable housing facilitated through the SMART Housing and Affordability Unlocked programs. The site is uniquely situated on an Imagine Austin growth corridor and adjacent to a public elementary school. The on-site parking needed to serve the high density of affordable housing proposed necessitates expanding the development footprint into the floodplain and further modification of the floodplain, including a small portion of Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ), to compensate for the displaced …
AI, Data Centers, Electricity, and Water Dave Sullivan, Ph.D. The University of Texas Center for Energy and Environmental Resources March 2026 3/26/2026 AI, Data Centers, Electricity, and Water 1 Ironically…. • WASHINGTON – On February 4, 2025, U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, to achieve the agency’s mission while energizing the greatness of the American economy. • Pillar 4: Make the United States the Artificial Intelligence Capital of the World • “As we rapidly advance into this new age of AI, it is important that the United States lead the world in this field. Those looking to invest in and develop AI should be able to do so in the U.S., while we work to ensure data centers and related facilities can be powered and operated in a clean manner with American-made energy. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have no doubt that we will become the AI capital of the world,” said Administrator Zeldin. 3/26/2026 2 Ezra Klein, NYT, 3/4/2025 • “If you’ve been telling yourself this isn’t coming, I really think you need to question that. It’s not web3. It’s not vaporware. A lot of what we’re talking about is already here, right now. • I think we are on the cusp of an era in human history that is unlike any of the eras we have experienced before. And we’re not prepared in part because it’s not clear what it would mean to prepare. We don’t know what this will look like, what it will feel like. We don’t know how labor markets will respond. We don’t know which country is going to get there first. We don’t know what it will mean for war. We don’t know what it will mean for peace. • And while there is so much else going on in the world to cover, I do think there’s a good chance that, when we look back on this era in human history, A.I. will have been the thing that matters.” 3/26/2026 3 Ezra Klein… • “What’s fascinating to me is that this is the first revolutionary technology that is not funded by the Department of Defense, basically. And if you go back historically, over the last hundred years or so, nukes, space, the early days of the internet, the early days of the microprocessor, the early days of large-scale aviation, radar, the global positioning system …
AI, Data Centers, Electricity, and Water Dave Sullivan, Ph.D. The University of Texas Center for Energy and Environmental Resources March 2026 4/1/2026 AI, Data Centers, Electricity, and Water 1 Ironically…. • WASHINGTON – On February 4, 2025, U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, to achieve the agency’s mission while energizing the greatness of the American economy. • Pillar 4: Make the United States the Artificial Intelligence Capital of the World • “As we rapidly advance into this new age of AI, it is important that the United States lead the world in this field. Those looking to invest in and develop AI should be able to do so in the U.S., while we work to ensure data centers and related facilities can be powered and operated in a clean manner with American-made energy. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have no doubt that we will become the AI capital of the world,” said Administrator Zeldin. 4/1/2026 2 Ezra Klein, NYT, 3/4/2025 • “If you’ve been telling yourself this isn’t coming, I really think you need to question that. It’s not web3. It’s not vaporware. A lot of what we’re talking about is already here, right now. • I think we are on the cusp of an era in human history that is unlike any of the eras we have experienced before. And we’re not prepared in part because it’s not clear what it would mean to prepare. We don’t know what this will look like, what it will feel like. We don’t know how labor markets will respond. We don’t know which country is going to get there first. We don’t know what it will mean for war. We don’t know what it will mean for peace. • And while there is so much else going on in the world to cover, I do think there’s a good chance that, when we look back on this era in human history, A.I. will have been the thing that matters.” 4/1/2026 3 Ezra Klein… • “What’s fascinating to me is that this is the first revolutionary technology that is not funded by the Department of Defense, basically. And if you go back historically, over the last hundred years or so, nukes, space, the early days of the internet, the early days of the microprocessor, the early days of large-scale aviation, radar, the global positioning system …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation 20260401-004: Data Center Environmental Management WHEREAS, Data Centers are changing every sector of society and economy; and, WHEREAS, Data Centers will provide the City of Austin, Travis County, and Central Texas the opportunity to be a center of technical excellence ; and , WHEREAS, Central Texas has scarce water resources to support an industry requiring substantial water and the existing electrical grid may be challenged by the insertion of new facilities requiring large amounts of electricity; and, WHEREAS, by 2035 Data Centers could account for more than 20% of global electricity use and 56% of the power used to power Data Centers comes from fossil fuels; and, WHEREAS, Texas has a 4.8-million-acres-foot water shortage and US Data Centers consume 66 billion gallons of water/year. WHEREAS, Data Centers with significant environmental impact on the community have a footprint exceeding 20,000 square feet and consume more than 5kW/rack and are typically categorized as Tier II to Tier IV facilities as defined by the Uptime Institute requiring 24x7 availability; and, WHEREAS, the increasing demand for Data Centers in Central Texas requires a coordinated approach by all Central Texas Governments; therefore, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Environmental Commission recommends the City Council adopt the following policies: • Consistent with Council Resolution 20240215-024 and Resolution considered during the April 24, 2025 Council meeting. • Establish working relationships with adjacent counties (Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Blanco, and Burnett) and cities (e.g., Buda, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Round Rock, Taylor, Elgin) to develop consistent policies and procedures to manage the installation and growth data centers within Central Texas. • Publish, via the Environmental Commission, the report from the City Manager, requested in April 2025 of the “projected environmental impact and resource usage of local data centers over the next ten years”. • Require Tier II and higher Data Centers to generate power onsite via renewable resources, which may include, but are not limited to solar, wind, and battery power. The power generated should amount to at least 50% of the amount necessary to operate the data center. • Require Data Centers to curtail operations during periods of electrical emergency as declared by the Governor of the State or Local Authorities. • Recycle water drawn from aquifers, public water systems, rainwater capture. • Require water the Data Center to use reclaimed water. • Comply to “night sky” and “bird friendly” …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation 20260401-002: C814-2025-0111 1404 East Riverside PUD WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant, Amanda Swor, Drenner Group, is requesting a Planned Unit Development (PUD) located at 1404 East Riverside Drive; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in Urban Watershed, Lady Bird Lake Watershed, Harpers Branch Watershed, Desired Development Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this Planned Unit Development. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Environmental Commission recommends the 1404 E Riverside PUD with the following conditions: Staff Conditions: • PUD will provide for additional off-site water quality capture of currently untreated stormwater from Manlove Street of a minimum of 7,000 square feet using innovative Jellyfish filter • A 54-inch live oak heritage tree will be relocated to rear of property per approved SP- 2021-0451C • PUD will achieve a 3-star Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) rating, at a minimum • The project shall collect condensate from air conditioning units to support 100% of ground level irrigation • The project will be compliant with the LEED pilot Bird Collision Deterrence credit, ST7 Light Pollution Reduction and comply with Dark Sky regulations • All required tree plantings shall utilize native tree species selected from Appendix F of the Environmental Criteria Manual • Project shall utilize methods to support local Austin biodiversity through innovative native plant landscaping and/or rooftop installations • 100% of required stormwater will be treated using on-site water quality methods • This project will include several landscape solutions that will be achieved with the installation of raised terrace green roof media to be planted with a focus on pollinator- friendly species. 100% of rooftop plantings shall be native to the Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairie ecoregions. A minimum of 10% of the roof terrace shall be dedicated to landscape installations • The Critical Water Quality Zone will remain free from all development except approved storm drain outfalls and restoration . • 100% of all non-turf plant materials will be native or adapted • Shade trees that are not influenced by utility constraints shall be upsized to 4” caliper within the PUD • 1.17 acres of the property is dedicated to the City of Austin as parkland, which constitutes approximately 44% of the property. Environmental Commission Conditions: • Bird-friendly design best practices that exceed dark sky regulations and LEED Pilot Bird Collision Deterrence Credit; in particular, …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation 20260401-003: SP-2024-0381C.SH Rundberg Multifamily WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant, Sydney Barre, WGI, has submitted a variance request located at 204 East Rundberg Lane; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in Little Walnut Creek Watershed; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this variance request. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Environmental Commission recommends the Rundberg Multifamily variance request with the following conditions: Staff Conditions: • Restoration of 0.67 acres of floodplain to include: o Native seeding throughout the restoration area o o Planting of 0.22 acres of the restoration area with native trees and shrubs to Invasive plant removal throughout the restoration area o improve canopy cover Installation of a bunchgrass hedgerow at the stormwater outfall to reduce erosion risk and facilitate infiltration • Payment of $119,403 into the Riparian Zone Mitigation Fund Environmental Commission Conditions: • Reduction of parking spaces by 5% • Use of warm, down-cast lighting, with motion-sensors on all outdoor lighting and other bird- friendly designs Date of Approval: April 1, 2026 Motioned By: Secretary Qureshi Seconded By: Commissioner Luecke Vote: 10-1 . For: Vice Chair Krueger, Secretary Qureshi, Commissioner Brimer, Commissioner Changsut, Commissioner Fierro, Commissioner Fleury, Commissioner Luecke, Commissioner Moretta-Urdiales, Commissioner Morrison, Commissioner Sullivan Against: Chair Bristol Abstain: None Off the dais: None Absent: None Attest: _____________________________________________ Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Environmental Commission Recommendation 20260401-004: Data Center Environmental Management WHEREAS, Data Centers are changing every sector of society and economy; and, WHEREAS, Data Centers will provide the City of Austin, Travis County, and Central Texas the opportunity to be a center of technical excellence; and WHEREAS, Central Texas has scarce water resources to support an industry requiring substantial water, and the existing electrical grid may be challenged by the insertion of new facilities requiring large amounts of electricity; and WHEREAS, by 2035, Data Centers could account for more than 20% of global electricity use, and 56% of the power used to power Data Centers comes from fossil fuels; and WHEREAS, Texas has a 4.8-million-acre-foot water shortage, and US Data Centers consume 66 billion gallons of water/year; and WHEREAS, Data Centers with significant environmental impact on the community have a footprint exceeding 20,000 square feet and consume more than 5kW/rack and are typically categorized as Tier II to Tier IV facilities as defined by the Uptime Institute, requiring 24x7 availability; and WHEREAS, the increasing demand for Data Centers in Central Texas requires a coordinated approach by all Central Texas Governments. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Environmental Commission recommends the City Council adopt the following policies: ● Maintain consistency with Council Resolution 20240215-024 and 20250424-055 and Resolution considered during the April 24, 2025, Council meeting. ● Establish working relationships with adjacent counties (Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Blanco, and Burnet), cities (e.g., Buda, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Round Rock, Taylor, Elgin), and water districts to develop consistent policies, procedures, and strategic plans to manage the construction, operation, and growth of data centers within Central Texas ● Publish the report from the City Manager, requested in April 2025 of the “projected environmental impact and resource usage of local data centers over the next ten years,” and present the report to the Environmental Commission. ● Require Tier II and higher Data Centers to generate power onsite via renewable resources, which may include, but are not limited to solar, wind, and battery power. The power generated should amount to at least 50% of the amount necessary to operate the data center. ● Require Data Centers to curtail operations during periods of electrical emergency as declared by the Governor of the State or Local Authorities. ● Mandate Council approval for large-scale extension requests. ● Define “data center” in City Code. ● Mandate 75% solar …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Mar Moretta-Urdiales Allison Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jennifer Bristol, Chair PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Corbin Graham, Landfill leachate leakage in Walnut Creek watershed. Roy Waley, Elon Musk’s data centers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 4, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 4, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Chair Bristol was off the dais. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: 1404 East Riverside PUD, C814-2025-0111 Applicant: Amanda Swor, Drenner Group Location: 1404 East Riverside Drive Council District: 3 Staff: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512- 963-2167, Sean.Watson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: The applicant proposes a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions The meeting was recessed at 6:38 p.m. until 6:47 p.m. without objection. 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 11-0 vote. The motion to recommend the project 1404 East Riverside PUD, C814-2025-0111, located at 1404 East Riverside Drive, to Council with conditions and the following amendments was approved on Secretary Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on an 11-0 vote. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Fleury and seconded by Chair Bristol. The amendment was to revise the condition “Of the existing parking on site, reserve at least ten parking spaces, including ADA-compliant parking, on the ground level garage floor for public parking and park access” to read: “Of the existing parking on site, reconsider reserving some parking spaces, including ADA- compliant parking, on the ground level garage floor for public parking and park access.” The amendment was approved on a 10-1 vote. Commissioner Brimer voted nay. The following amendment was made by Chair Bristol. The amendment was to remove the condition of maximum allowable height of 120 feet. The amendment was approved on an 11-0 vote without objection. 3. Name: …
