REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 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: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke 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 April 15, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Barton Springs Road Bridge Project. Presented by Eric Bailey, Deputy Director, Austin Capital Delivery Services. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: SoLa Mixed Use, SP-2024-0397C Applicant: Hannah Riemer, P.E., LJA Engineering, Inc. Location: 2700 and 2800 South Lamar Boulevard Council District: 5 Staff: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist, Austin Development Services, 512- 974-2263, David.Michael@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone, per City Code 25- 8-26 Staff Recommendation: Recommended DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion on the MoPac South Project. Presented by Mike Sexton, Director of Engineering, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), and Charlotte Gilpin, General Engineering Consultant, CTRMA. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a nomination of a member of the Environmental Commission to the Urban Forestry Committee. COMMITTEE UPDATES 6. Update from Urban Forestry Committee regarding the meeting on April 28, 2026. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS City Code requires at least two board members sponsor an item to be included on an agenda. This section of the agenda provides members an opportunity to request items for future agendas. Staff should assume that if there is no objection from other members expressed at the meeting, the members’ silence indicates approval for staff to include on the next agenda. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Annie Fierro Mar Moretta-Urdiales PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Susana Almanza, Poder, Montopolis-Fairway Mixed Use Zoning Case. Bobby Levinski, Save Our Springs Alliance, Draft MoPac Environmental Assessment, MoPac South Project. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on April 1, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on April 1, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Changsut was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Presentation, discussion, and recommendation to amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) and amend Ordinance No. 20221115-048 to modify development review 1 processes, methods to demonstrate water quality compliance, street design, and utility infrastructure design for the design and construction of certain transit system projects and related transit system infrastructure. Presented by Donna Galati, Capital Program Consultant, Austin Project Connect, donna.galati@austintexas.gov, 512-974-2733. The public hearing was conducted and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Vice Chair Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Changsut was absent. The recommendation to amend City Code Title 25 (Land Development) and amend Ordinance No. 20221115-048 to modify development review processes, methods to demonstrate water quality compliance, street design, and utility infrastructure design for the design and construction of certain transit system projects and related transit system infrastructure was approved with the following proposed amendments: • Only native (no adaptive) plants, including trees, will be used. • To promote insect and other pollinator survival, rain gardens and other green spaces in the Right of Way will never be mowed, but periodic efforts to remove non-native, invasive species will be made. • To promote the survival of insects and amphibians, fallen leaves from street trees will not be blown, but may be raked around the circumference of the tree and/or left in green space. • Deny administrative waiver for heritage trees, maintaining the current code standards. If the waiver is granted, then every effort …
Parks Board – Barton Springs Rd. Bridge Update Eric Bailey, P.E. – Deputy Director Capital Delivery Services May 6, 2026 Barton Springs Road Bridge 100years old built in 1926 1946 Bridge Expansion 20,000 Vehicles per day Key Entrance to Zilker Park and for Major City Events FUNDING SOURCE: • Preliminary Design: 2012, 2018 and 2020 Bonds • Design: 2020 Bond • Construction: FHWA/City 2 Project Development Process - PRELIMINARY PHASE 2015 - 2023 - DESIGN PHASE 2024 - 2027 - CONSTRUCTION PHASE 2027 - 2029 PUBLIC MEETING April 2023 RESPOND TO COMMENTS Summer 2023 REFINE REPORT Fall 2023 COUNCIL ACTION December 2023 60% DESIGN + NEPA PUBLIC MEETINGS + BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS FINAL DESIGN AND PERMITTING BID AND AWARD + COUNCIL ACTION CONSTRUCTION WE ARE HERE Current Condition Spalling Concrete in Bridge Structure Concrete Cores Delamination of Beams Curb And Railing Do Not Meet Current ADA Standards Load Restricted As Of November 2023 – Heavy Vehicles Moving Eastbound Must Use Outer Lanes 4 Analysis Structural and Mobility Analysis: • • • • External Structure - Spalling Concrete • ADA compliance – Pedestrian Circulation Internal Structure – Deteriorating Steel Geotechnical Data –Replacement Design • Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility – no improvement to existing condition Cost/Benefit Analysis – extended life vs. cost Historic Analysis: • Coordinated with US Army Corps (USACE) and Texas Historic Commission (THC) • The bridge is a contributing feature to the Zilker Park Historic Landmark designation • The Texas Historic Commission has approved potentially fully replacing the bridge. As the process continues, the final design will be reviewed and approved by USACE and THC. 5 Project Options 6 Bridge Rehabilitation Bridge Structure Rehabilitation 1 Remove Existing Bridge Deck and Spandrel Columns 2 Remaining Portion of Existing Structure 3 New Components: Exterior Pairs of Arch Ribs, Spandrel Columns, Deck, and Abutment Extensions Less than half of the original structure will remain Remaining structure will require refacing with new material surfaces View of old arches will be mostly blocked by new structure 7 City Council Actions 1 Direction from Council in 2020 Bond Resolution (20200812-011): 2 Previous Council Action/Hearings: 11/30/23 – Council conducts a public hearing to recommend the bridge replacement alternative 12/12/23 – Council work session on the recommended option 12/14/23 – Council conducts a public hearing and directs Staff to pursue replacement option 03/07/24 – Council Directs TPW Director to apply for a federal bridge grant …
Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone SoLa Mixed Use 2700 & 2800 South Lamar Blvd Austin, Texas 78704 SP-2024-0397C David Michael Environmental Review Development Services Department 1 AGENDA The Site The Code The Project 2 The Site 3 VICINITY MAP N PROJECT LOCATION 4 WATERSHED CLASSIFICATION MAP N PROJECT LOCATION 5 EDWARDS AQUIFER RECHARGE ZONE MAP PROJECT LOCATION N RECHARGE ZONE 6 AERIAL IMAGE 7 Property Data • Barton Creek Watershed & West Bouldin Creek Watershed • Barton Springs Zone Classification & Urban Watershed Classification • Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone • Full Purpose Jurisdiction • Council District 5 • All uplands (no CWQZ; no WQTZ) 8 The Code 9 What is the Redevelopment Exception (RE)? Section 25-8-26 of the Land Development Code (Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone) allows for redevelopment of existing commercial properties in the Barton Springs Zone. Section 25-8-26 supersedes Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), to the extent of conflict. There are many requirements associated with the redevelopment exception. However, in brief summary the redevelopment exception resets the watershed impervious cover limit equal to the amount of impervious cover currently on site. 10 What is the Redevelopment Exception (RE)? (continued) So the redevelopment exception allows the developer to remove existing impervious cover and build back up to the same amount of impervious cover. To be clear, there are other requirements including regulations that provide environmental benefit. 11 What are the requirements of the RE? LDC 25-8-26(E) lays out nine requirements: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. May not increase impervious cover. May not increase non-compliance Critical Water Quality Zone, Water Quality Transition Zone, or Critical Environmental Feature requirements. Must comply with Environmental Resource Inventory, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, and fiscal requirements. The water quality controls on the redevelopment site must provide a level of water quality treatment that is equal to or greater than that which was previously provided. Item no. 6 provides additional WQ requirements. Must obtain a Barton Springs Zone Operating Permit for ponds. 12 What are the requirements of the RE? (continued) 6. A site with more than 40 percent net site area impervious cover, must have: (a) sedimentation/filtration ponds for the entire site; or (b) SOS ponds and sedimentation/filtration ponds for the entire site. 7. A site with 40 percent or less net site area impervious cover, must have SOS ponds for the entire site. 8. Must mitigate the effects of …
APPENDIX Q-4 CALCULATION FOR PAYMENT INTO THE BARTON SPRINGS ZONE MITIGATION FUND A. OWNER/AGENT INFORMATION: Joe Warnock Name: Seamless LMA, Ltd. Company: (512) 970-2223 Telephone: SoLa Mixed Use B. PROJECT INFORMATION: Name: Location or Address: 2700 & 2800 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas 78704 Permit Number: Case Manager: Total Gross Site Area (GSA): Total Net Site Area (NSA): Total Acres Impervious Cover: Percent Impervious Cover of NSA = Total Acres Impervious Cover / Total Net Site Area Percent Impervious Cover of NSA: SP-2024-0397C, (Withdraw/Resubmit of SP-2023-0283C) Chris Sapuppo 4.489 4.255 3.008 0 70.69 ac. ac. ac. % C. MITIGATION CALCULATION: 1. OVERALL MITIGATION Overall Mitigation Required (ac.) = (Total Acres Impervious Cover / 0.20) - Acres Gross Site Area Overall Mitigation Required: If the entire site is treated with sedimentation/sand filtration or an equivalent level of water quality control, skip to section 3. Final Mitigation Required is equal to Overall Mitigation Required. 2. NON-DEGRADATION (ND) REDUCTION Total Site Area Treated with ND Controls (including Treatment Area): Total Acres Impervious Cover Treated with ND Controls: Non-Degradation Reduction (ac.) = (Acres of ND Impervious Cover / 0.20) - Acres of ND Site Area Non-Degradation Reduction: 3. FINAL MITIGATION Final Mitigation Required (ac.) = Overall Mitigation - Non-Degradation Reduction Final Mitigation Required: 10.551 10.551 ac. ac. 0 0 ac. ac. ac. 0 D. PAYMENT CALCULATION: Mitigation Land Provided by Applicant: Mitigation by Payment (ac.) = Final Mitigation Required - Mitigation Land Provided by Applicant Mitigation by Payment: Base Fee: Annual Adjustment Factor: Adjusted Fee: Total Fee: Mitigation by Payment (ac.) * Adjusted Fee = 10.551 $15,000 7% beginning October 1, 2008 $50,698.98 $ 534,927.24 0.00 ac. per acre ac. E. AUTHORIZATION: Owner/Agent: Reviewed by: APPENDIX Q-1 NET SITE AREA NOTE: NET SITE AREA IS ONLY APPLICABLE TO WATERSHEDS CLASSIFIED AS WATER SUPPLY SUBURBAN / WATER SUPPLY RURAL / BARTON SPRINGS ZONE (BSZ) TOTAL SITE AREA DRAINING TO BSZ = 4.489 ACRES SITE DEDUCTIONS CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE (CWQZ) = WATER QUALITY TRANSITION ZONE (WQTZ) = WASTEWATER IRRIGATION AREAS = 0.000 ACRES 0.000 ACRES 0.000 ACRES DEDUCTION SUBTOTAL = 0.000 ACRES UPLAND AREA (GROSS SITE AREA MINUS TOTAL DEDUCTIONS) = 4.489 ACRES NET SITE AREA CALCULATION AREA OF UPLANDS WITH SLOPES 0-15% = AREA OF UPLANDS WITH SLOPES 15-25% = AREA OF UPLANDS WITH SLOPES 25-35% = AREA OF UPLANDS WITH SLOPES > 35% = 4.172 x 100% = 0.178 x 40% = 0.059 …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: May 6, 2026 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: SoLa Mixed Use, SP-2024-0397C NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Hannah Riemer, P.E., LJA Engineering, Inc. LOCATION: 2700 and 2800 South Lamar Boulevard COUNCIL DISTRICT: District 5 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist, Austin Development Services, 512-974-2263, David.Michael@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: Barton Creek Watershed (classified as Barton Springs Zone) and Bouldin Creek Watershed (classified as Urban) Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone, per City Code 25-8-26 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended STAFF CONDITION: Conditions do not apply for this type of request Austin Development Services Staff Recommendations Project Name: Ordinance Standard: Watershed Protection Ordinance (current code) SOLA MIXED USE Request: The request is for an affirmative recommendation for this project to develop using the Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone [LDC 25-8-26] Per LDC 25-8-26(F), this project requires approval from City Council because the redevelopment includes more than 25 dwelling units. § 25-8-26 REDEVELOPMENT EXCEPTION IN THE BARTON SPRINGS ZONE. (A) This section applies to property located in the Barton Springs Zone that has existing commercial development if: (1) no unpermitted development occurred on the site after January 1, 1992, and COMPLIES (2) the property owner files a site plan application and an election for the property to be governed by this section. COMPLIES (B) For property governed by this section, this section supersedes Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), to the extent of conflict. (C) In this section: (1) STANDARD POND means water quality controls that comply with Section 25-8-213 (Water Quality Control Standards) or are approved under Section 25-8-151 (Innovative Management Practices); and (2) SOS POND means water quality controls that comply with all requirements of Section 25-8-213 (Water Quality Control Standards) and the pollutant removal requirements of Section 25-8-514(A) (Pollution Prevention Required). (D) The requirements of this subchapter do not apply to the subdivision of property if at the time of redevelopment under this section subdivision and site plan applications are filed concurrently. Not applicable (E) The requirements of this subchapter do not apply to the redevelopment of property if the redevelopment meets all of the following conditions: (1) The redevelopment may not increase the existing amount of impervious cover on the site. COMPLIES (2) The redevelopment may not increase non-compliance, if any, with Article 7, Division 1 (Critical Water Quality Zone Restrictions), Section 25-8-281 (Critical Environmental Features), Section 25-8-282 (Wetland …
