Environmental Commission Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission - Permitting And Development Center, Events Center Room 1405, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 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, 737-291-3084, 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 August 5, 2026. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment, C20-2026-008 Applicant: Thompson Land Engineering Location: 5811 Southwest Parkway, Austin, Texas, 78735 Council District: 8 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov; Sean Watson, Environmental Protection, 512-535-8914, Austin Watershed Coordinator, Program sean.watson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: In response to Council Resolution No. 20190131-040, consider a site- specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions 512-963-2167, Protection, WORKING GROUP UPDATE 3. 4. Update from the Artificial Turf Working Group regarding future meeting dates. Update from the Dog’s Head Working Group regarding the meeting on August 6, 2026, and future meeting dates. 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 to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 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 Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allision Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer Annie Fierro PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kimery Duda, The Expedition School. Adam Shedlosky, The Expedition School. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 15, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Luecke’s second, on a 9-0. Commissioner Changsut was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an update to the Bird-Friendly Design Resolution. Presentation by Leslie Lilly, Lily Rerecich, and Hannelore Sederholm, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Vice Chair Bristol. The presentation was made by Leslie Lilly, Lily Rerecich, and Hannelore Sederholm, Austin Watershed Protection. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D Applicant: John Dailey, Gray AES, PSC Location: 3900 West Howard Lane, Austin, Texas, 78728 Council District: 7 Staff: Brad Jackson, Environmental Compliance Specialist Senior, Austin Development Services, 512-974-2128, Brad.Jackson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 20 feet; request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 20 feet. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions The public hearing was conducted and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Luecke’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Changsut was absent. The motion to recommend the project Great Wave - D Permit, SP-2026-0221D, located at 3900 West Howard Lane, to Council with conditions was approved on Secretary Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. Commissioner Changsut was absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee regarding upcoming meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Brimer. The update was given by Commissioner Brimer. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from the Artificial Turf Working Group regarding future meeting dates. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Sullivan. ADJOURNMENT Chair Krueger adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. without objection. 2
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: August 19, 2026 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment C20-2026-008 Thompson Land Engineering LOCATION: 5811 Southwest Parkway COUNCIL DISTRICT: 8 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-535-8914, leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-963-2167, sean.watson@austintexas.gov Barton Creek Watershed/Barton Springs Zone In response to Council Resolution No. 20190131-040, consider a site- specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Page 2 of 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended with conditions STAFF CONDITIONS: 1. Development proposed for 5811 Southwest Parkway shall comply with 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative) at the time of permit application, except as modified below. a. Section A of 25-8-514 (Pollution Prevention Required) shall be modified to allow a maximum impervious cover for the site of 33.5% gross site area. 2. Additionally, development proposed for 5811 Southwest Parkway, shall comply with the following requirements: a. Small reduction in impervious cover from 33.9% to 33.5% b. SOS non-degradation water quality treatment for entire site c. Austin Energy Green Building rating of 2 star d. Bird friendly building design e. Integrated Pest Management f. No artificial turf g. h. Complies with the Hill Country Roadway regulations i. Two electric charging stations j. Caliper inches of trees for mitigation has increased by Interpretive signage 1 inch (3-inch to 4-inch) k. All disturbed areas are shown to be revegetated with 609S l. Landscape plants will be Texas native plantings
MEMORANDUM To: From: Date: Subject: Mariana Kreuger, Chair, and Commissioners of the Environmental Commission Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Austin Watershed Protection August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that on the August 19, 2026, Environmental Commission agenda is a proposed amendment to the City’s Save Our Springs ordinance and related variances to Chapter 25-8 of the Land Development Code. The ordinance is being brought forward to enable development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway (SPC-2025-0066C). This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Project Description and Background On January 31, 2019, City Council approved Resolution No. 20190131-040 to initiate variances and amendments to the Land Development Code, including site-specific amendments to Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative) as minimally required to address development related to the proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway. The 3.206-acre site is an abandoned mobile home park with outdated septic systems and failing drain fields that were constructed several years before the property was annexed by the City of Austin. The septic fields are to be removed, and the new development will be utilizing public wastewater. The applicant is proposing a site-specific SOS amendment to allow for the proposed development of the site while providing on site water quality treatment, a small reduction in impervious cover, and native plantings. The site is in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and Barton Springs Zone within the Barton Creek Watershed. The entire 3.206-acre site is located in uplands with no Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) or Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ). There are also no Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) on the site. The existing impervious cover is 1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 square feet. Summary of Code Amendment The amendment under consideration is related to proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway that was submitted for review in February 2025. The property is located in the Barton Creek Page 1 of 3 Date: Subject: August 12, 2026 Site-Specific SOS Amendment for 5811 Southwest Parkway SPC-2025-0066C Watershed, in the Barton Springs Zone, and within the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, which pursuant to current city code and the Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance, requires non-degradation water quality treatment for all development and impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA). The 3.026-acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway is …
5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment SPC-2025-0066C Austin Watershed Protection | August 19, 2026 SOS Amendment ▪ 1992 Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance adopted by citizen initiative ▪ Per 25-8-515, variances to SOS are not allowed ▪ Supermajority of Council must approve amendments to SOS ▪ Council Resolution #20190131-040 on January 31st, 2019 “The City Council initiates site specific amendments to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of the 3.026- acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway.” 2 The Site SPC-2025-0066C 3 Site Features ▪ Barton Creek Watershed ▪ Barton Springs Zone Classification ▪ Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ▪ Full Purpose Jurisdiction ▪ Council District 8 ▪ All uplands (no Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ); no Water Quality Transition Zone (WQTZ) ▪ No Critical Environmental Features (CEFs) ▪ 3.206 Acres ▪ Existing Impervious Cover 33.9% (1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 sqft) ▪ Septic fields will be removed and the new development will utilize public wastewater 4 The Site 5 The Site 6 SOS Initiating Resolution ▪ January 31, 2019: City Council initiates a site-specific amendment to the Land Development Code, including Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address proposed redevelopment of 5811 Southwest Parkway. ▪ Once a complete application for development has been filed by representatives of 5811 Southwest Parkway (submitted February 2025), the City Manager is directed to work with the applicant to minimize departure from code requirements while maximizing environmental protection and return to Council with an ordinance that: a) allows for no increase in existing impervious cover on the site; if feasible, identifies ways to decrease the amount of impervious cover; b) c) provides water quality treatment consistent with City Code Section 25-8-26 (Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone) for all redevelopment areas and to the extent feasible for the entire site; incorporates additional environmental and resource-efficient strategies; and d) e) preserves the requirements of the Hill Country Roadway regulations. 7 SOS Amendment ▪ SOS requirement for impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA) (0.4539 acres or 19,771.88 sqft) ▪ Proposed impervious cover reduced from 33.9% to 33.5% Gross Site Area (GSA) (1.01 acres or 43,995.60 sqft) 8 SOS Amendment ▪ SOS requirement for non-degradation water quality treatment ▪ The initiating resolution only requires Barton Springs Zone Redevelopment level water quality …
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET C20-2026-008 Amendment: C20-2026-008 Site-Specific SOS Amendment. Description: Amends Land Development Code (LDC) 25-8 Article 13 Save Our Springs Initiative of the Land Development Code for proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway. Proposed Language: Consider an ordinance granting a site-specific amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 (Save Our Springs Initiative), as minimally required to address development at the site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway. This action concerns land located in the Barton Springs Zone. Summary of proposed code amendment The amendment under consideration is related to proposed development at 5811 Southwest Parkway that was submitted for review in February 2025. The property is located in the Barton Creek Watershed, in the Barton Springs Zone, and within the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, which pursuant to current city code and the Save Our Springs (SOS) ordinance, requires non-degradation water quality treatment for all development and impervious cover limited to 15% Net Site Area (NSA). The 3.026-acre site located at 5811 Southwest Parkway is an abandoned mobile home park. To redevelop the site as a childcare facility (commercial), the owner is committed to no expansion of impervious cover and standards that meet and exceed all the requirements of the Barton Springs Zone redevelopment ordinance. The owner is also committed to incorporating additional environmental and resource-efficient strategies such as rainwater harvesting systems and green roofs, design of swales and appropriate setbacks integrated into a healthy landscape, clustered development and hardscapes to preserve undisturbed space and trees, use of native plant species, and no use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. The SOS ordinance would limit the total impervious cover for the site to 15% Net Site Area (NSA) (0.4539 acres or 19,771.88 sqft). The proposed SOS amendment requests an impervious cover limit of 33.5% Gross Site Area (GSA) (1.01 acres or 43,995.60 sqft). The site currently has existing impervious cover of 33.9% (1.0258 acres or 44,683.848 sqft ). Lastly, because LDC 25-8-515 prohibits variances from the SOS Ordinance, a site-specific amendment to the SOS Ordinance approved by a supermajority of the City Council is necessary to allow the proposed development of 5811 Southwest Parkway. The proposed site-specific SOS amendments are being requested to allow the following improvements: • Removal of an abandoned mobile home park with outdated septic systems and failing drain fields • Construction of a childcare facility with a covered play area, sport court, …
