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, SEPTEMBER 16, 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 19, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the City of Austin's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit. Presentation by Jacob Johnson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Sullivan. 3. Staff briefing to provide an update on Austin City Council action taken at the May 21, 2026, and July 23, 2026, meetings and to discuss next steps regarding the area commonly known as Dog's Head, bounded by the Colorado River, US Highway 183, and State Highway 130. Presentation by Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer, Austin Watershed Protection. Sponsored by Commissioners Brimer and Sullivan. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 4. Update from the Dog’s Head Working Group regarding the meetings on September 10, 2026. COMMITTEE UPDATES 5. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee regarding the meeting on September 14, 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 to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 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 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Richard Brimer Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Isabella Changsut PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 5, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on August 5, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were off the dais. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. 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 1 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-535-8914, leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov; Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-963-2167, 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 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 8-0 vote. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. The motion to recommend the project 5811 Southwest Parkway Site-Specific SOS Amendment, C20-2026-008, located at 5811 Southwest Parkway, to Council was approved on Chair Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Brimer, seconded by Commissioner Sullivan, and approved on an 8-0 vote. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Fierro were absent. The amendment was to add the inclusion of dark sky building practices into the recommendation. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 3. 4. Update from the Artificial Turf Working Group regarding future meeting dates. The update was given by Commissioner Sullivan. Update from the Dog’s Head Working Group regarding the meeting on August 6, 2026, and future meeting dates. The update was given by Vice Chair Bristol. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff briefing …
MS4 Permit Update Environmental Commission | September 16, 2026 From The Top ▪ MS4 = Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System ▪ Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit that allows Austin to convey stormwater and discharge to waterways ▪ Prohibit non-stormwater discharges ▪ Reduce pollutants to the Maximum Extent Practicable ▪ Originates from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Program as part of the Clean Water Act ▪ 1990 – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues NPDES Stormwater Phase I rule ▪ 1992 - City of Austin applies for EPA MS4 permit ▪ 1998 - EPA authorizes Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to develop and implement TPDES program ▪ 2006 - TCEQ issues Phase I MS4 permit to COA 2 MS4 Permit ▪ Tells the City what needs to be done ▪ Broken up into 8 Minimum Control Measures ▪ Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements are now included in MS4 permits ▪ Five-year permit cycle ▪ Annual reporting ▪ Periodic TCEQ audits 3 Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) ▪ SWMP informs TCEQ how COA will fulfill permit requirements ▪ Collection of best management practices and quantified targets ▪ Over 100 targets across various City of Austin departments ▪ Targets include activities staff has control over 4 Who’s Involved? Section of the SWMP MS4 Maintenance Activities Post Construction Stormwater Control Measures Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations Industrial and High Risk Runoff Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Core Contributing Departments WPD, ARR, TPW WPD, DSD, PLAN WPD, AW, ARR, AFD WPD, ARR, TPW, AFD, AUS, FMS, APR, AW WPD, AW, DSD, AFD DSD Public Education, Outreach, Involvement and Participation WPD, ARR, AW Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting WPD Total Maximum Daily Loads WPD- Austin Watershed Protection, ARR – Austin Resource Recovery, TPW – Transportation and Public Works, DSD – Austin Development Services, PLAN – Austin Planning, AW – Austin Water, AFD – Austin Fire, AUS – Austin Bergstrom International Airport, FMS – Fleet Mobility Services, APR – Austin Parks, HSO – Homeless Strategies Office WPD, AW, HSO 5 Current Status ▪ TCEQ audit in July 2026 resulted in General Compliance (no violations) ▪ TCEQ issued a draft permit June 2026 as part of Austin’s permit renewal process ▪ Potential to have new permit by end of the fiscal year ▪ Minimal TCEQ edits/additions compared to the current permit ▪ Once the permit is issued,180 days to submit …
Dog’s Head Update to Environmental Commission Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Watershed Protection Department | September 16, 2026 Dog’s Head Update This presentation is focused on items primarily related to Austin Watershed Protection and will provide an overview on the following topics: ▪ Site Context ▪ May Council action ▪ July Council action ▪ Regulatory Comparison Table ▪ Floodplain Update ▪ Next Steps, including brief explanation of a regulatory plan ▪ Q&A 2 Property Information ▪ Annexed into Full Purpose May 2026 ▪ District 3 & 2-mile ETJ ▪ Colorado River & Carson Creek ▪ Bounded by Colorado River to north & east ▪ Previously used as sand/gravel mining operations Colorado River Watershed Carson Creek Watershed Watershed boundaries and creek centerlines Council District 3 boundaries. Information from Property Profile 3 US 183 Longhorn Dam Colorado River SH 71 Aerial imagery courtesy of NearMaps Dog’s Head Current and Historic Aerial Images 1940 2017 2026 Current Aerial Aerial imagery courtesy of Nearmap – May 2026 May 21, 2026 Council Action ▪ Development Agreement – 45-year contract (Item 38) ▪ Interlocal Agreement with Travis County granting City of Austin regulatory authority over the Dog’s Head (Item 39) ▪ Annexation Ordinance (Item 60) 7 July 23, 2026 Council Action ▪ Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreement with Travis County (Item 14) ▪ Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone preliminary project and financing plan (Item 15) ▪ Right-of-way vacation of portions of Hergotz Lane and Dalton Lane (Items 75 & 76) ▪ Annexation of 37 acres of right-of-way land (Item 106) ▪ Creation of TIRZ Zone, approval of boundaries, City participation rate, and appointment of the board of directors (Item 111) ▪ Development Agreement Amendment (Item 142) 8 Drainage & Environmental Regulatory Comparison Table (1 of 3) City of Austin Mining Reclamation May Development Agreement July Development Agreement Cut and Fill · Up to 4' allowed · 4'-8' administrative variance (with conditions) · 8+ Land Use Commission variance · Allowed to restore pits back to previous grade · Not applicable except in the CWQZ unless associated with necessary bank stabilization · No Change Critical Environmental Features (wetlands and springs/seeps) · Standard setback 150', may be administratively reduced to 50' · Wetlands protected per definition defined in 1987 US Army Corps of Engineers delination manual · Wetlands may be mitigation · Mining pits not exempt · Staff generally would allow mitigation for wetlands · Wetland protections do not apply if …
Dog’s Head Update to Environmental Commission Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Austin Watershed Protection | September 16, 2026 Dog’s Head Update This presentation is focused on items primarily related to Austin Watershed Protection and will provide an overview on the following topics: ▪ Site Context ▪ May Council action ▪ July Council action ▪ Regulatory Comparison Table ▪ Floodplain Update ▪ Next Steps, including brief explanation of a regulatory plan ▪ Q&A 2 Property Information ▪ Annexed into Full Purpose May 2026 ▪ District 3 & 2-mile ETJ ▪ Colorado River & Carson Creek ▪ Bounded by Colorado River to north & east ▪ Previously used as sand/gravel mining operations Colorado River Watershed Carson Creek Watershed Watershed boundaries and creek centerlines Council District 3 boundaries. Information from Property Profile 3 US 183 Longhorn Dam Colorado River SH 71 Aerial imagery courtesy of NearMaps Dog’s Head Current and Historic Aerial Images 1940 2017 2026 Current Aerial Aerial imagery courtesy of Nearmap – May 2026 May 21, 2026 Council Action ▪ Development Agreement – 45-year contract (Item 38) ▪ Interlocal Agreement with Travis County granting City of Austin regulatory authority over the Dog’s Head (Item 39) ▪ Annexation Ordinance (Item 60) 7 July 23, 2026 Council Action ▪ Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreement with Travis County (Item 14) ▪ Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone preliminary project and financing plan (Item 15) ▪ Right-of-way vacation of portions of Hergotz Lane and Dalton Lane (Items 75 & 76) ▪ Annexation of 37 acres of right-of-way land (Item 106) ▪ Creation of TIRZ Zone, approval of boundaries, City participation rate, and appointment of the board of directors (Item 111) ▪ Development Agreement Amendment (Item 142) 8 Drainage & Environmental Regulatory Comparison Table (1 of 3) City of Austin Mining Reclamation May Development Agreement July Development Agreement Cut and Fill · Up to 4' allowed · 4'-8' administrative variance (with conditions) · 8+ Land Use Commission variance · Allowed to restore pits back to previous grade · Not applicable except in the CWQZ unless associated with necessary bank stabilization · No Change Critical Environmental Features (wetlands and springs/seeps) · Standard setback 150', may be administratively reduced to 50' · Wetlands protected per definition defined in 1987 US Army Corps of Engineers delination manual · Wetlands may be mitigation · Mining pits not exempt · Staff generally would allow mitigation for wetlands · Wetland protections do not apply if …
Environmental Commission – Dog’s Head Development Working Group Update: September 16, 2026 Prepared by Jennifer Bristol, Chair – Working Group June 17 – The Environmental Commission approved the formation of a working group to “organize and engage community stakeholders; advise the applicant, City of Austin (CoA), and City Council on the regulatory plan; and to make recommendations regarding the regulating plan.” Between June 20–29, the working group met for three meetings, two hours each, to make a recommendation to City Council on the TIRZ for the Dog’s Head Development. These first meetings had between 12 and 20 members of the working group in attendance. July 1 – The working group made a recommendation to the Environmental Commission, and it was unanimously passed. August 17 – The working group decided to form a subcommittee to meet with Endeavor and City staff. The committee consisted of two representatives of the existing neighborhoods on the Dog’s Head, PODER, and three commissioners. August 25 – The subcommittee met at City Hall with Council Member Duchen and his staff, staff from Council Member Valesquez’s office, Watershed staff, three commissioners, Endeavor, and its legal counsel. The goal of this group was to reach agreement on: 1. Pushing back the date for the Regulating Plan (achieved). 2. Reinstating the Environmental Commission (not yet achieved). 3. Establishing a working relationship with all parties. August 27 – Larger working group meeting. September 2 – Subcommittee meeting. 1. Agreed to look at the Regulating Plan recommendations together with Endeavor. 2. Agreed to tour the property. 3. Made requests to see some of the Phase One environmental studies. 4. Agreed that a letter would be sent from Endeavor to the CoA to formally request pushing back the Regulating Plan to March 2027 (task completed on September 10). September 8 – Subcommittee tour of the property with Endeavor. September 10 – Larger working group three-hour meeting to work on the draft of the Regulating Plan. 1. Commissioners Brimer and Bristol created and submitted recommendations as a framework for the others to contribute to and shape as a group. 2. Chair Kruger submitted recommendations for amendments to the Development Agreement that would enable some of the Regulating Plan recommendations and offer better protections for the environment moving forward. September 15 – Subcommittee met again. 1. Chair Kruger will give an update to the Environmental Commission. In total, 10 meetings totaling approximately 32 hours …
