Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 5, 2020 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 in Council Chambers City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Commissioners in Attendance: Andy Creel Perry Bedford Ryan Nill Kevin Ramberg Mary Ann Neely Katie Coyne Linda Guerrero Wendy Gordon Commissioners Absent: Curtis Smith Pam Thompson Peggy Maceo Staff in Attendance: Chris Herrington Atha Phillips Kaela Champlin Jonathan Garner Kristy Nguyen Mike McDougal Colleen Kirk Katie Frazier CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers should sign up to speak prior to the meeting being called to order; you will receive a three-minute allotment to discuss topics not posted on the agenda. Speakers Paul Robbins 1. EDUCATION a. Night Sky Preservation in Austin and Travis County—Cliff Kaplan, Hill Country Alliance (15 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. LBJ School of Public Affairs (15 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. b. Climate Vulnerability in Austin: A multi-risk assessment—Patrick Bixler, University of Texas 1  2. 3. 4. 5. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approve the minutes of the regular Environmental Commission meeting of January 15, 2020 (5 minutes) The minutes of the regular Environmental Commission meeting of January 15, 2020 were approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Neely’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Smith, Thompson, and Maceo were absent. Commissioner Creel was off the dais. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER’S UPDATE ON PAST COMMISSION ACTIONS AND REPORT ON ITEMS OF INTEREST a. None STAFF BRIEFINGS* a. None ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. None PUBLIC HEARINGS AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Name: Xspace Group, SP-2019-0189D Applicant: Garett-Ihnen Civil Engineers Watershed: Lake Austin Watershed, Water Supply Rural Classification, Drinking Water Location: 4229 N. FM 620, Austin, TX, 78734 (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Staff: Jonathan Garner, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department Protection Zone Request: Variance request is as follows: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to construct a driveway on slopes in excess of 15 percent gradient 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill in excess of four feet of depth Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends these variances, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. (30 minutes) Commissioner Ramberg recused on Item 6a. A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Creel’s second on a 7-0 vote. A motion to recommend the variance request was approved on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Neely’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commission Ramberg recused. Commissioners Smith, Thompson, and Maceo were absent. b. Name: Aspen Heights Multifamily Wastewater Service Extension Request #4629 Applicant: Caitlin Kuglen, P.E., Kimley Horn Associates Location: 11210 N FM 620 RD, Austin, TX 78726 (2-Mile Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Staff: Kaela Champlin, Environmental Officer’s Office Watershed: Lake Travis Watershed, Water Supply Rural & Bull Creek Watershed, Water Supply Suburban, Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Wastewater Service Extension Request recommendation Staff Recommendation: Staff recommend this request. (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Gordon’s second on a 8-0 vote. 2  8. 9. 7. A motion to approve the Aspen Heights Multifamily Wastewater Service Extension Request #4629 was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Gordon’s second on a 7-1 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Gordon, Creel, Nill, Ramberg, Guerrero, Coyne, and Bedford. Commissioner Neely voted nay. Commissioner Smith, Thompson, and Maceo were absent. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Growth Policy and Water Quality Protection Committee – Pam Thompson, Kevin Ramberg, Mary Ann Neely, Curtis Smith, and Perry Bedford b. Urban Forestry Committee – Peggy Maceo, Pam Thompson, Linda Guerrero, and Mary Ann Neely Kaela Champlin gave an update on the Urban Forestry Committee. c. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne Commissioner Coyne gave an update on the Community Climate meetings. d. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Mary Ann Neely e. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board – Mary Ann Neely, Peggy Maceo, Linda Guerrero, and Pam Thompson Commissioner Guerrero gave an update on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission of Parks and Recreation Board. f. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero g. Other reports from Commissioners NEW BUSINESS – Future agenda items a. Request for briefing on Austin Energy Green Building Program b. Discussion and possible action on Austin Dark Skies policies c. Request for regular updates from Sustainability Officer ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Guerrero adjourned the meeting at 7:36 P.M. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. For additional information, please call Kaela Champlin, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Environmental Commission, please contact Kaela Champlin, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443. * A member of the public may not address a board or commission at a meeting on an item posted as a briefing, per City Code Section 2-1-144(E). 3