Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

2. 3. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 15, 2020 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Curtis Smith Ryan Nill Mary Ann Neely Wendy Gordon Peggy Maceo Perry Bedford Kevin Ramberg Katie Coyne Linda Guerrero Commissioners Absent: Andy Creel Pam Thompson Staff in Attendance: Kaela Champlin Chris Herrington Pamela Abee-Taulli Scott Hiers CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Coyne called the meeting to order at 3:03 P.M. 1. EDUCATION a. None APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. None ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER’S UPDATE ON PAST COMMISSION ACTIONS AND REPORT ON ITEMS OF INTEREST a. Watershed Protection Department response to the COVID-19 pandemic (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. STAFF BRIEFINGS* a. None 1  5. 6. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. None PUBLIC HEARINGS AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Name: Water Oak Apartments, SP-2019-0109C Applicant: Gemsong Ryan, Jones Carter Location: 12125 S IH 35, Austin, TX 78747 Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Watershed: Onion Creek Watershed, Suburban Classification, Desired Development Zone Request: Variance request is as follows: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut in excess of 4 feet on slopes exceeding 15 percent. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended this variance with conditions, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. (30 minutes) Commissioner Ramberg made a motion to recommend approval of the variance with conditions and was seconded by Commissioner Coyne. A substitute motion to consider a donation to Austin Wildlife Rescue failed on Commissioner Maceo’s motion, Commissioner Guerrero’s second on a 4-5 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Smith, Neely, Guerrero, and Maceo. Those voting nay were Commissioners Bedford, Nill, Ramberg, Coyne, and Gordon. Commissioners Creel and Thompson were absent. A motion to recommend approval of the variance with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Creel and Thompson were absent. b. Name: Albert H. Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, SPC-03-0005C(R1) Applicant: MWM Design Group, Shari Pape Location: 3602 ½ Redbud Trail Unit C, Austin, TX 78746 Staff: Scott Hiers, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department and Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Watershed: Bee Creek, Little Bee Creek, & Lake Austin Watersheds, Water Supply Rural Classification, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Variance request is as follows: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(b) to allow the construction within 150-foot Critical Environmental Feature (CEF) buffer for a Rimrock CEF. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 9-0 vote. 2  8. A motion to recommend approval of the variance was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Creel and Thompson were absent. c. Name: Davis Water Treatment Plant, SP-2012-0414(R1) Applicant: MWM Design Group, Shari Pape Location: 3352 Mount Bonnell Road (District 10) Staff: Scott Hiers, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department and Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Watershed: Huck’s Slough & Lake Austin watersheds, Water Supply Suburban & Water Supply Rural Classification, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Variance requests are as follows: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(b) to allow the construction within 150-foot of Critical Environmental Feature (CEF) buffers. 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut exceeding 4 feet, to 4.5 feet. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends these variances, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Gordon’s second on a 9-0 vote. A motion to recommend approval of the variance was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Creel and Thompson were absent. 7. 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 c. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne 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 f. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero g. Other reports from Commissioners NEW BUSINESS – Future agenda items a. None 3  ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Coyne adjourned the meeting at 3:37 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 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). 4