Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 7, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Andrew Creel Pam Thompson Katie Coyne Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Perry Bedford Audrey Barrett Bixler Rick Brimer Commissioners Absent: None Staff in Attendance: Kaela Champlin David Chapman Chris Herrington David Hillers Anupa Gharpurey Leah Gibson Denise Lucas Keith Mars Jorge Morales Kristy Nguyen Naomi Rotramel Eric Ugalde Erin Wood CALL TO ORDER Chair Guerrero called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the March 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes 1  (5 minutes) The minutes of March 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting were approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer was off the dais. Speakers Michael Fossum Zoila Vega ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER UPDATES a. Update on Kinder Morgan Permian Highway Pipeline (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. b. Update on the Sawyer-Cleveland Partnership application for a discharge permit to the Long Branch Tributary of Barton Creek (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. c. Update on State Legislative Matters (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 2. 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Presentation on Central Williamson Creek Greenway Vision Plan—Shavone Otero, Community Powered Workshop; Steve Prather, Central Williamson Creek Community Working Group; Claire Eddleman-Heath, Asakura Robinson; Greg Montes, Park Development Coordinator, Parks and Recreation Department; Megan Eckard, Planner, Parks and Recreation Department; and Leah Gibson, Conservation Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) Commissioner Coyne recused on Item 3a. Speakers Zoila Vega Michael Fossum A motion to recommend support of the Central Williamson Creek Greenway Vision Plan was approved with conditions on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Coyne recused. b. Watershed Protection Department’s Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Forecast and Capital Improvement Program Plan—Anupa Gharpurey, Financial Manager and Erin Wood, Planner, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) A motion to recommend approval of WPD’s FY 2021-2022 Forecast and Five-Year Capital Improvement Program Plan with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Thompson’s second on a 8-0 vote. c. Development Services Department’s Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Financial Forecast—Denise Lucas, Director; Angela Means, Assistant Director; David Chapman, Environmental Compliance Supervisor; Eric Ugalde, Financial Manager; David Hillers, Financial Manager; and Erin Williams, Financial Manager, Development Services Department (30 minutes) 2  4. A motion to recommend approval of DSD’s FY 2022-2026 Financial Forecast with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Name: Omni Business Park, SP-2019-0300C Applicant: Chris Bradford, Jackson Walker, LLP Location: 7305 Burleson Road, Austin, TX 78744 (District 2) Staff: Kristy Nguyen, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Watershed: Onion Creek, Suburban Watershed, Desired Development Zone Request: 1. Request to vary from 1993 Comprehensive Watershed Ordinance, Section 13-7-16(a) for fill exceeding four feet 2. Request to vary from 1993 Comprehensive Watershed Ordinance, Section 13-7-16(b) for cut exceeding four feet Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions (30 minutes) Speakers Chris Bradford A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on 8-0 vote. A motion to approve the variance requests with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. b. Name: Winchestertonfieldville Applicant: Amanda Swor, Drenner Group Staff: Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist, Development Services Department Location: 2405 Nueces Street and 504 West 24th Street, Austin, TX (District 9) Watershed: Lady Bird Lake Request: The applicant is seeking the removal of two (2) Heritage trees, one with a single stem over 30” in diameter. Staff Recommendation: The request meets the City Arborist approval criteria set forth in LDC 25-8-624(A)(2), thus the variance is recommended. (30 minutes) Speakers Steve Drenner Zoila Vega Michael Fossum A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Guerrero’s second on 8-0 vote. A recommend the requested variance was approved with conditions on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Creel’s second on a 6-2 vote. Those voting aye were: Bedford, Creel, Coyne, Ramberg, Barrett Bixler, and Guerrero. Those voting nay were: Commissioners Thompson and Brimer. 3  5. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Growth Policy and Water Quality Protection Committee – Pam Thompson, Kevin Ramberg, and Perry Bedford b. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson and Linda Guerrero c. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne Vice Chair Coyne gave an update on the Joint Sustainability Committee. d. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Kevin Ramberg e. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Linda Guerrero and Pam Thompson f. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Coyne adjourned the meeting at 9:38 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. Please call Kaela Champlin at Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443 for additional information; 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