Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 20, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at City Hall in Council Chambers at 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Commissioners attending in person: Perry Bedford Haris Qureshi Rick Brimer Kevin Ramberg Katie Coyne Jennifer Bristol Rachel Scott Commissioner attending remotely: Audrey Barrett Bixler Pam Thompson Commissioners absent: Linda Guerrero Staff in Attendance: Pamela Abee-Taulli Kaela Champlin Liz Johnston Mike McDougal CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:03 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. None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the October 6, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the minutes of the regular Environmental Commission Regular meeting was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Scott’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Guerrero was absent. 1  2. 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Approve the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Schedule for 2022 (10 minutes) A motion to postpone the approval of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Schedule for 2022 was approved on Commissioner Scott’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Guerrero was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS Name: COA Fire & EMS Station - Davenport Village, SP-2021-0121D Applicant: Anna Merryman, Garza EMC LLC Location: 4601 Westlake Dr., Austin, TX, 78746 Council District: Council District does not apply in Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Environmental Review Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department Watershed: St. Stephens Creek Watershed, Water Supply Rural Classification, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Variance request is as follows: 1. Vary 25-8-302(A)(2) to allow construction of a parking area on a slope with a gradient of more than 15 percent. 2. Vary 25-8-341 to allow cut over four feet to 17 feet. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends these variances with conditions (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Guerrero was absent. A motion to approve the variances with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Guerrero was absent. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson, Richard Brimer, and Linda Guerrero b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne Commissioner Coyne gave an update on the Joint Sustainability Committee. c. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Kevin Ramberg d. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Linda Guerrero and Pam Thompson e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Scott gave an update on a working group. 2  ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Coyne adjourned the meeting at 6:25 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). 3