Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 19, 2022 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 City Hall in Council Chambers at 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Commissioners attending in person: Perry Bedford Haris Qureshi Rachel Scott Jennifer Bristol Audrey Barrett Bixler Commissioner attending remotely: Pam Thompson Commissioners absent: Rick Brimer Kevin Ramberg Staff in Attendance: Pamela Abee-Taulli Kaela Champlin Katie Coyne Greg Dutton Liz Johnston Keith Mars Mike McDougal Jorge Morales Anna Lan Naomi Rotramel CALL TO ORDER Chair Guerrero called the meeting to order at 6:09 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 Robert Kleeman 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION 1  2. 3. 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Approval of the December 1, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the December 1, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes were approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Bixler’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Brimer and Ramberg were absent. STAFF UPDATES a. Recognize Katie Coyne for her service on the Environmental Commission and her appointment as Watershed Protection Department's Environmental Officer and Assistant Director of the Watershed Protection Department over Planning, Monitoring, and Compliance branch of divisions—Jorge Morales, Director, Watershed Protection Department (10 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Presentation on Equitable Transit-Oriented Development strategies for Project Connect—Anna Lan, Principal Planner, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Warner Cook, Senior Planner, Housing and Planning Department (30 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. a. Name: Rainey Tower SPC-2021-0129C Applicant: Lincoln Ventures LLC Location (address): 78-84 Rainey Street Austin, Texas 78701 Council District: District 9 Watershed: Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake Request: The applicant is seeking the removal of a Heritage tree with a single stem over Staff: Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist, Development Services Department 30 inches 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 Dave Anderson A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Scott’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Brimer and Ramberg were absent. A motion to support the variance request with conditions was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Brimer and Ramberg were absent. b. Name: HEB Austin No. 33, SP-2020-0400D Applicant: Joe York, Jones & Carter Location: 12115 US-290, Austin, TX 78737 Council District: Located in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction 2  Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department Watershed: Bear Creek Watershed and Barton Creek Watershed, Barton Springs Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Variance requests are as follows: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut to 12 feet. 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill to 21 feet. 3. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302(A)(2) to allow construction of a parking area on 4. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow construction of a driveway on a slope a slope with a gradient of more than 15 percent. with a gradient of more than 15 percent. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions (30 minutes) Speakers Joe York A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Scott’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Brimer and Ramberg were absent. A motion to support the requested variances with conditions was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Brimer and Ramberg were absent. 5. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson, Richard Brimer, Linda Guerrero, and Rachel Scott Chair Guerrero gave an update on the Urban Forestry Committee b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Audrey Barrett Bixler Commissioner Bixler gave an update on the Joint Sustainability was given. 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, Pam Thompson, and Rachel Scott Chair Guerrero gave an update on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Park e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Chair Guerrero adjourned at 8:43 P.M. 3  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