Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 18, 2022 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at the Permitting and Development Center (PDC) Room 1406, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 78752 Commissioners attending in person: Haris Qureshi Rachel Scott Melinda Schiera Jen Bristol Kevin Ramberg Ana Aguirre Rick Brimer Audrey Barrett Bixler Commissioner attending remotely: Perry Bedford Pam Thompson Colin Nickells Commissioners absent: None Staff in Attendance: Eric Brown Kaela Champlin John Clement Jameson Courtney Katie Coyne Susan Daniels Tunde Daramola Shamir Dorsey Donna Galati Joydeep Goswami Liz Johnston Mike McDougal Leslie Lilly Kevin Shunk CALL TO ORDER Chair Ramberg called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. 1  1. 2. 3. 4. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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 APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the May 4, 2022 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the May 4, 2022 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes was approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Scott’s second on a 10-0. Commissioner Barrett Bixler was off the dais. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER UPDATES a. Update on Samsung wastewater spill—Katie Coyne, Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Discuss and consider an ordinance amending Title 25 of the City Code related to floodplain regulations. City Staff: Kevin Shunk and Jameson Courtney, Watershed Engineering Division Manager, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) A motion to approve the proposed code changes related to floodplain regulations was approved with conditions on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 9-2 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Qureshi, Schiera, Ramberg, Bristol, Barrett Bixler, Aguirre, Thompson, Bedford, and Nickells. Those voting nay were Commissioners Scott and Brimer. b. Discuss and consider a recommendation on proposed changes to City Land Development Code Title 25 (§ 25-1, § 25-2, § 25-8) to address challenges to the successful design and construction of public mobility projects in the right-of-way (30 minutes) A motion to approve the proposed code changes to City Land Development Code Title 25 (§ 25-1, § 25-2, § 25-8) was approved with conditions on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on an 8-3 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Qureshi, Schiera, Ramberg, Bristol, Barrett Bixler, Thompson, Bedford, and Nickells. Those voting nay were Commissioners Scott, Aguirre, and Brimer. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Name: 1881 Westlake Drive, SP-2021-0349D Applicant: Joseph William Lee Location: 1881 Westlake Drive, Austin, Texas 78746 Council District: District 8 Staff: Eric Brown, Senior Environmental Scientist, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Lake Austin and Bee Creek watersheds, Water Supply Rural, Drinking Water Protection Zone Requests: Variance requests are as follows: 2  5. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(b) to allow the construction within 150-feet of a rimrock Critical Environmental Feature Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions (20 minutes) Speakers Michele Rogerson Lynch A motion to approve the variance request with conditions was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion and Commissioner Bedford’s second an 11-0 vote. b. Name: Crossroads Logistics Center Additions, SP-2021-0169D Applicant: Steve Jamison Location: 8500 East Parmer Lane, Manor, Texas 78653 Council District: None (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Staff: Tunde Daramola, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Watershed: Gilleland Creek watershed, Suburban, Desired Development Zone Requests: Variance request is as follows: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill over 4 feet up to 17 feet Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions (20 minutes) Speakers Janis Smith A motion to approve the variance request with conditions was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second an 11-0 vote. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee – Richard Brimer (Committee Chair), Pam Thompson, b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Haris Qureshi (member) and Richard Rachel Scott, and Colin Nickells Brimer (alternate member) c. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Jennifer Bristol Commissioner Bristol gave an update on Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee. d. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Pam Thompson, Rachel Scott, Perry Bedford, and Haris Qureshi e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Ana Aguirre Commissioner Aguirre gave an update on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Plan. 3  5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Commissioner Barrett Bixler requested a map of what high hazard facilities are within the 100-year floodplain by the next meeting. Commissioner Brimer requested more information about what materials are being stored at Tesla Factory. b. ADJOURNMENT Chair Ramberg adjourned the meeting at 8:53 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