Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

in a REGULAR meeting on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, June 5, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Richard Brimer, Peter Einhorn, Haris Qureshi, and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Colin Nickells and Mariana Krueger Commissioners Absent: Hanna Cofer and Melinda Schiera PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers Santiago Kathy Mitchell APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on May 15, 2024. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on May 15, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Einhorn’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Bristol abstained. Commissioners Cofer and Schiera were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and recommendation of Austin Water Capital Improvement Projects located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone for approval to include in the 5-year Capital spending plan as required by Financial Policy #8 – Frida Guo, Financial Manager II, Austin Water The Environmental Commission took a ten-minute recess at 6:16 P.M. Chair Bedford called the meeting to order at 6:26 P.M 1 2. PUBLIC HEARINGS A motion to recommend the approval of the request for inclusion of the CIP projects in Austin Water Utility’s 5-year capital spending budget passes on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Cofer and Schiera were absent. Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on bird-friendly design and building solutions from Travis Audubon – Heidi Trudell, requested by Commissioner Bristol Speakers Craig Nazor Maura Powers A recommendation regarding bird-friendly design and building solutions approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on an 7-0 vote. Commissioner Nickells abstained. Commissioners Cofer and Schiera were absent. Name: 290 Parmer Industrial – 2, SP-2023-0401C Applicant: Ryan Taylor, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Location: 10095 E US 290 Hwy Service Road EB Austin, Texas Council District: District 1 Staff: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Applicant request:  Variance request is to A) vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 15 feet and B) vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 16 feet. Staff recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the variances with conditions Speakers Ryan Taylor, Civil Engineer, Kimley-Horn A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Einhorn’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on an 8-0 vote. A motion to recommend the requested variances with conditions failed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 4-3 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Nickells, Qureshi, Einhorn, and Sullivan. Those voting nay were Commissioners Bristol, Brimer, and Krueger. Commissioner Bedford abstained. Commissioners Cofer and Schiera were absent. Name: Stassney Park, SPC-2023-0110C Applicant: Nick Brown / Kimley-Horn Location: 6200 E Stassney Lane, Austin, TX, 78744 Council District: District 2 2 3. 4. 5. Staff: Mike McDougal, Environmental Policy Program Manager, Development Services Department, Applicant request:  Variance request is as follows: A) To allow fill up to 23 feet within the Desired Development Zone (LDC 25-8-342), B) To allow cut up to 24 feet within the Desired Development Zone (LDC 25-8-341), and C) To allow driveway construction on a gradient in excess of 15% (LDC 25-8-301) Staff recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the variances with conditions Speakers Nick Brown, Civil Engineer, Kimley-Horn Jason Bengert, Developer, Brookfield Properties A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on an 8-0 vote. A motion to recommend the requested variances with conditions failed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 2-6 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Nickells and Sullivan. Those voting nay were Commissioners Qureshi, Einhorn, Bedford, Bristol, Brimer, and Krueger. Commissioners Cofer and Schiera were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Environmental Inspection Practices – Elaine Garrett, Assistant Director, and Brian Eagan, Division Manager, Development Services Department Chair Bedford’s motion to extend the meeting until 10:15 P.M. was approved. Chair Bedford’s motion to extend the meeting until 10:25 P.M. was approved. Chair Bedford’s motion to extend the meeting until 10:30 P.M. was approved. Chair Bedford’s motion to extend the meeting until 10:35 P.M. was approved. Item conducted as posted. No action taken. COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board (SCWAB) on City Council action on the South Central Waterfront Combining District and Density Bonus Plan– David Sullivan Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee on the upcoming meeting on June 20th and ask for agenda items – Richard Brimer Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 6. 7. 8. 3 9. Update from the Joint Sustainability Committee on the committee’s recommendations on the Environmental Investment Plan – Haris Qureshi Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan requested to add the Equity Action Community Investment Budget to a future agenda. The request was seconded by Commissioner Krueger. Commissioner Sullivan requested a presentation about the Watershed Protection Department’s water quality monitoring program. The request was seconded by Commissioner Einhorn. Commissioner Sullivan requested a future presentation from the Homebuilders’ Association about demand for HOME 1 and HOME 2. The request was seconded by Commissioner Brimer. Commissioner Qureshi requested a future action item to make a recommendation and support the Office of Sustainability and the Joint Sustainability Committee’s Community Investment Plan recommendations. The request was seconded by Commissioner Brimer. Chair Bedford requested an update on the listing status of native mussels in Central Texas. Chair Bedford requested an update on the status of blue green algae. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 10:35 P.M. The minutes were approved at the July 3, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cofer and Schiera abstained. Commissioner Nickells was absent. 4