20250115-001: Draft minutes from 12/4/24 meeting — original pdf

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1. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, December 4, 2024 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Hanna Cofer, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera, David Sullivan, Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioners Absent: Colin Nickells and Richard Brimer PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on November 6, 2024 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on November 6, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Cofer’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Brimer were absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTION ITEMS Name: Dredge of Channel Rd. Lagoon, SP-2023-0367D Applicant: Stephen Hawkins, Aqua Permits Location: 4824 Laguna Ln, Austin, TX, 78746 Council District: District 8 Staff: Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department; 512-978-1537, miranda.reinhard@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(C)(9)(a) to allow more than 25 cubic yards of dredging in Lake Austin. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions Speakers: Miranda Reinhard, WPD 1  3. 4. 5. Jon Fichter, Aqua Permits Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Brimer were absent. A motion to recommend the Dredge of Channel Rd. Lagoon variance request with conditions passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second, on a 7–0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Brimer were absent. Name: Loyola Flats, SP-2024-0147C.SH Applicant: Allison Lehman, Kimley-Horn Location: 6700 Decker Lane, Austin, TX, 78724 Council District: District 1 Staff: Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department; 512-978-1537, miranda.reinhard@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(G) to allow floodplain modification in the Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions Speakers: Miranda Reinhard, WPD Dwayne Shoppa, Kimey-Horn A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Brimer were absent. A motion to recommend the Loyola Flats variance request with conditions passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second, on a 7–0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Brimer were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and recommendation on strategies to improve the tree canopy in Austin – Environmental Commissioners Richard Brimer and Melinda Schiera A motion to recommend strategies to improve the tree canopy passed on Commissioner Schiera’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second, on a 7–0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Brimer were absent. Discussion and recommendation on the Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan – Environmental Commissioners Haris Qureshi and David Sullivan 2  A motion to recommend strategies to improve the tree canopy passed on Commissioner Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 7–0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Brimer were absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES 6. Update on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee on November 1st – Jennifer Bristol Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan requested a presentation on carbon sequestration, which was seconded by Commissioner Krueger and Bedford. Sullivan will help connect staff with a contact. Chair Bedford requested a presentation on community outreach regarding development cases. He will think about this request more. Commissioner Bristol requested a presentation on the history of the Balcones Canyonlands and their importance. Seconded by Bedford. Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 9:01 pm without objection. 3