Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 16, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Cofer called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Hanna Cofer, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Justin Fleury, Ashika Ganguly, Annie Fierro, Mariana Krueger, Martin Luecke, Haris Qureshi Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: David Sullivan Commissioners Absent: Jennifer Bristol PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Stephanie Simmons, Buried power lines APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on April 2, 2025 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on April 2, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was off the dais. Commissioner Bristol was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: Flatz-130 SP-2024-0298D Applicant: Ted McConaghy (Kleinfelder) Location: 7400 Zekelman Blvd, Austin, TX 78724 Council District: Council District does not apply in Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Staff: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist, Development Services Department, (512) 974-2263, david.michael@ausitntexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from a) LDC 25-8-302 to allow up to 600 SF of building on slopes over 25%, and to allow up to 3,000 SF of parking area on slopes over 15%; b) LDC 25-8-341 to allow up to 11 feet of cut, and c) LDC 25-8-342 to allow up to 16 feet of fill. 1 Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions Speakers: David Michael, DSD Ted McConaghy, speaking on behalf of the applicant Arthur Walts Mike McDougal, DSD A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Bedford was absent. A motion to recommend Flatz-130 with conditions passed on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 10–0 vote. Commissioner Bristol was absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action on Environmental Commission committee membership The commission nominated Commissioner Luecke as a member of the Urban Forestry Committee. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Qureshi mentioned a development related to Tesla. Liz Johnston (WPD) clarified they are not within the City of Austin. Commissioner Brimer asked for an update on the request to hear about CAMPO. Elizabeth Funk (WPD) said the request was emailed and will follow up. Commissioner Changsut requested a discussion and action item regarding a planting and harvesting rare earth elements research project related to the coal power plant; Commissioner Brimer seconded the request. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Cofer adjourned the meeting at 7:28 pm without objection. The minutes were approved at the May 7, 2025 meeting on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Sullivan was absent. 2