20250507-004: LifeWorks at Tillery Motion Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20250507-004 Date: May 7, 2025 Subject: PSH – LifeWorks at Tillery, SP-2025-0031C.SH Location: 819 Tillery Street, Austin, TX, 78702 Motion by: Hanna Cofer Seconded by: Jennifer Bristol WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is seeking removal of a Heritage tree with a stem greater than 30 inches in accordance with LDC § 25-8-643 and § 25-8- 624(A)(2); and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the tree requested for removal is a 32-inch diameter Heritage pecan (Tree #3510), located within the one-acre lease area designated for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) on a 13-acre site; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the City Arborist rates the pecan tree as being in fair overall condition but with poor structural integrity, a moderate risk rating, and documented defects including large limb failures and a significant defect at the main branch union; and WHEREAS, the Commission acknowledges that on-site evaluations included a Resistograph analysis and private arborist climbing inspection that confirmed internal structural weaknesses at various heights along the trunk, despite no internal decay at the base; and WHEREAS, the Commission understands that the applicant demonstrated multiple constraints—including the tree’s central location in the buildable area, site design limitations, lack of feasible alternatives, and funding constraints for vertical development—that prevent reasonable use of the property if the tree is retained; and WHEREAS, the City Arborist has recommended approval of the variance request after determining that the criteria in LDC § 25-8-624(A)(2) have been met, and that no waivers or design modifications are available to reasonably preserve the tree; and WHEREAS, the applicant has committed to the preservation of other Heritage trees on site, in compliance with ECM Section 3.5.2, and will provide required mitigation through a payment of $7,200 to the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund in accordance with ECM standards for certified affordable housing developments; 1 THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends approval of the requested variance with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall submit and implement a Care Plan for the duration of the lease for the 34 preserved Heritage trees, including routine inspection, pruning, mulching, watering, and pest management, to ensure long-term health and viability. 2. The applicant shall coordinate with City of Austin Urban Forestry Program staff to identify and implement one-time improvements to existing or new streetscape trees as needed, within the public right-of-way adjacent to the project site. 3. Annual reports shall be submitted to City staff documenting tree care activities and conditions of preserved Heritage trees for the duration of the plan. 4. Follow all the Oak Wilt prevention best practices when caring for oak trees of all ages on the property 5. Work closely with City staff to utilize Urban Forest Replenishment Fund mitigation dollars to plant as many of the required mitigation trees on site as possible, prioritizing native and climate-resilient species and areas of the site that support long-term tree health and community benefit. 6. In partnership with community organizations or AISD, develop a youth-focused tree planting and education initiative. This program should include opportunities for local children to participate in planting and/or visiting the newly planted trees, fostering a long- term connection to urban forestry and environmental stewardship. 7. Develop on-site programming that tells the story of the existing pecan grove and celebrates the role of these trees in regional ecology and East Austin’s cultural history. VOTE 8-1 For: Jennifer Bristol, Hanna Cofer, Isabella Changsut, Annie Fierro, Justin Fleury, Ashika Ganguly, Haris Qureshi, Martin Luecke Against: Mariana Krueger, Abstain: Richard Brimer Absent: David Sullivan Approved By: Jennifer Bristol, Environmental Commission Chair 2 3