20250917-004: Bird Friendly Design Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250917-004 Date: September 17, 2025 Subject: Bird Friendly Design Motion by: Jennifer Bristol Seconded by: Mariana Krueger WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission and the Bird Friendly Design working group supported Resolution No. 20241121-073 that was adopted by Council on November 21, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the City of Austin was named a Bird City in Feb. 2023; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that over 400 species of birds reside or migrate through Travis County every spring and fall, with endangered species and species of concern utilizing the Central Flyway and geological way finders of the Balcones Escarpment, Colorado River and Blackland Prairie during migration, as well as during nesting and wintering seasons; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the City of Austin benefits from the annual $5.5 billion generated from birdwatching and bird tourism in Texas; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes city staff has met with stakeholders, reviewed the policies and codes implemented in other cities, and studied how bird-friendly design standards can best fit within the City’s code; and THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends Council initiate the findings and recommendations of staff as listed with the following addition. 1. In addition to commercial and multifamily buildings, the Environmental Commission recommends all City buildings be required to follow the guidelines and set an example for non-public buildings. VOTE 8-0 For: Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger, Richard Brimer, Annie Fierro, Justin Fleury, Martin Luecke, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Against: None Recuse: None Abstain: None Absent: Isabella Changsut and Ashika Ganguly Approved By: Jennifer Bristol, Chair