20260401-003, SP-2024-0381C.SH Rundberg Multifamily Presentation — original pdf

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ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: April 1, 2026 Rundberg Multifamily, SP-2024-0381C.SH Sydney Barre, WGI LOCATION: 204 East Rundberg Lane COUNCIL DISTRICT: 4 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: John Clement, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-974-1475, John.Clement@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: Little Walnut Creek REQUEST: • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended with conditions. STAFF CONDITIONS: Staff recommends the following conditions: • Restoration of 0.67 acres of floodplain to include: o Native seeding throughout the restoration area Invasive plant removal throughout the restoration area o o Planting of 0.22 acres of the restoration area with native trees and shrubs to improve canopy cover Installation of a bunchgrass hedgerow at the stormwater outfall to reduce erosion risk and facilitate infiltration o • Payment of $119,403 into the Riparian Zone Mitigation Fund Rundberg Multifamily SP-2024-0381C.SH Austin Watershed Protection | 4/1/26 John Clement Rundberg Multifamily Property Data • Little Walnut Creek Watershed • Urban Watershed Regulation Area • No Critical Environmental Features on site • Council District 4 2 Rundberg Multifamily Project Background • Currently undeveloped • Proposes 199 units of affordable housing through the Affordability Unlocked and SMART Housing programs, with more than 50% of units having 3 or more bedrooms • The site is on an Imagine Austin Corridor and adjacent to an elementary school • The site is constrained by parking needs of the development and total lack of nearby street parking • Variance would allow full build-out of the site by permitting modification of a portion of the floodplain 3 Rundberg Multifamily Variance Request 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. 4 Rundberg Multifamily Location 5 Rundberg Multifamily Site Plan 6 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Modification 0.72 acres 7 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Health • Floodplain is in “Good” condition due to high canopy/understory cover • However, much of that cover is invasive and the creek typically has little to no base flow • The modification and associated restoration will increase the riparian character of the creek by benching a portion of the floodplain, increase native diversity, managing invasive species, and providing additional stormwater protection 8 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Restoration 9 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Restoration 10 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Restoration – Stormwater Protection 11 Rundberg Multifamily Summary • • • • • Project proposes to modify 0.66 acres of floodplain outside of the CWQZ and 0.06 acres of floodplain inside of the CWQZ Areas are currently in Good condition per the Functional Assessment of Floodplain Health Project proposes 0.55 acres of floodplain restoration outside of the CWQZ and 0.12 acres of restoration inside the CWQZ Restoration will consist of increasing floodplain connectivity, managing invasive species, providing additional stormwater protection and increasing native diversity through planting and seeding Project proposes to meet remaining mitigation requirements by paying $119,403 into the Riparian Zone Mitigation Fund 12 Rundberg Multifamily Staff Determination – approval with conditions 1) Restoration of 0.67 acres of floodplain to include: a) Native seeding throughout the restoration area b) c) Planting of 0.22 acres of the restoration area with native trees and shrubs to improve canopy Invasive plant removal throughout the restoration area d) cover Installation of a bunchgrass hedgerow at the stormwater outfall to reduce erosion risk and facilitate infiltration 2) Floodplain modification must minimize impacts to the Critical Water Quality Zone 3) Floodplain modification must improve engagement of the floodplain during smaller storm events 4) Payment of $119,403 into the Riparian Zone Mitigation Fund 13