20260520-001, Draft Meeting Minutes May 6, 2026 — original pdf

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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on May 6, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Kruger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Mar Moretta-Urdiales PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on April 15, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on April 15, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Changsut and Moretta-Urdiales were off the dais. Commissioner Fierro was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Barton Springs Road Bridge Project. Presented by Eric Bailey, Deputy Director, Austin Capital Delivery Services. The presentation was made by Eric Bailey, Deputy Director, Austin Capital Delivery Services. 1 The meeting was recessed from 8:09 p.m. until 8:18 p.m. without objection. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: SoLa Mixed Use, SP-2024-0397C Applicant: Hannah Riemer, P.E., LJA Engineering, Inc. Location: 2700 and 2800 South Lamar Boulevard Council District: 5 Staff: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist, Austin Development Services, 512-974- 2263, David.Michael@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone, per City Code 25-8- 26 Staff Recommendation: Recommended The public hearing was conducted and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Fierro was absent. The motion to recommend the project SoLa Mixed Use, SP-2024-0397C, located at 2700 and 2800 South Lamar Boulevard, to Council with conditions was approved on Secretary Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, with the following amendment, on a 10- 0 vote. Commissioner Fierro was absent. The conditions were to: • Augment community benefit and promote alignment with the City’s Comprehensive Vision Plan and the Comprehensive Austin-Travis County Food Plan: • Increase affordable housing units to 25% of all units from 30 - 60% Median Family Income (MFI) • Utilize bird-friendly building design • • Incorporate a community garden on the ground or rooftop level Incorporate dense, native plantings throughout the property, and utilize no- mow and no leaf-blowing principles year-round The amendment was made by Commissioner Fleury, seconded by Secretary Qureshi, and approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Fierro was absent. The amendment was to include the following condition to the main motion: • Help meet the City’s goal of connecting all residents with a park by working with the City to enhance and formalize the access point on the Barton Creek Green Belt. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion on the MoPac South Project. Presented by Mike Sexton, Director of Engineering, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), and Charlotte Gilpin, General Engineering Consultant, CTRMA. The presentation was made by Charlotte Gilpin, General Engineering Consultant, CTRMA. The motion to waive the rules and allow the Environmental Commission to meet after 10 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Secretary Qureshi’s second, on a 9-1 vote. Commissioner Morrison voted nay. Commissioner Fierro was absent. 2 The motion to postpone this item to May 20, 2026, was approved on Vice Chair Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 10-0 vote. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a nomination of a member of the Environmental Commission to the Urban Forestry Committee. No action was taken. COMMITTEE UPDATES 6. Update from Urban Forestry Committee regarding the meeting on April 28, 2026. The update was given by Commissioner Brimer. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion and action to approve a recommendation regarding potential environmental impacts of the MoPac South Project. Sponsors: Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Sullivan. Discussion and action to approve a recommendation to Council regarding the Barton Springs Road Bridge Project. Sponsors: Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Brimer. Discussion on the Bond Election Advisory Task Force. Presented by Commissioner Sullivan. Sponsors: Chair Krueger and Commissioner Sullivan. ADJOURNMENT Chair Krueger adjourned the meeting at 10:36 p.m. without objection. 3