20261021-001, Draft Meeting Minutes October 7, 2026 — original pdf

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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Chair Jennifer Bristol, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Justin Fleury Martin Luecke David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Sean Atkins Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro Allison Morrison PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 16, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 16, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Secretary Qureshi and Commissioner Morrison were off the dais. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Conduct a public hearing and approve a recommendation to Council regarding approval or denial of a wastewater service extension request for 1107 Castle Ridge Road, Austin, Texas, 78746. Presentation by Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection. The public hearing was conducted and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Vice Chair Bristol’s second, on a 11-0 vote. There was a motion by Secretary Qureshi, seconded by Commissioner Brimer, to deny Wastewater Service Extension Request No. 6451 for 1107 Castle Ridge Road. The substitute motion to approve Wastewater Service Extension Request No. 6451 for 1107 Castle Ridge Road was approved on Vice Chair Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 3. Report of recommendations by the Dog’s Head Working Group. The recommendation was given by Vice Chair Bristol. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve a recommendation to Council from the Dog’s Head Working Group regarding the regulating plan for the area commonly known as Dog's Head, bounded by the Colorado River, US Highway 183, and State Highway 130. The motion to approve the recommendation to Council regarding the regulating plan for the area commonly known as Dog's Head, bounded by the Colorado River, US Highway 183, and State Highway 130, was approved on Vice Chair Bristol’s motion, Secretary Qureshi’s second, on an 10-0 vote. Commissioner Luecke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Vice Chair Bristol and seconded by Secretary Qureshi. The amendment was to add item 60 to read: “Prohibit land use such as crypto currency mining and chip manufacturing.” The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Luecke was off the dais. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding development agreement amendments for the area commonly known as Dog's Head, bounded by the Colorado River, US Highway 183, and State Highway 130. The motion to approve the recommendation to Council regarding development agreement amendments for the area commonly known as Dog's Head, bounded by the Colorado River, US Highway 183, and State Highway 130 was approved as amended on 2 Vice Chair Bristol’s motion, Secretary Qureshi’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Luecke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Vice Chair Bristol and seconded by Chair Krueger. The amendment was to revise Section 3 (Land Use), Item a (Section 3.03), Subitem i to read: “Strike this section and reinstate standard board and commission approval for all variances and zoning.” The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Luecke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Brimer and seconded by Vice Chair Bristol. The amendment was to revise Section 3 (Land Use), to add Item a (Section 3.01 (a), Subitem i to read: “Add “Including, but not limited to Sections 14-18-1,14-18-2, 30-1-253, 2-1-144, Section 4 and 1.3.4.3, 1.3.4.4, and 1.3.4.5 of the Environmental Criteria Manual of the City Code.” The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Luecke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Brimer and seconded by Vice Chair Bristol. The amendment was to include City Code and Environmental Criteria Manual citations throughout the recommendation where applicable. The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Luecke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Vice Chair Bristol and seconded by Commissioner Sullivan. The amendment was to revise Section 5 (Parkland/Nature Trails/Open Space), Item c (Section 4.04 (d, i)), Subitem ii to read: “Amend to disallow paved or hard surface trails (with exception to ADA trails) golf courses, and marinas.” The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Lueke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Brimer and seconded by Commissioner Sullivan. The amendment was to revise Section 3 (Land Use) Item f (Section 3.07) Subitem i to read: 3 “Amend the maximum impervious cover allowable for up to 65 percent for mixed use development and 5 percent for open space.” The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Lueke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Commissioner Brimer and seconded by Vice Chair Bristol. The amendment was to revise Section 3 (Land Use) Item c (Section 3.05 (a-b) to add Subitem iv to read: “Remove research testing services and research assembly services from permitted land uses for mixed development land use.” The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Lueke was off the dais. The following amendment was made by Vice Chair Bristol and seconded by Commissioner Brimer. The amendment was to Section 3 (Land Use) Item c (Section 3.05 (a-b) Subitem ii to read: “In particular, disallow data centers, including crypto currency mining, chip manufacturing, gas peaker plants, nuclear power plants, and weapons and defense- related manufacturing.” The amendment was approved on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Lueke was off the dais. 7. Approve the 2027 annual schedule of the Environmental Commission. The motion to approve the 2027 annual schedule was approved on Chair Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Luecke was off the dais. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion of the Congress for the New Urbanism Central Texas Chapter’s draft recommendation regarding the Green Infrastructure Initiative. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Commissioner Sullivan. Approve the creation of a working group regarding bird friendly design. Sponsored by Chair Krueger and Vice Chair Bristol. ADJOURNMENT Chair Krueger adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. without objection. 4