20261021-004, Green Infrastructure Initiative Presentation — original pdf

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Green Infrastructure Initiative Dave Sullivan Environmental Commissioner and Board-member of the Congress for the New Urbanism Central Texas Chapter What’s it about? • The Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan outlines a vision for a complete community where development occurs in connected and pedestrian friendly patterns supporting transit and identifying green infrastructure as a key strategy to achieve these goals. • The Austin Climate Equity Plan and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan call for a 50/50 mode share whereby 50 percent of commutes are made in ways other than driving alone. • Street trees are critical infrastructure, providing shade, mitigating urban heat, managing stormwater, improving air quality, and enhancing the safety, comfort, and quality of the public realm. What’s it about? • Austin City Council Resolution No. 20240321-039 directs the City Manager to review and identify barriers to installing and maintaining green infrastructure (particularly street trees) within the public right-of-way and sidewalk. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Environmental Commission • 1. Affirms its support for City Council Resolution No. 20240321- 039 and the integration of street trees and other green infrastructure as essential elements of Austin's public rights-of- way. • 2. Recommends that City Council reaffirm its commitment to the Green Infrastructure Initiative and direct the City Manager to provide the leadership, resources, and interdepartmental support necessary to advance implementation of the Austin Roadmap for Advancing Green Infrastructure in the Right-of-Way. Also…. • 3. Recommends that City Council clarify the authority of the Director of Austin Transportation and Public Works to resolve conflicting department priorities and criteria that affect right-of- way design in order to implement Council priorities. • 4. Recommends that City Council clarify the responsibility of the Director of Austin Transportation and Public Works to remove barriers to effectively promote tree-lined streets while maintaining public safety, and infrastructure functionality. Also… • 5. Recommends that City Council direct the City Manager to provide quarterly progress reports to Council or the appropriate Council committee addressing: • Progress toward implementation milestones and Roadmap recommendations; • Proposed, pending, and completed regulatory and procedural changes; • Significant implementation barriers and actions taken to resolve them; • Material departures from Roadmap recommendations and the reasons for alternative approaches; and • Anticipated next steps, schedules, and any additional Council action or resources needed. Lastly… • BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Environmental Commission respectfully requests that the Austin City Council take appropriate action to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the Green Infrastructure Initiative.