REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025 AT 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, EVENTS CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Environmental Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Elizabeth Funk, (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jennifer Bristol, Chair Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Mar Moretta-Urdiales Allison Morrison David Sullivan AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on November 5, 2025. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: Arbor View Subdivision; C8-2025-0085.0A Applicant: Mirza Baig, PE; Terrence Irion Location: 4316 Far West Blvd, Austin, TX 78731 Council District: District 10 Staff: Mike McDougal Environmental Policy Program Manager Austin Development Services 512-974-6380 mike.mcdougal@ausintexas.gov Applicant request: Variance request is as follows: a. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow construction of a driveway on slopes over 15% b. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302 to allow construction of buildings on slopes over 15% c. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-423 to exceed the 30% net site area watershed impervious cover limit and to allow 3900 square feet of impervious cover Staff Recommendation: Staff does not recommend this variance, having determined that the findings of fact have not been met. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 3. Update on the Artificial Turf working group by Chair Brisol. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth Funk at …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 5, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Annie Fierro, Justin Fleury, Mar Moretta-Urdiales, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jennifer Bristol Commissioners Absent: Martin Luecke, Allison Morrison PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Anne Oitzinger, 360 expansion and heritage trees Kimery Duda, Exposition School 2025 Public Benefit APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 15, 2025. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 15, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were absent. Commissioner Bristol was off the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the 2025 Texas Legislative Session. Presentation by Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection. Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation, discussion, and action regarding Artificial Turf water quality considerations. Presentation by Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer, Austin Watershed Protection. Speakers: Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer Bobby Levinski, Save Our Springs Roy Waley, Sierra Club A recommendation related to Artificial Turf water quality considerations, including creating a working group with Commissioners Bristol, Fleury, Krueger, Moretta-Urdiales, and Sullivan, passed on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Changsut’s second, on an 8–0 vote. Commissioner Fleury abstained. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were absent. Approve the creation of a working group to develop recommendations for the 2026- 2027 City of Austin Budget. A motion to create a working group on the 2027 city budget as it relates to the Environmental Commission purview with Commissioners Changsut, Brimer, Qureshi, and Sullivan, passed on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Luecke and Morrison were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Fierro requested a staff presentation on the renovations at Northwest Park duck pond and the short and long term solutions. Commissioner Brimer seconded. Commissioner Fleury requested a presentation on noise pollution, particularly as related to roadways. Commissioner Krueger seconded. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bristol adjourned the meeting at 8:21 pm without objection. 2
November 17, 2025 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION VARIANCE APPLICATION FORM PROJECT DESCRIPTION Applicant Contact Information Name of Applicant Street Address City State ZIP Code Work Phone E-Mail Address Terry Irion 13215 Bee cave Parkway, Suite A-230 Austin, Texas 78738 512-615-6653 Terry.irion@sprouselaw.com Variance Case Information Case Name Case Number Address or Location Environmental Reviewer Name Environmental Resource Management Reviewer Name Applicable Ordinance Watershed Name Watershed Classification Arbor View Subdivision C8-2025-0085.0A 4316 Far West Blvd., Austin, Texas 78731 Mohamad Abdulkader Liz Johnston 25-8-301 Bull Creek Watershed ☐Urban ☐Water Supply Rural ☐ Suburban █ Water Supply Suburban ☐ Barton Springs Zone City of Austin | Environmental Commission Variance Application Guide 1 November 17, 2025 Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ☐ Barton Springs Segment ☐ Northern Edwards Segment █ Not in Edwards Aquifer Zones Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Distance to Nearest Classified Waterway ☐ Yes █ No 1,300 lineal feet Water and Waste Water service to be provided by City of Austin Request The variance request is as follows (Cite code references: Variance 25-8- 301 Impervious cover square footage: acreage: percentage: Existing 0 0 0 Proposed 3,900 0.09 15.98 % Provide general description of the property (slope range, elevation range, summary of vegetation / trees, summary of the geology, CWQZ, WQTZ, CEFs, floodplain, heritage trees, any other notable or outstanding characteristics of the property) The parcel is a 0.56-acre parcel that fronts on a curbed and guttered public street. All utilities necessary to serve the tract are already built underground in public right-of -way or PUE. There is a storm sewer inlet on the western end of the parcel that discharges storm water from Far West Blvd onto the parcel. The ERI identifies a potential seep in the NW corner of the parcel that will be isolated in a Lot 2 “no build” conservation and drainage easement lot and further protected by a 75’ CEF buffer zone. There is no classified waterway or floodplain on the parcel. The nearest classified waterway and FEMA floodplain is Bull Creek, which is 1,300 lineal feet from the subject Property, as depicted in Exhibit 9. No water quality is proposed for this one lot single family residence because there will be less than 5,000 sqft of proposed impervious cover. The parcel has steep slopes which fall somewhere over 50’ from the front of the parcel to the rear of the parcel. Accordingly, net site area as calculated in Section 25-8-62 is …
November 17, 2025 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION VARIANCE APPLICATION FORM PROJECT DESCRIPTION Applicant Contact Information Name of Applicant Street Address City State ZIP Code Work Phone E-Mail Address Terry Irion 13215 Bee Cave Parkway, Suite A-2320 Austin, Texas 78738 512-615-6653 Terry.irion@sprouselaw.com Variance Case Information Case Name Case Number Address or Location Environmental Reviewer Name Environmental Resource Management Reviewer Name Applicable Ordinance Watershed Name Watershed Classification Arbor View Subdivision C8-2025-0085.0A 4316 Far West Blvd., Austin, Texas 78731 Mohamad Abdulkader Liz Johnston 25-8-302 Bull Creek Watershed ☐Urban ☐Water Supply Rural ☐ Suburban █ Water Supply Suburban ☐ Barton Springs Zone City of Austin | Environmental Commission Variance Application Guide 1 November 17, 2025 Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ☐ Barton Springs Segment ☐ Northern Edwards Segment █ Not in Edwards Aquifer Zones Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Distance to Nearest Classified Waterway ☐ Yes █ No 1,300 lineal feet Water and Waste Water service to be provided by City of Austin Request The variance request is as follows (Cite code references: Variance 25-8- 302 Impervious cover square footage: acreage: percentage: Existing 0 0 0 Proposed 3,900 0.09 15.89 % Provide general description of the property (slope range, elevation range, summary of vegetation / trees, summary of the geology, CWQZ, WQTZ, CEFs, floodplain, heritage trees, any other notable or outstanding characteristics of the property) The parcel is a 0.56-acre parcel that fronts on a curbed and guttered public street. All utilities necessary to serve the tract are already built underground in public right-of -way or PUE. There is a storm sewer inlet on the western end of the parcel that discharges storm water from Far West Blvd onto the parcel. The ERI identifies a potential seep in the NW corner of the parcel that will be isolated in a Lot 2 “no build” conservation and drainage easement lot and further protected by a 75’ CEF buffer zone. There is no classified waterway or floodplain on the parcel. The nearest classified waterway and FEMA floodplain is Bull Creek, which is 1,300 lineal feet from the subject Property, as depicted in Exhibit 7. No water quality is proposed for this one lot single family residence because there will be less than 5,000 sqft of proposed impervious cover. The parcel has steep slopes which fall somewhere over 50’ from the front of the parcel to the rear of the parcel. Accordingly, net site area as calculated in Section 25-8-62 is …
November 17, 2025 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION VARIANCE APPLICATION FORM PROJECT DESCRIPTION Applicant Contact Information Name of Applicant Street Address City State ZIP Code Work Phone E-Mail Address Terry Irion 13215 Bee Cave Parkway, Suite A-230 Austin, Texas 78738 512-615-6653 Terry.irion@sprouselaw.com Variance Case Information Case Name Case Number Address or Location Environmental Reviewer Name Environmental Resource Management Reviewer Name Applicable Ordinance Watershed Name Watershed Classification Arbor View Subdivision C8-2025-0085.0A 4316 Far West Blvd., Austin, Texas 78731 Mohamad Abdulkader Liz Johnston 25-8-423 Bull Creek Watershed ☐Urban ☐Water Supply Rural ☐ Suburban █ Water Supply Suburban ☐ Barton Springs Zone City of Austin | Environmental Commission Variance Application Guide 1 November 17, 2025 Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ☐ Barton Springs Segment ☐ Northern Edwards Segment █ Not in Edwards Aquifer Zones Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Distance to Nearest Classified Waterway ☐ Yes █ No 1,300 lineal feet Water and Waste Water service to be provided by City of Austin Request The variance request is as follows (Cite code references: Variance 25-8- 423 Impervious cover square footage: acreage: percentage: Provide general description of the property (slope range, elevation range, summary of vegetation / trees, summary of the geology, CWQZ, WQTZ, CEFs, floodplain, heritage trees, any other notable or outstanding characteristics of the property) Existing 0 0 0 Proposed 3,900 0.09 15.98 % The parcel is a 0.56-acre parcel that fronts on a curbed and guttered public street. All utilities necessary to serve the tract are already built underground in public right-of -way or PUE. There is a storm sewer inlet on the western end of the parcel that discharges storm water from Far West Blvd onto the parcel. The ERI identifies a potential seep in the NW corner of the parcel that will be isolated in a Lot 2 “no build” conservation and drainage easement lot and further protected by a 75’ CEF buffer zone. There is no classified waterway or floodplain on the parcel. The nearest classified waterway and FEMA floodplain is Bull Creek, which is 1,300 lineal feet from the subject Property, as depicted in Exhibit 9. No water quality is proposed for this one lot single family residence because there will be less than 5,000 sqft of proposed impervious cover. The parcel has steep slopes which fall somewhere over 50’ from the front of the parcel to the rear of the parcel. Accordingly, net site area as calculated in Section 25-8-62 is …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: 12/3/2025 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Arbor View Subdivision; C8-2025-0085.0A Mirza Baig, PE; Terrence Irion LOCATION: 4316 Far West Blvd, Austin, TX 78731 COUNCIL DISTRICT: District 10 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: WATERSHED: REQUEST: Mike McDougal Environmental Policy Program Manager Austin Development Services 512-974-6380 mike.mcdougal@ausintexas.gov Bull Creek Watershed Water Supply Suburban Drinking Water Protection Zone Variance request is as follows: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow construction of a driveway on slopes over 15% 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302 to allow construction of buildings on slopes over 15% 3. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-423 to exceed the 30% net site area watershed impervious cover limit and to allow 3900 square feet of impervious cover Page 2 of 2 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff does not recommend this variance, having determined that the findings of fact have not been met. STAFF CONDITIONS: 1. Impervious cover shall be limited to 3,900 sq ft for “Lot 1” and 0 sq ft for “Lot 2”. 2. Prior to issuance of the COA building permit, the applicant must have an approved COA exemption for detention of 3,900 sq ft of impervious cover and an easement. 3. The detention will be maintained in accordance with COA requirements. 4. Slab-on-grade foundation construction is not allowed. The foundation and driveway must be constructed using piers. Any grading exceeding four feet of depth or construction on slopes exceeding 15% will require Land Use Commission variances in accordance with applicable Land Development Code regulations. 5. The design and construction of structures on the lot must be based on the recommendations from a slope stability analysis performed by a licensed geotechnical engineer, as verified by the City. Development Services Department Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Arbor View Subdivision Ordinance Standard: Watershed Protection Ordinance (current Code) Variance Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow construction of a driveway on slopes over 15%; and Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302 to allow construction of buildings on slopes over 15% A. Land Use Commission variance determinations from Chapter 25-8-41 of the City Code: 1. The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege available to owners of other similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development subject to similar code requirements; Yes - current Code generally restricts development to slopes of 15% or less. All applicants …
ARBOR VIEW SUBDIVISION 4316 FAR WEST BLVD C8-2025-0085.0A Mike McDougal Environmental Policy Program Manager Austin Development Services OUTLINE 2 Vicinity Map Variance Requests Property Data Variance Recommendation Synopsis Additional Considerations Site Constraints Variance Conditions VICINITY MAP North of the river Located between Loop 360 and Mopac 3 North NTS 4 North NTS PROPERTY DATA Bull Creek Watershed Water Supply Suburban Watershed Classification Drinking Water Protection Zone Located over Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone 5 PROPERTY DATA Council District 10 Steep topography Predominantly slopes over 25% Currently undeveloped PROPERTY DATA 6 SYNOPSIS 7 0.56-acre subdivision located approximately 0.4 miles west of the Far West Blvd and Mesa Dr The property is unplatted North NTS SYNOPSIS 8 The applicant proposes to plat a two lot subdivision One lot will be a Critical Environmental Feature lot and will not be developed The other lot will be a single family lot North NTS Critical Environmental Feature Lot Single Family Lot SITE CONSTRAINTS The property slopes to the north (away from the Right of Way) The majority of the slopes are greater than 25% (50% to 80%) 9 North NTS Drainage Drainage SITE CONSTRAINTS LDC 25-8-301 limits the construction of driveways on slopes over 15% The applicant proposes to construct a driveway on slopes over 15% 10 North NTS Drainage Drainage SITE CONSTRAINTS LDC 25-8-302 limits the construction of buildings on slopes over 15% The applicant proposes to construct a building on slopes over 15% 11 North NTS Drainage Drainage SITE CONSTRAINTS LDC 25-8-423 limits watershed impervious cover to 30% of net site area Net site area = ~775 sq ft 30% x 775 sq ft = ~232 sq ft 12 North NTS The watershed impervious cover limit is ~232 sq ft Drainage Drainage The applicant proposes 3900 sq ft of impervious cover VARIANCE REQUESTS Variance requests are as follows: 13 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow the construction of a driveway on slopes over 15% 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-302 to allow the construction of buildings on slopes over 15% 3. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-423 to exceed the 30% net site area watershed impervious cover limit and to allow 3900 square feet of impervious cover VARIANCE RECOMMENDATION 14 Staff does …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission October 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, no later than noon the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Justin Fleury Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Martin Luecke Allison Morrison Ashika Ganguly Annie Fierro Jennifer Bristol, Chair David Sullivan Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 1, 2025. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 (Land Development Code) related to the drainage easements on parkland owned by the City of Austin – Kevin Shunk, Floodplain Administrator, Austin Watershed Protection DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation of Development Assessment Report for Townlake YMCA PUD, located at 1100 West Cesar Chavez Street, 206 1/2 and 220 1/2 North Lamar Boulevard, CD-2025- 0003 (District 9). Applicant: Richard T. Suttle, Armbrust & Brown, PLLC. Staff: Cynthia Hadri, Planning Department Overview of Austin Climate Action and Resilience – Zach Baumer, Director, Austin Climate and Resilience FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission October 15, 2025 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, no later than noon the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Justin Fleury Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Martin Luecke Allison Morrison Ashika Ganguly Annie Fierro Jennifer Bristol, Chair David Sullivan Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut AGENDA REVISED CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on October 1, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of an ordinance amending City Code Title 25 (Land Development Code) related to the drainage easements on parkland owned by the City of Austin – Kevin Shunk, Floodplain Administrator, Austin Watershed Protection DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation of Development Assessment Report for Townlake YMCA PUD, located at 1100 West Cesar Chavez Street, 206 1/2 and 220 1/2 North Lamar Boulevard, CD-2025- 0003 (District 9). Applicant: David Anderson, Drenner Group, PC. Staff: Cynthia Hadri, Planning Department Overview of Austin Climate Action and Resilience – Zach Baumer, Director, Austin Climate and Resilience FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 1, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Annie Fierro, Justin Fleury, Martin Luecke, Haris Qureshi, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None Commissioners Absent: Ashika Ganguly PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 17th, 2025. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 17, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Green Infrastructure in the Right of Way – Michelle Marx, Transportation and Public Works Department. Speakers: Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Election of the Environmental Commission Secretary for a term ending on April 30, 2026. Commissioner Qureshi was elected as secretary on Commissioner Brisol’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second, on a 10–0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. 4. Discussion and action on Urban Forestry committee membership The commission nominated Commissioners Justin Fleury and Annie Fierro to the Urban Forestry Committee. 5. Approve the 2026 Environmental Commission Meeting Schedule The draft 2026 meeting schedule was approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 10–0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. 6. Discussion and action on the Travis County Landfill permit #684 leakage – Commissioners Sullivan and Brimer Speakers: Corbin Graham A motion to postpone the item passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Changsut requested a presentation from Austin Youth River Watch on December 3. Commissioner Bristol seconded. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bristol adjourned the meeting at 7:52 pm without objection. 2
C20-2025-009 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET Amendment: C20-2025-009 City of Austin parkland drainage easements LDC 25-7 code amendment Description: Amends 25-7-152 (E) as related to parkland drainage easements. The proposed amendment would allow an administrative variance to not require drainage easements associated with development projects on parkland owned by the City of Austin. Proposed Language: Approve an ordinance amending 25-7-152 (E): to allow for an administrative variance to drainage easement requirements associated with development projects on parkland owned by the City of Austin. Background: Current code requires that property owners dedicate a public drainage easement to the limits of the 100-year floodplain as a part of the site development permit approval process. Additionally, 25-7-152 (E) includes provisions allowing the Director to grant an administrative variance under certain circumstances as described in that section. The purpose of the drainage easement is to alert present and future property owners that there is flood risk on the property. There are limitations on the use of the drainage easement and floodplain areas on the property. These uses are regulated by the floodplain regulations. Importantly, an approved administrative variance waiving the drainage easement requirement does not waive or alter existing restrictions or development requirements within the 100-year floodplain. The proposed amendment would only apply to the dedication of a drainage easement on City of Austin parkland. Additionally, if parkland is later sold through the Chapter 26 process and voter approval, the new property owner would be required to dedicate a drainage easement as part of any future site plan application. The process for the sale of public parkland must follow the requirements outlined in Chapter 26 of the Texas statues which serve as a protection for public parks and recreational lands from programs or projects that would change their use or require taking of public land. A benefit of this proposed code change is to reduce the fiscal and administrative burden on new parkland projects by improving efficiency during the permit review process. Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Watershed Protection are in agreement that this change is appropriate and beneficial. Currently, each parkland development project must apply for a variance and be approved on a case-by-case basis. Codifying this exception will streamline the process and reduce unnecessary administrative work for both departments. Additionally, there will be no impact or change on maintenance or operational responsibilities as a result of the code amendment. Staff Recommendation: Staff …
Code Amendment C20-2025-009 Parkland Drainage Easements Austin Watershed Protection | October 15, 2025 Intent of Current Code: Drainage Easements LDC 25-7-152(A) The owner of real property proposed to be developed shall dedicate to the public an easement for stormwater flow to the limits of the 100-year floodplain ▪ Ensures that the current and future property owners know that flood risk exists on their property ▪ Accomplished by surveying the floodplain area on the property 2 Austin PARD Project Impacts Under Current Code ▪ Requires solicitation and contract negotiation ▪ Requires multiple rounds of staff review ▪ A Declaration of Use (DOU) requires Real Estate and Legal review ▪ Final approval requires multiple levels of executive review, signatures and recording with associated County fees ▪ Overall process cost: ▪ Consultant for survey (increased significantly over time) ▪ Cost of staff time charged to the project (reducing available money for construction) ▪ Adds cost/time to the site plan review process ▪ Park property remains city-owned unless voter approved for sale through a Chapter 26 process 3 Proposed Code ▪ Add public parkland owned by the City of Austin to the list of options for a variance. ▪ Would not exempt parkland from following all code requirements for development in the floodplain. ▪ If a property is approved for sale, the new owner would be required to dedicate the easement once a subdivision or site plan application is submitted. 4 Proposed Code Language § 25-7-152 - DEDICATION OF EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY E. For property in the full-purpose limits of the city, the director may grant a variance to Subsection (A) if the director determines: 1) development with the variance does not result in additional adverse flooding of other 2) property; and the development: a) is permitted by a variance granted under Section 25-7-92(C) (Encroachments on Floodplain Prohibited); is permitted in a floodplain under Section 25-7-93 (General Exceptions), Section 25-7- 94 (Exceptions in Central Business Area), Section 25-7-95 (Exceptions for Parking Areas), or Section 25-7-96 (Exceptions in the 25-Year Floodplain); is not a building or parking area; is a non-conforming use, as defined by Chapter 25-12, Article 3 (Flood Hazard Areas); or is on parkland owned by the City of Austin. b) c) d) e) 5 Boards and Commissions Review Schedule Meeting Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee: Initiation Recommendation (approved) Date July 16, 2025 Planning Commission: Initiation Recommendation (approved, initiated) August 12, 2025 Parks …
DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT CASE NUMBER: CD-2025-0003 BRIEFING SUMMARY SHEET REQUEST: Presentation of a Development Assessment Report for Townlake YMCA Planned Unit Development (PUD), located at 1100 West Cesar Chavez Street, 206 1/2 and 220 1/2 North Lamar Boulevard - within the Lady Bird Lake Watershed - Urban Watershed in District Area 9. DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The applicant has submitted a development assessment for a 4.8 acre mixed use project generally located at 1100 West Cesar Chavez Street; 206 1/2 and 220 1/2 North Lamar Boulevard (see Case Map – Exhibit A). The PUD will consist of a mixed-use development of up to 750 condominium homes, a minimum of 90 affordable housing units, 110, 000 square feet of civic and office uses and approximately 35, 000 square feet of pedestrian oriented uses on the ground floor of the project. Approximately 10, 000 square feet of ground floor pedestrian oriented space will be for a restaurant use. The parking for the development will be achieved through parking structures (see Development Assessment Application Letter – Exhibit B). The applicant is proposing the LI, Limited Industrial Services District, as the baseline zoning district for the PUD. The property in question is zoned Limited Industrial Services – Conditional Overlay – Neighborhood Plan (LI-CO-NP). It is designated as “Civic” on the Land Use Map in the Old West Austin Neighborhood Plan that was adopted on June 29, 2000. The property is located within the Lady Bird Lake Watershed, which is classified as an Urban Watershed, and is part of the Lamar Waterfront District. The applicant has stated in the submittal materials that the project will meet all of the applicable Tier One PUD development standards, two Tier One Additional Requirements and offer elements of superiority in eleven Tier 2 categories (Open Space/Parkland; Environmental/Drainage; Austin Greener Builder Program; Art; Community Amenities; Transportation; Building Design; Parking Structure Frontage; Affordable Housing; Accessibility; Local Small Business). Therefore, they have stated that the proposed PUD will result in a superior development to that which could be developed under conventional zoning standards (see Basis of Superiority Table – Exhibit C). In the PUD Development Assessment submittal letter, the applicant states that they are seeking LI, Limited Industrial Services District zoning and site development regulations for the PUD. The staff will provide a review of the proposed site development standards, including the applicant’s request for an increase in height up to 425 feet and a …
Overview: Austin Climate Action & Resilience Austin Environmental Commission | October 2025 Today’s Agenda Overview • Timeline & History • Climate Team • Resilience Team • Food Team • Urban Forestry Team • Communications Team 2 Timeline & History 2010 2014 2022 2024 2025 Office of Sustainability created with AE Climate Team Food Policy Manager hired Office of Resilience created Resilience joins Sustainability, renamed Climate Action & Resilience Urban Forestry joins Climate Action & Resilience We are the Liaison to the Joint Sustainability Committee and the Food Policy Board 3 What we do ● Lead cross-departmental initiatives and collaborations ● Coordinate responses to new challenges with pilots and research partnerships ● Advise larger departments with specific expertise related to climate, resilience, trees, and food issues ● Respond to community and Council requests on big-picture questions What we don’t do ● Create or enforce regulations ● Own, operate, or manage any major assets ● Respond to disasters and emergencies 4 Climate Equity & Resilience Framework Climate Equity Plan — Mitigation Resilience & Climate Adaptation Actions that avoid, reduce, or capture greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Actions that increase our ability to prepare for and recover from shocks and stressors related to a changing climate. Sustainable Buildings, Energy Generation, and Water Demand Natural Systems Regional Collaboration & Green Jobs Climate and Environmental Data, Research, & Modeling Long Range Planning Recovery & Economic Resilience Transportation Electrification Materials, Purchasing, Food and Product Consumption Mass Transit, Planning, Land Use, and Housing Social Infrastructure and Community Preparedness Green Infrastructure (creeks, rivers, trees, landscape) Utility Infrastructure (water, power, drainage) Equity and Affordability 5 Austin Climate Equity Plan Overview ● Adopted by City Council in September 2021 ● Goal: Net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 ● 5 Sections: ○ Sustainable Buildings ○ Transportation and Land Use ○ Transportation Electrification ○ Food and Product Consumption ○ Natural Systems ● 17 Goals: To be accomplished by 2030 ● 75 Strategies: Progress in next 5 years 6 Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program ● Achievable in a two-year timeframe ● Filterable by various criteria ○ 4 Action Types: Project, Policy, Program, Foundational ○ Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential over 15 years ○ Two-year cost ○ Cost per ton of GHG reduced ○ Co-Benefits ○ Funding status and type ○ Departmental leads View the full Climate Implementation Plan, including interactive action tables 7 CCIP: Cost / Ton Summary If all actions …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission October 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, no later than noon the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Justin Fleury Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Martin Luecke Allison Morrison Ashika Ganguly Annie Fierro Jennifer Bristol, Chair David Sullivan Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 17, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Green Infrastructure in the Right of Way – Michelle Marx, Transportation and Public Works Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. Election of the Environmental Commission Secretary for a term ending on April 30, 2026. Discussion and action on Urban Forestry committee membership Approve the 2026 Environmental Commission Meeting Schedule Discussion and action on the Travis County Landfill permit #684 leakage – Commissioners Sullivan and Brimer FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, Watershed Protection Department, for additional information; TTY users route through …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 17, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger, Richard Brimer, Annie Fierro, Justin Fleury, Martin Luecke, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Haris Qureshi Commissioners Absent: Isabella Changsut, Ashika Ganguly PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Craig Nazor, on mowing of Grow Zones Corbin Graham, Travis County Landfill concerns APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 3rd, 2025. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 3, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Changsut and Ganguly were absent. Commissioner Qureshi and Luecke were off the dais. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Thank Commissioner Cofer for her service to the Environmental Commission – Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 3. Presentation of Development Assessment Report for 1404 East Riverside Drive, located at 1400 ½ and 1404 East Riverside Drive, CD-2025-0002 (District 3). Applicant: Amanda Swor, Drenner Group. Staff: Marcelle Boudreaux, Planning Department, and Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department 1 Speakers: Marcelle Boudreaux, Planning Amanda Swor, speaking on behalf if the applicant Liz Johnston, Environmental Officer (WPD) Cliff Schaefer, KW, Landscape architect Sam Pheiffer, Kimley-Horn, Civil Engineer Axel Weisheit, Ziegler Cooper Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Presentation and possible recommendation on Staff’s response to Council Resolution 20241121-073, related to Bird-Friendly design – Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department. Speakers: Leslie Lilly, WPD Craig Nazor, Sierra Club Roy Wayley Garrett Jaynes, Austin Energy Green Building A motion to recommend staff’s recommendations with an additional recommendation passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on an 8–0 vote. Commissioners Ganguly and Changsut were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 5. Staff briefing on Austin Water’s Wildlands – Sherri Kuhl, Environmental Resource Officer, and Justin Bates, Environmental Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 6. Staff briefing on a change to the Austin Parks and Recreation Concessions Policy to create Legacy Concessions – Idella Wilson, Contract Management Specialist IV, Austin Parks and Recreation Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan requested an …
2026 Environmental Commission DRAFT Meeting Schedule Permitting and Development Center (PDC) Events Center Room 1405, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, Texas 78752 6:00 pm • January 21 • February 11 • February 25 • March 4 • April 1 (first day of Passover) • April 15 • May 6 • May 20 • June 3 • June 17 • July 1 • July 15: tentative, hold for EVC retreat • August 5 • August 19 • September 2 • September 16 • October 7 • October 21 • November 4 • November 18 • December 2
Technical Advisory Review Panel | Green Infrastructure Working Group Austin Roadmap for Advancing Green Infrastructure in the Right-of-Way This report is a product of the Technical Advisory Review Panel (TARP) – Green Infrastructure Working Group Facilitated by Austin Transportation & Public WorksSeptember 2025 WHY Street Trees Matter in Austin Austin’s streets are critical public spaces that must balance safety, utility reliability, and climate resilience. Street trees are vital infrastructure to achieving that balance. This initiative reframes trees as essential public infrastructure and integrates them into planning, utility coordination, permitting, and design from the outset so that tree needs are consistently addressed to deliver safer, healthier, and more resilient streets for all Austinites. Benefits of Street Trees Council Resolution No 20240321-039 Heat Mitigation Safety Air Quality Public & Mental Health Climate Resilience Review and identify barriers to installation and maintenance of green infrastructure Develop recommendations for modifying existing codes, criteria manuals, and regulations Coordinate with relevant departments to align standard and practices with the goal of enhancing green infrastructure Work with the Technical Advisory Review Panel Economic & Public Resource Value Water Quality & Flood Management (TARP) Ecosystem Benefits Process Process These recommendations are a product of the Technical Advisory Review Panel (TARP) TARP Stakeholder recommended actions for facilitating street trees within Austin's rights-of- way CITY AND DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP * *Staff review and evaluation of TARP recommendations are ongoing Technical Advisory Review Panel Green Infrastructure Working Group Department Staff: Austin Development Services Austin Energy Austin Parks and Recreation Austin Planning Austin Transit Partnership Austin Transportation and Public Works Austin Water Austin Watershed Protection Development Professionals: Arborholic Bartlett Coleman and Associates Entellus HNTB Lionheart McCann Adams Studio Nora Engineering Stanley Studios TBG Partners Consultant Team: AECOM Urbinden 1 2 3 Involve the rules, codes, and standardsthat restrict or complicate greeninfrastructure in the right-of-wayInvolve challenges in securingapprovals, permits, and meetingrequirementsRelate to institutional challenges suchas coordination, structure, andresource allocationREGULATORY FOUNDATIONSPolicy and manual updates to removeobstacles and support right-of-waydesign frameworksStreamline permits and procedures foreasier green infrastructureimplementationPROCESS IMPROVEMENTSIntegrate green infrastructure intocapital projects and improvement plansCAPITAL PLANNING &PROJECTSEstablish funding, tools, andprocedures for ongoing managementof assetsMAINTENANCEBARRIER IDENTIFICATIONPRECEDENTS & BEST PRACTICES RECOMMENDED ACTIONSAssessed the main challenges toplanting and maintaining streettrees in Austin’s right-of-wayReviewed how other citiesovercame similar challengesthrough policy, permitting,and funding strategiesThe final phase findings intoactionable recommendationstailored to Austin, organizedinto four categoriesREGULATORY BARRIERSPERMITTING BARRIERSPROGRAMMATIC BARRIERS REGULATORY FOUNDATIONS PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS MAINTENANCE CAPITAL PLANNING & PROJECTS TARP-RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE Regulatory Foundations Transportation/Right-of-Way …
