1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20220803-003 Date: August 3, 2022 Subject: Case No. C814-2009-0139.03; Bull Creek Planned Unit Development Amendment #3 Motion by: Jennifer Bristol RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting an amendment to a Planned Unit Development (PUD); WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in the Lake Austin and Bull Creek/ Water supply Suburban Watershed; and Seconded by: Kevin Ramberg WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this variance, with conditions having determined the required Findings of Fact have been met. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following: Staff Conditions: 1. This applicant completes the restoration plan prior to the conversion of the property to civic use as established by the PUD (and referenced in site plan SP-2021-0249D) such that any further development or redevelopment is subject to current code at the time of site development permit application. 2. This project shall comply with 25-8-261, except for the relevant code modifications included in the 3. This project shall comply with the environmental superiority elements included in the PUD PUD amendment. amendment. and the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. Include language addressing the CEF buffer, stormwater, that was agreed upon by staff, neighborhood groups, and the applicant on August 3, 2022 so it is reflected in the PUD and site plan. 2. Include language approved by staff on August 3, 2022 prior to the Environmental Commission meeting to be included in the forthcoming site plan to address the CEF including engaging geotechnical and structural experts to design the proposed building to the highest standard of care for the preservation and protection of the CEF. 3. Include the commitment to meet with TXDOT to finalize concerns regarding the entrance and 4. Include language that was agreed upon by the neighborhood group, applicant, and staff regarding 5. Include language to agree to keep the shoreline clean of trash and provide recycling options 6. Encourage the applicant to meet with necessary parties to establish a no-wake zone. exit to the property. sound. throughout the property. VOTE 9-0 For: Aguirre, Bedford, Brimer, Bristol, Nickells, Ramberg, Schiera, Scott, and Qureshi Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Thompson and Barrett Bixler Approved By: Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair 2
1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20220803-004 Seconded by: Perry Bedford Date: August 3, 2022 Subject: 5709 Sam Houston Circle Boat Dock, SP-2021-0300D Motion by: Jennifer Bristol WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting to vary from LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(b) to allow the construction within 150-foot of a rimrock and seep Critical Environmental Feature (CEF). WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in the Lake Austin and Bull Creek Watersheds, Water Supply Suburban, Drinking Water Protection Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that Staff recommends this variance, with conditions having determined the required Findings of Fact have been met. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following: Staff Conditions: 1. All construction to occur via barge. Remove existing boat dock as specified on plans; restore disturbed areas per City Standard Specification 609S; provide wetland mitigation plantings specified on plans. and the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. Remove invasive plant species in the disturbed area. VOTE 9-0 For: Aguirre, Bedford, Brimer, Bristol, Nickells, Ramberg, Schiera, Scott, and Qureshi Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Thompson and Barrett Bixler Approved By: Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair 2
1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20220803-005 Date: August 3, 2022 Subject: Borders Boat Dock 1, SP-2021-0084D Motion by: Jennifer L. Bristol Seconded by: Perry Bedford RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting a variance request as follows: vary from LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(b) to allow the construction within 150-foot of a rimrock Critical Environmental Feature (CEF). WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in the Lake Austin watershed, and Taylor Slough South Watershed, Water Supply Suburban, Drinking Water Protection Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff recommends this variance with conditions, having determined the findings of fact to have been met; THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following: Staff Conditions: 1. Mitigation plantings upslope of rimrock to assist in soil stabilization. 2. Signed PG Letter for long-term stability of rimrock from new walkway. and the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. Remove invasive plant species in the disturbed area and use native plants in restoration and planter areas. VOTE 9-0 For: Aguirre, Bedford, Brimer, Bristol, Nickells, Ramberg, Schiera, Scott, and Qureshi Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Thompson and Barrett Bixler Approved By: Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 3, August, 2022 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on 3, August, 2022 at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Melinda Schiera, Kevin Ramberg, and Haris Qureshi. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ana Aguirre, Rick Brimer, Colin Nickells, and Rachel Scott. Board Members/Commissioners Absent: Audrey Barrett Bixler and Pam Thompson CALL TO ORDER Chair Ramberg called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Kimery Duda, The Expedition School Adam Shedlosky, The Expedition School APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION 1. Approval the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on July 6, 2022 (5 minutes) The minutes of the July 6, 2022 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting were approved on Vice-Chair Bedford’s motion, Secretary Bristol’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Ramberg abstained. Commissioners Thompson and Barrett Bixler were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on Environmental Commission Annual Report—Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair (10 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Bull Creek PUD Amendment #3, Case No. C814-2009-0139.03 Applicant: David Armbrust, Armbrust & Brown Location: 5305, 5400, 5404, 5408, 5505, Paradox Cove; 4909, 4915-1/2, 4929 FM 2222 Road Council District: District 10 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department 1 4. Watershed: Bull Creek Watershed, Water Supply Suburban, Drinking Water Protection Zone Requests: To amend a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions (30 minutes) Speakers David Armbrust, Attorney, Armbrust and Brown Daniel Woodruff, Landscape Architect Denise Hogan, Courtyard HOA Linda Bailey A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Vice Chair Bedford’s motion, Chair Ramberg’s second without objection. A motion to approve the request to amend the Bull Creek PUD Amendment #3 was approved on Secretary Bristol’s motion, Chair Ramberg’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Thompson and Barrett Bixler were absent. Name: 5709 Sam Houston Circle Boat Dock, SP-2021-0300D Applicant: Holly Gunn Location: 5709 Sam Houston Circle, Austin, Texas, 78731 Council District: District # 10 Staff: Eric Brown, Senior Environmental Scientist, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Lake Austin and Bull Creek Watersheds, Water Supply Suburban, Drinking Water Protection Zone Requests: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(b) to allow the construction within 150-foot of a rimrock and seep Critical Environmental Feature (CEF) Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions (15 minutes) Speakers Jon Fichter, Aqua Permits A …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission July 6, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. 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 by 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. To register to speak remotely, call or email the Kaela Champlin, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@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 Rachel Scott Pam Thompson Melinda Schiera Audrey Barrett Bixler CALL TO ORDER Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary Kevin Ramberg, Chair Ana Aguirre Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, Vice-Chair AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION 1. Approval the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on June 15, 2022. (5 minutes) 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS Name: Bull Creek PUD Amendment #3, Case No. C814-2009-0139.03 Applicant: David Armbrust, Armbrust & Brown Location: 5305, 5400, 5404, 5408, 5505, Paradox Cove; 4909, 4915-1/2, 4929 FM 2222 Road Council District: District 10 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Bull Creek Watershed, Water Supply Suburban, Drinking Water Protection Zone Requests: To amend a Planned Unit Development (PUD) Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions (1 hour) Name: Mercedes Benz South Austin, SP-2021-0127C Applicant: Gemsong Ryan Location: 10900 S IH 35, Austin, Texas 78748 Council District: District 5 Staff: Tunde Daramola, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Watershed: Onion Creek, Suburban Watershed, Desired Development Zone Requests: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 to allow a private driveway access point to the site through a Critical Water Quality Zone Buffer Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions (30 minutes) Urban Forestry Committee – Richard Brimer (Committee …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET Amendment #3 DISTRICT: 10 CASE: C814-2009-0139.03 – Bull Creek PUD ZONING FROM: PUD ADDRESS: 5305, 5400, 5404, 5408, 5505 Paradox Cove; 4909, 4915-1/2, 4929 FM 2222 Road SITE AREA: 54.70 acres PROPERTY OWNER: David G. Booth, Trustee for the David Booth Revocable Trust AGENT: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (David Armbrust) TO: PUD, to change conditions of zoning CASE MANAGER: Wendy Rhoades (512-974-7719, wendy.rhoades@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The Staff recommendation is to grant an amendment to planned unit development (PUD) district zoning as outlined in the redlined draft PUD amendment ordinance, and as shown in Exhibit C – the revised Land Use Plan, and supporting Exhibits F, J, K, N, and O. For a summary of the basis of Staff’s recommendation, please see pages 2 - 6. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ACTION: July 6, 2022: May 4, 2022: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY THE STAFF [P. BEDFORD; R. SCOTT – 2ND] (10-0) P. THOMPSON – ABSENT ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION ACTION: July 19, 2022: June 21, 2022: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY STAFF TO JULY 19, 2022, BY CONSENT May 17, 2022: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY STAFF TO JUNE 21, 2022, BY CONSENT [B. GREENBERG; C. THOMPSON – 2ND] (7-0) C. ACOSTA – OFF THE DAIS; J. KIOLOBASSA, H. SMITH, R. WOODY – ABSENT [H. SMITH; J. KIOLBASSA – 2ND] (11-0) April 19, 2022: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY STAFF TO MAY 17, 2022, BY CONSENT [J. KIOLBASSA; A. DENKLER – 2ND] (11-0) C814-2009-0139.03 Page 2 March 1, 2022: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY STAFF TO APRIL 19, 2022 [H. SMITH; A. DENKLER – 2ND] (9-0) S. BOONE; R. WOODY – ABSENT January 18, 2022: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY STAFF TO MARCH 1, 2022 [H. SMITH; C. ACOSTA – 2ND] (10-0) R. WOODY – OFF THE DAIS [H. SMITH; D. KING – 2ND] (10-0) ONE VACANCY ON THE DAIS August 4, 2020: APPROVED AN INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY STAFF CITY COUNCIL ACTION: To be scheduled ORDINANCE NUMBER: ISSUES: The Applicant has discussed the proposed PUD amendment with Courtyard Homeowners Association, Cat Mountain Homeowners Association, North West Austin Civic Association, and 2222 Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (CONA). Correspondence from neighborhood groups is attached at the back of this report. The Applicant is in agreement with the Staff recommendation. EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS TO THE STAFF REPORT: Exhibits A and A-1: Zoning Map and Aerial Exhibit B: Applicant’s Summary Letter; Redlined, …
1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20220706-003 Date: July 6, 2022 Subject: Mercedes Benz South Austin (SP-2021-0127C) Motion by: Jennifer L. Bristol RATIONALE: Seconded by: Pam Thompson WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting a variance from LDC 25- 8-261 to allow a private driveway access point to the site through a Critical Water Quality Zone buffer. WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in the Onion Creek, Suburban Watershed, and the Desired Development Zone; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes having determined the required Findings of Fact have been met that Staff recommends this variance with the following conditions. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the variance request with the following: Staff Conditions: 1. Increase Critical Water Quality Zone buffer averaged area to enhance overall preservation. 2. Revegetate throughout the entire Critical Water Quality Zone within the property thus maintaining the existing channel. 3. Add tree plantings in the vehicle storage lot islands. and the following Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. VOTE 9-0 Include water quality measures, including a raingarden and water quality pond. For: Bedford, Qureshi, Schott, Thompson, Barrett Bixler, Nickells, Bristol, Aguirre, and Brimer Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Schiera and Ramberg Approved By: Perry Bedford, Environmental Commission Vice Chair 2
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission June 15, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. Permitting and Development Center, Events Center, Room 1406 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 by 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. To register to speak remotely, call or email the Jackie Ramos, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 964-9366, Jacqueline.Ramos@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). COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi (D-1) Rachel Scott (D-2) Pam Thompson (D-3) Melinda Schiera (D-4) Kevin Ramberg (D-8) Chair Audrey Barrett Bixler (D-5) Ana Aguirre (D-9) Colin Nickells (D-6) Richard Brimer (D-10) Jennifer Bristol (D-7) Secretary Perry Bedford (Mayor) Vice-Chair _________________________________________________________________________________ Agenda CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1 1. 2. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the June 1, 2022 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Update on Austin’s reservoirs monitoring and management efforts—Brent Bellinger, Environmental Scientist, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) b. Update on resolution relating to environmental protections and water quality; and initiating amendments to the City Code—Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee – Richard Brimer (Committee Chair), Pam Thompson, b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Haris Qureshi (member) and Richard Rachel Scott, and Colin Nickells Brimer (alternate member) Committee – Jennifer Bristol c. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory d. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Pam Thompson, Rachel Scott, Perry Bedford, and Haris Qureshi e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Ana Aguirre FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 5. ADJOURNMENT The …
The Reservoir Update - 2021 Brent Bellinger, Ph.D. Environmental Scientist Senior Watershed Protection Department June 15, 2022 2021/2022 Projects • On-going Projects • Reservoir monitoring – Austin Lakes Index (ALI) of Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, Lake Walter Long • Lake Austin native plant restoration • Collaboration with TPWD fishery monitoring • Zebra Mussel monitoring • Harmful Algal Proliferation (HAP) monitoring • With added sites • New Projects mitigation • Lady Bird nutrient management toward HAP • Collaboration with UT toward sediment bedform mapping and microplastic observations Austin Lakes Index (ALI) Current reservoir condition • Water quality, sediments, aquatic vegetation generally above average • Benthic invertebrates, habitat, eutrophication generally below average ReservoirLake AustinLady Bird LakeWalter E. Long LakeScore020406080100Water qualityBenthic invertebratesAquatic vegetationSediment chemistryHabitat structureEutrophicationOverall scoreExcellentVery goodGoodMarginalPoorBadFair Temporal Trends • Although overall scores appear steady, sub-index components can have large variability Year2010201220142016201820202022Overall lakes Index020406080100Lake AustinLady Bird LakeWalter E. Long LakeExcellentVery goodVery badBadPoorMarginalFairGood2010201220142016201820202022Water quality index405060708090Year2010201220142016201820202022Invertebrate index304050607080 Re-vegetation Efforts • Macrophytes doing well in cages in both reservoirs, thriving outside of cages in LBL • Maintained existing pens in both reservoirs, added new pens to Lake Austin Zebra Mussel Populations • “Ecosystem engineers” that have altered water quality, alter food webs • For example, water clarity correlated with densities L. Austin Flow LBL Year2018201920202021#/m210100100010000Lake AustinLady BirdBig Horn Dr.Kollmeyer Dr.Oppo. CommmonsOppo. Emma LongOpp. MananaRivercrestNalleHoldsworthWalsh#/m21101001000100002018 2019 2020 2021 Red Bud WestMoPac CageRailroad BridgeBoardwalk u. I-35Snake IslandHolly Peninsula#/m2110100100010000 Harmful Algal Proliferations (HAPs) Jessica Hollis Park – 3 positives Emma Long – 0 positives Jessica Hollis Park = 0.06 ± 0.03 mg ATX/kg Walsh Ramp = 1.56 ± 3.03 mg ATX/kg Red Bud – 9 positives Walsh Ramp – 3 positives Red Bud = 0.11 ± 0.13 mg ATX/kg Aud. shores = 0.007 ± 0.013 mg ATX/kg Festival Ramp = 0.002 ± 0.004 mg ATX/kg 19.68 ± 34.53 mg CYN/kg Auditorium Shores – 3 positives Festival Beach – 3 positives Nutrient Mitigation Pilot Project • Background: We are limited in the environmental drivers of HAPs that can be effectively managed • One of the most important drivers is Phosphorus (P) • Hypothesis being tested: Reducing available sediment P will negatively impact HAP growth and toxicity • Sediments of Lady Bird Lake are very P-rich Phoslock • Toward that end, we secured a multi-year contract with SePRO to apply lanthanum- modified bentonite toward sediment P management • Phoslock utilized globally to mitigate excess P that may be released from …
Motion Sheet CM Kelly June 9th, 2022 Item 61 I motion to add the following to line 120: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The City Manager is directed to come back with recommendations and considerations in the form of a memorandum of required city staff hours to initiate the completion of this resolution by September 1st, 2022.
6/9 Item 61 Water Quality CM Vela Amendment 1 - V4 Proportionate Standards for Missing Middle Housing Add the following WHEREAS: WHEREAS, small scale missing middle housing projects (projects with approximately 3 to 12 units) are required to comply with the same procedures and requirements for review of water quality protections and site plans as large scale multifamily residential projects, while single family homes are not subject to those requirements, creating an incentive for developers to build single family homes over missing middle housing to avoid water quality regulations, contributing to suburban sprawl and the housing affordability crisis. Insert the following language after line 153: The City Council directs the City Manager to account for differences in the additional cost of compliance resulting from these code amendments between single family homes, small scale missing middle projects and larger multifamily projects, so that such costs are proportionate to the scale of the project, and do not disincentivize the construction of small scale missing middle projects in favor of single family homes. Add the following BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The City Council initiates City Code amendments and directs the City Manager to provide recommendations for changes to the City Code to ensure that the cost of compliance with water quality, drainage, and Site Plan requirements relating to single family homes and small scale missing middle projects is proportionate to the scale of the project, and does not disincentivize the construction of small scale missing middle projects in favor of single family homes, including applying some water quality and drainage requirements to single-family development as proposed during the LDC Revision.
6/9 Item 61 Water Quality CM Vela Amendment 1 - V4 to V5 Additions Bolded Proportionate Standards for Missing Middle Housing Add the following WHEREASes: WHEREAS, small scale missing middle housing projects (projects with approximately 3 to 12 units) are required to comply with the same procedures and requirements for review of water quality protections and site plans as large scale multifamily residential projects, while single family homes are not subject to those requirements, creating an incentive for developers to build single family homes over missing middle housing to avoid water quality regulations, contributing to suburban sprawl and the housing affordability crisis; WHEREAS, a large single family home can actually have more impervious cover than a multi-unit development, and the amount of impervious cover for a project is one of the key factors affecting drainage regardless of project type and should be taken into account when evaluating water quality and drainage requirements for site plans; Insert the following language after line 153: The City Council directs the City Manager to account for differences in the additional cost of compliance resulting from these code amendments between single family homes, small scale missing middle projects and larger multifamily projects, so that such costs are proportionate to the scale of the project and the amount of impervious cover, and do not disincentivize the construction of small scale missing middle projects in favor of single family homes. Add the following BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The City Council initiates City Code amendments and directs the City Manager to provide recommendations for changes to the City Code to ensure that the cost of compliance with water quality, drainage, and Site Plan requirements is proportionate to the amount of impervious cover for a project, and does not disincentivize the construction of small scale missing middle projects in favor of single family homes, including applying some water quality and drainage requirements to single-family development as proposed during the LDC Revision.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, protecting our environment is the foundation for sustaining our planet, community, and economy; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s “State of Our Environment: 2020 Annual Report,” showed that creeks in the Desired Development Zone scored on average 10 points lower than those in the Drinking Water Protection Zone; and WHEREAS, the Drinking Water Protection Zone designation located on the west side of Austin has restricted development through regulations creating positive environmental outcomes, while the Desired Development Zone, located in Central and East Austin, has more permissive regulations that have resulted in some negative outcomes; and WHEREAS, properties located in the Desired Development Zone have more permissive development regulations with regard to the size of creek buffers, impervious cover limits, cut and fill, and construction on slopes; and WHEREAS, extensive empirical literature links exposure to nature with better health, and creeks provide city-wide opportunities to experience nature; and WHEREAS, current code allows for structures such as in-channel detention basins and concrete wastewater manholes to be placed in creeks, which can cause erosion and other severe, often long-lasting consequences that can be expensive to reverse; and WHEREAS, the City is faced with the existing and growing threat of industrial discharges that can negatively impact creeks and communities located primarily on the east side of the City of Austin; and Page 1 of 8 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 WHEREAS, there has been a steady increase in the amount of land area in Austin covered by impervious surfaces and a corresponding steady decrease in the amount of pervious land area capable of absorbing rainfall; and WHEREAS, one result of the historically high rates of development is a rise in the amount of runoff that flows off-site from developed properties and into older, undersized stormwater drain systems, creeks, rivers, and lakes, contributing to increases in flooding severity, damage to private property, loss of life, and water pollution; and WHEREAS, currently City Code allows redeveloped sites to use existing impervious cover as a baseline for drainage calculations, resulting in increased runoff and contributing to flooding and erosive flows downstream; and WHEREAS, a U.S. Geological Survey study found that using green …
June 9, 2022 Item 61 Mayor Adler CM Harper-Madison CM Ellis MOTION SHEET I move to amend Item 61 as follows: Insert at Line 35: WHEREAS, increasing density reduces sprawl and thereby reduces traffic congestion, pollution, and development of open spaces and agricultural land; and The City Council initiates other code amendments, as necessary, to Insert at Line 150: accomplish the goals of this Resolution. Beginning at Line 154: The City Manager shall present these code amendments for Council consideration no later than September 15, 2022, except for amendments regarding the greenfield conditions as a baseline for redevelopments and steep slope protections. The City Council directs the City Manager to engage stakeholders and develop recommendations that would seek to offset the impact on affordability and capacity of requiring greenfield conditions as a baseline and steep slope protections on properties where they are not currently required. Offsets could include additional entitlements or waivers for impacted tracts. The City Manager shall present these recommended code amendments for Council consideration no later than December 8, 2022.
June 9, 2022 Item 61 Motion Sheet CM Renteria Amend the Be It Resolved clause beginning at line 163 to read: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The City Council directs the City Manager to conduct an Affordability Impact Analysis and a Fiscal Impact Analysis for each proposed code or process change resulting from this resolution. The City Council directs the City Manager to provide the results of these analyses to Council at least two weeks prior to the implementation of any process change or the presentation of proposed code amendments for Council consideration. The City Council directs the City Manager to include these analyses as part of the Council agenda back up when an item resulting from this resolution is presented to Council for its consideration. Additionally, the City Council directs the City Manager to address the estimated costs of doing nothing to further protect against water pollution, localized flooding, and the heat island effect; of stabilizing creeks and shorelines after scouring and erosive floods; mitigating algae and bacteria in creeks and lakes; and increasing stormwater infrastructure throughout the City.
2022 Environmental Code Amendments Briefing to the Environmental Commission J u n e 1 5 , 2 0 2 2 C I T Y O F A U S T I N W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T Council Resolution #20220609-061 D i r e c t s C i t y M a n a g e r t o a c t o n e nv i ro n m e n t a l a n d d r a i n a g e c o n c e r n s a n d eva l u a t e i m p a c t s o f p ro p o s e d p ro c e s s a n d c o d e c h a n g e s o n a f f o r d a b i l i t y, h o u s i n g, a n d c o s t • • • Bring forth a plan to address environmental equity Increase monitoring of high risk/industrial sites Process improvements to better address high bacteria levels in creeks related to leaky wastewater infrastructure Bring forth code amendments related to environmental protection and flood reduction: • Subset of code changes identified by previous Land Development Code revision process • • Minor revisions and inconsistencies • • Improve protections for Colorado River downstream of the Longhorn Dam Evaluate impacts to housing C I T Y O F A U S T I N W A T E R S H E D P R O T E C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T 2 Affected Land Development Code (LDC) Chapters L D C C h a p t e r 2 5- 2 ( Z o n i n g ) • Landscape requirements (Functional Green) • DSD is lead department L D C 2 5- 7 ( D r a i n a g e ) • No adverse impact (greenfield detention requirements) 2 5- 8 S u b c h a p t e r A ( Wa t e r Q u a l i t y ) …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission June 1, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. 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 by 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. To register to speak remotely, call or email the board liaison Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@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). COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi (D-1) Rachel Scott (D-2) Pam Thompson (D-3) Melinda Schiera (D-4) Kevin Ramberg (D-8) Chair Audrey Barrett Bixler (D-5) Ana Aguirre (D-9) Colin Nickells (D-6) Richard Brimer (D-10) Jennifer Bristol (D-7) Secretary Perry Bedford (Mayor) Vice-Chair _________________________________________________________________________________ Agenda CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1 1. 2. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the May 18, 2022 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Briefing on the 517 Lamar PUD Development Assessment—Heather Chaffin, Housing and Planning Department (30 minutes) PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Consider a proposed annexation of approximately 5.03 acres into Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10, C12M-2022-0001—Andrei Lubomudrov, Housing and Planning Department (30 minutes) b. Name: Sky Mountain, SP-2021-0079C Applicant: Reese Hurley, LJA Engineering, Inc. Location: 8722 W SH 71, Austin, TX 78735 Council District: District 8 Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department and Miranda Reinhard, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Williamson Creek, Barton Springs Zone, Drinking Water Protection Zone Requests: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341to allow cut over 4 feet to 16 feet. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions (15 minutes) c. Name: 8020 Parmer Lane SH 130 NW, C8J-2021-0141.0A Applicant: Pape-Dawson Engineers, Travis Moltz Location: 8106 E …
