ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240207-005 Second by: Mariana Krueger Date: February 7, 2024 Subject: City of Austin Telework Policies Motion by: Haris Qureshi WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20190808-078, declaring a climate emergency in the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, the Austin City Council approved Ordinance No. 20190411-033 adopting amendments to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan as an amendment to the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, on September 30, 2021 the Austin City Council approved the adoption of the Austin Climate Equity Plan, which sets a new community-wide goal of equitably reaching net- zero community-wed greenhouse gas emissions by 2040; and WHEREAS, on October 24, 2023 the Planning Commission approved an action making recommendations to the Council to initiate amendments to the Climate Equity Plan and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan related to the City’s telework policies; and WHEREAS, Joint Sustainability Committee approved Recommendation 2024124-002 to add explicit language supporting telework policies ensuring that, whenever appropriate, all City of Austin telework and remote work policies contribute towards the goal of achieving 25% of Austin residents working from home by 2039 and include a strategy to implement a City of Austin telework policy of no less than 85% of eligible City of Austin employees choose to work from home. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends the Austin City Council increase the share of City of Austin employees who work at home, use mass transport to travel to work, bicycle to work, walk to work, use micro-mobility or assisted mobility devices instead of driving to work and ensure that whenever appropriate city telework, remote work, and green commuting policies contribute to the goal of achieving 20% of Austin residents not driving alone to work by 2039. Additionally, to achieve this goal, implement a city telework policy of no less than 85% of eligible City of Austin employees are allowed to work from home. Vote: 8-1 For: Bedford, Bristol, Cofer, Einhorn, Krueger, Qureshi, Ramberg, Sullivan Against: Nickells 1 of 2 Abstain: none Absent: Brimer and Schiera Attest: Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair 2 of 2
in a REGULAR meeting on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, February 7, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramberg called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Hanna Cofer, Peter Einhorn, Colin Nickells, Haris Qureshi, Kevin Ramberg, and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer, Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger Commissioners Absent: Melina Schiera PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Diana Prechter, Stratford/Butler Landfill Cap Roy Wayley, Zilker Park and mass transit APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on January 17, 2024 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on January 17, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Schiera was absent. Commissioner Bristol was off the dais. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Name: Sunset Ridge 290 C14-85-288.166(RCA) Applicant: Armbrust & Brown (Richard Suttle) Location: 8401 Southwest Pkwy, Austin, Texas, 78735 Council District: District 8 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, (512)535-8914, Leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Restrictive Covenant Amendment Staff recommendation: Recommended with conditions 1 Speakers: Liz Johnston, Watershed Protection Richard Suttle, speaking for the applicant Stuart Goodman, speaking against the RCA Chandler Harris, speaking against the RCA Bobby Levenski, Save Our Springs, Roy Waley, Sierra Club Nancy Estrada, Zoning Department Leslie Lilly, Watershed Protection A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Schiera was absent. A motion to approve the requested Restrictive Covenant Amendment with conditions was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on an 8-2 vote. Commissioners Brimer and Einhorn voted nay. Commissioner Schiera was absent. Chair Ramberg called for a recess at 7:36. Chair Ramberg reconvened the meeting at 7:47. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Consider a recommendation requesting that the City of Austin work with a qualified research partner to study the environmental impacts of different vehicle parking options to determine if there are certain levels of parking at which one option might be more environmentally friendly than another. Presenter: Hanna Cofer, Environmental Commission Member Speakers: Hanna Cofer Tanya Payne Diana Pretcher Mark May Gail Rothe Mike Cannatti Cedar Stevens Patricia Bobeck Phillip Thomas Roy Waley A motion requesting that the City of Austin work with a qualified research partner to study the environmental impacts of different vehicle parking …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission January 17, 2024 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 Peter Einhorn Mariana Krueger Melinda Schiera Hanna Cofer AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary Kevin Ramberg, Chair David Sullivan Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, Vice Chair 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 Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on December 6, 2023 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council regarding the creation, continuation, termination, and status of a concession including issuance of a Request for Proposal for a concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park for inclusion in the joint report between the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission that is provided to City Council annually. Presenter(s): Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor II and Pat Rossett, Business Process Consultant, Parks and Recreation Department WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the Urban Forestry Committee – Richard Brimer (Committee Chair), Mariana Krueger, Colin Nickells, and Melinda Schiera Update from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Haris Qureshi (member) and Richard Brimer (alternate member) Update from the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Jennifer Bristol Update from the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board – Perry Bedford, Hanna Cofer, Haris Qureshi, and Kevin Ramberg …
2023 ANNUAL ANNUAL CONCESSION CONCESSION REPORT REPORT AUSTIN PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Concession Locations ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 Concession Contracts ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Contract Terms Solicitations and New Contracts Contract Extensions Expiring Contracts Rowing Dock ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Zilker Café ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Rowing Dock ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Austin Rowing Club at Waller Creek Boathouse ................................................................................................................ 7 EpicSUP/The Trail Conservancy .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Rowing Dock ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Expedition School ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 Zilker Park Boat Rentals ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 Other Contract Changes Zilker Eagle ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Concession Revenue, Payments, and Expenditures ........................................................................................................ 11 Concessions Outside of Town Lake Park ......................................................................................................................... 18 Parks and Recreation Board Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 19 Environmental Commission Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 20 Revenue Share Payments Capital Improvements Public Benefit Short-Term Permits Concessions at Golf Courses Marine Waste Disposal Watercraft Census Lake Safety Consistency Across Concession Contracts New Concessions Carrying Capacity 5 5 7 9 10 12 14 15 18 18 20 21 23 24 25 25 i Unlicensed Vendor Activity Zilker Eagle Updates 26 28 Appendix 1. Temporary Concessions and Commercial Use Report FY23 .......................................................................... 29 Appendix 2. Austin Lake Water Protection Plan and Marine Waste Information ............................................................. 32 ii Executive Summary The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is to inspire Austin to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. In carrying out its mission, PARD has established nine permanent concessions in Town Lake Park that provide recreation services. These services include rentals of canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs); rowing instruction and memberships; food and beverage sales; short-course golf; excursion boats; and a mini train. The concessions were established pursuant to City of Austin Code Section 8-1-71, which authorizes the director of the Parks and Recreation Department to allow a person to operate a food or beverage, rental, or service concession in Town Lake Park. Additionally, Section 8-1-73 requires PARD to present an annual report on the status of concessions operating in Town Lake Park to the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission each year. At a minimum, the report must include the following information: • The name and location of each concession; • An income and expenditure statement for each concession; • The total number of boats rented on Lady Bird Lake; and • A statement describing any environmental or other problem caused or created by a concession. Within 30 days of receiving the Annual …
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Presented by Denisha Cox and Patricia Rossett PARD Financial Services Division January 17, 2024 AUSTIN CITY CODE Austin City Code § 8-1-73 requires delivery of an annual report to the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission providing the following information regarding concessions on Lady Bird Lake Park: • Name and Location • Income and Expenditures • Total Number of Boats Rented • Environmental Concerns 2 Name and Location Austin Rowing Club at Waller Creek Boathouse Butler Pitch and Putt EpicSUP Expedition School Lone Star Riverboat Cruises Rowing Dock Texas Rowing Center Zilker Café (temporarily closed) Zilker Eagle Railroad (temporarily closed) Zilker Park Boat Rentals 3 3 Contract Terms Concession Contract Begin Contract 0 0 0 End 2 Rowing Dock 2000 2024 2 5 5 5 5 1 1 5 0 0 2 0 1 0 2 5 1 0 2 0 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 0 3 0 2 5 3 0 2 0 4 0 2 Zilker Park Boat Rentals 2006 2024 5 5 5 1 18 mo. 2 2 5 5 2 5 5 4 3 2 . o m 6 2 5 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 10 Expedition School 2020 2024 Lone Star Riverboat 2015 2025 Austin Rowing Club 2012 2026 EpicSUP* 2013 2028 Butler Pitch & Putt 2019 2029 Texas Rowing Center 2020 2030 Zilker Eagle 2021 2031 Interim Period Basic Term Option Executed Option Remaining Extension *After May 15, 2021, all EpicSUP revenue share payments go to The Trail Conservancy. 4 FY23 Gross Sales, Expenditures, and Payments to the City s n o i l l i M $3.5 $3.0 $2.5 $2.0 $1.5 $1.0 $0.5 $0.0 Butler Pitch and Putt (Pecan Grove Golf Partners) Gross Sales Reported Expenditures Payments $2,838,411 $1,315,889 $227,266 EpicSUP $394,144 $292,719 $49,173 Expedition School Lone Star Riverboats Rowing Dock Texas Rowing Center Zilker Park Boat Rentals $51,404 $39,004 $4,750 $1,081,396 $1,035,469 $99,561 $2,206,240 $1,627,750 $262,403 $2,895,049 $2,688,421 $322,984 Austin Rowing Club at Waller Creek Boathouse $3,010,728 $3,282,341 $247,901 $1,077,564 $615,248 $99,548 5 Annual Gross Sales Since 2015 6 6 Capital Improvements Butler Pitch and Putt – $78,795 • New low-voltage safety lighting • New courtyard fans, misters, and string lighting • New well water pump • New sprayer • Repair/replacement of the roofing and siding on the maintenance shed • Greenside collars expansion and sod replacement • Replacement …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20240117-002 Date: January 17, 2024 Subject: 2023 Annual Report of City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Managed Concessions on Lady Bird (Town) Lake Motion by: Jennifer Bristol Seconded by: Peter Einhorn WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission has received a staff briefing of the 2023 Annual Report of City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) Managed Concessions on Lady Bird (Town) Lake. WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding the concessions for Lady Bird Lake. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends continuation of the concession contracts on Lady Bird Lake with the following conditions: Environmental Commission Conditions: 1. Study and report the impact on watercraft rentals and use due to toxic algae and extreme heat. 2. Report back to commission about shuttles or transportation for underserved populations or people with limited abilities to the concessions and park. 3. Continue reporting on the public benefit concessions provide. 4. PARD staff should continue to review the number of public and private watercraft that are typically on Lady Bird Lake, what the safety strategies of City of Austin, and their ability to meet capacity. 5. Provide an update on any new concessions. 6. Provide information on how carrying capacity is being addressed. 7. Report on the Zilker Eagle reconstruction, track realignment, and environmental impacts be included in the final 2024 report. VOTE: 10-0 For: Ramberg, Bedford, Bristol, Brimer, Einhorn, Kruger, Nickells, Qureshi, Schiera, Sullivan Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: Cofer Absent: None Approved By: 1 Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair 2
in a REGULAR meeting on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, January 17, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramberg called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Jennifer Bristol, Haris Qureshi, Kevin Ramberg, and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer, Peter Einhorn, Hanna Cofer, Mariana Krueger, Colin Nickells, Melinda Schiera Commissioners Absent: None PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Alicia Valdes -Tree planting event APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on December 6, 2023 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on December 6, 2023 were approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Nickells and Cofer abstained. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council regarding the creation, continuation, termination, and status of a concession including issuance of a Request for Proposal for a concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park for inclusion in the joint report between the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission that is provided to City Council annually. Presenter(s): Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor II and Pat Rossett, Business Process Consultant, Parks and Recreation Department 1 Speakers Denisha Cox, PARD (Parks and Recreation Department) Kimery Duda, Expedition School Patricia Rossett, PARD Suzanne Piper, PARD A motion to support the 2023 Annual Report of Austin Parks and Recreation Department Managed Concessions was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Einhorn’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Cofer recused. COMMITTEE UPDATES 3. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee – Richard Brimer (Committee Chair), Mariana Krueger, Colin Nickells, and Melinda Schiera Commissioner Brimer shared an update on the Urban Forestry Committee and asked members to share agenda items. 4. Update from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Haris Qureshi (member) and Richard Brimer (alternate member) Commissioner Qureshi shared an update on a resolution on energy solutions from the Joint Sustainability Committee. 5. Update from the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Jennifer Bristol 6. Update from the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board – Perry Bedford, Hanna Cofer, Haris Qureshi, and Kevin Ramberg 7. Update from the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – David Sullivan Commissioner Sullivan shared an update from the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission November 16, 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 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 Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary Kevin Ramberg, Chair Ana Aguirre Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION 1. Approval the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on November 2, 2022 (5 minutes) 1 3. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER UPDATES 2. Update on amendments to Title 25 related to environmental protection, landscape requirements, and site plan requirements—Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) Update on Bull Creek PUD Amendment #3, Case No. C814-2009-0139.03—Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) PUBLIC HEARINGS 4. Name: 1703 N River Hills Road Marina Reconstruction, SP-2022-0167D Applicant: Janis Smith, Janis Smith Consulting, LLC Location: 1703 N River Hills Road, Austin, Texas, 78733 Council District: District 10 Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department and Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Lake Austin Watershed, Water Supply Rural Classification, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: 1. Request to vary LDC 25-8-261 Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) development to allow, in the CWQZ of Lake Austin, development of a gasoline fuel line with a dispenser at the dock for re-fueling private boats …
OLTORF SITE PLAN 4544 East Oltorf SP-2021-0091C Tunde Daramola Environmental Review Specialist Senior Development Services Department 2 OUTLINE Property Data Synopsis Site Constriction/Regulation Variance Requests Grading and Slope Exhibits Variance Recommendation and Conditions Variance Exhibits 3 Property Data Country Club West Watershed Suburban Watershed Classification Desired Development Zone Not located over Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone Synopsis 1.96-acre site located at the intersection of East Oltorf and Wickersham Lane Project is a unified retail development with an associated detention pond and a rain garden. Elevation ranges from 558’ along Wickersham to 520’ in the west 4 Site Construction/Regulation Accessibility regulations and Drainage flows (the lowest portion of the site had to be raised to 552ft) Austin Commercial Design Standard Ordinance (access to Oltorf must cross existing slope greater of 15%) 5 North Variance Requests 6 To allow driveways on slopes over 15% within the Desired Development Zone. (LDC 25-8-301) (LDC 25-8-341) (LDC 25-8-342) To allow cut over 4 feet on slopes over 15% within the Desired Development Zone. To allow fill over 4 feet on slopes over 15% within the Desired Development Zone. Grading Exhibit (Cut and Fill) 7 8 Slope Exhibit 9 Variance Recommendation and Conditions 10 Staff recommends the variance, having determined that the required findings of fact have been met. Staff also recommends and supports the following conditions in accordance to approved variance exhibits: • Provide 8 additional trees at 3 caliper inches on site. • Provide structural containment of fill with retaining walls Variance Exhibits 11 12 THANK YOU References Google Earth GIS property profile Variance packet 13
BRIEFING SUMMARY SHEET DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT CASE NUMBER: CD-2022-0003 – 200 E. Riverside Planned Unit Development REQUEST: Presentation of a Project Assessment Report for the 200 E. Riverside Planned Unit Development, located at 200 East Riverside Drive, within the Lady Bird Lake Watershed and the East Bouldin Creek Watershed. DISTRICT AREA: 9 DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The Applicant has submitted a project assessment for a proposed professional office and commercial development on 3.9555 acres to be known as the 200 E. Riverside Planned Unit Development (PUD). The banks of Lady Bird Lake are located approximately 160 feet to the northeast at their closest point. The proposed development area presently contains a circa 1970 51,285 square foot, two-story, 30-35 foot tall (vacant) office building with surface parking and has driveway access to East Riverside Drive and “Little” East Riverside Drive, a 60-foot wide private access easement adjacent to the western property line. The property is within the South River City Citizens Neighborhood Plan Area and designated as Mixed Use on the Future Land Use Map. The property is also within the South Central Waterfront subdistrict of the Waterfront Overlay and within the South Central Waterfront Vision Framework Plan district boundaries. The property is currently zoned lake commercial – neighborhood plan (L-NP) district. The Applicant’s proposed rezoning request to PUD-NP consists of a multi-use project that would include two high-rise buildings intended for 1,377,787 square feet of office uses and 29,318 square feet of ground floor, commercial / retail uses with a maximum height of 410 feet. The Applicant does not currently contemplate residential use of the property, although the proposed project could be modified to include it. The PUD will also provide 0.87 acres of open space (including two pocket parks with a cumulative area of 14,893 square feet and open to the public) located between the two buildings that will connect to surrounding park land through a public access easement. A mix of below grade and above grade structured parking is proposed. Vehicular access to the PUD is proposed to occur from one driveway to East Riverside Drive and one driveway to “Little” East Riverside Drive. The Applicant has had conversation with Capital Metro regarding an at-grade train station for the Project Connect Blue Line on “Little” East Riverside Drive. A transportation impact analysis (TIA) will be required at the time a formal rezoning application for PUD-NP is received by the City. The …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: 12/7/2022 NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: Oltorf Site Plan (SP-2021-0091C) Oltorf Site Plan (Jim Wittliff) LOCATION: 4544 E Oltorf, Austin, Texas 78741 COUNCIL DISTRICT: 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: Tunde Daramola, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, DSD, 512-974-6316, Babatunde.Daramola@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: REQUEST: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: STAFF CONDITIONS: Country Club West Watershed, Suburban, Desired Development Zone Variance request is as follows: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow driveways on slopes over 15%. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut over 4 feet up to 8 feet. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill over 4 feet up to 20.5 feet. Staff recommends this variance, having determined the findings of fact to have been met. Provide 8 additional trees at 3 caliper inches. Provide structural containment of fill with retaining walls. Development Services Department Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Ordinance Standard: Watershed Protection Ordinance Variance Request: Oltorf Site Plan To allow driveways on slopes over 15% per LDC 25-8-301 Include an explanation with each applicable finding of fact. 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 similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development subject to similar code requirements. Yes. The variance will not be providing a special privilege to the applicant. The proposed buildings are similar in size to similarly situated property. Because the property is also subject to Austin’s Commercial Design Standards Ordinance, 40% of the roadway frontage along East Oltorf is required to have building frontage adjacent to the right of way, therefore, the only available driveway access from Oltorf must cross existing slopes which are steeper than 15% gradient 2. The variance: a) Is not necessitated by the scale, layout, construction method, or other design decision made by the applicant, unless the design decision provides greater overall environmental protection than is achievable without the variance; Yes. Existing site conditions and accessibility regulations require the only available driveway access from Oltorf to cross existing slopes that exceed 15% gradient. b) Is the minimum deviation from the code requirement necessary to allow a reasonable use of the property; Yes. The site is being graded and redesigned as efficiently as possible in accordance with code requirement to provide the required access slopes to minimize …
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Case No.: (City use only) Environmental Resource Inventory For the City of Austin Related to LDC 25-8-121, City Code 30-5-121, ECM 1.3.0 & 1.10.0 The ERI is required for projects that meet one or more of the criteria listed in LDC 25-8-121(A), City Code 30-5-121(A). 1. SITE/PROJECT NAME: 2. COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT PROPERTY ID (#’s): 3. ADDRESS/LOCATION OF PROJECT: 4. WATERSHED: 5. THIS SITE IS WITHIN THE (Check all that apply) Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone* (See note below) .................. YES No Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone*.................................. YES No Edwards Aquifer 1500 ft Verification Zone* ....................... YES No Barton Spring Zone* .......................................................... YES No *(as defined by the City of Austin – LDC 25-8-2 or City Code 30-5-2) Note: If the property is over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge zone, the Hydrogeologic Report and karst surveys must be completed and signed by a Professional Geoscientist Licensed in the State of Texas. 6. DOES THIS PROJECT PROPOSE FLOODPLAIN MODIFICATION?.......YES** NO If yes, then check all that apply: (1) The floodplain modifications proposed are necessary to protect the public health and safety; (2) The floodplain modifications proposed would provide a significant, demonstrable environmental benefit, as determined by a functional assessment of floodplain health as prescribed by the Environmental Criteria Manual (ECM), or (3) The floodplain modifications proposed are necessary for development allowed in the critical water quality zone under LDC 25-8-261 or 25-8-262, City Code 30-5-261 or 30-5-262. (4) The floodplain modifications proposed are outside of the Critical Water Quality Zone in an area determined to be in poor or fair condition by a functional assessment of floodplain health. ** If yes, then a functional assessment must be completed and attached to the ERI (see ECM 1.7 and Appendix X for forms and guidance) unless conditions 1 or 3 above apply. 7. IF THE SITE IS WITHIN AN URBAN OR SUBURBAN WATERSHED, DOES THIS PROJECT PROPOSE A UTILITY LINE PARALLEL TO AND WITHIN THE CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE? ......................................................... YES*** NO ***If yes, then riparian restoration is required by LDC 25-8-261(E) or City Code 30-5-261(E) and a functional assessment must be completed and attached to the ERI (see ECM1.5 and Appendix X for forms and guidance). 8. There is a total of (#’s) Critical Environmental Feature(s)(CEFs) on or within150 feet of the project site. If CEF(s) are present, attach a detailed DESCRIPTION of the CEF(s), color PHOTOGRAPHS, the CEF WORKSHEET and …
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission December 7, 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 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 Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary Kevin Ramberg, Chair Ana Aguirre Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, Vice-Chair REVISED 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION 1. Approval the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on November 16, 2022 (5 minutes) 1 5. 6. 7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 2. Presentation of Development Assessment Report for 200 E. Riverside, located at 200 East Riverside Drive, CD-2022-0003 (District 9). Applicant: Richard T. Suttle, Jr., Armbrust & Brown, PLLC. Staff: Wendy Rhoades, Housing and Planning Department and Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Oltorf Site Plan (SP-2021-0091C) Applicant: Jim Wittliff Location: 4544 E Oltorf, Austin, Texas 78741 Council District: District 3 Staff: Tunde Daramola, Development Services Department Watershed: Country Cub West Watershed, Suburban Classification, Desired Development Zone Request: 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow driveways on slopes over 15% 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut over 4 feet up to 8 feet 3. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill over 4 feet up to 20.5 feet Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended with conditions. …
200 E. RIVERSIDE DRIVE CD-2022-0003 PROPOSED SUPERIORITY ELEMENTS • 100% on-site water quality treatment. • The PUD proposes to utilize green water quality controls to treat a minimum of 50% of the water quality volume required by code such as bio-filtration pond(s), rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, vegetated filter strips, pervious pavers, porous pavement, and non-required vegetation. • The PUD proposes to reduce overall impervious cover on the site by approximately 9.8%. The existing impervious cover is 89.8% and the proposed PUD will have 80% impervious cover. • Provide 0.87 acres of open space which will consist of two public pocket parks with a cumulative area of 14,893 sq. ft. (0.34 acres). • Exceed the minimum landscaping requirements and utilize native tree species selected from Appendix F of the Environmental Criteria Manual (Descriptive Categories of Tree Species) and utilize central Texas native seed stock. • Street yard landscaping will exceed the minimum requirements by an additional 10% for a total of 30%. • Rainwater harvesting capture will be used to irrigate at least 50% of the required landscape area. • When permitted by site topography & circulation routes, stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces will be directed to landscaped areas equal to or greater than the required landscape area. • The PUD will achieve a 3-star Austin Energy Green Building rating. PROPOSED SUPERIORITY ELEMENTS Integrated Pest Management Plan. • • Provide porous pavement for at least 25% or more of the pedestrian areas. • Buildings will be dual piped for reclaimed water. • Provide a community meeting space on the ground floor at no cost to the neighborhood association and/or • Provide affordable rates to an independent retail service provider, restaurant, or small business. • The PUD will achieve a minimum of 9 points under the building design options of Section 3.3.2 of Chapter 25- 2, Subchapter E (Design Standards and Mixed Use). • Onsite participation in the Art in Public Places Program. • Exceed local accessibility requirements including, but not limited to, additional accessible restrooms and community. shower stalls. Code Section Proposed PUD Language/Code Modification Section 25-6-532 (Off-Street Loading Standards) Section 25-2-742(F) (South Shore Central Subdistrict Regulations) Section 25-2-742(G)(4) (South Shore Central Subdistrict Regulations) Section 25-6-532 is modified to allow shared loading and unloading spaces for the various uses within the PUD regardless of where the use or loading and unloading is located within the PUD. Section 25-2-742(F) is modified to …
4. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20221207-003 Seconded by: Perry Bedford To vary from LDC 25-8-301 to allow driveways on slopes over 15% To vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut over 4 feet up to 8 feet To vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill over 4 feet up to 20.5 feet Date: December 7, 2022 Subject: Oltorf Site Plan, SP-2021-0091C Motion by: Jennifer L. Bristol RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the applicant is requesting 1. 2. 3. WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the site is located in the Country Club West Watershed, Suburban, Desired Development Zone; and WHEREAS, Environmental Commission understands there is an additional overlay that establishes business hours; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that Staff recommends this variance with conditions, with staff 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. 2. Environmental Commission Conditions 1. Recommend use dark skies lighting that casts down to reduce light emitting into the adjacent properties, including the lighting for business signage. Minimize lighting during non-business hours while still meeting safety needs. Provide 8 additional trees at 3 caliper inches. Provide structural containment of fill with retaining walls. 2. Review site with staff to see if there is space to add additional trees. 3. Consider installing electric vehicle charging spaces for employees or as a business opportunity for the convince store proprietor. Install recycling stations for patrons and businesses on the property. Follow all commercial recycling requirements. Prohibit gasoline sales or gas station business on the property. 5. Consider adding native pollinator-friendly plants. 6. VOTE: 7-2 For: Bedford, Brimer, Bristol, Qureshi, Ramberg, Schiera, and Scott Against: Aguirre and Thompson Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Barrett Bixler and Nickells Approved By: Kevin Ramberg, Environmental Commission Chair 2
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission November 16, 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 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 Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary Kevin Ramberg, Chair Ana Aguirre Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION 1. Approval the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on November 2, 2022 (5 minutes) 1 3. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER UPDATES 2. Update on amendments to Title 25 related to environmental protection, landscape requirements, and site plan requirements—Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) Update on Bull Creek PUD Amendment #3, Case No. C814-2009-0139.03—Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) PUBLIC HEARINGS 4. Name: 1703 N River Hills Road Marina Reconstruction, SP-2022-0167D Applicant: Janis Smith, Janis Smith Consulting, LLC Location: 1703 N River Hills Road, Austin, Texas, 78733 Council District: District 10 Staff: Pamela Abee-Taulli, Environmental Program Coordinator, Development Services Department and Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Lake Austin Watershed, Water Supply Rural Classification, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: 1. Request to vary LDC 25-8-261 Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) development to allow, in the CWQZ of Lake Austin, development of a gasoline fuel line with a dispenser at the dock for re-fueling private boats …
