2. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 3, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Andrew Creel Pam Thompson Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Perry Bedford Wendy Gordon Audrey Barrett Bixler Commissioners Absent: Katie Coyne Peggy Maceo Staff in Attendance: Kate Clark Kaela Champlin Chris Herrington Kevin Johnson Liz Johnston Keith Mars Andrei Lubomudrov Atha Phillips CALL TO ORDER Chair Guerrero called the meeting to order at 6:07 P.M. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the February 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes A motion to approve the Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of February 3, 2021 was approved on Commissioner Gordon’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Coyne and Maceo were absent. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER UPDATES a. Announcement of new Deputy Environmental Officer—Chris Herrington, Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Recognize Peggy Maceo for over five years of service on the Environmental Commission Speakers Bobby Levinski Item conducted as posted. No action taken. b. Presentation of Development Assessment Report for the Brodie Oaks Planned Unit Development, located at 4021 S Capital of Texas Highway, CD-2020-0002 (District 5). Applicant: Rebecca Leonard, Lionheart Places. Staff: Kate Clark, Housing and Planning Department and Atha Phillips, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department Speakers Bobby Levinski Item conducted as posted. No action taken. c. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to City Council on the preferred design scenario for the Dougherty Arts Center Replacement Project—Kevin Johnson, Acting Project Management Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department Speakers Bobby Levinski A motion to recommend against Option 1B and support Option 1A with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s vote, Commissioner Creel’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Coyne and Maceo were absent. d. Consider a petition from the SH 130 Municipal Management District, created by the legislature in 2019, for the City of Austin’s consent to issue bonds and assess various taxes on any area that is within the District or that the District may annex in the future— Andrei Lubomudrov, Senior Planner, Housing and Planning Department A motion to recommend consent to the SH 130 petition provided that this consent includes a requirement that all District development meet current code at the time of site development permit application and …
Versión en español a continuación. Environmental Commission Regular Meeting February 17, 2021 Environmental Commission to be held February 17, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications. Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (February 16, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the February 17, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting, members of the public must: •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). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live 1 Reunión del Environmental Commission FECHA de la reunion (17 de febrero de 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (16 de febrero de 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para …
Watershed Protection Department Equity Update Environmental Commission February 17, 2021 Presenters: Jorge Morales, Nikki Fowler, Kelly Gagnon, Victor Nelms, Janna Renfro, Ramesh Swaminathan 1 WPD Equity Timeline Council resolution directs creation of Equity Assessment Tool 1st cohort of departments begin Equity Assessment Watershed Action Planning Watershed – Building Institutional Infrastructure and Capacity Austin hires 1st Chief Equity Officer + Creates Equity Office Watershed Equity Assessment Watershed Implementation – Teams, Training, Relationships 2 Guiding Principles • Shared definition of equity: ◦ Racial equity is the condition when race is no longer a predictor of quality of life outcomes in our community. • Lead with Race: ◦ Race is the most reliable predictor of quality of life in Austin. • Transformation, not transaction. • Normalize. Organize. Operationalize. 3 Watershed Focus Drinking Water Protection Zone Desired Development Zone High SVI Low SVI Edwards Plateau Blackland Prairie Transition Line SVI = Social Vulnerability Index as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 4 2018 Equity Assessment Process EQUITY ASSESSMENT TOOL Departmental Analysis Budget Engagement Strategic Outcomes WATERSHED FOCUS AREAS INTERNAL EQUITY DATA PRIORITIZATION ENGAGEMENT 5 • • • Internal Equity People of color primarily work in Operations & Maintenance compared to “office” staff which is whiter. How are power + resources shared between these two spaces? How does quality of life differ? Is Watershed culture inclusive of all? Can we adequately serve the community if we don’t “look” like the community we serve across across all areas? • Are we meeting our full potential as an organization without a diverse professional staff across all areas? 6 Data • Are people of color more likely to face adverse impacts from flooding, erosion, and poor water quality? • How are we collecting data so that it can be disaggregated by race? • What are the best ways to measure, analyze, and predict outcomes related to Watershed mission areas? 7 Prioritization close those gaps? • Once we know where inequity exists, how do we prioritize funding to • How do we make sure our dollars are reaching the right communities? • Are we choosing solutions in a way that considers the different ways in which communities are situated? • How do we improve infrastructure without worsening gentrification? 8 Engagement • How can we expand our model of public participation to fully reflect community values and reach those we have marginalized? • How can we work better …
BRODIE OAKS Development Assessment | Environmental Commission | February 17, 2021 PROJECT TEAM • Landowner • Barshop & Oles • Lionstone Investments • Planning & Design Team Lionheart – Planning, Urban Design, & Landscape Architecture • • • Armbrust & Brown – Legal LJA Engineering – Civil, Utilities, Drainage • BOE Consulting – Transportation • Nelson Nygard – Parking Management and Travel Demand • Overland - Architecture • DPZ & Co. – Urban Design • Speck & Associates – Urban Design and Transportation • Terracon – Geotechnical Engineering BRODIE OAKS PROPERTY • 37.6 acres • 3.5 Miles from Downtown • Major intersection of Loop 360, HWY 290, and S. Lamar Boulevard • High-Capacity Transit Route • Barton Creek Greenbelt Brodie Oaks ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT 1981 • 4 years prior to Hill Country Overlay • 11 years prior to SOS • 31 years prior to Imagine Austin Barton Creek Plaza Gus Fruh Park 84 acres Brodie Oaks Shopping Center Retreat at Barton Creek PROJECT GOALS Ecology Vitality Meet highest environmental standards. Create a walkable mixed-use activity center. Connectivity Connect the site to its surroundings. Character Express the South Austin character. Performance Position the project for the future. SYSTEMS ANALYSIS CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN • Comply with SOS Ordinance. • Create destination quality public space (parks and streets). • Develop at Transit-Supportive Densities. • Include a Mix of Uses. • Commit to 10% of Bonus Area as Affordable Housing. The content on these slides is conceptual in nature and is subject to change. The content on these slides is conceptual in nature and is subject to change. The content on these slides is conceptual in nature and is subject to change. The content on these slides is conceptual in nature and is subject to change. THE RESTORATION • Acres of parking lot and buildings converted to green space = 13.7 (36% Of the Site) • Trails and interpretive material provided to educate, engage and connect people with the environment. The content on these slides is conceptual in nature and is subject to change. THE RESTORATION Current Proposed The content on these slides is conceptual in nature and is subject to change. SOS ORDINANCE Impervious Cover = 54% (down from 84%) SOS Pond Size = Sized per SOS Criteria (currently no on-site storage; most flows to ponds at Retreat at Barton Creek) Reirrigation Area* = 10 Acres (currently no recharge) *Reirrigation within Barton Creek Greenbelt …
BRIEFING SUMMARY SHEET DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT CASE NUMBER: CD-2020-0002 – Brodie Oaks Redevelopment REQUEST: Presentation of a development assessment report for the Brodie Oaks Redevelopment, located at 4021, 4025, 4107, 4109, 4115 and 4141 S. Capital of Texas Hwy NB, and 4220, 4040, 4036, 4006, 4032, 4030, 3940, 4024, 4200 and 4236 S. Lamar BLVD SB, within the Barton Creek Watershed – Barton Springs Zone. DISTRICT AREA: 5 DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The applicant has submitted a development assessment for a proposed 37.6-acre mixed-use development to be known as the Brodie Oaks Redevelopment. It is located at the northwest intersection of S. Lamar Boulevard and S. Capital of Texas Highway, see Exhibit A: Zoning Map and Exhibit B: Aerial Map. The project site (site) is located within the boundaries of an Activity Center for Redevelopment in Sensitive Environmental Areas (Lamar & Ben White) and along the South Lamar Activity Corridor, as identified within the Imagine Austin’s Growth Concept Map. It is also located within the South Lamar Neighborhood Planning Area. This neighborhood area does not have an adopted neighborhood plan and therefore this project would not require a neighborhood plan amendment (NPA). The site is within the Barton Creek Watershed of the Colorado River Basin, which is classified as a Barton Springs Zone Watershed by Chapter 25-8 of the City’s Land Development Code (LDC). The majority of the property is located within the Recharge Zone, with the exception of the southeast corner which is in the Contributing Zone. This site does not have any floodplain located within it but does contain other potential environmental features. An updated Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) report has been requested to be submitted with the PUD application to identify these areas and features. The applicant’s proposed PUD plans “for approximately 1,564 residential units, 1,150,678 square feet of office, 448 hotel rooms, 110 thousand square feet of retail, and 30,000 square feet of restaurant uses located along private streets with public access easements including an Internal Circulator Route meeting Great Streets standards with activated ground floor uses.” The Applicant is requesting a maximum building height of 275 feet along S. Lamar Boulevard and S. Capital of Texas Highway, transitioning down to 160 feet internal to the development and 28 feet within their open space and park areas, see Exhibit F: Land Use Plan and Notes and Exhibit G: Open Space and Parks Plan. The proposed project intends to cluster …
Brodie Oaks Redevelopment Code Modification Table THE ORIGINAL CODE HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN THE “PROPOSED PUD REGULATION” COLUMN IN BLACK, WITH MODIFIED OR REMOVED TEXT HIGHLIGHTED IN RED AND UNDERLINED. CODE SECTION General 25-1-21 – Definitions. (11) 25-1-21 – Definitions 25-1-21 – Definitions 25-1-21 – Definitions. (98) 25-1-21 – Definitions. (105) Zoning 25-2, Subchapter B, Article 2, Subpart C, Section 3.2.2. (C) (Residential Uses) 25-2, Subchapter B, Article 2, Subpart C, Section 3.2.3. (B) (Nonresidential Uses) PROPOSED PUD REGULATION JUSTIFICATION Modify: BLOCK means one or more lots, tracts, or parcels of land bounded by streets (public or private), 30’ wide or larger pedestrian paseo or courtyard with a minimum 5’ sidewalk or trail, public or private park space/open space, easement, or plaza space, railroads, or subdivision boundary lines. Modify: GROSS FLOOR AREA means the total enclosed area of all floors in a building with a clear height of more than six feet, measured to the outside surface of the exterior walls. The term includes loading docks and excludes atria airspace, parking facilities, parking structures, driveways, and enclosed loading berths and off-street maneuvering areas. Addition: OPEN SPACE (OS) means the areas identified as Parks and Open Space on Exhibit C: Brodie Oaks Redevelopment Land Use Plan. Modify: ROADWAY means the portion of a street right-of-way, alley, and/or private streets with public access easements used for vehicular travel. Modify: SITE means a contiguous area intended for development, or the area on which a building has been proposed to be built or has been built. A site may not cross a public street or right-of-way. A site within the Brodie Oaks Redevelopment boundary may cross a public or private street with public access easements. Remove: (C) for multifamily development, the maximum floor to area ratio; Remove: (B) the maximum floor area ratio, which may not be greater than the maximum floor to area ratio permitted in the most restrictive base zoning district in which proposed use is permitted; Creative use of open space, parks, plazas, and paseos will be used throughout the development to achieve maximum walkability, connectivity, and value for the development. Vehicular facilities were never anticipated to be included in gross floor areas. It is desirable to clarify that parking structures are excluded from gross floor area as originally intended. Designated Parks and Open Space are intended as a buffer providing enhanced accessibility and vistas into the Barton Creek Greenbelt. We …
7 0 9 695 696 697 698 700 701 7 0 2 7 0 3 7 0 4 7 0 5 7 0 7 710 1 1 7 L O O P 3 6 0 BARTON CREEK GREENBELT 714 713 711 7 1 2 7 1 3 706 707 708 709 705 706 707 708 709 7 1 1 7 0 9 710 7 0 8 7 0 9 7 0 7 710 711 7 1 1 7 1 0 709 708 710 7 0 9 705 708 706 707 704 703 697 699 700 698 696 702 701 6 9 5 4 9 6 6 9 6 7 9 6 6 9 9 6 9 8 6 9 5 6 9 4 6 9 3 6 9 3 6 9 2 693 700 6 9 2 8 0 7 707 709 706 7 0 5 7 0 9 0 1 7 1 1 7 0 1 7 9 0 7 7 0 8 702 701 703 7 0 4 6 9 8 9 9 6 0 0 7 O U S S T O P 708 707 7 0 6 7 0 3 5 0 7 7 0 4 706 707 705 E T R A PIT A L M R A PID B C E T R O 7 5 0 711 710 709 711 709 710 7 0 8 708 707 706 708 705 701 700 R B A 6 9 5 M A S . L D R M A V E L 7 3 0 0 7 2 7 1 0 0 0 7 U O 4’-8’ Fill 4’-8’ Cut 8’-12’ Cut 12’-16’ Cut 16’-Over Cut Private Streets with Public Access Easements 0 200 400 800 EXHIBIT G: BRODIE OAKS REDEVELOPMENT GRADING PLAN SUBMITTAL DATE: DECEMBER 08, 2020 PUD CASE #: CD-2020-0002-BRODIE OAKS REDEVELOPMENT L O O P 3 6 0 Phase 1 - A portion of Phase I will be temporary restoration of the site for the purposes of reirrigation and revegetation. Future Phases - Future phases will be delivered in response to market conditions. A tracking chart will be provided for all phases of development that accounts for Impervious Cover, Building Coverage, Floor-To-Area, Parkland Credit, and Affordable Housing. BARTON CREEK GREENBELT O U S S T O P E T R A PIT A L M R A PID B C E T …
Brodie Oaks Redevelopment – Development Assessment Location: S. Lamar Blvd and S. Capital of Texas Hwy District: 5 Approximate Size: 37.6 acres Current Development: Shopping Center Imagine Austin Growth Concept Map: • Activity Center for Redevelopment in Sensitive Environmental Areas • Along an Activity Corridor 1 Creating a mixed-use development; 13.7 acres of open space; Maximum of building height of 275’. Key Points of Proposed PUD Cluster development near S. Lamar Blvd and S. Capital Texas Hwy; Reduce existing impervious cover. 4,700 feet of active trails with new trailhead to greenbelt; 10,000 feet of sidewalk; Working with transportation groups on improved access. Will meet or exceed all Tier One and several Tier Two Requirements. 2 PUD Zoning Process Next Steps Development Assessment PUD Zoning Application Commission and Council Process We are here in the process. We do not need a recommendation at this point. City Council staff briefing to be scheduled. 3 Barton Creek Critical Water Quality Zone Water Quality Transition Zone Existing Parkland Site Parkland Site Data: Barton Creek Watershed/Barton Springs Zone Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone
Dougherty Arts Center Replacement Project Preliminary Design Phase Update Boards and Commissions February 2021 Site Map & Context 2 Previous City Council Direction • Butler Shores location approved on 5/9/19 • Council direction to consider site alternatives: on site 1. New DAC & existing PARD Main Office remain 2. New DAC & New PARD Main Office rebuilt on site (unfunded) 3. New DAC on site, existing PARD is removed/relocated elsewhere (unfunded) • Consolidated Arts District Parking (underground, partially unfunded) • Seek alternative financing mechanisms & interest in philanthropy Conceptual development scenario from 2018/2019 planning process 3 Existing PARD Main Office • Constructed 1959, 2-story addition in 1976 • First permanent home for COA Parks Department • High degree of historic integrity • Architect: R. Earl Dillard • Defining features: wide eaves, flat roof, curtain • Eligible for listing on National Register of Historic windows Places Image credits: Austin History Center 4 Recent Stakeholder Engagement • Two Open House Community Meetings • Meeting #1: Oct. 28, 2020 • Meeting #2: Jan. 26, 2021 • (10) Small Group Meetings • Dougherty Arts Center Staff: 11/10/2020 • Painting, Photography, and Drawing Artists and Instructors: 11/19/2020 • Youth Program Instructors and Parents: 12/1/2020 • Gallery Artists: 12/2/2020 • Artist Professional Development Programs: 12/3/2020 • Theater Organizations and Technical Staff: 12/7/2020 • Friends of the Dougherty Arts Center: 12/9/2020 • Ceramics Studio Artists and Instructors: 12/10/2020 • Neighbors to the Dougherty Arts Center: 12/15/2020 • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Arts: 1/7/2021 • Electronic Survey • 221 Participants & 894 Responses • Ongoing Partner Coordination • ZACH Scott Theater • The Trail Foundation • Austin Transportation Dept. 5 Project Mission Statement 6 Site Constraints Map 7 Four Options Key operational criteria and site considerations • Preservation of heritage trees • Relationship to adjacent ZACH • Underground parking solution • Pick-up & drop-off for youth programs • Load-in areas for theater programs • Balancing traffic impact between Toomey Rd. & Riverside Dr. • Preservation of PARD Main Office (1959) • Allowance for possible expansion • Activates parkland & enhance trail access • Civic presence/identity • Back of house areas for kiln yard, etc. 8 • Compact building footprint tucked closely behind PARD Main & ZACH School • One heritage oak impacted • Proposed parking garage sits between ZACH and new DAC, within ZACH lease boundary • PARD Main is retained and renovated/expanded (future scope, unfunded) …
Versión en español a continuación. Urban Forestry Committee Meeting February 10, 2021 Urban Forestry Committee to be held February 10, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications. Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (February 9, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the February 10, 2021 Urban Forestry Committee Meeting, members of the public must: •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). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live 1 Reunión del Urban Forestry Committee FECHA de la reunion (10 de febrero de 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (9 de febrero de 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se …
City Arborist Program Heritage Tree Report October - December 2020 Issue Date Address Diameter Condition 10/1/2020 2712 SCENIC DR 10/1/2020 2725 BARTON SKWY 10/1/2020 2725 BARTON SKWY 10/1/2020 2725 BARTON SKWY 10/1/2020 1602 WETHERSFIELD RD 10/1/2020 3602 WINFIELD CV 10/1/2020 2712 SCENIC DR 10/1/2020 2712 SCENIC DR 10/2/2020 1911 ROBBINS PL 10/2/2020 10716 GALSWORTHY LANE 10/2/2020 205 ROWLAND DR 10/2/2020 405 W ELIZABETH ST 10/2/2020 706 E 43RD STREET 10/2/2020 5901 SHOALWOOD AVE 10/2/2020 405 W ELIZABETH ST 10/2/2020 405 W ELIZABETH ST 10/5/2020 7053 AUCKLAND DRIVE 10/5/2020 2902 CLEARVIEW DR 10/5/2020 2820 PRADO ST 10/5/2020 2004 PARKER LN 10/5/2020 4713 CHIAPPERO TRL 10/5/2020 1406 E 37TH ST 10/5/2020 4713 CHIAPPERO TRL 10/5/2020 4713 CHIAPPERO TRL 10/5/2020 4713 CHIAPPERO TRL 10/5/2020 4713 CHIAPPERO TRL 10/5/2020 1300 GUADALUPE STREET 10/5/2020 4419 DIANE DRIVE 10/5/2020 4713 CHIAPPERO TRL 10/6/2020 4501 SHOAL CREEK BLVD 10/6/2020 4501 SHOAL CREEK BLVD 10/6/2020 8529 ALOPHIA DR 10/7/2020 505 W ST JOHNS AVENUE 10/7/2020 4206 WILDWOOD RD 10/7/2020 5108 WOODVIEW AVE 10/7/2020 3102 W HIGHLAND TER 10/7/2020 5108 WOODVIEW AVE 10/7/2020 1624 W 5TH STREET 10/7/2020 2007 ROBINHOOD TRL 10/7/2020 2312 WESTOAK DR 10/7/2020 3102 W HIGHLAND TER 10/7/2020 2007 ROBINHOOD TRL 10/7/2020 2007 ROBINHOOD TRL 10/8/2020 6700 BRIDGE HILL CV 10/8/2020 13002 HUNTERS CHASE DR 10/8/2020 6700 BRIDGE HILL CV Public No Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Species Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Pecan Live Oak American Elm Live Oak Pecan Live Oak Pecan Live Oak Pecan Pecan Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Cedar Elm American Elm Cedar Elm Live Oak Pecan Live Oak Live Oak Spanish Oak Live Oak Pecan American Elm Spanish Oak Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Red Oak Live Oak Pecan Live Oak Cedar Elm Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Live Oak Elm Live Oak Live Oak 24 Good 24 Good 24 Good 24 Good 25.75 Fair 28 Poor 29 Good 31.5 Good 24 Fair 24 DDI 24 Good 28.5 Fair 31 DDI 32 Fair 36 Fair 46 Fair 24 Good 25 Fair 25 Poor 26 Fair 26 Fair 28 DDI 29 Fair 30 Fair 30 Fair 33 Fair 34.5 DDI 36.5 …
Urban Forest Program Updates for Urban Forestry Subcommittee F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 1 Highlights • Youth Forest Council • Community Tree Priority Map • Arborist Continuing Education • Awards/Recognition • Staffing Youth Forest Council • 2020 wrap up, projects online • 2021 cohort on-board Community Tree Priority Map • Resource prioritization tool • Full write up online Community Tree Education • Certified Arborist Prep - virtual • Tree Maintenance Training • Project Learning Tree Awards Urban Connections – Teacher Conservation Institute 2020 Forestry Innovation Award Texas Forestry Association From Tree to Urban Forest Health 2020 Arboricultural Project of the Year Texas ISA Austin’s Possible Planting Space Map ESRI Map Gallery Staffing • Vacant Environmental Program Coordinator (Urban Forest Health coordinator) • Co-facilitator for Youth Forest Council (part time) Links Youth Forest Council Homepage: https://www.austintexas.gov/page/youth-forest-council Blogs: https://www.austintexas.gov/blog-tags/youth-forest-council Community Tree Priority Map Article: https://www.austintexas.gov/blog/explore-austins-community-tree-priority-map Map: https://arcg.is/1fvPq0 Teacher Conservation Institute Award https://tfaannualmeeting.com/2020-tfa-awards/texas-forestry-association-announces-aimiee-aubin-and-april-rose- as-forestry-innovation-award-recipients/ Austin’s Possible Planting Space Map https://www.dropbox.com/s/vw445j5h0qfp4ny/Possible%20Planting%20Space%202014%20Map%20v4.jpg?dl=0 Emily King Urban Forester Community Tree Preservation Division Development Services Department Emily.King@austintexas.gov
EXCEPTS FROM THE YEAR END SURVEY “Seeing myself improve in certain skills gave me more confidence in speaking up.” “I feel much more equipped to eventually enter the workforce. I feel much more connected to the urban forest and feel much more equipped to discuss it.” “I 100% improved my professional skills, including project management. I have already implemented this in some areas outside of YFC.” 100% OF YFC MEMBERS AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS: Through this internship, I learned new information about careers in the outdoors, nature, and the environment. I have spoken to others in my community (family, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, etc.) about the things I'm learning. Since starting the internship, I feel more equipped to take actions to support the urban forest in my community. COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS Each YFC member was responsible for planning a Community Action Project (CAP). CAPs were grounded in equity and community engagement and offered a chance for YFC members to share learnings with their own community. Despite the limitations presented by COVID- 19, 2020 YFC members designed and implemented impressive projects that deepened the Urban Forest Program’s connection to Austinites. “[The] most impactful part was having a chance to create my own community action project. I feel proud and thankful for letting me have the opportunity to use my own ideas for this project.” READ MORE ABOUT 2020 COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS. 2020 Y E A R I N R E V I E W Youth Forest Council (YFC) is a yearlong internship for young people in Austin. 2020 was the pilot year of the program. Over the course of the year, 12 interns joined the Urban Forest Program as temporary part-time staff. Each intern worked independently and with staff and partners on projects aligned to the Urban Forest Program’s mission of “Enhancing Austin’s quality of life by fostering a healthy urban forest for all.” The program is aligned to multiple strategies within Strategic Direction 2023: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND AFFORDABILITY HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL
DRAFT Tree Inspection, Accountability, and Reporting Concerns Tree inspectors now answer to Construction Dept. and lost their connection to the city arborist because direct supervision has been transferred to the Construction Division. The City Arborist develops, coordinates, and implements citywide urban forest regulatory policies, procedures, and programs and is the responsible party and the expert resource for staff. Management and oversight are crucial. The City arborist is also the connection to the community. City of Austin code 25-8-623 states, “the city arborist shall inspect trees.” Community Tree Preservation Division had a tree-oriented staff that connected them to the community. This is City of Austin policy. Experienced tree inspectors are now tasked with erosion control and sedimentation review and trees are no longer a priority. Trees are no longer the priority and focus, creating a drop in the level of service to trees and diluted the effectiveness of the city arborist program. Development is the major reason for yearly tree decline. Citizen violation reports are sent to the construction dept. Loss of faith with the community and connection to the City Arborist office. Change in established policy. Response time: adding layers Lack of understanding of tree survival issue and active violations. Loss of urgency. Safety issues. Adding layers to response time kills trees. Trees are alive and living breathing infrastructure. Rapid response to problem resolution is critical. All tree inspectors assessing trees need certification and training. Training is critical. Knowledge of code and recognizing tree impacts are critical for tree survival. UFC November 12, 2020 Recommendations: Address code 25-8-623 by restoring inspection oversight to the city arborist and prioritizing trees and sustainability. Only qualified tree inspectors should inspect trees. Re-establish the link for citizens reporting tree concerns to the city arborist office by returning oversight for tree inspections to the city arborist office. Develop an immediate response chain for urgent tree violations/safety issues/ inspections which should take top priority. Define tree safety issues by a qualified tree inspector. Restore direct supervision and allow the city arborist to speak directly to tree inspectors. Establish training guidelines for tree inspectors through the city arborist’s office including ISA tree risk assessment. Require the city arborist be involved in hiring of new tree inspectors, and have a role in writing job descriptions and performance reviews. Provide the Environmental Commission quarterly spreadsheets tracking tree violations/removals, inspections/results. Allow tree inspectors to inspect commercial sites monthly. Consider community …
Versión en español a continuación. Environmental Commission Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Environmental Commission to be held February 3, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications. Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (February 2, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the February 3, 2021 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting, members of the public must: •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). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live 1 Reunión del Environmental Commission FECHA de la reunion (3 de febrero de 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (2 de febrero de 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Kaela Champlin, (512) 974-3443, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MOTION 20210203 003a Date: February 3, 2021 RATIONALE: Subject: Consider proposed annexation of 36 properties (approximately 115.4 acres) into Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10, C12-M-2020-0137 Motion by: Kevin Ramberg Seconded by: Pam Thompson WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes the annexation into the District will not affect the City of Austin’s annexation plans and staff does not anticipate any negative land use impacts on adjacent property; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that staff finds that direct water and wastewater service is not feasible given the properties are currently in the Camelot Water Supply Corporation CCN and due to the non-proximate location of the properties in relation to the City system; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission recognizes that the regulations for development will follow the same rules and processes currently in effect if the District annexes the tract. THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends consent to the proposed annexation of the 36 properties, comprising 115.4 acres, into the Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10. For: Thompson, Ramberg, Guerrero, Bedford, Coyne, Gordon, and Barrett Bixler Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Absent: Creel and Maceo VOTE 7-0 Approved By: Linda Guerrero, Environmental Commission Chair
