03-1: AE Festival Beach Ch 26 Presentation — original pdf

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Chapter 26 Application Capital Express-Lady Bird Lake March 23, 2026 © Austin Energy David Tomczyszyn, Vice President, Electric System Engineering and Technical Services Mac Kammerer, Public Involvement Manager Agenda Project Summary Project Location Alternatives Considered Ch. 26 Requirements Stakeholder Engagement Questions 2 Project Summary • Austin Energy is required to reroute an existing transmission line to accommodate TxDOT’s expansion of I-35. • Transmission circuit 1015 is a critical element of Austin Energy's electric system, ensuring reliable service for tens of thousands of customers. • One transmission structure will be replaced on Festival Beach Park property, and two new structures will be placed outside of the park property in the road right-of-way. 3 Existing Transmission Line Alignment Brown Lines = Existing CITY ROW Blue Line = New TxDOT ROW Magenta Line = Existing Austin Energy Circuit (CKT)1015 Route Alternatives Considered Evaluated Reroute Option 1 Green Lines = Circuit Reroute Option Not Selected Option not feasible: • Does not meet NESC safety code • Impacts critical root zones • Greater impacts to parkland, including larger poles and more required easements • Difficult to maintain I-35 crossing Evaluated Reroute Option 2 Green Lines = Circuit Reroute Option Not Selected Option not feasible: • Does not meet NESC safety code • Impacts critical root zones • Difficult to maintain I-35 crossing • Congested spotting constraints Required Reroute Easement Footprint on Park Property • Green Hatch (TCAD No. 187333): Approximately 14,280 Sq. Ft. • Magenta Cross Hatch (TCAD No. 187327): Approximately 1,088 Sq. Ft. • LOC = Limits of Construction 9 Minimizing Parkland Impacts Reducing Effects on Parkland • • • • Project complies with Chapter 191 of the Texas Natural Resources Code. Zero tree critical root zones affected. Transmission structure foundations located outside of community garden fence. Transmission arms holding wire oriented toward Waller Street, away from park, to minimize vegetation management. The project is not expected to require relocation or removal of gardens or trees. • • No project impacts to future planting phases. 11 Bundling Conductor Together Reduces Easement Footprint Existing structure Proposed structure 12 Festival Beach Irrigation Plans Transmission structure 15 will be located inside road right of way and will not impact irrigation lines within park boundary. Structure Locations & Critical Root Zones • Green circles represent critical root zones for existing trees • Estimated foundation diameters: • Structure 14 = 8.5 feet • Structure 15 = 5 feet 14 Limits of Construction for Structures 13, 14 and 15 15 Augmented View 1 Looking North toward Structure 14 Augmented View 2 Looking North toward Structure 15 Summary of Stakeholder Engagement Efforts Austin Energy continues to engage with local stakeholders to promote transparency and to address concerns. Key partners include: • Festival Beach Food Forest • Festival Beach Community Garden • Residents of the RBJ Senior Living apartment building A total of 5 onsite meetings have been held to date: • 10/01/24 - Austin Energy Engagement Meeting • 01/29/25 - TxDOT Quarterly Meeting • 04/03/25 - Austin Energy Update Meeting • 06/25/25 - TxDOT Quarterly Meeting • 10/25/25 - TxDOT Quarterly Meeting 18 Project Coordination & Partner Support During construction: • Austin Energy will coordinate closely and work around scheduled park events where feasible. • Park access will remain open throughout the project. • We remain committed to proactive, transparent communication with impacted partners. 19 Next Steps: • March 2026: Ch. 26 presentation to Parks Board • Spring 2026: Seek Council approval • August 2026: Complete easement acquisitions • October 2026: Begin high voltage transmission line reroute construction • May 2027: Complete transmission line construction 20 Summary Consider a recommendation to City Council to authorize a change in use of 15,368 sq. ft. of dedicated parkland at Edward Rendon Sr. Metro Park at Festival Beach to reroute and maintain a transmission line affected by the TxDOT Capital Express project. Funding: This item includes a mitigation payment in the amount of $2,414,240 from Austin Energy to Austin Parks and Recreation and, as a result, there is no impact to the General Fund. 21 How to contact us Mark Kammerer, Public Involvement Manager Mark.kammerer@austinenergy.com Carolyn Perez, Community Engagement Consultant Carolyn.perez@austinenergy.com © Austin Energy Questions? © Austin Energy