Planning Commission: September 28, 2021 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET DATE FILED: July 26, 2021 (In-cycle) PHONE: (512) 974-2695 2404 Thrasher Lane NEIGHORHOOD PLAN: Montopolis CASE#: NPA-2021-0005.01 PROJECT NAME: Alpha .95 PC DATE: September 28, 2021 ADDRESS/ES: DISTRICT AREA: 3 SITE AREA: 0.95 acres OWNER/APPLICANT: Alpha Builders (Gino Shvetz) AGENT: Bennett Consulting (Rodney K. Bennett) CASE MANAGER: Maureen Meredith STAFF EMAIL: Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov TYPE OF AMENDMENT: Change in Future Land Use Designation From: Single Family Base District Zoning Change To: Higher Density Single Family Related Zoning Case: C14-2021-0128 From: CS-NP To: SF-6-NP NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ADOPTION DATE: September 27, 2001 CITY COUNCIL DATE: Not scheduled at this time ACTION: 1 1 of 23B-1 Planning Commission: September 28, 2021 PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: September 28, 2021- STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended for applicant’s request for Higher Density Single Family land use. BASIS FOR STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION: The property is a 0.95-acre vacant tract of land with zoned CS-NP with Commercial future land use. To the north is a single-family home zoned SF-3-NP with primary frontage on Carson Ridge. The FLUM shows Transportation on this property presumably because the plan supported the extension of Carson Ridge, an undeveloped road that has proposed right-of-way through this property. The property to the south is a single-family home zoned CS-NP with a future land use of Commercial. Staff supports the applicant’s request for Higher Density Single Family land use because it will provide a transition between the single-family use and zoning north of the property and commercial land use and zoning to the south of the property. The request will also add additional housing units and types to the Montopolis planning area and the city. The Montopolis Plan supports creating homes for all stages of life and the creation of multiple housing types. 2 2 of 23B-1 Planning Commission: September 28, 2021 LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS EXISTING LAND USE ON THE PROPERTY Single family - Detached or two-family residential uses at typical urban and/or suburban densities. Purpose 1. Preserve the land use pattern and future viability of existing neighborhoods; 2. Encourage new infill development that continues existing neighborhood patterns of development; and 3. Protect residential neighborhoods from incompatible business or industry and the loss of existing housing. Application 1. Existing single‐family areas should generally be designated as single family to preserve established neighborhoods; and 2. May include small lot options (Cottage, Urban Home, Small Lot Single Family) and two‐family residential options (Duplex, …
C14-2021-0128 1 ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2021-0128 – ALPHA .95 DISTRICT: 3 ZONING FROM: CS-NP TO: SF-6-NP ADDRESS: 2404 Thrasher Lane SITE AREA: 0.95 acres PROPERTY OWNER: Alpha Builders Group, Inc. (Gino Shvetz) AGENT: Bennett Consulting (Rodney K. Bennett) CASE MANAGER: Kate Clark (512-974-1237, kate.clark@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends townhouse and condominium residence-neighborhood plan (SF-6-NP) combining district zoning. For a summary of the basis of staff’s recommendation, see page 2. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: September 28, 2021 Scheduled for Planning Commission CITY COUNCIL ACTION: To be Scheduled for City Council ORDINANCE NUMBER: ISSUES There are no known issues at this time and staff has not received any written or emailed comments in favor of or in opposition to this rezoning case. CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: This property is undeveloped and approximately 0.95 acres in size. It is located on the northwestern side of Thrasher Lane. Adjacent zoning to the south consists of CS-NP, to the west is CS-NP and GR-MU-CO-NP and to the north is SF-3-NP. Across Thrasher Lane to the east is CS-MU-NP, please see Exhibit A: Zoning Map and Exhibit B: Aerial Map. Per the applicant’s rezoning application, they are requesting SF-6-NP to construct 10 residential units, the proposed unit mix would include eight two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units. The future land use map (FLUM) designates this property as “commercial” and therefore 1 of 9B-2 C14-2021-0128 2 requires a neighborhood plan amendment (NPA) to be considered with the rezoning request. Please refer to case no. NPA-2021-0005.01. BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION: and development intensities. 1. Zoning should promote a transition between adjacent and nearby zoning districts, land uses, This property is adjacent to CS-NP zoning to the south and SF-3-NP zoning to the north. Rezoning this property to SF-6-NP would provide a transition in land use and site development intensity between these properties. EXISTING ZONING AND LAND USES: Zoning Land Uses Site North South East West CS-NP SF-3-NP CS-NP CS-MU-NP GR-MU-CO-NP Undeveloped Single-family residential Multi-family residential Multi-family residential Multi-family residential NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AREA: Montopolis TIA: A TIA shall be required at the time of site plan if triggered per LDC 25-6-113. WATERSHED: Carson Creek Watershed OVERLAYS: Airport Overlay (Controlled Compatible Land Use Area), Residential Design Standards, Select Sign Ordinances and Wildland Urban Interface (Proximity Class - Within 1.5 miles of a Wildland Area). SCHOOLS: Allison Elementary, Martin Middle and Eastside Memorial High Schools. NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS Austin Lost and …
MEMORANDUM ************************************************************************ TO: Todd Shaw, Chair Planning Commission Members FROM: DATE: RE: Heather Chaffin, Senior Planner Maureen Meredith, Senior Planner Housing and Planning Department June 22, 2021 C14-2020-0150 NPA-2020-0015.03 6705 and 6501 Regiene Road Postponement Request by Staff ************************************************************************ Staff requests a postponement of the above-referenced rezoning and neighborhood plan amendment (NPA) cases from the September 28, 2021 Planning Commission hearing to the October 12, 2021 hearing date. Staff is finalizing recommendations and preparing staff reports. 1 of 1B-4
MEMORANDUM ************************************************************************ TO: Todd Shaw, Chair Planning Commission Members FROM: DATE: RE: Heather Chaffin, Senior Planner Maureen Meredith, Senior Planner Housing and Planning Department June 22, 2021 C14-2020-0150 NPA-2020-0015.03 6705 and 6501 Regiene Road Postponement Request by Staff ************************************************************************ Staff requests a postponement of the above-referenced rezoning and neighborhood plan amendment (NPA) cases from the September 28, 2021 Planning Commission hearing to the October 12, 2021 hearing date. Staff is finalizing recommendations and preparing staff reports. 1 of 1B-5
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET DISTRICT: Contiguous to District 2 TO: PUD CASE: C814-2012-0152.03 – Pilot Knob PUD ZONING FROM: Unzoned ADDRESS: 7620 FM Road 1625, 8009 and 8047 Sassman Road, and Thaxton Road SITE AREA: Five tracts totaling 242.508 acres PROPERTY OWNER: Carma Easton, LLC (AJ Zorn) AGENT: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Richard T. Suttle, Jr.) CASE MANAGER: Wendy Rhoades (512-974-7719, wendy.rhoades@austintexas.gov) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The Staff recommendation is to grant planned unit development (PUD) district zoning for the seven tracts as shown in Exhibit C – the revised Land Use Plan and Density Table, and supporting Exhibits D, J, L, M, O, P, P-1, R and U. For a summary of the basis of Staff’s recommendation, see pages 2 and 3. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: September 28, 2021: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: November 4, 2021: ORDINANCE NUMBER: ISSUES: None at this time. EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS TO THE STAFF REPORT: Exhibits A and A-1: Zoning Map and Aerial Applicant’s Summary Letter and Redlined, draft PUD Amendment Ordinance Revised Exhibits to the PUD: Exhibit C: Land Use Plan and Density Table Exhibit D: Conceptual Parks and Open Space Plan Exhibit J: Critical Water Quality Zone Transfers Exhibit L: Proposed Waterway Crossings Exhibit M: Wetland Transfer Exhibit 1 of 24B-6 C814-2012-0152.03 Page 2 Exhibit O: Cut / Fill Exhibit Exhibit P: Impervious Cover Map Exhibit P-1: Impervious Cover Table Exhibit R: Conceptual Public Art Master Plan Exhibit U: Project Area CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The proposed amendment to the Pilot Knob Planned Unit Development (PUD) consists of five undeveloped, unzoned and non-contiguous tracts that are adjacent to the PUD and have access to Sassman Road on the north, Sassman Road and FM 1625 Road to the east, Wende Road on the south and Thaxton Road on the west. These five parcels are currently within unincorporated Travis County and proposed for annexation and establishment of initial permanent zoning, thus bringing them into the PUD. Please refer to Exhibits A (Zoning Map), and A-1 (Aerial View). The proposed amendment would add approximately 215 acres to the Mixed Residential area, and 27.5 acres to the Open Space area to the PUD for a revised total of 2,625.271 acres. The 65% average impervious cover in the PUD will not change. As information, the Mixed Residential area is intended to provide a mix of single family residential types, multifamily, neighborhood-serving commercial uses, and civic uses. The Open Space area includes greenways, …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET HLC DATE: April 26, 2021 PC DATE: September 28, 2021 CASE NUMBER: C14H-2021-0057 APPLICANT: Aaron Franklin, owner HISTORIC NAME: Kohn House WATERSHED: Shoal Creek ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 5312 Shoal Creek Boulevard ZONING CHANGE: SF-2 to SF-2-H COUNCIL DISTRICT: 7 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the proposed zoning change from single family residence – standard lot (SF-2) to single family residence – standard lot – Historic Landmark (SF-2-H) combining district zoning. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: Architecture and historical associations HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend proposed owner-initiated historic zoning change from single family residence – standard lot (SF-2) to single family residence – standard lot – Historic Landmark (SF-2-H) combining district zoning on a motion by Koch, McWhorter seconding. Vote: 9-0, Heimsath and Castillo absent. Due to the pending landmark status, the Historic Landmark Commission has also granted a Certificate of Appropriateness for a proposed addition to the house and site improvements. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The house is beyond the bounds of any historic resources survey to date. CITY COUNCIL DATE: October 21, 2021 ORDINANCE READINGS: 1st 2nd 3rd CASE MANAGER: Elizabeth Brummett NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Allandale Neighborhood Association; Austin Independent School District; Austin Lost and Found Pets; Austin Neighborhoods Council; AustinRAMP; Bike Austin; Central Austin Community Development Corporation; Central Austin Urbanists; Friends of Austin Neighborhoods; Homeless Neighborhood Assocation; Lower District 7 Green; NW Austin Neighbors; Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation; North Austin Neighborhood Alliance; Preservation Austin; SELTexas; Shoal Creek Conservancy; Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: Architecture: The Kohn House, built around 1938 for Adolph and Mollie Kohn, occupies a premier site in the Shoalmont Addition. Two lots wide, the expansive parcel extends from Shoal Creek Boulevard on the east to Shoal Creek on the west and is studded with mature oaks. The architect of the house is unknown, but the design is possibly attributed to Kohn himself. Eclectic in its design, the one-story house is T-shaped, with a long side-gabled volume facing the street and a rear hipped-roof wing. A two-story square tower with a pyramidal roof is asymmetrically placed near the north end of the house. The house is predominantly clad in random ashlar limestone with quoins at the corners and a stone chimney; a portion of the rear elevation is clad in horizontal wood siding. Wrapping the southeast end of the house is a porch with square wood posts and curved brackets; …
PLANNING COMMISSION SITE PLAN CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: SPC-2021-0134A PROJECT NAME: Waterloo Neighborhood Park ADDRESS OF APPLICATION: 500 E 12th St AREA: There are three different areas shown on the site plan included in the back up materials that are PC DATE: 09/28/21 COUNCIL DISTRICT: 1 requesting the Parks and Recreation Services Special Conditional Use. 6,762 square feet at Lebermann Plaza (performance space), 7,412 square feet located at the food truck and deck area, and 95,882 square feet at the Moody Amphitheater (includes performance platform, rooftop terrace, lower and great lawn areas). A total of 110,056 square feet of Parks and Recreation Services Special Conditional Use are requested. (512) 659-8834 (512) 974-6455 Phone: (512) 974-2711 Renee.Johns@austintexas.gov Waterloo Park Greenway (Erica Saenz) 1111 Red River St Austin, Texas, 78701 City of Austin – Parks and Recreation Department (Liana Kallivoka) 919 W 28th Half St Austin, TX 78705 APPLICANT: AGENT: CASE MANAGER: Renee Johns PROPOSED USE: Parks and Recreation Services (Special) EXISTING ZONING: P NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN: NA/Downtown PROPOSED USE: The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use for a Parks and Recreation Services-Special Use in P (Public) zoning on the newly developed Waterloo Neighborhood Park/Moody amphitheater site. The Parks and Recreation Services Special Use will be located in three different areas: Leberman Plaza, food truck/deck area, and the Moody Amphitheater area for a total of 110,056 square feet. SUMMARY STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit. The Parks and Recreation Services Special Use allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages at predetermined areas on this site. This site is just north of the Central Business District which allows cocktail lounges and other uses where alcohol can be sold. Parks and Recreation Board: Per 25-2-625 (E)(4) “The Land Use Commission may not consider a site plan until it receives a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Board.” Recommendation received on May 25, 2021 and the minutes are included in the backup documentation. PROJECT INFORMATION Area of proposed CUP Existing Zoning Watershed Watershed Ordinance 3 different areas: 6,762 square feet, 7,412 square feet, and 95,882 for a total of 110,056 square feet of Parks and Recreation Services Special Conditional Use P Waller Creek Current Code 1 of 13B-8 NA, less than 2000 trips per day Not applicable Trinity St, 12th St, and 15th St. (access for park and delivery vehicles only) NA NA NA Parking proposed: Accessible …
PLANNING COMMISSION SITE PLAN CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVIEW SHEET PC DATE: 09/28/21 SP-2020-0354C CASE NUMBER: PROJECT NAME: Rainey Street Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Substation ADDRESS: APPLICANT: 706 1/2 LAMBIE ST City of Austin (Tara Delagarza– Austin Energy) 2624 KRAMER LANE BLDG E AUSTIN, Texas, 78758 (512) 505-7175 Civil Land Group, LLC (Gregory Ulcak) 206 W Main STREET Suite 101 ROUND ROCK, Texas, 78664 (512) 992-0118 AGENT: Lady Bird Lake (Urban) CASE MANAGER: Renee Johns, (512) 974-2711 or renee.johns@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN: N/A Downtown Rainey District PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant proposes a new energy substation with an art screening, pedestrian pathways located outside the substation area, shared use paths, open space improvements, utilities, and other associated improvements. Renderings of the art screening are enclosed and have been shown to the Waller Creek Design Team and Art in Public Places Division (attached email in back up) and were received with positive feedback. SUMMARY STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit. The utility project on this site has been provided with many pedestrian and urban design elements: art screening, pedestrian pathways, shared use path, and preservation of many trees that are consistent with the design intentions for the downtown area. The site plan will comply with all requirements of the Land Development Code prior to its release. SUMMARY STAFF COMMENT ON SITE PLAN: The applicant proposes a new energy substation with several pedestrian and urban design components. Sites zoned Public (P) greater than one acre in size are a Conditional Use that require Land Use Commission approval according to Land Development Code section 25-2-625. PROJECT INFORMATION: 62,726 SF, 1.440acres SITE AREA P-NP (Public) ZONING Major Utility Facility PROPOSED NEW USE NA CVC 43,185 SF, 68.8% PROPOSED IMPERVIOUS COVER Current WATERSHED ORDINANCE PROPOSED BUILDING COVERAGE 10.5% PROPOSED ACCESS TIA PROPOSED HEIGHT PARKING REQURIED Gated entrance on both I-35 SB and Lambie St No, extremely low traffic generation 28’ No parking required for use and none proposed B-91 of 13 ZONING EXISTING ZONING AND LAND USES Site North South East West P River St then Vacant Lambie St then CBD I-35 Frontage, vacant, then I-35 East Ave then CBD NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District Austin Lost and Found Pets Austin Neighborhoods Council City of Austin Downtown Commission Del Valle Community Coalition Downtown Austin Neighborhood Assn. East Austin Conservancy East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Plan Contact Team East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association …
APPEAL TO PLANNING COMMISISON PARKLAND REQUIREMENT REVIEW SHEET 4 North Loop 403 Koenig Lane CS-MU-V-CO-NP Planning Commission: September 28, 2021 Koenig Lane Multifamily Michael Whellan Michael Whellan 201 E Koenig Lane Management, LLC, John Needham CASE NUMBER: SP-2020-0419C Parks Board: September 14, 2021 CASE NAME: DISTRICT: ADDRESS: ZONING: APPELLANT: APPLICANT: OWNER: NEIGHBOR- -HOOD PLAN: PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD ACTION: September 14, 2021: Board Member Barnard made a motion to recommend to the Planning Commission to deny the applicant's request to exclusively pay fee in lieu of land dedication for Koenig Multifamily (SP-2020-0419C); Board Member Cottam Sajbel second the motion. The motion passed on a 6-0 vote with Vice Chair DePalma and Board Members Hugman and Rinaldi absent and two vacancies. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: To be heard on September 28, 2021 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: The applicant is proposing to construct 434 multifamily units and 2,500 sq ft of mixed commercial use in a multi-story building with a multi-level parking garage, driveways to Koenig Lane, Avenue F and E 56th Street, and site utilities. APPEAL REQUEST: The Appellant filed an appeal of the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) decision to require land for this site plan, and requested to pay fee in lieu. This action is described in Land Development Code 25-1-605 (F); the appeal is to the Planning Commission, who will make the final decision. The case has already been heard by Park and Recreation Board, and a recommendation made (see above). 1 of 72B-10 2 SP-2020-0419C Koenig Lane Multifamily SUMMARY STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends upholding PARD’s original requirement to dedicate land as part of this site plan; and denial of the applicant’s request to pay fee in lieu. This Site Development Permit is requesting an appeal of the park land determination under 25-1- 605 (F). This site plan is located on 6.5 acres in a critically park deficient area and proposing 434 multifamily units owing 6.9 acres of parkland. The applicant is required to dedicate 0.98 acres of parkland (15% gross site area Urban Core Cap) on the site, and pay the remaining amount in fees-in-lieu to satisfy parkland dedication requirements (per code criteria 25-1- 602(B)). Due to the 15% Urban Core Cap, the applicant is satisfying the majority of their park requirements (86%) with a fee in-lieu payment. The criteria for the decision of whether to require land vs. fee in lieu are listed in 25-1-605. (B). In determining whether …
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA Tuesday, September 28, 2021 The Planning Commission will convene at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX. Some members of the Planning Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Awais Azhar Joao Paulo Connolly Grayson Cox Yvette Flores – Secretary Claire Hempel – Vice-Chair Patrick Howard Jennifer Mushtaler Solveij Rosa Praxis Carmen Llanes Pulido Jessica Cohen – Ex-Officio Robert Schneider Todd Shaw – Chair James Shieh – Parliamentarian Jeffrey Thompson Richard Mendoza – Ex-Officio Arati Singh - AISD Ex-Officio EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Planning Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on this agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 Attorney: Steven Maddoux 512- 974-6080 Commission Liaison: Andrew Rivera, 512-974-6508 CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the commencement of the meeting will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. 2. 4. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of September 14, 2021. B. PUBLIC HEARINGS Plan Amendment: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: NPA-2021-0005.01 - ALPHA .95; District 3 2404 Thrasher Lane; Montopolis NP Area, Carson Creek Watershed Alpha Builders Group, Inc. (Gino Shvetz) Bennett Consulting (Rodney K. Bennett) Commercial to Higher Density Single Family land use Recommended Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov C14-2021-0128 - ALPHA .95; District 3 2404 Thrasher Lane; Montopolis NP Area, Carson Creek Watershed Alpha Builders Group, Inc. (Gino Shvetz) Bennett Consulting (Rodney K. Bennett) CS-NP to SF-6-NP Recommended Kate Clark, 512-974-1237, kate.clark@austintexas.gov 3. Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: C14-2021-0081 - 5th & Walsh Rezoning; District 9 1200, 1202, 1204, 1210, 1214, 1214 1/2 W. 5th St.; 504, 506 Walsh St.; Old West Austin NP Area, Lady Bird Lake Watershed Anchor Equities, LTD (Jimmy Nassour); 1210 W. 5th, LTD (David Roberts); Walsh Street Properties, LTD (F. Walter Penn) Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Richard T. Suttle, Jr., Amanda Morrow) CS-MU-V-CO-NP & CS-MU-CO-NP to LI-PDA-NP Recommended Mark Graham, 512-974-3574, Mark.Graham@austintexas.gov Housing and Planning Department Rezoning: …
C14-2021-0081 1 ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C14-2021-0081–5th & Walsh Rezoning DISTRICT: 9 ZONING FROM: CS-MU-V-CO-NP (Tract 1) TO: LI-PDA-NP CS-MU-CO-NP (Tract 2) ADDRESS: 1200, 1202, 1204, 1210, 1214, 1214 ½ W. 5th Street; 504, 506 Walsh Street SITE AREA: 1.3775 acres (60,003 sq. ft.) PROPERTY OWNER: Anchor Equities, LTD (Jimmy Nassour) 1210 W. 5th, LTD (David Roberts) Walsh Street Properties, LTD. (F. Walter Penn) AGENT: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Richard T. Suttle, Jr., Amanda Morrow) CASE MANAGER Mark Graham (512-974-3574, mark.graham@austintexas.gov ) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The Staff recommendation is to grant limited industrial services-planned development area- neighborhood plan (LI-PDA-NP) combining district zoning. For a summary of the basis of staff’s recommendation, see case manager comments on page 2. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: September 28, 2021: September 14, 2021: APPROVED A POSTPONEMENT REQUEST BY STAFF TO SEPTEMBER 28, 2021, BY CONSENT [C. HEMPEL; A. AZHAR – 2ND] (11-0) S. PRAXIS; J. SHIEH - ABSENT CITY COUNCIL ACTION: October 21, 2021 ORDINANCE NUMBER: 1 of 23B-3 C14-2021-0081 2 ISSUES Existing general commercial services (CS) base zoning permits maximum building height of 60 feet. Proposed limited industrial services-planned development area-neighborhood plan (LI- PDA-NP) district zoning would permit a maximum building height of 90 feet, (reduced from 100 feet as initially requested). The adopted Neighborhood Plan favors smaller scale residential and mixed use development. The applicant is proposing either residential or commercial development. CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The subject site is in Old West Austin Neighborhood bounded by MoPac on the west, Lamar on the east, Enfield Road on the north and Lady Bird Lake on the south. The site is between Pressler Street and Walsh Street on the north side of W. 5th Street. The rezoning tract is rectangular in shape with the long side fronting on West 5th Street and the short edge on Walsh Street. Alley access and loading is proposed. The rezoning tract is 1.3775 acres (60,003 sq. ft.) and currently developed with four, one-story, commercial buildings and various utility sheds. Two of the buildings fronting W. 5th appear to be used for offices. The building on the northwest corner of 5th and Walsh has retail and consumer services, and the only building in the rezoning tract fronting only on Walsh St. provides motor-scooters and guided tours of Austin. There is no residential displacement. Existing Zoning There are two different zonings on the rezoning tract. The larger zoning tract (1.15 …
September 23rd, 2021 Re: 403 East Koenig Lane; SP-2020-0419C To whom it may concern, The property at 403 E. Koenig Lane is immediately adjacent to the Red Line. Since there is a new development proposal under discussion, we are taking this opportunity to provide input. While we are not taking a position to oppose or support this development or the parkland dedication appeal, we would like to provide some context of the Red Line Parkway in this area and describe some of the benefits that the development would provide to the Red Line Parkway. Background The Red Line Parkway is a proposed linear park and public space along the planned Red Line Trail, extending 32+ miles from Downtown Austin to Leander. Our vision is a thriving, inclusive, multi-functional parkway that provides convenient, enjoyable, car-free access to transit, parks, public art, and other urban, suburban, and rural destinations. The Red Line Parkway Initiative (RLPI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2017 that empowers diverse communities to enjoy, develop, and enhance the Red Line Trail and Parkway corridor to serve Central Texas mobility, recreation, parks, arts, affordability, social equity, physical & mental health, public space, and economic needs. The North Loop Neighborhood Plan, approved May 23rd, 2002 describes the “Upper Boggy Creek Hike and Bike Trail”, which is essentially the same concept as the Red Line Parkway. From the plan on page 46: “The Neighborhood Plan supports the creation of a hike/bike trail in or adjacent to the rail corridor that runs along the western side of Airport Blvd. This trail could provide safe non-auto links to Highland Mall, Hancock Center, and downtown Austin. The hike/bike trail could be a catalyst to improved maintenance and appearance of the rail corridor.” In this area, the Red Line Parkway Initiative envisions the Red Line Parkway as a continuous pedestrian and bicycling trail route along the Capital Metro Red Line railway, using a combination of railway right-of-way and easements adjacent to the railway. Later this year, we anticipate beginning the process to develop the Red Line Parkway Plan, and will engage the broader community on their vision for the Red Line Parkway and determine an end-to-end alignment for the 32+ mile trail, including through this area. Benefits of the development to the Red Line Parkway The development, as presented to us (Version 9/17/2021 1:13 PM), provides these benefits: ● The easement, trail, and park …
1. What is justification for Applicant not using Paseo to meet their parkland dedication requirements? Would this development still be viable if the Paseo design is altered to exclude auto access and meet parkland dedication requirements? The appellants are local developers who have owned this site for over 20 years and have extensive experience building locally in Austin. As longtime local developers, their ultimate goal is not simply to transact and develop property, but rather to build projects that reflect well on their ability to deliver quality urban design. To that end, the appellant has put extensive effort into designing a high-quality ‘complete streets’ vision. They pushed for – and received – Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) approval to allow bike lanes and street trees on Koenig Lane, despite initial TXDOT resistance. And they designed the paseo streetscape to provide a “compact and connected” grid, with safe multi-modal and vehicular access as well as street trees, planter areas, and parallel parking. Because Koenig Lane is TXDOT ROW, ATD’s TIA is subservient to TXDOT’s TIA. The appellant designed the paseo in this way in order to contribute to an overall gridded street network (improving overall system operations, which benefits future residents as well as the broader community) while also ensuring multi-modal comfort and safety. This design also supports the viability of the envisioned ground-floor retail space by providing a small number of parallel parking spaces that can directly serve retail uses and it reduces vehicular strain on 56th Street by locating the leasing office within the paseo area. In terms of city policies, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan identifies this gridded-street strategy as one its “top strategies,” as follows: “We should strategically add capacity for vehicles and multimodal travel and improve connectivity in our street grid to better distribute trips across the community in a way that preserves safety in the public right of way.” The neighborhood, as well, has indicated that they had similar priorities of obtaining new retail space and of distributing vehicular activity rather than focusing it along Avenue F. The appellant’s design produces better outcomes in both of these areas. From a purely technical perspective, redesign of all streetscapes, including replacing the paseo area with parkland, is possible – though the appellant believes strongly that doing so will produce worse overall outcomes and yield a suboptimal project with which the appellant would not want to be associated. …
North Loop Neighborhood Association 27th September, 2021 To Todd Shaw and the Members of the Planning Commission on this evening the 27th of September: My name is Brian Bedrosian and I am currently serving as the Vice President of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, a post I have held since 2019. I am writing this letter on behalf of the Neighborhood Association in regards to the new development proposed by SECO Ventures on the old TxGas property on the southwest corner of the intersection at Avenue F and 2222/Koenig Lane. Our neighborhood association met on the evening of the 13th of September for our regular monthly meeting. We discussed at length the SECO’s appeal to PARD and Planning Commission regarding the Parkland Dedication requirements on their site. After much discussion a vote was held with the goal of providing input to the PARD Board for their meeting the following evening, September 14th, and ultimately for the Planning Commission meeting to follow two weeks later on Tuesday September 28th. The results of the vote held the majority in favor of opposing SECO’s appeal. Following additional discussion, it was requested by those in attendance that when we conveyed these results that it be made clear this was not a unanimous decision, with the vote breaking down roughly as 60% opposing the appeal and 40% supporting. As PARD has identified, we are in an area of town with very little to no available park space. Our neighbors have used the small front yard at Dayspring Chapel and the playground at Ridgetop Elementary as surrogate parks. The only official green space we have is Bruning Green – a small triangular forgotten piece of land between 52nd, Evans, and Bruning Avenues that was cleared, planted, built out and maintained entirely by our neighbors. We need a park. Those that voted to oppose the appeal see the TxGas property as a once in a lifetime chance for us to have a substantially sized park in our neighborhood as we have few properties of this scale that our not already developed. They also acknowledge the power and importance of the Parkland Dedication Ordinance and do not wish to undermine its authority in any way. We are also a neighborhood that is seeing rapid growth and explosion of property values that have pushed many long-term residents and young families out of our neighborhood, something which we have long …
Planning Commission Question and Answer Report Tuesday, September 28, 2021 B-7 Commissioner Azhar: Can you please help me in figuring out how to understand the total savings in taxation that the applicant will receive if we approve the case from the following? Is my understanding correct that what the following information means is that if the applicant currently pays $10,000 combined in taxes, they will only be required to pay $8,500 or am I wrong? Also, can you please explain what the applicant provides in return for the abatement? Are they performing conservation work or other acts to preserve the subject in lieu? Does city staff have an estimation of the combined fiscal impact of Historic Zoning in the City of Austin for all taxing jurisdictions? Staff: The total amount the property owner can expect in tax relief is $8,500 per year. Looking at this property in Travis Central Appraisal District records, the owners most recently owed $18,115.59 in taxes after accounting for the homestead exemption on the property. Presuming similar valuation and taxing rates for next year, they would pay just under $10,000 in total taxes following application of the historic exemption in conjunction with the homestead exemption. For the City of Austin’s part, the exemption amount is based on Tax Code § 11-1-22 and was last revised in 2012. The amount of the tax abatement is capped for homestead properties such as this one. It is not capped for commercial or other non-homestead properties but rather is based on a percentage of the assessed value of the building and land. This partial tax exemption is the sole financial benefit that historic landmark owners receive in exchange for preservation of their property. To be eligible, the owner must preserve and maintain the property in good condition, as verified through annual inspections by Historic Preservation Office staff. The owner is also forfeiting the ability to develop the property as they wish and must apply for and comply with the terms of Certificates of Appropriateness for modifications to the property, which are granted or denied based on historic preservation standards. Staff does not have an estimate of the total fiscal impact of historic zoning across all taxing jurisdictions. This is information that we could work with TCAD to determine, if helpful. B-10: Commissioner Azhar / Staff: • Can PARD staff share what number of affordable units will be lost if the …
PLANNING COMMISSION September 28, 2021 MINUTES The Planning Commission convened in a meeting on September 28, 2021 in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas and via videoconference @ http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Chair Shaw called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Awais Azhar Joao Paulo Connolly Yvette Flores Claire Hempel – Vice-Chair Patrick Howard Carmen Llanes Pulido Jennifer Mushtaler Robert Schneider Todd Shaw – Chair Jeffrey Thompson Solveij Rosa Praxis Arati Singh – Ex - Officio Jessica Cohen – Ex-Officio Richard Mendoza – Ex-Officio Absent: James Shieh Grayson Cox EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Planning Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on this agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of September 14, 2021. B. PUBLIC HEARINGS Plan Amendment: NPA-2021-0005.01 - ALPHA .95; District 3 2404 Thrasher Lane; Montopolis NP Area, Carson Creek Watershed Location: Owner/Applicant: Alpha Builders Group, Inc. (Gino Shvetz) Bennett Consulting (Rodney K. Bennett) Agent: Commercial to Higher Density Single Family land use Request: Staff Rec.: Recommended Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov Staff: Motion to grant Neighborhood’s request for postponement of this item to October 12, 2021 was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Azhar, seconded by Commissioner Schneider on a vote of 10-0. Commissioner Praxis off the dais. Commissioners Cox and Shieh absent. 2. C14-2021-0128 - ALPHA .95; District 3 2404 Thrasher Lane; Montopolis NP Area, Carson Creek Watershed Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Alpha Builders Group, Inc. (Gino Shvetz) Bennett Consulting (Rodney K. Bennett) Agent: CS-NP to SF-6-NP Request: Staff Rec.: Recommended Kate Clark, 512-974-1237, kate.clark@austintexas.gov Staff: Motion to grant Neighborhood’s request for postponement of this item to October 12, 2021 was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Azhar, seconded by Commissioner Schneider on a vote of 10-0. Commissioner Praxis off the dais. Commissioners Cox and Shieh absent. 1. 4. 3. Rezoning: Location: C14-2021-0081 - 5th & Walsh Rezoning; District 9 1200, 1202, 1204, 1210, 1214, 1214 1/2 W. 5th St.; 504, 506 Walsh St.; Old West Austin NP Area, Lady Bird Lake Watershed Owner/Applicant: Anchor Equities, LTD (Jimmy Nassour); …
