B-08 (SP-2019-0600C - Wilder, District 3)_Part1.pdf — original pdf

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APPEAL TO PLANNING COMMISISON PARKLAND REQUIREMENT REVIEW SHEET 3 CS-MU-CO-NP 4802 South Congress Avenue Wilder Planning Commission: February 9, 2021 postponed March 9, 2021, postponed March 23, 2021 South Congress Combined (West Congress Neighborhood) Mike McHone Rivera Engineering (Michael Rivera) 4802 LLC (Mitch Ely) CASE NUMBER: SP-2019-0600C Parks Board: January 26, 2021 CASE NAME: DISTRICT: ADDRESS: ZONING: APPELLANT: APPLICANT: OWNER: NEIGHBOR- -HOOD PLAN: PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD ACTION: January 26, 2021: Board Member Mason-Murphy made a motion to recommend to the Planning Commission to deny the applicant's request to pay fee in lieu of land dedication for 4802 S. Congress (SP-2019-0600C) and uphold staff’s recommendation for the dedication of parkland; Board Morgan seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 9-1 with Board Member Luca voting nay and Vice Chair Farasat absent. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: February 9, 2021: Commissioner Seeger made the motion to postpone the item to March 9, 2021 at the request of the neighborhood; Commissioner Azar seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 11 – 0. March 9, 2021: Commissioner Howard made the motion to postpone the item to March 23, 2021 at the request of the neighborhood; Commissioner Seeger seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 10 – 0. To be heard on March 23, 2021. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: The applicant is proposing to construct 125 multifamily units in a multi-story building with an underground multi-level parking garage, driveway to South Congress Avenue, on-site storm water quality and detention pond, and site utilities. B81 of 25 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). 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. The criteria for the decision of whether to require land vs. fee in lieu are listed in 25-1-605. (B). In determining whether to require dedication of land under Section 25-1-602 (Dedication of Parkland) or allow payment of a fee in-lieu of dedication under this section, the director shall consider whether the subdivision or site plan: (1) is located within the Deficient Park Area Map; (2) is adjacent to existing parkland; (3) has sufficient acreage to meet the standards for dedicated parkland under the Parkland (4) is needed to address a critical need for parkland or to remedy a deficiency identified Dedication Operating Procedures; by the Deficient Park Area Map; or (5) would provide increased connectivity with existing or planned parks or recreational amenities. These criteria are applied, and responded to below: (1) is located within the Deficient Park Area Map. True - The great majority of the site is located with the Deficient Park Area map, particularly the area that PARD is requiring for dedication. This map is used to indicate the areas where the City is actively trying to acquire parkland, and is public on the City’s Property Profile site. (2) is adjacent to existing parkland; True – The site is adjacent to the Williamson Creek Greenbelt. The intent of the criterion is so that existing parkland may be built upon, and additional access provided. (3) has sufficient acreage to meet the standards for dedicated parkland under the Parkland Dedication Operating Procedures; True – the standard in the Parkland Dedication Operating Procedures is ¼ acre, and the standard can be met on this site. B82 of 25 (4) is needed to address a critical need for parkland or to remedy a deficiency identified by the Deficient Park Area Map; True – The parkland would address a critical need for a planned greenbelt in this location, would provide access to the public, and would also remedy the deficiency identified in the map. (5) would provide increased connectivity with existing or planned parks or recreational amenities. True – This parkland would increase connectivity and accessibility (on this section) for the long-planned Williamson Creek Greenbelt, which has recently been added to in the Central section; the long term vision is to provide a greenbelt connection from Oak Hill to Dove Springs and beyond. Further, the applicant has stated that their primary motivation in making the appeal is that they do not want to allow for public access to the parkland through their site. Public access is an integral aspect of parkland, and is highlighted in several Code sections: 25-1-603 (A) (1) Parkland must be easily accessible to the public and open to public view so as to benefit area residents, enhance the visual character of the City, protect public safety, and minimize conflicts with adjacent land uses. (2) On-street and off-street connections between residential neighborhoods shall be provided, wherever possible, to provide reasonable access to parks and open space areas. 14.3.7. (A) (5) Parkland should be accessible to those in the neighborhood, either by walking or by the provision of parking. Per Code, public access to the greenbelt is required as part of the site plan. The site at 4802 S. Congress provides the only feasible entry and exit point to this section of the Central Williamson Creek Greenbelt, and will help fulfill the Council goal that a park be within walking distance (1/4 mile) of all residents of Austin. Adjacent sites have steep topography and would not be able to provide accessible entry points to the trail. In other cases, PARD has required trail access as part of parkland dedication. This access, typically, would be exclusively parkland, dedicated by deed, and would provide pedestrian and maintenance access. Although a separate trail facility, deeded as parkland is seen as ideal, this design would have a large impact on the proposed project, reducing units and parking. In an effort to not impact the development, PARD instead required a public access easement, which achieves the purpose of allowing the public to reach the parkland, and also overlaps and fulfills other City requirements. Please scott.grantham@austintexas.gov. Scott Grantham with questions reviewer contact PARD any at B83 of 25SUMMARY COMMENTS ON SITE PLAN: The 5.5 acre subject property is located along South Congress Avenue and backs up to a bend of Williamson Creek, approximately 0.8 miles south of U.S. Highway 290. The property is the site of a former car lot that is now vacant. The site plan proposes a building towards the front of the property, and the large area to the rear is proposed as open space with private amenities. This section will be fenced off from the parkland that is under discussion in this appeal. A decision from Planning Commission will allow the applicant to move forward with either dedication of parkland or payment of fee in lieu, following PARD’s process for whichever is decided. A decision for parkland dedication will allow the applicant to proceed with an Environmental Site Assessment, survey, and getting assistance from the City’s Real Estate group. A decision for fee in lieu will direct PARD to invoice the applicant for the calculated amount. PROJECT INFORMATION TOTAL SITE AREA 5.496 acres square 239,406 feet CS-MU-CO-NP Williamson Creek Watershed Not required IMPACT EXISTING ZONING WATERSHED TRAFFIC ANALYSIS CAPITOL VIEW CORRIDOR None PROPOSED ACCESS FLOOR-AREA RATIO BUILDING COVERAGE 80% HEIGHT NUMBER OF UNITS 60’ - South Congress Avenue Allowed Existing Proposed 1:1 0.01:1 0.14:1 1% 25’ 0 14% 60’ 125 SURROUNDING CONDITIONS (ZONING/ LAND USE) North: CS-MU-CO-NP / Veterinary Office, Pawn Shop South: CS-MU-CO-NP / Auto Repair Shop East: South Congress Ave, then CS-MU-CO-NP / Multifamily West: P-NP / Williamson Creek Greenbelt NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Homeless Neighborhood Association Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation Austin Neighborhoods Council Austin Independent School District B84 of 25Go Austin! Vamos Austin! South Congress Combined Neighborhood Plan Battle Bend Springs Homeowners Association Onion Creek Homeowners Assoc Preservation Austin South Austin Neighborhood Alliance (SANA) Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group Bike Austin Friends Of Austin Neighborhoods CASE MANAGER: Randall Rouda Senior Planner Randall.Rouda@austintexas.gov PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT STAFF: Scott Grantham Principal Planner Scott.Grantham@austintexas.gov EXHIBITS: A. Slide Presentation B. Correspondence with Applicant C. Correspondence with Interested Parties B85 of 25Austin Parks and Recreation Department Appeal of the Parkland Dedication Requirements for 4802 S. Congress (SP-2019-0600C) Planning Commission March 2021 Scott Grantham Principal Planner Parks and Recreation Department 1 B86 of 25Overview • Consider an Appeal by an Applicant. PARD is requiring land dedication. The developer is asking to pay fee in lieu. • On Jan 26, 2021, Parks Board heard the item and voted to support PARD’s request for land dedication and deny the applicant’s request to pay fee in lieu. • PARD Recommendation to Planning Commission: Support PARD's request for land dedication and deny the applicant’s request, to pay fee in lieu for this site plan. • Code Context • Site Plan Context • Application of Code Criteria • Other Factors • Recommendation 2 B87 of 25Code Context • City Code 25-1-605 (B) lists criteria for PARD’s requirement to dedicate parkland vs. pay fee in lieu. • City Code 25-1-605 (F) indicates that PARD’s decision may be appealed to Planning Commission, and that PARD shall first present the case to the Parks Board for a recommendation. Applicant has appealed the decision. • On Jan 26, Parks Board voted to support PARD’s requirement and to deny the applicant’s request to pay fee in lieu. • Planning Commission makes the final decision. 3 B88 of 254 B89 of 255 B810 of 25Application of Code Criteria City Code 25-1-605 (B) 1. 2. 3. has sufficient acreage to meet the standards for dedicated parkland is located within the Deficient Park Area Map; is adjacent to existing parkland; 4. under the Parkland Dedication Operating Procedures; is needed to address a critical need for parkland or to remedy a deficiency identified by the Deficient Park Area Map; or 5. would provide increased connectivity with existing or planned parks or recreational amenities. Based on these criteria, PARD must require land, and does not have the authority to accept fee in lieu. 6 B811 of 25Application of Code Criteria City Code 25-1-603 (A) Standards for Dedicated Parkland “…land to be dedicated must meet the requirements of this subsection.” (1) Parkland must be easily accessible to the public and open to public view so as to benefit area residents, enhance the visual character of the City, protect public safety, and minimize conflicts with adjacent land uses. (2) On-street and off-street connections between residential neighborhoods shall be provided, wherever possible, to provide reasonable access to parks and open space areas. 7 B812 of 25Application of Code Criteria PDOP Supplemental Park Design Standards 14.3.7.A: • (1) The interior of a park should be visible from an existing or proposed public right-of-way. Exceptions to the recommended frontage may be acceptable to accommodate …; a park that serves mainly as a greenbelt;…. • (5) Parkland should be accessible to those in the neighborhood, either by walking or by the provision of parking. Parkland should be accessible to the public. In order to achieve that, it must be connected to the ROW. 8 B813 of 259 B814 of 2510 B815 of 25• Green outline roughly shows PARD’s requirement for Parkland, as a Fee Simple Dedication. • Blue outline roughly shows PARD’s requirement for a Public Access Easement 11 B816 of 25Other aspects • Fire Lane: “This easement is acceptable to AFD, provided that one sentence be changed to indicate that there shall be no modifications to the fire lane in the future.” – Constantino Mendoza, Austin Fire Department • Urban Trails Master Plan – Identified as a Tier II Trail; emphasizes connections to public sidewalks. Sidewalks + Urban Trails = Complete Pedestrian Network. • Central Williamson Creek Greenway Plan – community engagement resulting in recommendations for accessibility and connectivity. • Previous parkland donation occurred in 1977, prior to any Parkland Dedication Ordinances, and unrelated to this residential site plan. 12 B817 of 25Similar Cases • 1515 S. Lamar (SP-2018-0595C) – Code requires safe access to a trail to the rear of the site, achieved with a Public Access easement that runs along an existing sidewalk. Access doesn’t have to be wide or change appearance; ensures that the trail is not alienated from the public in this location. • 1311 S. Lamar – (SP-2018-0296C) – Similar to above. Access to primary trail along Union Pacific railroad via a Public Access Easement to South Lamar; access from ROW also serves as a pedestrianized driveway. Varied surfacing serves as traffic calming for pedestrians. Code applied to site plan review individually, not dependent on other sites. • Tech Ridge (SP-2019-0262C – 12217 N. IH 35) – Parkland dedication satisfied by deeded land and a park easement that will provide the community with a needed connection between ROW and a Park. • Cameron Rd Park – (SP-2019-0416C – 5900 Cameron Rd) – Site configuration will involve two separate parks, and a Public Access easement. Applicant has agreed to the easement and project is moving forward. 13 B818 of 25PARD Recommendation • Recommend to support PARD's request for land dedication and deny the applicant's request to pay fee in lieu of land dedication for 4802 S. Congress (SP-2019-0600C). 14 B819 of 25Grantham, Scott From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Mike McHone <mchone1234@sbcglobal.net> Thursday, December 3, 2020 10:47 AM Grantham, Scott Scott, Randy; 'Mike McHone' 4802 S Congress; SP 2019-0600 C Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear Mr. Grantham, This email shall serve as the required notification of the above project’s request for the payment of a “Fee-in-Lieu” payment as compliance with the Parkland Dedication requirement. This site is very irregular with most of the property located behind existing lots on Congress Ave. and adjacent to the existing Williamson Creek Greenbelt. This project’s frontage on Congress is limited and this is the only buildable area. LDC 25-1-603 (A) (1) & (2) requires public accessibility and public view; and on and off street connections between residential neighborhoods to be provided whenever possible to provide reasonable access. This project cannot meet these requirements and is therefore requesting the fee-in-lieu option as provided by the LDC. Best regards, Mike McHone, authorized agent CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. 1 B820 of 25 January 8, 2021 Michael McHone Authorized Agent mchone1234@sbcglobal.net Dear Mr. McHone: The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is in receipt of your December 3, 2020 request to pay a fee in lieu of dedicating parkland in connection with the pending site plan for the property located at 4802 S. Congress Avenue (Wilder SP-2019-0600C) (the “Site Plan”) This letter serves as a denial of your request. City Code § 25-1-605 governs the Parks and Recreation Department’s (PARD) determination of whether to allow payment in fee in lieu of the dedication of parkland. Specifically, (A) The director [of PARD] may require or allow a subdivision or site plan applicant to deposit with the City a fee in-lieu of parkland dedication under Section 25-1-605 (Dedication of Parkland) if: (1) the director determines that payment of a fee in-lieu of dedication is justified under the criteria in Subsection (B) of this section; and (2) the following additional requirements are met: (a) less than six acres is required to be dedicated under Section 25-1-602 (Dedication of Parkland); or (b) the land available for dedication does not comply with the standards for dedication under Section 25-1-603 (Standards for Dedicated Parkland). Because the land to be dedicated is less than six acres, the Site Plan satisfies the requirements of § 25-1-605(A). Therefore, the question is whether it also satisfies the requirements of § 25-1- 605(B): (B) In determining whether to require dedication of land under Section 25-1- 602 (Dedication of Parkland) or allow payment of a fee in-lieu of dedication under this section, the director shall consider whether the subdivision or site plan: (1) is located within the Deficient Park Area Map; B821 of 25(2) is adjacent to existing parkland; (3) has sufficient acreage to meet the standards for dedicated parkland under the Parkland Dedication Operating Procedures; (4) is needed to address a critical need for parkland or to remedy a deficiency identified by the Deficient Park Area Map; or (5) would provide increased connectivity with existing or planned parks or recreational amenities. With regard to the Site Plan, the answer to each of these criteria is “yes”: the Site Plan is located within the Deficient Park Area Map; is adjacent to existing parkland; has sufficient acreage to meet the standards for dedicated parkland under the Parkland Dedication Operating Procedures; is needed to address a critical need for parkland or to remedy a deficiency; and would provide increased connectivity with existing or planned parks or recreational amenities. In sum, none of the criteria justifies a decision by PARD to allow payment of a fee in lieu as to this Site Plan, and PARD thus does not have the authority to allow such payment. Rather, the only thing that the Code authorizes PARD to do is to require the dedication of parkland. Please be advised that you are entitled to appeal PARD’s decision deny your request to pay a fee in lieu: If the director rejects a request to pay a fee in-lieu of dedication under Subsection (B) of this section, the applicant may appeal the director's decision to the Land Use Commission consistent with the procedures in Article 7, Division 1 (Appeals) of this chapter. Before the Land Use Commission considers the appeal, the director shall present the case to the Parks Board for a recommendation, but failure by the Parks Board to act shall not prohibit the Land Use Commission from considering the appeal. City Code § 25-1-605(f). The appeals procedure that both parties must follow is set forth in §§ 25-1-181 through 25-1-192. Please note that § 25-1-182 provides that you have 20 days from the date of this letter to initiate an appeal and § 25-1-183 describes the information you must include in your appeal. Best regards, Scott Grantham, PARD, Principal Planner Cc: Randal Scott, PARD, Program Manager B822 of 25B823 of 25B824 of 25B825 of 25Additional backup may be found at the following link: http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/40_1.htm