A1 02 ZAP Resolution Future Location of Meetings October 19, 2021.pdf — original pdf

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ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20211019-D-01 Date: October 19, 2021 Subject: Future Location of Meetings Motioned By: Commissioner King Seconded By: Commissioner Greenberg Zoning and Platting Commission Meetings shall remain at City Hall, see attachment. For: Chair Barrera-Ramirez Vice-Chair Kiolbassa and Commissioners Acosta, Bray, Denkler, Greenberg, King, Thompson and Woody Recommendation: Vote: 9-0 Abstain: Smith One vacancy on the Commission Attest: Andrew D. Rivera Zoning and Platting Commission Liaison Zoning and Platting Commission Resolution to Continue to Meet at City Hall Whereas, City Hall is a well-known and accessible landmark that is centrally located; Whereas, since the opening of City Hall it has hosted the meetings of the Zoning and Platting Commission; Whereas, City management has decided to move the meetings of the Zoning and Platting Commission, the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment to the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center (PDC) at Highland Mall without informing the commission or the public; Whereas, moving the Zoning and Platting Commission public hearings to the PDC places an undue burden on the public, the staff and the commissioners; Whereas, public hearings on zoning and land use cases by the Zoning and Platting Commission and the City Council should be in the same location to avoid confusing the public and the need for multiple notices, especially since members of the public may be unfamiliar with the locations; Whereas, signage is lacking, with only small signs on the glass doors facing Wilhelmina Delco Drive, the PDC’s official address, making it easy for participants to miss, yet the public entrance is on Thomas Hatfield Way; Whereas, seven high-frequency bus routes serve City Hall including two MetroRapids, yet only two high-frequency bus routes – the 7 and the 337 – and the Red Line serve the PDC, and the bus stops are closer to City Hall than they are to the PDC; Whereas, the safety and security of participants is paramount and City Hall has metal detectors, security immediately outside the chamber and secure parking; Whereas, Highland Mall is a construction zone so pedestrians and transit riders will have to walk past empty lots at night including a vacated lot used for surface parking across the street from the PDC, while City Hall is in the middle of an active, walkable downtown; Whereas, City Hall has a dais, computers on the dais, work tables for staff and comfortable, permanent chairs for the public while the PDC facility at Highland Mall is a multi-purpose room; Whereas, there is no reason operationally to move the Zoning and Platting Commission meetings to the PDC because support staff does not work at that location; Now, therefore, be it resolved: The City of Austin’s Zoning and Platting Commission should continue to meet at City Hall.