12 C20-2025-009 - Parkland Drainage Easement - Staff Report — original pdf

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NEW BUSINESS: CODE AMENDMENT INITIATION REVIEW SHEET Amendment: Consider initiation of amendments to Title 25 of the City Code related to City of Austin Parkland drainage easements. Description: Amendment to 25-7-152 (E) as related to parkland drainage easements. The proposed amendment would allow an administrative variance for drainage easements associated with development projects on parkland owned by the City of Austin. If ever the subject property were sold through a Chapter 26 process and voter referendum, the new property owner would be required to dedicate the easement as part of any future development per the code. Anticipated community benefits: • Reduction in site plan review time and staff time • Improvements to fiscal efficiency and responsibility on public parkland projects Proposed Language: Amendment to 25-7-152 (E): For property in the full-purpose limits of the city, the director may grant a variance to Subsection (A) if the director determines: (2) the development: (e) is on parkland owned by the City of Austin. If ever the subject property were sold through a Chapter 26 process and voter referendum, the new property owner would be required to dedicate the easement as part of any future development per the code. (Proposed language subject to review by the COA Law Department, draft ordinance language will be updated). Background: Current code requires that when a property owner submits a site development permit application, they must dedicate a public drainage easement encompassing the 100-year floodplain located on the property. The code already includes provisions allowing the Director to grant an administrative variance under certain circumstances. The proposed amendment would add a provision allowing an administrative variance for projects that are proposed on City-owned parkland. This change would improve fiscal and administrative efficiency for public park development and capital projects. The Parks and Recreation Department and Watershed Protection Department are in longstanding agreement that this change is appropriate and beneficial. Currently, each parkland development project must provide evidence of this agreement to apply for and receive a variance individually. Codifying this exception will streamline the process and reduce unnecessary administrative work for both departments Staff Recommendation: Recommended for initiation by WPD and PARD staff. Board and Commission Actions: July 16, 2025, Recommendation of approval by the Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee; 6- 0. Council Action: 12 C20-2025-009 - Parkland Drainage Easement 1 of 2TBD Ordinance Number: NA City Staff: Kevin Shunk Phone: (512) 974-9176 Email: Kevin.Shunk@austintexas.gov (Subject Matter Expert) - Watershed Protection Department D’Anne Williams Phone: (512) 496-5880 Email: Danne.Williams@austintexas.gov (Subject Matter Expert) - Parks and Recreation Department Leslie Lilly Phone: (512) 535-8914 Email: leslie.lilly@austintexas.gov (Subject Matter Expert) - Watershed Protection Department Sean Watson Phone: (512) 963-2167 Email: sean.watson@austintexas.gov (Subject Matter Expert) - Watershed Protection Department 12 C20-2025-009 - Parkland Drainage Easement 2 of 2