16 Imagine Austin Update - Staff Presentation — original pdf

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Imagine Austin Update Austin Planning | March 24, 2026 AGENDA ▪ Why Updating Imagine Austin Matters ▪ Overview of the Past Six Months ▪ Project Goals and Scope ▪ Advisory Groups ▪ Imagine Austin Plan Framework ▪ Imagine Austin Implementation ▪ Project Timeline 2 Why Updating Imagine Austin Matters ▪ Provides a guiding framework Turning community, Council, and department priorities into actionable programs ▪ Cross-departmental alignment and collaboration Breaking down silos so departments can work together more easily and effectively ▪ Provides a strong foundation for decision making Guides choices with up-to-date policies and alignment across citywide plans ▪ Strengthens how the City operates Building a more proactive city 3 Overview of the Past Six Months AUG 28, 2025 SEP - NOV 2025 NOV 20, 2025 NOV 2025 - PRESENT Resolution Adopted Consultant Selected and Onboarded City Council Reallocated $1.5M of IA’s $3M Budget Project Rescoping Phase • Refined scope based on reduced project budget • Identified staff tasks and internal responsibilities 4 Project Goals ▪ Develop a Place Types map to support consistent land use planning throughout Austin that helps achieve citywide goals while recognizing the needs of different communities. ▪ Create regular engagement opportunities with the community. ▪ Update policies to provide clear guidance for current and future planning and decision-making. ▪ Refine the plan document for clearer organization and to be more user-friendly. ▪ Strengthen alignment between Imagine Austin and other citywide strategic plans to provide clearer direction and consistency. 5 Project Scope CONSULTANT LED CITY STAFF LED Project Support Existing Conditions and Future Trends Assessment Task 0 Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Engagement Vision and Goals Task 4 Priority Programs and Policies Land Use Goals and Policies Task 5 Place Types Palette and Methodology Place Types Map Task 6 Task 7 Task 8 Task 9 Plan Alignment Implementation Document Design Task 10 Plan Writing 6 Imagine Austin Community Working Group Evaluation and Selection Process ▪ Applications: ~360 applications ▪ Evaluation Committee comprised of seven departments ▪ Austin Communications and Engagement ▪ Austin Development Services ▪ Austin Housing ▪ Austin Planning ▪ Austin Public Health ▪ Austin Watershed Protection Final Working Group ▪ 45 members - aimed to reflect City of Austin demographics as closely as possible ▪ Duration: 5-6 meetings – Spring 2026 to Summer 2027 ▪ Goal: Support with the creation of the Place Types Map and policy revisions 7 Demographic Breakdown of Working Group Gender Identity Council District (56%) (33%) 13% 11% 11% (11%) Renter vs. Owner Households 13% 13% 9% 9% 7% 7% 4% 2% * Reflects the initial 45 selected members; final working group composition may vary based on acceptances.* 8 Demographic Breakdown of Working Group Race or Ethnicity Age Range * Reflects the initial 45 selected members; final working group composition may vary based on acceptances.* 9 Imagine Austin Interagency Technical Advisory Group ▪ Time Commitment: ▪ Members will meet 1 – 1.5 hours bi- monthly across the 22-month update planning period. ▪ ITAG Members: ▪ COA staff members across departments and from local agencies ▪ Purpose: ▪ To provide guidance and subject matter expertise to support the Imagine Austin Update planning process. ▪ For example, providing recommendations and feedback on policies, plan alignment, and Place Types Map deliverables. 10 Imagine Austin Plan Framework Citywide Place Types Map Vision 8 Goals Priority Programs Compact and Connected Sustainably Manage Our Water Resources Grow Austin’s Economy Green Infrastructure Creative Economy Household Affordability Healthy Austin One example: Goal 1: Austin is Natural and Sustainable • Policy 1: Expand the city’s green infrastructure network to include such elements as preserves and parks, trails, stream corridors, green streets, greenways, and agricultural lands. Implementation 11 Plan Alignment and Implementation Priority Programs (20 Years) Compact and Connected Sustainably Manage Our Water Resources Grow Austin’s Economy Green Infrastructure Creative Economy Household Affordability Healthy Austin Examples: ASMP (2019, 2024) Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan (2021) Equity Based Preservation Plan (2024) Our Parks, Our Future (2019) Strategic Housing Blueprint (2017) Water Forward (2018) Departmental Plans (10 Years) Citywide Strategic Plan (3-5 Years) CIP and Bond Programs Annual City Budget City Manager Annual Goals 12 Project Timeline 13 THANK YOU! Evelyn Mitchell, Principal Planner Evelyn.Mitchell@austintexas.gov Chris Ryerson, Division Manager Chris.Ryerson@austintexas.gov