Urban Transportation Commission Regular Meeting June 7th, 2022 at 5pm AUSTIN CITY HALL – BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W. SECOND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Transportation Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register please call or email the staff liaison in advance at (512) 978 1568 or Christopher.Parks@austintexas.gov by noon on Monday June 6th, with the following information: name, item number(s) to speak on, telephone number, and email address. AUSTIN, TEXAS CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Mario Champion, Chair Susan Somers, Vice Chair Ruven Brooks Nathan Ryan Samuel Franco Athena Leyton Allison Runas Cynthia Weatherby Diana Wheeler James Driscoll Cecilla Ramos AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF May 3rd, 2022 MINUTES ITEMS A. Right of Way Vacation- Sky Mountain Drive Presenter: Mashell Smith, Development Services Department Sponsor: Mario Champion and Susan Somers B. Equitable Transit Oriented Development Update Presenter: Anna Lan, P.E, CapMetro Sponsors: Mario Champion and Susan Somers 2. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION C. MetroBike Update Presenters: Jason JonMichael, Austin Transportation Department Sponsors: Susan Somers and Allison Runas D. North Congress Avenue Plaza: State Preservation Board Presenter: Chris Currens, State of Texas Sponsors: Cynthia Weatherby and Mario Champion E. Bike Lane Bounty Program Presenter: Mario Champion, Urban Transportation Commission Chair Sponsors: Mario Champion and Athena Leyton 3. BRIEFINGS A. Downtown Commission: Commissioner Cynthia Weatherby B. Joint Sustainability Commission: Commissioner Diana Wheeler C. Bicycle Advisory Council: Commissioner Athena Leyton D. Pedestrian Advisory Council: Commissioner Allie Runas E. City Council Mobility Committee: Commissioner Mario Champion F. Community Advisory Committee for Austin Transit Partnership Board: Susan Sommers 4. Future Agenda Items • TDM Update ( Weatherby, Somers) • Signal Timing (Ramos; Leyton) • ROW Informative Brief (Runas; Somers) • Walnut Creek Trail Updates ( Champion; Leyton) • Office of Special Events Brief( Somers; Champion) • Placemaking update (Somers; Ramos) • Highway Safety Improvement Program(Somers; Driscoll) • Safe Routes to School Update (Somers; Leyton) • Mobility Action Plan Updates( Somers: Champion) ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American …
M E M O R A N D U M May 23, 2022 Christopher Parks, Urban Transportation Commission Mashell Smith, Property Agent Senior Land Management, Development Services Department F#2021-071146 Street Right-of-Way Vacation 0.7732 of an acre of Sky Mountain Dr. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the right-of-way vacation application for an approximately 0.7732 of an acre portion of land commonly known as Sky Mountain Dr. The right of way area seeking vacation is undeveloped. The proposed vacation tract will be added to the abutting parcels. The abutting properties are owned by LMC Sky Mountain Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Per the transmittal letter dated May 11, 2021, received by the City of Austin, applicant states: the reclaimed area will be used for private multifamily development and its associated improvements.” The proposed vacation tract is currently associated with active site plan SP-2021-0079C. All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the application and recommend approval, subject to the reviewers’ conditions shown on the attached Master Comment Report. Austin Water and Grande have “Approved with Conditions”. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice will be sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on April 21, 2022. One letter of objection was received by staff and is attached to this memorandum. The applicant has requested that this item be submitted for placement on the June 7, 2022, Urban Transportation Commission Agenda. Staff contact: Mashell Smith, Land Management, Property Agent Senior Development Services Department, 512-974-7079, mashell.smith@austintexas.gov Reese Hurley//LJA Engineering 512-439-4700//rhurley@lja.com Applicant: Abutting Landowners: LMC Sky Mountain Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company The applicant and/or property owner’s representative will be present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding future development and the vacation request. Attachments: Master Comment Report Summary Presentation Letter of objection
Vacation application of a portion of Sky Mountain Dr. Traversing from Mountain Shadows Dr. Between Old Bee Caves Rd. and Hwy 71 File 2021-071146 UTC • June 7, 2022 • District 8 Totaling: 33,682 Square Feet Owner: LMC Sky Mountain Holdings, LLC Public Notice to property owners within 300’ April 21, 2022 (113) Staff received one objection All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the request and recommend approval subject to the two below: How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? • The reclaimed area will be used for private multifamily development and its associated improvements. Site Development Plans were formally submitted and are now in process. (SP-2021-0079C) • Not S.M.A.R.T. Housing • 5-6 of the overall 22 acres will be dedicated for parkland & parkland easement I can answer your questions regarding the right of way process The applicant can answer your questions regarding the abutting properties and the proposed development. Thank you, Mashell Smith 512-974-7079
Update May 2022 Jason JonMichael Assistant Director Chad Ballentine VP of Demand Response & Innovative Mobility Agenda How It Started How It’s Going Where Do We Go From Here How It Started Summer 2013 Summer 2018 Summer 2020 Fall 2021 Summer 2022 The City’s first public bikeshare system was initiated and approved with B-Cycle and with Bike Share of Austin for 5 years Bike Share of Austin’s Contract and B-Cycle’s Contract were extended to 2023 Interlocal Agreement Initiated and Approved with CapMetro MetroBike Strategic Expansion Plan Completed by Nelson/Nygaard Interlocal Agreement Amendment with CapMetro Proposed for 10 years How It’s Going Year Stations Bikes 2013 2014 2016 2018 2022 11 43 54 63 79 100 350 435 520 847 Daily Operations 100% Governance & Oversight 50% 50% Ridership Stats TOTAL NUMBER OF TRIPS IN 2021 = 224,647 Regular Bike 17% E-Bike 83% Modular Docks In 2021, 50 modular (3.0) docks were piloted into the MetroBike system to provide more flexibility for station placements as these docks: • Are battery operated • Do not require a kiosk • Minimize labor & time to install • Require less space than a regular 1.0 dock station (40 ft min.) Pilot Art Initiative The purpose of this pilot art initiative is for Austinites to gain a sense of pride and ownership utilizing the MetroBike system that is for the city by the city. We are pleased to showcase local artist Jesse Melanson's artwork through: • 2 geometric designs that will be featured on up to 200 MetroBike e- bikes by Bike To Work Day (May 20th) • 2 art panel designs featured at up to 20 MetroBike stations as of April Where Do We Go From Here Transition to a 100% e-assist electric fleet Coordinate with transit for direct first/last mile integration Promote MetroBike to new and existing users Install modular (3.0) docks for improved flexibility Integrate with the All Ages & Abilities Bicycle Network infrastructure expansion Continuous improvement of high-quality daily operations Presentation title Notable Changes to the Interlocal Agreement Bike Share of Austin Staff to transition to CapMetro’s Operations CapMetro and the City to contribute towards the $11M budget needed to expand over 10 years* • Operational Stability • Provides a Sustainable Business Model • Capital Equipment • Operational Fees *MetroBike Strategic Expansion Plan, October 2021 Thank you!
BOARD/ COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urba n Tra ns portation Commis s ion Recommenda tion Number 202206YY-XXX: [Bike La ne Bounty progra m] WHEREAS, crea ting a phys ica l a nd cultura l environment in which s afe bicycle riding is critica l to a s ucces s ful tra ns porta tion s ys tem. To wit, • Wides prea d bicycle us e is a critical component in the effort to rea ch the Aus tin Strategic Mobility • Pla n goa l of 50/ 50 tra ns it mode s ha re In multiple s tudies a nd s urveys , a key rea s on people give for not choos ing to bicycle more often is the real a nd perceived da ngers created by a la ck of s a fe routes • Separated, protected, a nd obs truction-free bike la nes a re the number one method to ens ure the s a fety of us ers of bicycles , s cooters , a nd other a ctive tra ns porta tion methods • The 10s of million of dollars a lloca ted by 2020’s Prop B a ctive trans porta tion bond is effectively • Getting more people on bikes more regula rly effectively increa s es roa d ca pa city, reduces pollution, wa s ted when bike la nes are blocked fights climate cha nge, a nd increa s es joy WHEREAS, the city of Aus tin a nd other cities a lrea dy us e both citizen input a nd photo evidence to initiate cita tions , including s uch exa mples a s • Aus tin Tra ns porta tion, in pa rtners hip with Aus tin Police Department, trains volunteers to is s ue citations a nd warnings for illegally pa rked vehicles in des igna ted acces s ible pa rking s pa ces o https :/ / www.a us tintexa s .gov/ depa rtment/ a cces s ible-pa rking-enforcement-progra m • New York City’s s ucces s ful Clea n Air/ Idling Truck progra m o https :/ / jalopnik.com/ bounty-hunters -s eek-out-idling-trucks -in-nyc-for-a -cut-1848679863 o https :/ / www.cnbc.com/ 2022/ 03/ 31/ make-87point50-in-3-minutes -by-reporting-idling- trucks -in-new-york-city.html • Additiona l Legis la tive examples o https :/ / legis ta r.council.nyc.gov/ Legis lationDeta il.a s px?ID=4699482&GUID=0D2AA2FF- 6328-4781-ABF1-8D789CB876A8 • Unma nned s peed ca meras • Unma nned …
Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Urban Transportation Committee Meeting Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 Anna Lan Principal Planner, CapMetro Agenda 1 | Project Updates 2 | ETOD Policy Strategies 3 | Engagement 4 | Website 2 ETOD Corridor Study Area • $1.65 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) TOD grant • 21 stations on Blue and Orange Lines • Four focus stations (North Lamar Transit Center, Crestview, Hyde Park, South Congress Transit Center) and one E. Riverside Corridor Plan update 3 TOD vs. Equitable TOD 4 5 ETOD Deliverables ETOD Policy Plan + 6 Task 2 Case studies ✓ Task 4 Conditions analysis ✓ Task 5 Policy framework (in progress) Task 6 Priority Tool Task 7 Station Area Vision Plans Project Timeline Key deliverables Task 2 Case studies (done) Task 4 Conditions analysis (done) Task 5 Policy framework (in progress) Task 6 Priority Tool Task 7 Station Area Vision Plans 2 4 6 7 5 7 ETOD Goals 8 ETOD Goals 9 Task 5 Policy Toolkit Approach Strategies will guide the implementation of the goals. Goals Strategies Policy Tools Action Plan • • • Development Incentives, Standards or Regulations Investments in the Public Realm • • Land Use & Urban Design Real Estate Mobility Housing Affordability Business & Workforce Transit- Supportive Land Use • Acquisition • Mobility • Strategies for ETOD Infrastructure Improvement Financing Tools & Land Use Strategies • Business Assistance During Construction • Ongoing Small Business Support Leveraging Publicly- Owned Land Travel Demand Management • Advocacy & Partnerships Land Value Capture Parking Management • Expand and Preserve Homeownership Support • Workforce Development Programs • • 10 ATP Timeline NEPA and FTA Key Dates Feb 2023: BL & OL Finalization of NEPA environmental documents (FEIS/ROD) March 2023: BL & OL FTA Record of Decision (ROD) Cannot introduce station plans before March 2023 Engagement Touchpoints $ Compensated Engagement Community Presentation Large format meetings to present project milestones CAC Briefings Monthly meetings, Ongoing guidance throughout project and major milestones Tabling/Intercept Surveys In-person events to target specific neighborhoods or demographics $ Focus Groups & One-on-ones Guided discussions with groups to identify vision and needs and to build consensus amongst stakeholders Stakeholder Presentations Presentations with stakeholder groups to educate participants on the process and vision of the ETOD Study $ Community Connectors Trained individuals who does in-depth outreach in their communities Community-Led Input Process • Community Connectors • 12 individuals recruited • …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20220607-002: Bike Lane Blockage Program WHEREAS, creating a physical and cultural environment in which safe bicycle riding is critical to a successful transportation system. To wit, ● Widespread bicycle use is a critical component in the effort to reach the Austin Strategic Mobility ● Plan goal of 50/50 transit mode share In multiple studies and surveys, a key reason people give for not choosing to bicycle more often is the real and perceived dangers created by a lack of safe routes ● Separated, protected, and obstruction-free bike lanes are the number one method to ensure the safety of users of bicycles, scooters, and other active transportation methods ● The 10s of million of dollars allocated by 2020’s Prop B active transportation bond is effectively ● Getting more people on bikes more regularly effectively increases road capacity, reduces pollution, wasted when bike lanes are blocked fights climate change, and increases joy WHEREAS, the city of Austin and other cities already use both citizen input and photo evidence to initiate citations, including such examples as ● Austin Transportation, in partnership with Austin Police Department, trains volunteers to issue citations and warnings for illegally parked vehicles in designated accessible parking spaces ○ https://www.austintexas.gov/department/accessible-parking-enforcement-program ● New York City’s successful Clean Air/Idling Truck program ○ https://jalopnik.com/bounty-hunters-seek-out-idling-trucks-in-nyc-for-a-cut-1848679863 ○ https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/31/make-87point50-in-3-minutes-by-reporting-idling- ○ https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4699482&GUID=0D2AA2FF- trucks-in-new-york-city.html ● Additional Legislative examples 6328-4781-ABF1-8D789CB876A8 ● Unmanned speed cameras ● Unmanned red light cameras ● Unmanned school bus camera WHEREAS, there are multiple desirable and attainable outcomes from this program, including ● Fewer obstructed bike lanes, resulting in safer, more usable bike lanes, which encourages more widespread use of bike lanes by ordinary everyday bicycle and other micro-mobility users ● Additional bike lane users reduces overall congestion by taking some drivers off the road, and getting the city closer to its ASMP mode-share goals ● A new revenue stream for the city ● A more invested community of citizens, as they can both benefit from and understand how to improve their bicycling infrastructure THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the Mobility Committee and Council members, in order to make citations for blocking a bike lane a more effective and functional disincentive, pursue the follow actions: ● ● ● to alter any relevant ordinances requiring a posted sign explicitly making parking in the bike lane a citable offense, and instead to create as a default …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20220707-02D: Texas Capitol Mall WHEREAS, The City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) has received a presentation describing the Texas Capitol Mall project, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The UTC recommends the City Manager direct Austin Transportation Department and other City of Austin departments to be integrally involved in determining resourcing for the design and implementation to work together with the State Preservation Board and other necessary State of Texas agencies including UT Austin, to address placemaking opportunities, including safe access and pedestrian connections to complete the Texas Capitol Mall project at North Congress Avenue and MLK Jr. Boulevard. Date of Approval: June 7th 2022 Attest: Christopher Parks Record of the vote: Unanimous 7-0 vote with Commissioners, Wheeler, Driscoll and Ramos absent
