REGULAR MEETING OF THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M. CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 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 via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Natalie Leone, 512-974- 3428, natalie.leone@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Susan Somers, Chair Daniel Kavelman, Parliamentarian Deshon Brown Heather Buffo Kevin Chen Nathan Fernandes Justin Jacobson Varun Prasad Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Transportation Commission Regular meeting on 7/7/2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Ground Transportation Services Overview. Presentation by Jacob Culberson, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. I35 Small Area Mobility Plan Overview. Presentation by Brianna Frey, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Urban Transportation Commission Bylaw Amendment Status Update. Presentation by Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair, Urban Transportation Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation regarding the development of a Public Access Easement (PAE) policy for new developments. COMMITTEE UPDATES 6. Update from Commissioner Prasad from the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding actions taken at the July 22, 2026, meeting. 7. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Bicycle Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the July 21, 2026, meeting. 8. Update from Commissioner Kavelman from the Pedestrian Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the August 3, 2026, meeting. 9. Update from Chair Somers from the Community Advisory Committee of the Austin Transit Partnership Board regarding actions taken at the July 9, 2026, meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20260804-005: Development of a Public Access Easement Policy for New Developments. WHEREAS, Imagine Austin calls for investment in compact and connected development, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and greater use of that infrastructure through alternative forms of transportation; WHEREAS, Indicator #83 in Imagine Austin measures intersection density, noting that Imagine Austin calls for new “development that is more walkable and less dependent upon automobile travel,” and that “research shows that intersection density has the most influence on walkability and vehicle miles traveled;” WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Roadway System Policy 5 calls on the city to “Optimize the use of space in constrained right of way for all travel modes while planning for the ultimate capacity needs of all users,” including through considering public access easements; WHEREAS, the 2023 Urban Trails Plan suggests finding shared use corridors such as “active railroad corridors, transit lines, or utility corridors where there may be opportunities to add urban trails,” as a way to utilize more corridors for multiple purposes; WHEREAS, the 2023 Sidewalks, Crossings, and Shared Streets plan calls for creating incentives for creating additional connections using public access easements as part of Implementation Strategy 2o to “provide safe, comfortable, and accessible pedestrian passage along and across every public street;” WHEREAS, in larger developments, Public Access Easements can provide pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized mobility users with access to the legal right to use sidewalks, paths, and trails on private property that improve connectivity around new developments; WHEREAS, in Recommendation No. 20260616-06, the Zoning and Platting Commission called upon the City Council to develop a policy framework for Public Access Easements, finding that “requiring or incentivizing Public Access Easements (PAEs)— particularly when co-located within Joint Use Access Easements (JUAEs)—can provide significant public benefit while minimizing impacts to development feasibility;” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) supports Zoning and Platting Commission Recommendation No. 20260616-06 and recommends the City Council adopt a resolution directing the City Manager to establish a policy framework for requiring or incentivizing Public Access Easements in new mixed-use, commercial, and multi-family developments; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that the City Council also consider how Public Access Easements can be better incorporated into the Right-of-way vacation process, including by better empowering staff to require Public Access Easements as a condition of the right-of-way vacation when doing so …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 7, 2026 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Schumacher called the Commission Meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Heather Buffo - (District 1) Susan Somers, Chair - (District 4) Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair - (District 9) Daniel Kavelman - (District 5) Commissioners in Attendance Virtually: Nathan Fernandes (District 2) Kevin Chen - (District 6) Varun Prasad (District 7) Justin Jacobson (District 8) Deshon Brown (Mayoral) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on 6/2/2026. The minutes of the 6/2/2026 meeting were approved on a motion from Commissioner Schumacher, seconded by Commissioner Buffo, on an 8-0 vote, with Commissioner Somers off the dais. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Special Events Overview. The commission received a presentation from Maria Alonso, Program Manager, Austin Center for Events and Annette Martinez, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve the Right of Way Vacation for 2026-071422 LM – 305 Edwin Lane. The commission received a presentation from Joseph Fotinos, Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. 1 URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES On a motion from Commissioner Schumacher, and a second from Commissioner Somers, the Right of Way Vacation was approved with an 8-0 vote, Commissioner Chen abstaining. 4. Approve the Right of Way Vacation for 2026-071407 LM – 8700 Hergotz Lane. The commission received a presentation from Joseph Fotinos, Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. On a motion from Commissioner Schumacher, and a second from Commissioner Kavelman, the Right of Way Vacation was approved with an 8-0 vote, Commissioner Chen abstaining. 5. Establish a Working Group for a recommendation regarding amendments to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. On a motion from Commissioner Somers and a second from Commissioner Schumacher, a working group was established consisting of Commissioners Schumacher, Kavelman, Fernandes, Buffo and Somers and was approved by a 9-0 vote. 6. Discussion and adoption of the Urban Transportation Commission Annual Report. Amendment 1: On a motion from Commissioner Somers and a second from Commissioner Chen, the amendment was approved with a 9-0 vote. Amendment 2: On a motion from Commissioner and a second from Commissioner Schumacher Somers, the amendment was approved with a …
Small Area Mobility Plan: I-35 Central UTC Update August 4, 2026 Agenda 1. What is a Small Area Mobility Plan (SAMP) and how are they used? 2. Project Stages 3. Existing Conditions & Gap Analysis 4. Project Recommendations 2 What is a Small Area Mobility Plan? An opportunity to refine & translate city-wide policies and strategies to a more focused geographical area (neighborhoods). An opportunity to identify priorities with the community for future investment and programming. A vehicle to communicate, track, and report how transportation investments work toward our strategic goals and objectives at the neighborhood level. 3 SAMP Benefits Documented planning and community Public Feedback Technical Criteria engagement required for project development grants Resident experts & technical experts SAMP concepts form the jumping off point for future project development and engagement (e.g., preliminary engineering) Provides clarity and transparency 4 SAMP Process Needs and Barriers Identified based on community input and existing conditions analysis. Project Ideas Based on community identified priorities, analysis of technical criteria and feasible solutions. e.g., Missing sidewalks Sidewalk Project Shared Street Project Priorities Based on community input and analysis of technical criteria. Tier 1 Tier 2 Paths to Implementation Depending on scope and costs, projects can be delivered through different means. Large-scale CIP ($$$$) e.g., grants and bonds Sidewalks with major constraints Smaller Programmatic ($) e.g., local mobility programs, operating funds Typical sidewalks and shared streets Fund Opportunistically Lower priority sidewalks built by developers or by others Long-term shared streets on lower priority streets 5 Project Stages Existing Conditions Analysis Gap Analysis: Layered data, mode-based methodology, physical review Site-Specific Project/Policy Recommendations 6 Engagement Community Working Group Community leaders/local non-profits Neighborhood representatives East Cesar Chavez Downtown Hancock/Cherrywood Central East Austin Upper Boggy Creek Representatives of various mobility need groups (mobility impaired, blind, deaf, elderly, children) Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Muscular Dystrophy Association Age of Central Texas E4 Youth The University of Texas at Austin Huston-Tillotson University Movability RedLine Parkway Downtown Austin Alliance Red River Cultural District Waterloo Greenway Local businesses St Davids Hospital Travis County Credit Union Holey Moley Public Survey Conducted 7 Existing Conditions & Gap Analysis Existing Conditions Key Takeaways The Mobility Landscape Around I-35 is in Flux Multimodal investments downtown Projects …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20260804-005: Development of a Public Access Easement Policy for New Developments. WHEREAS, Imagine Austin calls for investment in compact and connected development, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and greater use of that infrastructure through alternative forms of transportation; WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Roadway System Policy 5 calls on the city to “Optimize the use of space in constrained right of way for all travel modes while planning for the ultimate capacity needs of all users,” including through considering public access easements; WHEREAS, Indicator #83 in Imagine Austin measures intersection density, noting that Imagine Austin calls for new “development that is more walkable and less dependent upon automobile travel,” and that “research shows that intersection density has the most influence on walkability and vehicle miles traveled;” DRAFT WHEREAS, in Recommendation No. 20260616-06, the Zoning and Platting Commission called upon the City Council to develop a policy framework for Public Access Easements, finding that “requiring or incentivizing Public Access Easements (PAEs)— particularly when co-located within Joint Use Access Easements (JUAEs)—can provide significant public benefit while minimizing impacts to development feasibility;” WHEREAS, in larger developments, Public Access Easements can provide pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized mobility users with access to the legal right to use sidewalks, paths, and trails on private property that improve connectivity around new developments; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) supports Zoning and Platting Commission Recommendation No. 20260616-06 and recommends the City Council adopt a resolution directing the City Manager to establish a policy framework for requiring or incentivizing Public Access Easements in new mixed-use, commercial, and multi-family developments; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that the City Council also consider how Public Access Easements can be better incorporated into the Right-of-way vacation process, including by better empowering staff to require Public Access Easements as a condition of the right-of-way vacation when doing so is necessary to maintain or improve connectivity around future developments. Motioned by: Seconded by: Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) DRAFT
Ground Transportation Services Urban Transportation Committee Briefing Transportation Public Works Department August 4, 2026 Agenda • Mobility Services Permitting Overview • Program Authority & Process • Passenger Service Licensing Mobility Services Permitting Overview What We Do ▪ We offer permitting and licensing solutions to implement municipal regulations for the safe and efficient operations of mobility options offered to the people and visitors of Austin. Our Mission ▪ Our mission is to ensure public safety and accessibility through the application of municipal regulations and equitable policies, and to provide the highest level of customer service to the visitors and people of Austin. 3 Mobility Services Permitting Overview Permitting Programs ▪ Ground Transportation Passenger Services Licensing ▪ Passenger Service Vehicle Inspections ▪ Chauffeur Licensing ▪ Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Permitting ▪ Commercial Vehicle Loading (CVL) Permitting ▪ Vehicle Immobilization Company (Booting) Licensing & Regulation ▪ Volunteer Accessible Parking Program Licensing ▪ Internal City Parking Permitting 4 Mobility Services Permitting: Authority & Process Mobility Services is authorized to regulate certain industries and permitting programs under the following municipal codes: ▪ Ground Transportation Passenger Services ……….. § 13-2 ▪ Chauffeur Licensing ………………………………………. § 13-2-101 ▪ Residential Permit Parking (RPP) ……………………… § 12-5-37 ▪ Commercial Vehicle Loading (CVL) ………………….. § 12-5-12 ▪ Vehicle Immobilization (Booting) ……………………… § 13-7 ▪ Parking Enforcement Volunteer Program …………… § 12-1-54 ▪ Internal City Parking Permitting …………………….…. § 12-5-66 5 Mobility Services Permitting: Authority & Process Process Mobility Services authorizes the operation of the above industries and programs through a simple, standardized process of application, evaluation, qualification, and authorization. Some of the permits we issue require a nationwide criminal history background check, such as our Chauffeur, Transportation Passenger Service Operating Authority, and Volunteer Accessible Parking program. The Mobility Services Team performs these checks through our Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certified access. 6 Ground Transportation Passenger Services Licensing The Mobility Services Permitting team regulates transportation businesses, drivers, and vehicles to ensure safe, reliable vehicle services for residents and visitors alike. Ground Transportation Services We License: ▪ Operating Authorities ▪ Chauffeur Permitting ▪ Limousine ▪ Taxicab ▪ Charter Van/ Charter Bus ▪ Shuttles ▪ Touring & Sightseeing Vehicle Services ▪ ELSV (Electric Low-Speed Vehicle) ▪ Horse & Carriage ▪ Pedicab ▪ Group Cycle 7 Ground Transportation – Currently Licensed 8 Thank you Questions? 9
