Recommendation 20260804-005: Development of a Public Access Easement Policy for New Developments — original pdf

Recommendation

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 is necessary to maintain or improve connectivity around future developments. Motioned by: Commissioner Schumacher Seconded by: Commissioner Kavelman Date of Approval: 8/4/2026 Record of the vote: 7-0 Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)