Street Impact Fee Briefing: Study Results & Draft Policy Recommendation Urban Transportation Commission June 12, 2020 Austin Transportation Department Overview • Work to Date & Prior Actions • Maximum Impact Fee & Draft Policy Recommendation • Revenue Projections • Community Feedback • Next Steps 2 What are Street Impact Fees? • One-time fee for new development • Study determines the costs of street infrastructure to meet the needs of new development • Governed by Chapter 395 of the Texas Local Government Code 3 How do we calculate the costs of needed street infrastructure to serve new growth? • Project new growth for the next 10 years • Establish Service Areas within which a maximum impact fee is determined • Develop Land Use Assumptions and corresponding growth projections within each Service Area • Project corresponding roadway capacity needs (Roadway Capacity Plan) to accommodate that growth within each Service Area 4 Why Street Impact Fees? • Determining a method for growth to pay for necessary infrastructure in a way that is: • Equitable – the same type and intensity development pays equal fee within a Service Area • Predictable – can determine the fee without doing an intensive study • Transparent – a worksheet to calculate the fee would be publicly available • Flexible – fees collected can be spent within a Service Area on any projects identified in the study within 10 years of being collected • Ultimate purpose is to develop a fair and reasonable fee development should pay for vehicle capacity improvements 5 Street Impact Fee Study 2016 2017 2018 2019 Data Collection Service Areas and Land Use Assumptions Roadway Capacity Plan Development (in coordination with ASMP) Phase 1 Phase 2 Establish Advisory Committee Mobility Committee Council comments on Service Areas, Land Use Assumptions 6 2020 Policy and Ordinance Review Phase 3 Council action on Study Assumptions Council action on Policy Prior Meetings & Actions Council Actions: • June 9, 2016: ATD authorized to procure consultant to develop Street Impact Fees (SIF) • October 19, 2017: City Council Public Hearing on Land Use Assumptions • April 11, 2019: Austin Strategic Mobility Plan adopted, calling for implementation of SIF policy and program to fund roadway capacity improvements necessitated by growth • August 8, 2019: City Council Public Hearing on SIF study assumptions Council Committee, Boards & Commissions: • • June 21, 2017: Council Mobility Committee July 25, 2017: Impact Fee …
Going the Extra Mile: Using Connected Vehicle Data to Study Commute Patterns in Relation to Impact Fees Aisling O’Reilly Transportation Planner WGI (512) 669-5560 aisling.oreilly@wginc.com 2021 East 5th Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702 Dan Hennessey, PE, TE, PTOE Director of Transportation Services, Texas WGI 2021 East 5th Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702 (512) 669-5560 dan.hennessey@wginc.com Jackson Archer Transportation Planner WGI 2021 East 5th Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702 (512) 669-5560 dan.hennessey@wginc.com Submitted for 2020 TexITE Technical Paper Award: Abstract Word Count: 249 Word Count (including Abstract): 7,021 words (4,921 words and 10 figures/tables) ABSTRACT The City of Austin is considering the adoption of a street impact fee program, which would change the manner in which developers take responsibility for paying for their portion of growth on the City’s transportation network. In developing this program, the City split Austin into seventeen zones by which to determine the maximum impact fee that can be charged per state law. Using a day’s worth of vehicle trip data from connected vehicle data company Wejo, each zone’s vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data were assessed to determine the average length of trips during the morning commute period, evening commute period, and overall daily trip lengths. The purpose for these analyses was to determine if certain areas of the city showed drastically different VMT patterns than others and what that impact might be on street infrastructure. We found that specific zones characterized by low amounts of employment and housing, typically on the periphery of the city, consistently generated the highest average VMT, whereas central zones had the lowest average VMT. This ability to evaluate real-world data on travel patterns allows the City of Austin and other jurisdictions to consider VMT as a criterion for evaluating development, including the imposition of street impact fees. When developers choose to build in high impact zones (high average VMT), it may be appropriate for them to pay a higher proportion towards growth mitigation than low impact zones (low average VMT), depending on the jurisdiction’s priorities and the type of growth they hope to incentivize. 2 BACKGROUND Growth within a community can place a significant burden on its infrastructure, depending on the planning processes that have preceded the growth. One way that a jurisdiction can make that growth pay for itself is via impact fees. The foundation of impact fees is the idea that developers should share a portion …
Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) Meeting Minutes Special Called Meeting 12 June 2020 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a meeting on June 12, 2020 via videoconference. Commission Members in Attendance: Mario Champion – Chair Kelly Davis Daniel Hennessey – Vice Chair Alex Reyna Allie Runas Susan Somers Cynthia Weatherby Commission Members Absent: Daniel Alvarado Samuel Franco Michael Wilfley CALL TO ORDER Champion called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MAY 15, 2020 REGULAR MEETING The May 15, 2020 minutes were approved on a 6-0 vote with Alvarado, Franco and Wilfley absent and Davis not yet present. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Urban Trails Plan and Sidewalk/ADA Transition Plan updates – Briefing Katie Wettick and John Eastman, Public Works, gave a presentation and addressed commissioner questions. B. FY2020-21 Proposed Budgets for Austin Transportation and Public Works Departments – Discussion and Possible Action Rob Spillar and Peggy MacCallum, Austin Transportation and Richard Mendoza and Kristi Fenton, Public Works, gave a presentation and addressed commissioner questions. No action taken. Action C. Street Impact Fee Study results and draft policy recommendation – Discussion and Possible Item postponed by to July due to time constraints. 3. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS No updates given due to time constraints. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A. Austin Community Climate Plan update (Staff; August) ADJOURNMENT Champion adjourned the meeting at 4:31 p.m. without objection.
Special Meeting of the Urban Transportation Commission Friday, May 15 2020 Meeting to be held with physical distancing modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Thursday, May 14 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the May 15, 2020 Urban Transportation Commission meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974 2358 and emily.smith@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Thursday, May 14. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak. Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to emily.smith@austintexas.gov by Noon, May 14. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (UTC) FRIDAY MAY 15, 2020 – 1:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING MEETING AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Right of Way vacation: 572 sf alley abutting 509 E. 9th Street – Discussion and Possible Action Staff: Mashell Smith, Office of Real Estate Services B. Speed management: recommended speed limit modifications for urban core, residential, and downtown streets – Discussion and Possible Action Staff: Rob Spillar, Eric Bollich, and Lewis Leff, Austin Transportation Department C. Street Impact Fee Study results and draft policy recommendation – Discussion and Possible Action Staff: Cole Kitten and Liane Miller, Austin Transportation 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Project Connect System Plan – Discussion and Possible Action Sponsor: Commissioner Champion Co-sponsor: Commissioner Alvarado 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Note: These topics will NOT be discussed by the commission as part of this agenda A. Urban Trails Plan and Sidewalk/ADA Transition Plan Updates (Staff; June) B. Austin Community Climate …
May 15, 2020 Urban Transportation Commission special called meeting Agenda item details (supplemental information) Right of Way vacation 572 sf alley abutting 509 E. 9th Street – Discussion and Possible Action • Requester/Presenter: Mashell Smith, Land Management, Office of Real Estate Services (ORES) • Objective: Opportunity for UTC to recommend (or recommend against) a proposed vacation of right-of- way before City Council considers approval of the vacation: o Right-Of-Way vacation of the Alley (0.013 acre/ 572 sq. ft.) portion being the remaining of 20-ft wide tract of land, known as the alley of East 8th Street, adjacent to Lots 16 and 17, Sarah and Lydia M. Robertson’s Subdivision, out of Outlot 1, Division B, recorded in Volume 2, Page 232, Plat Records Travis County, Texas. • Time-sensitivity: This matter will be presented to Planning Commission and City Council soon. The matter is urgent. • Additional info: This item was previously approved by the UTC in November 2019 – however, proper public notification was not done in late 2019, so ORES resent public notice. The board needs to hear the item again, along with letters of objections and letters of support. • Time allotted: 30 mins Speed management update: recommended speed limit modifications for urban core, residential, and downtown streets – Discussion and Possible Action • Requester/Presenters: Rob Spillar, Director, Eric Bollich, Assistant Director, and Lewis Leff, Transportation Safety Officer, Austin Transportation Department (ATD) • Objective: o Present the Austin City Traffic Engineer’s recommended speed limit modifications to Council based ATD’s engineering studies and findings. o Discuss the results of the engineering studies analyzing speed limits on residential streets, major streets within the Urban Core (area bounded by US 183, SH 71, and MoPac), and the downtown network (area bounded by MoPac, MLK Blvd, IH-35 Southbound Frontage Road, and Lady Bird Lake) o Answer questions about the study process, findings, and recommendations. • Time-sensitivity: City Council to consider these recommendations at upcoming June 11, 2020 meeting. • Time allotted: 45 mins Street Impact Fee Study Results and Draft Policy Recommendation – Discussion and Possible Action This item will be postponed to the UTC’s June agenda. Project Connect System Plan – Discussion and Possible Action • Requester: Commissioners Champion and Alvarado • Objective: Opportunity for UTC members to continue their discussion from March regarding Capital Metro’s Project Connect System Plan and consider approving recommendations regarding the plan. • Time allotted: 30 mins …
From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Mark Rogers Smith, Mashell; CLMD Land Management Nhat M. Ho; Rachel Stone; Fayez Kazi GNDC Update Ltr 5.3.20 File #10076-1901 Sunday, May 3, 2020 12:05:20 PM GNDC_File #10076-1901_809 E 9 ROW.pdf *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear Ms. Smith, I have attached a letter that I'm hoping provides the pertinent background and an update related to our application for the alley vacation adjacent to our property at 809 East 9th Street. As you probably are aware, the application was approved on consent by both the Urban Transportation Commission and Planning Commission late last year. In February of this year, also on consent, the City Council approved selling the remainder of the alley to GNDC. You already should have copies of the letter and email that I sent last month to all of the condominium owners at the Tyndall who submitted objection letters to the alley vacation. In my letter and email, I offered to meet virtually if the Tyndall owners wished to and I provided my phone number, email address and mailing address. I have had no responses of any kind from anyone. Despite their statements regarding safety, I'm quite certain the Tyndall owners are actually concerned about the loss of views of our downtown. While such a concern is reasonable, had anyone investing in a west-facing condominium at the Tyndall asked about the development potential of the Lopez Property-- 809 East 9th Street-- the developers of the Tyndall undoubtedly knew that the entitlements are the same as those for the Tyndall. While it is an investor's responsibility to understand the pros and cons of their investment, it is my responsibility to develop property owned by our corporation to its highest and best use in order to most effectively fulfill our mission. Had the developers of the Tyndall acquired the Lopez Property, their project certainly would have been built as far to the west and as tall as we plan to build on that same property. And, just as certainly, they would have wished to build using the 572 feet of the remainder of alleyway, just as we would like to do. Their objections suggest our property is not right for seniors, yet I'm also quite sure that the real estate agents for the Tyndall are not trying to dissuade any potential buyers who are 62 years of age or older from …
Ashley Russo 800 Embassy Drive, Unit # 103 Austin, Texas 78702 March 18, 2020 City of Austin Office of Real Estate Services Suite 1350 P.O. Box 1088 Austin, Texas 78767-1088 Attn: Mashell Smith RE: File # 10076-1901 To Whom It May Concern: As a homeowner of a residence at The Tyndall at Robertson Hill Residential Condominium Community, located at 800 Embassy Drive, I am in receipt of the March 13, 2020 public notice of alley vacation for the adjacent property at 809 E. 9th Street. I strongly object to the vacation of the 572 square foot portion of the remaining 20 ft wide tract of land between E. 8th and E. 9th Street requested by the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation as part of a proposed multi-family hi-rise building. Vacation of the alley creates an unsafe building condition for me and all residents at The Tyndall due to the increased risk of fire as a result of the dangerously close proximity of the proposed building. My safety and the life safety of the more than 182 owners and residents at The Tyndall cannot and should not be compromised by the City of Austin with the vacation of this alley. The backyard of a historic single-family home on a dead-end street is not the right place for a multi- story wood frame building due to the limited access for fire, EMS and life safety services. Thank you for your time in reviewing my objections. Sincerely, Ashley Russo Resident Name 800 Embassy Drive, Unit # _____ Austin, Texas 78702 March 18, 2020 City of Austin Office of Real Estate Services Suite 1350 P.O. Box 1088 Austin, Texas 78767-1088 Attn: Mashell Smith RE: File # 10076-1901 To Whom It May Concern: As a homeowner of a residence at The Tyndall at Robertson Hill Residential Condominium Community, located at 800 Embassy Drive, I am in receipt of the March 13, 2020 public notice of alley vacation for the adjacent property at 809 E. 9th Street. I strongly object to the vacation of the 572 square foot portion of the remaining 20 ft wide tract of land between E. 8th and E. 9th Street requested by the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation as part of a proposed multi-family hi-rise building. Vacation of the alley creates an unsafe building condition for me and all residents at The Tyndall due to the increased risk of fire as a result …
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Emily Smith, Urban Transportation Commission Coordinator Austin Transportation Department Mashell Smith, Land Management Supervisor Office of Real Estate Services May 11, 2020 F#10076-1901: Right-Of-Way vacation of the Alley (0.013 acre/ 572 sq. ft.) portion being the remaining of 20-ft wide tract of land, known as the alley of East 8th Street, adjacent to Lots 16 and 17, Sarah and Lydia M. Robertson’s Subdivision, out of Outlot 1, Division B, recorded in Volume 2, Page 232, Plat Records Travis County, Texas. Attached is the Summary of Review Comments Report and Application Packet pertaining to the right-of-way alley vacation application for approximately 572 square foot tract of land, portion being the remaining of 20-ft wide tract of land, known as the alley of East 8th Street, adjacent to Lots 16 and 17, Sarah and Lydia M. Robertson’s Subdivision, out of Outlot 1, Division B, recorded in Volume 2, Page 232, Plat Records Travis County, Texas. This 572 square foot portion will be added to the adjoining property and the property will be developed as multi-family affordable senior housing. All affected city departments and private utility franchise holders have reviewed the request and recommend approval, subject to the following conditions: 1. Austin Water Utility: • A water line easement will be retained over the entire vacation tract. • The survey must be updated to show existing wastewater manhole. • AWU needs a signed agreement that transfer the City of Austin line to a private institution. • A clean out will need to be built and accepted by COA standards. The applicant requested that the item be placed on the November 12, Urban Transportation Commission Agenda. It was heard by the Commissioners and was passed with full support. Due to an error in Public Notice for the November 12, 2019 UTC meeting new public notice was given in March 2020. This item in now being requested to be placed on the May 15, 2020 Urban Transportation Commission Agenda. Objections and support letters are additional backup. Staff contact: Applicant: Adjoining Land Owner: 809 E. 9th Street The applicant and/or property owner’s representative will be present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding the development project and vacation request. Mashell Smith, Land Management Supervisor Office of Real Estate Services, 512-974-7079, mashell.smith@austintexas.gov Nhat Ho, nhat@civilitude.com Civilitude Engineers & Planners (512) 761-6161 SUMMARY …
From: To: Subject: Date: Aaron Michalovic CLMD Land Management Fwd: Sunday, May 3, 2020 10:42:24 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Aaron Michalovic <michalovicwoodart@gmail.com> Date: May 3, 2020 at 10:41:35 PM CDT To: Mashell.Smith@austintexas.gov April 29, 2020 Aaron Michalovic 804 Waller St Austin Tx 78702 City of Austin Office of Real Estate Services, Suite 1350 P.O. Box 1350 Austin, Texas Attn: Mashell Smith To Whom It May Concern: I am aware that the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (GNDC) has requested to acquire the remainder of the alley adjacent to their property located at 809 East 9th Street. (cid:2940) (cid:2940) I strongly support GNDC’s request for the vacation of 572 square feet of the remainder of the alley. For nearly 40 years GNDC has developed high quality affordable housing and worked for the revitalization and preservation of the neighborhoods of East Austin. Austin is facing an affordable housing crisis and East Austin is ground zero in our city, in Texas and in the United States in terms of the displacement of is nationally recognized and was featured as a case study success story in the UT Uprooted report released in 2018 as an organization doing great work providing affordable housing that mitigates displacement. its traditional residents. GNDC Please help GNDC accomplish its desperately needed work by supporting the vacation of the remainder of alley. Doing so will help our city achieve the 60,000 affordable housing units needed in Austin over the next 10 years, as outlined in the Strategic Housing Blueprint that is adopted into the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Aaron Michalovic Sent from my iPhone CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to CSIRT@austintexas.gov. From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Adam Talianchich Smith, Mashell; CLMD Land Management Mark Rogers; Mango Mango 809 E 9th St - Vacated Alley Tuesday, May 5, 2020 3:48:21 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Howdy, I understand that the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (GNDC) has requested to acquire the remainder of the alley adjacent to their property located at 809 East 9th Street. I strongly support GNDC’s request for the vacation of 572 square feet of the …
Speed Management Briefing: Recommended Speed Limit Modifications for Urban Core, Residential, and Downtown Streets Urban Transportation Commission | May 15, 2020 Engineering Recommendation Based on a comprehensive traffic engineering study, the Office of the City Traffic Engineer has determined that roadway speeds across a wide range of roadways in Austin should be reduced to achieve safe and prudent speeds • Urban Core Arterials • Neighborhood Streets • Downtown Streets 2 Briefing Agenda • Speed Management Program Overview • Engineering Study Methodology • Detailed Findings and Recommendations • Urban Core Study • Residential & Downtown Core Streets • Next Steps 3 Speed Management Program Mission: • Improve safety and enhance the livability of Austin streets • Implement context-appropriate speed reduction strategies Objective: • Reduce the likelihood of serious injury and fatal crashes • Reduce egregious speeding on all street levels 4 Speed Management Program • Speed is one of four behaviors which contribute to most of the fatal crashes • Speeding is the primary contributing factor in ~1/4 of Austin traffic fatality crashes • 3,107 Years of Life Lost (2019) 5 Engineering Study Methodology Review of Best Practices 6 Engineering Study Methodology Historical Engineering Approach → Expert Systems (USLIMITS2) 85th Percentile Speed as Primary Input 15 Different Inputs • 50th percentile speed • Driveway Density • Traffic Controls • Adjacent Land Use • Bike/Ped Activity • Crash History • Plus Others Source: FHWA 7 Urban Core Study Process • Office of the City Traffic Engineer can recommend speed limit modifications based on an engineering study • Texas Transportation Code, Section 545.356, and City of Austin Code, Chapter 12 • Focused on streets with greater operating speeds • Collected data on 80% Urban Core Network 8 Urban Core Study High Injury Network Street Network 8% 92% Representation by Serious injuries & Fatalities 30% 70% High-Injury All Others High-Injury All Others 9 *High Injury Network developed in 2019 based on data from 2013-2017 Urban Core Study High-Injury Network / Study Boundaries 10 Urban Core Study Prior Council Action Cameron Road (US 290 to Park Center Drive) Grove Boulevard (Riverside Dr. to Montopolis Dr.) Lamar Boulevard (Barton Skyway to SH71) Montopolis Drive (Riverside Drive to Burleson Road) Pleasant Valley Road (Webberville Rd. to Riverside Dr.) Riverside Drive (Crossing Place to SH 71) Stassney Lane (Teri Road to Burleson Road) (Ordinances passed September 19, 2019) 11 Street Name Prior Posted Speed New Posted Speed Airport …
Speed Management Briefing: Recommended Speed Limit Modifications for Urban Core, Residential, and Downtown Streets Urban Transportation Commission | May 15, 2020 Engineering Recommendation Based on a comprehensive traffic engineering study, the Office of the City Traffic Engineer has determined that roadway speeds across a wide range of roadways in Austin should be reduced to achieve safe and prudent speeds • Urban Core Arterials • Neighborhood Streets • Downtown Streets 2 Briefing Agenda • Speed Management Program Overview • Engineering Study Methodology • Detailed Findings and Recommendations • Urban Core Study • Residential & Downtown Core Streets • Next Steps 3 Speed Management Program Mission: • Improve safety and enhance the livability of Austin streets • Implement context-appropriate speed reduction strategies Objective: • Reduce the likelihood of serious injury and fatal crashes • Reduce egregious speeding on all street levels 4 Speed Management Program • Speed is one of four behaviors which contribute to most of the fatal crashes • Speeding is the primary contributing factor in ~1/4 of Austin traffic fatality crashes • 3,107 Years of Life Lost (2019) 5 Engineering Study Methodology Review of Best Practices 6 Engineering Study Methodology Historical Engineering Approach → Expert Systems (USLIMITS2) 85th Percentile Speed as Primary Input 15 Different Inputs • 50th percentile speed • Driveway Density • Traffic Controls • Adjacent Land Use • Bike/Ped Activity • Crash History • Plus Others Source: FHWA 7 Urban Core Study Process • Office of the City Traffic Engineer can recommend speed limit modifications based on an engineering study • Texas Transportation Code, Section 545.356, and City of Austin Code, Chapter 12 • Focused on streets with greater operating speeds • Collected data on 80% Urban Core Network 8 Urban Core Study High Injury Network Street Network 8% 92% Representation by Serious injuries & Fatalities 30% 70% High-Injury All Others High-Injury All Others 9 *High Injury Network developed in 2019 based on data from 2013-2017 Urban Core Study High-Injury Network / Study Boundaries 10 Urban Core Study Prior Council Action Cameron Road (US 290 to Park Center Drive) Grove Boulevard (Riverside Dr. to Montopolis Dr.) Lamar Boulevard (Barton Skyway to SH71) Montopolis Drive (Riverside Drive to Burleson Road) Pleasant Valley Road (Webberville Rd. to Riverside Dr.) Riverside Drive (Crossing Place to SH 71) Stassney Lane (Teri Road to Burleson Road) (Ordinances passed September 19, 2019) 11 Street Name Prior Posted Speed New Posted Speed Airport …
Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) Meeting Minutes Special Called Meeting 15 May 2020 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a meeting on May 15, 2020 via videoconference. Commission Members in Attendance: Mario Champion Daniel Alvarado Kelly Blume Kelly Davis Commission Members Absent: Alex Reyna CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Daniel Hennessey called the commission meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. Samuel Franco Daniel Hennessey Allie Runas Susan Somers 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MARCH 10, 2020 REGULAR MEETING Cynthia Weatherby Michael Wilfley The March 10, 2020 minutes were approved on an 8-0 vote with Reyna absent and Champion not yet present. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Right of Way vacation: 572 sf alley abutting 509 E. 9th Street – Discussion and Possible Action Kim Vasquez, Office of Real Estate Services, presented information to the commission. Nhat Ho, Civilitude Engineers & Planners, addressed questions from the commission. Thirteen members of the public addressed the commission: Taylor Wood, Lydia Clay, Matt Mathias, Cynthia Nelson, Germaine Williams, Deron Miller, Jill Keelan, Kevin Dunlap, Justin Du, Megan Shannon, Nikelle Meade, Don B. Mauro, and Bob Gass. A motion to recommend the vacation of right of way was approved on a 6-1-1 vote with Davis opposed, Hennessey abstaining, Reyna absent, and Champion not yet present. B. Speed management: recommended speed limit modifications for urban core, residential, and downtown streets – Discussion and Possible Action Anna Martin, Eric Bollich, and Lewis Leff, Austin Transportation, presented information to the commission. Two members of the public addressed the commission: Heyden Walker and Jay Blazek Crossley. A motion to support staff's recommendations was approved on a 9-0 vote with Reyna absent. C. Street Impact Fee Study results and draft policy recommendation – Discussion and Possible Action This item was postponed by staff to June. 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Project Connect System Plan – Discussion and Possible Action Commissioner Weatherby presented draft recommendation language which read as follows: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission strongly recommends completion and adoption of the plan and its incorporation in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, adoption by Capital Metro as its plan of record, and the Capital Area Metropolitan Policy Organization’s regional plan. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as monetary resources and opportunities for project implementation become known, that phasing and project packaging continue to proceed in an open and collaborative manner. A motion to adopt the recommendation was approved on a 9-0 …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (UTC) TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2020 – 5:00 PM TOWN LAKE CENTER ROOM 130 721 BARTON SPRINGS RD AUSTIN, TEXAS MEETING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZENS COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 4 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. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 11, 2020 REGULAR MEETING 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Transit speed and reliability projects update – Briefing Staff: Caitlin D’Alton, Transit Program Manager, Austin Transportation B. Taxicab Franchise update, including review of a new Taxicab Franchise Application for Longhorn Taxicab Company – Discussion and Possible Action Staff: Jacob Culberson, Mobility Services Division Manager, Austin Transportation C. Project Connect update – Discussion and Possible Action Staff: Dave Couch, Project Connect Program Officer, Capital Metro Sponsor: Commissioner Champion Co-sponsor: Commissioner Alvarado 3. OLD BUSINESS Discussion and Possible Action Sponsor: Commissioner Somers 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT A. Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2045 Transportation Plan – Co-sponsor: Commissioner Davis Note: These topics will NOT be discussed by the commission as part of this agenda A. Urban Trails Plan and Sidewalk/ADA Transition Plan Updates (Staff; April) is committed The City of Austin to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Emily Smith at the Austin Transportatio n Department, at 512-974-2358 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Urban Transportation Commission please contact Emily Smith at 512-974-2358 or at emily.smith@austintexas.gov.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20200310-03A: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2045 Transportation Plan WHEREAS, The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan calls for Austin to reach a goal of 50% of Austinites commuting by walking, biking, transit, or any other non-drive-alone mode by 2039, from today’s current 24% of Austinites using non-drive-alone modes; and WHEREAS, The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan further reaffirms the Vision Zero goal the City of Austin set in 2016, to reach zero traffic fatalities by 2025; and WHEREAS, Texas Transportation Commission has set a goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2050 and cutting deaths in half by 2035; and WHEREAS, Our current climate crisis calls for us to make changes to the way we live and plan our cities, and our pattern of continued sprawl and road construction is neither safe nor sustainable; and WHEREAS, Our continued patterns of sprawl and road construction are also not sustainable from a fiscal standpoint, as the TxDOT and federal highway budget crises continues to deepen; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin is in the process of revising our Land Development Code to allow more dense and equitable housing; and WHEREAS, Capitol Metropolitan Transit Authority, through its Project Connect planning process is on the verge of approving a Locally Preferred Alternative that represents a generational, comprehensive transit plan; and WHEREAS, The Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is in the process of creating its federally mandated 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP); and WHEREAS, Over the years CAMPO has consistently underestimated urban housing and job growth and overestimated suburban housing and job growth; and WHEREAS, The road construction dictated in CAMPO’s 2040 RTP feeds into the 2045 modeling, predicting increased sprawl and exurban traffic, creating a negative feedback loop; and WHEREAS, Williamson County has successfully lobbied to have additional people and jobs in their jurisdiction added into the 2045 RTP model; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission urges CAMPO to: ● Adopt a Vision Zero goal to end regional traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2045; ● Ensure that the Project Connect Locally Preferred Alternative is included in the RTP; ● Plan for most of our region’s job and people growth to occur within the City of Austin, and in consideration of the new Land Development Code and its willingness to accommodate Williamson County, adjust their model to add additional jobs and people in dense, …
City of Austin Urban Transportation Commission Project Connect Update MARCH 9, 2020 1 1 • PROJECT CONNECT RECOMMENDED SYSTEM PLAN AGENDA • PROGRESS RECAP • IMAGINING THE FUTURE • FUNDING AND GOVERNANCE • NEXT STEPS 2 PROJECT TIMELINE APR 2019 OCT 2019 JAN 2020 MAR 2020 MAY 2020 NOV 2020 2021 – Beyond Project Connect Plan Alternatives Analysis Begins October 30 Joint Work Session January 14 Joint Work Session Investment Program Recommendation Potential Investment Program Approval Potential Transit Referendum It’s Go Time! Community Engagement Ongoing 3 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MAR-APR 2020 Community education campaign, district meetings, neighborhood meetings, customer surveys and virtual feedback opportunity. Over 40,000 engaged to date MAY-NOV 2020 Community education campaign continues, event activations and presentations 2021 – Beyond Continued community engagement, business outreach on project corridors Upcoming District Public Input Meetings April 8 April 13 April 14 April 20 April 22 April 27 April 28 April 29 April 29 April 30 Fiesta Gardens Building Central Library Webb Middle School South Austin Senior Activity Center Oak Hill Community Center Norris Conference Center Dittmar Rec Center St. Alberts Catholic Church Parish Activity Hall Spicewood Springs Library Carver Museum 4 PROJECT CONNECT RECOMMENDED SYSTEM PLAN 55 5 READY FOR GROWTH By 2040, daily ridership on Orange and Blue Lines is expected to reach over 68,000. Choosing the proper vehicle and frequency determines our best investment for future proofing and growth. VEHICLE TYPE Daily Capacity REQUIRES TUNNEL REQUIRES TUNNEL 6 DOWNTOWN TRANSIT TUNNEL BENEFITS Fast, Safe & Reliable A downtown tunnel benefits the entire network—transit and traffic Travel Time Savings Placemaking Partnership Opportunities Safer for Everyone Reduces Conflicts with Other Road Users and 20% of the Traffic Signals Expanding Transit Footprint Futureproofing 7 PROJEC T CONNEC T | SYSTEM PLAN RECOMMENDATION Light Rail Transit in Dedicated Transitways for both Orange and Blue Lines. - 30 Miles, 32 Stations incl. Downtown Transit Tunnel Station and Operational Improvements. New Commuter Rail Service to Connect Downtown to Colony Park with potential extension to Manor and Elgin. Bus Rapid Transit in Dedicated Transitway. Potential to convert to LRT. - 6 Miles, 10 Stations High Frequency Bus with Priority Treatments. 7 New Routes - ~100 Miles, 200 Stations 8 New Routes - 5 outside service area 24 New Park & Rides - 10 outside the service area. Better bus service and stop amenities Enhanced demand response service Zero Emissions Improved Customer Tech New Circulator Zones (Pickup) …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20200310-03A: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2045 Transportation Plan WHEREAS, The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan calls for Austin to reach a goal of 50% of Austinites commuting by walking, biking, transit, or any other non-drive-alone mode by 2039, from today’s current 24% of Austinites using non-drive-alone modes; and WHEREAS, The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan further reaffirms the Vision Zero goal the City of Austin set in 2016, to reach zero traffic fatalities by 2025; and WHEREAS, Texas Transportation Commission has set a goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2050 and cutting deaths in half by 2035; and WHEREAS, Our current climate crisis calls for us to make changes to the way we live and plan our cities, and our pattern of continued sprawl and road construction is neither safe nor sustainable; and WHEREAS, Continued patterns of sprawl and road construction are also not sustainable from a fiscal standpoint, as the TxDOT and federal highway budget crises continues to deepen; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin is in the process of revising our Land Development Code to allow more dense and equitable housing; and WHEREAS, Capitol Metropolitan Transit Authority, through its Project Connect planning process is on the verge of approving a Locally Preferred Alternative that represents a generational, comprehensive transit plan; and WHEREAS, The Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is in the process of creating its federally mandated 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP); and WHEREAS, Over the years CAMPO has consistently underestimated urban housing and job growth and overestimated suburban housing and job growth; and WHEREAS, The road construction dictated in CAMPO’s 2040 RTP feeds into the 2045 modeling, predicting increased sprawl and exurban traffic, creating a negative feedback loop; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission urges CAMPO to: ● Adopt a regional Vision Zero goal to end regional traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2045; ● Ensure that the Project Connect Locally Preferred Alternative is included in the RTP; ● Plan for most of our region’s job and people growth to occur within the City of Austin, and in consideration of the new Land Development Code adjust their model to add additional jobs and people in dense, walkable urban spaces. Date of Approval: March 10, 2020 Record of the vote: 7-0 with Hennessey, Runas, Somers, and Wilfley absent Attest: Emily Smith, Staff Liaison
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20200310-02C: Complete Access to Project Connect WHEREAS, Capital Metro, City of Austin staff, and citizens of Austin have worked toward a comprehensive high-capacity transit vision and plan, known as Project Connect; WHEREAS, Project Connect and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan envision a “comprehensive multimodal transportation plan” in which people on foot, in strollers, on bikes, scooters, and wheelchairs are treated equally, to create a system in which a full 50% of mobility does not occur in single-occupancy vehicles; WHEREAS, A high-capacity system is a network which is entered by people not in cars, and therefore must have access which is amenable and useful access for people not in cars, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends City Council adopt the Project Connect preferred plan with the following advice: 1. Include as an additional referendum item, or as part of a single referendum, funding for historic investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to enable all-age and all-ability access to Project Connect’s assets. 2. Create policies and funding to preserve land for below-market housing preservation and development near stations and along primary transit corridors at densities which will support high-capacity transit. 3. Create and adopt a Comprehensive Tree and Shade Master Plan which encourages people to use transit, including development of humane bus stops, shaded and safe pedestrian, bike, wheelchair and micro-mobility access to high-capacity transit. Date of Approval: March 10, 2020 Record of the vote: 7-0 with Hennessey, Runas, Somers, and Wilfley absent Attest: Emily Smith, Staff Liaison
Item 2B - Longhorn Taxicab Company taxicab franchise application • Item objective: Provide a recommendation on a new application to operate a taxicab franchise for “Longhorn Taxicab Company.” • Presenters: Jacob Culberson, Mobility Services Division Manager, ATD and Innocent Njoku, Longhorn Taxicab Company General Manager • Details: The Mobility Services Division of the Austin Transportation Department (ATD) regulates taxicab franchises under chapter 13-2 of City Code. Currently, there are three taxicab franchises operating a total of 545 taxicabs, 33 of which are Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) taxicabs. All three current taxicab franchises (ATX Co-Op Taxi, Yellow Cab, and Lone Star Cab) have franchise expirations occurring in August of 2020. On October 8, 2019, ATD recommended granting five-year taxicab franchise renewals to all current taxicab service providers and the UTC voted unanimously in support. Additionally, Central City Taxi filed an Application for New Taxicab Franchise with the Office of the City Clerk on June 25, 2019. ATD presented the option of approving Central City Taxi for a taxicab franchise on October 8, 2019 the UTC voted unanimously in support. On October 29, 2019, ATD received a second Application for New Taxicab Franchise filed by Longhorn Taxicab Company. As with the last applicant for taxicab franchise, ATD recommends approval in order to offer the people of Austin more City-wide transportation options, a higher number of wheelchair accessible taxicabs, and to meet current public demand. Additionally, ATD believes the addition of another taxicab franchise has the potential to bring a fresh perspective to the taxicab industry, inspire innovation, and enhance response times for both the central and outer areas of Austin. City Charter requires a new or renewing taxicab franchise to be granted by ordinance and read at three regular City Council meetings. The third reading may not occur until at least 30 days after the first reading. Following is ATD’s schedule for the first, second, and third readings: o 1st reading on April 9, 2020 o 2nd reading on April 23, 2020 o 3rd reading on May 21, 2020
