At its Tuesday meeting, the Planning Commission passed an environmental variance for 755 Springdale Road. The applicant, StoryBuilt, has sought the change for more than a year, but the case failed to clear the Environmental Commission earlier this summer due to concerns about building in a critical water quality zone. StoryBuilt is hoping to construct a mixed-use […]
City of Austin Environmental Commission
An advisory board to members of the Austin City Council. Its purview includes “all projects and programs which affect the quality of life for the citizens of Austin.” In many cases, this includes development projects.
Posted inParks
Environmental Commission recommends vision plan for John Treviño Jr. park
A 330-acre former ranch east of U.S. Highway 183 has been waiting for the city to introduce park amenities since 2003. On Aug. 5, the city-owned parcel took one step closer to becoming a nature-focused, master-planned metropolitan park named in honor of Austin’s first Latino City Council member, John Treviño Jr. At its August meeting, […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission recommends environmental aspects of COTA PUD
The Circuit of the Americas has been making its way through city boards and commissions on its quest to expand from a concert venue and racetrack into a more residential- and retail-focused development. The 1,153-acre parcel located east of State Highway 130 and north of Farm to Market 812 are seeking City Council’s approval to […]
Posted inBudget
Environmental Commission recommends Watershed Protection Department budget
Among the coronavirus pandemic’s many consequences is an impact on the Watershed Protection Department’s proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Even with the decision to cut back in areas, the department is still proposing a $107.1 million operating budget for 2021, with $101.2 million in expected revenue. “Based on what we’ve seen in our […]
Posted inDevelopment
Springdale Farm development proposal lacks support due to environmental concerns
For over a year, Austin developer StoryBuilt has worked with the Govalle neighborhood to design a site plan for the 4.8-acre site that operates as Springdale Farm and Eden East at 755 Springdale Road. While the overall design for a pedestrian-friendly site with a half-acre urban farm, restaurant, commercial space and residential living with affordable […]
Posted inEnvironment
City reworks its Community Climate Plan through an equity lens
Five years ago, Austin’s Office of Sustainability began implementing its 2030 Community Climate Plan in order to work toward the city’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Now, the department is revising its plan to update metrics and advance the city’s ambitious emissions goals with a commitment to racial equity. Zach Baumer, the […]
Posted inThe Code
Environmental Commission says Public Works project ‘flies in the face’ of environmental regulations
In order to create easy access and support increased traffic headed to a new Habitat for Humanity development in Southeast Austin, the Public Works Department is working on constructing a road that crosses a “classified waterway.” Under city code, a classified waterway is a body of water identified in the Watershed Protection Ordinance that has […]
Posted inPlanning
Compromise reached at Lantana PCA, Environmental Commission recommends project
After postponing its recommendation on the project consent agreement at the Lantana project in Southwest Austin, the Environmental Commission has reached an agreement with the developer and the Save Our Springs Alliance on how to move forward. On Tuesday, the Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the 35-acre project in Southwest […]
Posted inEnvironment
City of Austin releases update on climate resilience plan
Resilience is a word that seems particularly relevant as Austin closes public spaces and dining institutions and limits gatherings in response to the spread of Covid-19. Although the city has yet to develop a holistic resilience plan that prepares the state’s capital for extreme weather and response to crises, there is a climate-related resilience plan […]
Posted inEnvironment
Watershed Protection Department debuts new pollution spills map
When the Watershed Protection Department went to renew the city’s permit to discharge under the Texas pollutant discharge elimination system this past year, it found new requirements. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recently changed its rules to require cities to keep a list of priority areas – hot spots that are high-potential areas for […]
Posted inEnvironment
Environmental Commission recommends city develop holistic resilience plan
In many respects, Austin city officials are striving to create an environmentally sustainable city. However, according to the Environmental Commission, the city is not as resilient as it needs to be. “Right now, we don’t have a resilience plan,” Commissioner Katie Coyne said at the March 4 meeting of the Environmental Commission. “I really just […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission postpones Lantana PCA to encourage compromise
On Feb. 19, the Environmental Commission heard from divided parties arguing their case for whether to recommend implementing a Project Consent Agreement at the Lantana project in Southwest Austin to allow for a mixed-use residential project rather than office space on the site. “They are proposing a change of use within the same footprint,” Environmental […]