Tag Archives: City of Austin Environmental Commission
Environmental Commission clashes over potential wastewater line near Marble Creek
After a two-hour discussion on Nov. 6, the Environmental Commission recommended against a variance that would have allowed a developer to place an 860-foot portion of a large wastewater line within the inner half of the critical water quality zone…
Development • By Katherine Corley • Nov 20, 2019
Audubon Society recommends strategies to reduce bird deaths in Austin
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Environmental Commission, Christy Esmahan, a member of the Travis Audubon Board of Directors, reported that nearly 30 percent of North America’s bird population has vanished in the last 50 years, per a September 2019 study…
Environment • By Katherine Corley • Nov 8, 2019
Commission calls air quality motion a 'vague statement,' fails to pass it
Despite the philosophical support of commissioners, a motion to improve air quality at construction sites failed at the Oct. 16 meeting of the Environmental Commission. Commissioner Pam Thompson prepared a motion on the fly during a presentation by the Office…
Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Oct 22, 2019
Developer turns variance process upside-down, asks Environmental Commission for 'feedback'
In an unusual request, development lawyer Richard Suttle with Armbrust & Brown appeared before the Environmental Commission on Oct. 16 to ask not for a site plan variance, but for feedback on a possible upcoming one. “I’m anticipating needing to…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Oct 18, 2019
Pioneer Crossing PUD changes course, adding parkland
Having passed through and received an approval recommendation from the Zoning and Platting Commission on Sept. 17 for its 14th amendment, the Pioneer Crossing planned unit development arrived at the Environmental Commission on Oct. 2. A 376-acre portion of the…
Zoning • By Jessi Devenyns • Oct 7, 2019
Reporter's Notebook: Read all about it
Planting the seeds… Just because water is crystal clear doesn’t mean it is clean. Craig Nazor, a citizen who sits on the Animal Advisory Commission, alerted the Environmental Commission on Oct. 2 that the discharge from the Walnut Creek Water…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Oct 7, 2019
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Environmental Commission recommends Council include Atlas 14 update in code rewrite
Atlas 14 is a historical rainfall study that alters the city’s flood plains drastically, showing that Austin is projected to receive a 30 percent increase in rainfall. Nevertheless, the study is not something that can change development on its own.…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 10, 2019
Environmental Commission discusses how to make the Heritage Tree Ordinance even more tree-centric
Austin values its trees. According to the city arborist’s office, trees are a $16 billion asset to the community. In 1982, in an effort to better protect its trees, Austin implemented its inaugural tree ordinance, which was unique both then…
Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 6, 2019
Youth outreach program is cut after city doubled funding
When the city funds grants, should it do so based on achievable objectives or program intent? That question was at the crux of a debate at the July 24 meeting of the Environmental Commission’s Urban Forestry Committee. Last budget cycle,…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 30, 2019
Toxic algae blooms expected to recur
Algae in Austin’s waterways is nothing new. In the summertime when the water warms up and flows slowly, it’s common to see tendrils of blue-green algae floating in the current. “It’s a very seasonal pattern. A very regular pattern,” Brent…
Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 23, 2019
One year later: The new life of the old Onion Creek flood plain
Since 1999, the city of Austin has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to buy homeowners out of the Onion Creek flood zone. Last year, when the Watershed Protection Department completed the buyout program, 813 houses had…
Parks • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 22, 2019
Environmental Commission gives Walter E. Long Park plan the green light, with conditions
Following the lead of the Parks and Recreation Board, the Environmental Commission unanimously approved the new master plan for East Austin’s Walter E. Long Park. The vote, however, came with a host of conditions. The commissioners expressed concern that the…
