On paper, Austin protects its trees. City code requires people to get approval from the city arborist before damaging or removing a tree. But representatives from the Austin Heritage Tree Foundation told the Environmental Board on Wednesday that these ordinances are often overlooked, and they urged board members to recommend a process requiring departments that regularly […]
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 inAustin, Environment, Music & Entertainment, Parks
City plans to repair cyclo-cross damage at Zilker
City staff has revealed a one-year plan that they hope will remediate tree and turf damage related to a national cyclo-cross championship held in Zilker Park earlier this month. Watershed Protection Department Environmental Officer Chuck Lesniak told the Environmental Board Wednesday that Parks and Recreation Department staff and City Arborist Michael Embesi have “a pretty […]
Posted inAustin, Environment, Fire, Public Safety, Resources
Watershed Protection touts wildfire plan progress
Watershed Protection Department staff told the Environmental Board on Wednesday that they have begun to implement an intergovernmental plan designed to help prevent catastrophic wildfires in the future. Senior Environmental Compliance Specialist Ryan Hebrink stressed that the Austin/Travis County Community Wildfire Protection Plan is “not a regulatory document, but a strategic tool.” Travis County, City […]
Posted inAustin, Environment
Watershed Protection outlines salamander plan
Watershed Protection Department staff dived into the details of the city’s Habitat Management Plan on Wednesday. The plan will protect the Barton Springs salamander and the Austin blind salamander, two federally endangered species known to live exclusively in Barton Springs. Watershed Protection salamander biologist Tom Devitt told the Environmental Board that the plan includes a […]
Posted inAustin, Environment, Resources
City reveals new drainage fee structure
Austin Watershed Protection Department staff publicly presented its proposed restructure of the drainage fee for the first time Wednesday, saying that it is fairer and more equitable to customers than the current flat fee. Watershed Protection Director Victoria Li told the Environmental Board that the proposed structure is based on the impact that each property […]
Posted inDevelopment
Environmental Board hears Lightsey 2 project
Though it is still in the early stages, South Austin’s Lightsey 2 project made a detour to the Environmental Board last week, where developers were advised to be more creative with their plans. Citing “ongoing concerns” with drainage, off-site flooding, fees-in-lieu for water-quality controls and issues with Heritage Trees, Chair Mary Gay Maxwell made a […]
Posted inDevelopment
Development headed to Environmental Board
A controversial South Austin development is on hold for at least another month, after the Planning Commission opted to take the unusual tack of sending the development’s preliminary plan to the Environmental Board for comment. The PSW Real Estate development at 1805 Lightsey Road has come under fire at the Board of Adjustment and during […]
Posted inEnvironment, Transportation
Walnut Creek trail progresses, despite concerns
Despite some pushback from neighborhoods, phase two of the Walnut Creek Hike and Bike Trail marches on. Public Works Department project manager Richard Duane gave the Environmental Board an update on the project at the last meeting, after the board heard concerns about the project. Though it has faced some hurdles, the trail is now […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
South Austin development threatens Heritage Trees
Though still in the early stages, a proposed South Austin development continues to draw fire from the city’s various boards and commissions. Last week, concerned citizens asked the city to take a closer look at its compliance with the Heritage Tree Ordinance. The PSW Real Estate development at 1805 Lightsey Road has already faced opposition […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Panel rejects tram, but hopes for creative solutions
The Environmental Board continued to take a hard line against allowing Lake Austin homeowners more than one path of access to the lake from their ridgetop homes last week. This time, William and Kathryn Darling were requesting a variance for a tram at their 2908 Scenic Drive home. Their agent, Phil Moncada, explained that the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
The return of the Great Disc Golf Debate
The Pease Park Master Plan has opened old wounds in Austin’s disc golf community. In 2010, the city shut down the park’s disc golf course. Four years later, outrage over its closing persists. A recommendation to keep the course closed was met with vocal opposition at the Environmental Board on Wednesday. On the other side, […]
Posted inEnvironment
Environmental Board nixes variance for tram
Though there was some debate, Environmental Board members in the end voted against granting a variance that would have allowed building a tram along Lake Austin. The board had already rejected a request at its previous meeting for a variance from the homeowners at 3961 Westlake Drive that would allow second access to Lake Austin. […]