Sep 05, 2024 Housing and Planning Committee

WE HAVE MATT GUSKEY, REMOTE SPEAKER.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHERS? I HAVE.

UH, OKAY.

IS MATT, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

UM, MY APOLOGIES.

UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LEADERSHIP TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

MY NAME IS MATT SKE, VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE DOWNS AND AUSTIN ALLIANCE.

UM, I'M GONNA BE SPEAKING TODAY ON THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN.

UH, I WANNA SPECIFICALLY THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRE AND HIS TEAM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON MOVING THE NEW DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN FORWARD.

UM, OUR MISSION AT DAA IS TO CREATE, PRESERVE, AND ENHANCE THE VIBE, VITALITY, AND VALUE OF DOWNTOWN AUSTIN.

FOR EVERYONE.

DOWNTOWN HAS CHANGED IMMENSELY SINCE THIS LAST DAP WAS DRAFTED 15 YEARS AGO.

AN UPDATE TO THE PLAN IS NEEDED BOTH TO BRING OUR EXISTING PLAN IN ALIGNMENT WITH TODAY'S LANDSCAPE DOWNTOWN, AND ALSO TO LOOK FORWARD TO DOWNTOWN'S FUTURE.

HAVING A CENTRAL PLAN WITH A DEDICATED IMPLEMENTATION TEAM AND RESOURCES IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF DOWNTOWN, ESPECIALLY AS WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SUCH AS AFFORDABILITY, PRESERVATION OF LIVE MUSIC AND CULTURE, AND IMPROVING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESS DOWNTOWN.

WE BELIEVE IN ORDER TO PLAN FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE, WE MUST GET THE DOWNTOWN CORE, RIGHT? WE ARE SUPPORTIVE, UPDATING THE DAP AND WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS IS ADEQUATELY RESOURCED, BOTH IN THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION IMPLEMENTATION STAGES.

THE DA WOULD LIKE TO BE AT THE TABLE IN THE PROCESS, INCLUDING IN THE EARLY STAGES OF SCOPING.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LEADERSHIP.

IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE BECAUSE THE CURRENT D DAP IS OUTDATED.

SPEAKER, NEXT SPEAKERS.

UM, THIS IS MAGGIE DEHA, AND I WAS CALLING, UH, ON BEHALF OF THE, UH, RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT, UH, THE LIMITED EQUITY HOUSING, UH, AFFORDABILITY FOR SENIORS.

UM, I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE BOOMERS COLLABORATIVE ON THAT ISSUE.

UH, AND I, UH, UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TYPE OF, UH, HOUSING WOULD, UH, HELP, UM, MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR SENIORS.

IT ALSO ALLOWS FOR SENIORS TO KEEP THEIR DIGNITY, UH, IN A COMMUNITY OF LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE, UH, TO BE ABLE TO PULL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT, UH, SENIORS, UM, AND TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATIVELY, UH, BE INVOLVED IN, UH, THE, UH, SUPPORT OF THE SENIORS AND IN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HOUSING ENVIRONMENT.

UM, AND I, I DO BELIEVE, UH, THAT THIS WOULD BE A MODEL THAT IS INNOVATIVE, THAT'S BEEN, UH, IMPLEMENTED IN OTHER CITIES.

AND I KNOW THAT AUSTIN IS VERY CREATIVE, AND I, I DO HOPE THAT YOU WILL PASS THE, THE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THIS, UH, TYPE OF HOUSING FOR SENIORS.

WE'LL WAIT ON THE LAST REMOTE SPEAKER TO JOIN, AND WE'LL GO TO KIMBERLY LEVINSON.

SPEAKER, OR, YES.

HI.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN PLAN, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DAP.

AS A DOWNTOWN COMMISSION MEMBER AND A RESIDENT OF DOWNTOWN AND A BOARD MEMBER OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

WHAT HAPPENS IN DOWNTOWN IS CLEARLY IMPORTANT TO ME, BUT I'M HERE TODAY TO POINT OUT THAT WHAT HAPPENS IN DOWNTOWN IS ACTUALLY A VITAL IMPORTANCE TO ALL OF AUSTIN, BECAUSE DOWNTOWN IS THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF AUSTIN.

AND THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT GO WRONG.

UPDATING THE DAP

[00:05:01]

TOO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED, AND DOWNTOWN HAS CHANGED AND GROWN SINCE THEN WITH THE MANY DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION PIECES HAPPENING.

WE NEED SOMETHING TO PULL IT ALL TOGETHER.

WE NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR I 35, THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION, WATERLOO GREENWAY, THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL DISTRICT, THE RED RIVER DISTRICT, AND THE SIXTH STREET REDEVELOPMENT AND MORE.

THAT'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

WE BELIEVE THAT REQUIRES MONEY FOR A CONSULTANT AND THE RECREATION OF A DOWNTOWN OFFICER POSITION TO ACT AS AN EXECUTIVE TEAM LEADER OVERSEEING ALL THOSE MOVING PARTS.

AND THE DOWNTOWN COMMISSION, WHICH ORIGINALLY SPECIFICALLY TO OVERSEE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT, NEEDS TO HAVE A STRONG VOICE IN THIS, AS DOES THE DAA, IF DOWNTOWN IS TO REMAIN THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS AND GENERATES LARGE REVENUES FOR THE CITY.

ALL OF US NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

WE STAND READY TO DO THE WORK, AND WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.

NEXT SPEAKER DALLAS, RICHARD.

I ACTUALLY THOUGHT I HAD SIGNED UP JUST IN SUPPORT OF, OF AGENDA ITEM FIVE.

UH, ALSO, UH, THAT WAS BROUGHT UP EARLIER ON THE, UH, EQUITABLE SENIOR HOUSING AND JUST AS A LONG TIME, UH, NATIVE AUSTINITE AND, UH, GEN XER, WHO'S FASTLY APPROACHING THAT WITH AS WELL.

JUST WANNA ENCOURAGE THE CONTINUED INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO INVESTING IN THE FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR, OUR OF AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING, UH, GOING FORWARD.

UH, SENIOR HOUSING COOPERATIVES.

NEXT SPEAKER, ANNALISE LAMAN.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M ALSO HERE, UH, IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM FIVE.

UH, COOPERATIVES REPRESENT A REALLY INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR SENIORS TO BUILD, CONTINUE TO BUILD EQUITY, AND TO INVEST THEIR EQUITY IN THEIR OWN FUTURES AND REMAIN INDEPENDENT AND, UH, IN COMMUNITY WHILE SUPPORTING EACH OTHER.

SO IT'S, IT'S A REALLY SPECIAL KIND OF HOUSING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE OF IT IN AUSTIN.

I THINK WE HAVE A FINAL IN-PERSON.

SPEAKER.

WE HAD ONE RE MORE REMOTE, BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THEM ON THE LINE.

SO WE'LL CIRCLE BACK TO THEM, SHOULD THEY JOIN US? SOUNDS GOOD.

SO ITEM NUMBER TWO HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

UM, COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND THOSE IN ATTENDANCE, WE'RE GONNA TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SPECIAL GUEST WE HAVE VISITING US FROM OHIO TODAY.

DEBBIE STOPPED IN TO SEE HOW THINGS WORK AT AUSTIN CITY HALL.

SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND FOR VISITING, AND WE'LL TRY NOT TO PUT YOU TO SLEEP, .

ALL RIGHT.

SO MOVING FORWARD, UM, BEFORE WE REVIEW THE ORDER OF TODAY'S AGENDA, THERE'VE BEEN A FEW ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.

[2. Discussion related to an ordinance that would modify development regulations applicable to residential re-subdivisions and to multi-family residential site development of five to sixteen units.]

UM, IT'S BEEN POSTPONED AT THE REQUEST OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AS THEY CONTINUE, CONTINUE TO REVIEW, UH, STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ITEM.

AND FINALLY, ITEM

[7. Discussion and possible action related to the Northeast Planning District Update.]

NUMBER SEVEN IS AN UPDATE TO THE NORTHEAST PLANNING DISTRICT.

IT'S ALSO BEEN POSTPONED AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY CITY WORK GROUP, UM, THAT'S COORDINATING THE DISTRICT UNTIL NEXT MONTH'S MEETING.

UM, SO WITH THAT SAID, WE'RE GONNA TAKE UP OUR ITEMS IN THE ORDER OF ONE, NUMBER 1, 3, 4, 6, 5, 8, AND THEN NUMBER NINE.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND BEGIN WITH, UM, APPROVAL

[1. Approve the minutes of the May 22, 2024, Housing and Planning Committee meeting.]

OF THE MEETING MINUTES FROM, OH, I'M SORRY, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.

OH, OKAY.

, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM OUR PREVIOUS HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING, UH, ON MAY 22ND.

AND THE MOTION IS PASSED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.

UM, AND ALL IN FAVOR, LOOKS LIKE WE'RE UNANIMOUS WITH FOUR OF US ON THE DAYS.

UM, THE ITEM PASSES.

MOVING TO ITEM NUMBER THREE, WE'RE GONNA SHIFT, UM, OUR FIRST

[3. Discussion related to the task force described in Resolution No. 20240530-115 that concerns improving low- and moderate-income homeowners’ access to construct additional residential units]

ITEM OF DISCUSSION.

UM, ITEM NUMBER THREE IS RELATED TO THE HOME TASK FORCE THAT CONCERNS IMPROVING LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS ACCESS TO CONSTRUCT ADU.

I BELIEVE WE'RE GONNA BE HEARING FROM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE MANDY DE MAYO.

JOINING US, WE

[00:10:01]

DO MANDY DE MAYO, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON, UH, RESOLUTION NUMBER 2 0 2 4 0 5 3 0 DASH 15, WHICH WAS A COMPANION TO THE HOME INITIATIVE.

THERE WERE THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THAT RESOLUTION, WHICH WAS PASSED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE FIRST WAS THE CREATION OF A HOME INTERDEPARTMENTAL TASK FORCE, DSD.

THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON THAT.

AND, UH, WE ACTUALLY HELD A KICKOFF MEETING ON AUGUST 19TH, SO JUST LAST MONTH.

THAT INCLUDED, UH, REPRESENTATIVES FROM DSD, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

ADDITIONAL PARTNER DEPARTMENTS WILL BE ADDED AS THE WORK MOVES FORWARD.

UH, PLEASE NOTE THAT OCTOBER 24TH, YOU WILL BE RECEIVING, UM, A WORK PLAN THAT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL, UM, FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WORK.

AND JANUARY 30TH, 2025, AS PER THE RESOLUTION, THE FINDINGS REPORT WILL BE DELIVERED TO MAYOR AND COUNSEL.

THAT WAS ONE COMPONENT OF THE RESOLUTION.

THE SECOND COMPONENT WAS REALLY EXPLORING FINANCIAL TOOLS, UM, ACCESS TO PRIVATE FINANCING, UH, TAX REBATE, LOW INTEREST, AND FORGIVABLE LOANS.

UM, WE ARE STAFF AT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH HOUSING WORKS ON CONDUCTING AN ANALYSIS OF ACCESS TO PRIVATE FINANCING, UM, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A FULL RESPONSE TO THE RESOLUTION.

IN ADDITION, WE ARE WORKING WITH A COMPANION RESOLUTION FROM 2023, UH, THAT WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF A POTENTIAL ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT LOAN PROGRAM.

THE THIRD AND FINAL COMPONENT OF THE RESOLUTION WAS RELATED TO EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, UM, FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

WANTED TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THAT.

UM, THERE WAS, UH, A REQUEST FOR AN UPDATE ON THE ANTI DISPLACEMENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.

PLEASE KNOW THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A THOROUGH EVALUATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM THAT WRAPPED UP IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR.

UM, HOUSTON TILLSON IS, UH, DELIVERING THAT, UM, FINAL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION TO US LATER THIS MONTH.

THEN WE ANTICIPATE THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL BE DOING A SOLICITATION FOR AN IMPROVED NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.

WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT IN FALL OF THIS YEAR.

UM, WE ALSO HAVE AN ESTATE PLANNING SOLICITATION THAT WE ARE PLANNING FOR WINTER OF 2024.

AND THEN WITH RESPECT TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH, OUR DEPARTMENT IS TAKING A LOOK AT, UM, OUR EXISTING AUSTIN IS MY HOME CAMPAIGN, UM, WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, UH, AND RELAUNCHING AN IMPROVED AND EXPANDED CAMPAIGN IN EARLY 2025.

I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

WE ALSO HAVE BRENDA DE LA GARZA AND KEITH MARS FROM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND OF COURSE THE PLANNING TEAM AS WELL.

SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.

UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR, UH, DEMAYO COLLEAGUES.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS.

I ACTUALLY DO HAVE JUST A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

UM, SO YOU ANSWERED THE, THE FIRST HALF OF MY QUESTION, WHICH WAS WHO'S CONDUCTING THE ANALYSIS? AND YOU SAID THAT'S HT HOUSTON TO LISTEN IS DOING, CONTRACTED FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE NAVIGATORS? YES.

AND THAT'S EXPECTED TO BE DELIVERED TO US, I BELIEVE, SEPTEMBER 15TH.

AND THEN THE ESTATE PLANNING SOLICITATION, COULD YOU ELABORATE A BIT? SURE.

UM, THAT IS A NEW, UH, PROGRAM THAT IS COMING UNDER OUR DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION TEAM.

UM, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE CONTEMPLATED FOR A WHILE.

IT'S BEEN A COMMUNITY PRIORITY.

WE DO HAVE ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY INITIATED SOLUTIONS PROJECTS, UH, THROUGH THE PROJECT CONNECT FUNDING.

UM, HAS FUNDED A SMALL PILOT PROJECT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF DOING, UM, MUCH BROADER ESTATE PLANNING, UM, FOR HEIRS PROPERTY.

, UH, WE OFTEN, UM, PARTICULARLY IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WE HAVE CHALLENGES WITH, UH, TRANSFER OF PROPERTY AND MULTIPLE HEIRS, UM, INVOLVED IN PROPERTY AND, UM, KIND OF UNTANGLING THAT TO ENSURE THAT THAT ASSET CAN BE EITHER MAXIMIZED OR HELD ONTO, UH, FOR THE LONG TERM.

I'M VERY INTERESTED IN FOLLOWING ALONG WITH THAT PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

SOME OF THE COMMENTARY I RECEIVED FROM MY CONSTITUENTS IS, MM-HMM.

, YOU KNOW, HAD WE KNOWN MM-HMM.

, UH, HAD WE KNOWN IF WE HAD ONLY KNOWN.

YOU KNOW? AND SO THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT'S OF IMPORTANCE TO ME.

GREAT.

ADJACENT TO THAT, EXCUSE ME.

HAVING HAD TO GO THROUGH, UM, ESTATE PLANNING PROCESSES, I'D SAY THE MOST FRUSTRATING FROM A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE WAS SORT OF THE WHOLE PROBATE LAW SPACE.

PLANNING INITIATIVE? SO WE HAVEN'T, UH, FINALIZED OUR SOLICITATION OR WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE YET, BUT WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT THERE WILL BE, UM, BOTH LEGAL SERVICES SOLICITED, UM, AS WELL AS MEDIATION, UM, UH, SERVICES.

, HOW DO WE RECONCILE FOR THAT WITHIN THIS ESTATE

[00:15:01]

UH, THOSE WILL BOTH MOST LIKELY BE A COMPONENT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

AND I HAVE WAY TOO MANY REAL WORLD EXAMPLES TO MM-HMM.

, UH, SORT OF REPRESENT WHY THAT'S, UH, IMPORTANT.

AND THEN THE, THE FINAL QUESTION IS THE AUSTIN IS MY HOME INITIATIVE.

YOU SAID IT'S AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE? IT IS.

WE LAUNCHED THIS CAMPAIGN, UH, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, UM, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER AND MAYOR PRO TEM DELIA GARZA.

, UM, TO PROVIDE, UH, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW TO STAY IN YOUR HOME.

SO THERE WERE COMPONENTS, UM, ABOUT ACCESSING, UH, TAX EXEMPTION.

SO YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION OR SENIOR EXEMPTION OR DISABLED EXEMPTION.

UH, ALSO AVOIDING PREDATORY LENDING, A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS.

HOME REPAIR WAS ONE OF THEM WAYS IN WHICH LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS CAN STAY IN THEIR HOME.

WE REALLY WANT TO, SINCE IT IS TWO TO THREE YEARS OLD AT THIS POINT, WE REALLY WANNA LOOK AT IT.

UH, LOOK AT SOME OF OUR NEW DISPLACEMENT PREVENTION PROGRAMS, UM, NEW PRIORITIES WITHIN THE CITY, AND SEE HOW WE CAN REFRESH THAT PROGRAM.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WILL BE RELAUNCHED.

IT, IT'S LIVE NOW.

, IF YOU GO TO AUSTIN AS MY HOME MM-HMM.

, IT IS LIVE AND AVAILABLE, BUT RELAUNCH THAT IN, UH, 2025.

SO DO OUR CONSTITUENTS EXCLUSIVELY ACCESS IT INFORMATION DIGITALLY, OR IS THERE PRINTED COLLATERAL AS WELL? WE HAVE PRINTED COLLATERAL AS WELL.

AND WHEN WE GO OUT TO, UH, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS, UM, OR ANY COMMUNITY EVENTS, WE DO BRING THOSE MATERIALS.

THAT'S AWESOME.

AND, YOU KNOW, I, I ASK BECAUSE MY OFFICE IS WORKING ON AN INITIATIVE NOW, UM, YOU'D REALLY BE AMAZED HOW FEW PEOPLE KNOW WHO THEIR COUNCIL MEMBER IS.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT DOES YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER DO AND WHAT DON'T THEY DO .

AND SO WE'RE LOOKING AT, UH, YOU KNOW, WHO'S YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER OR, UM, KIND OF INITIATIVE.

AND I'M GONNA ISSUE A CHALLENGE TO MY COLLEAGUES TO DO SOME BLOCK WALKING WHEN WE'RE NOT CAMPAIGNING AND GO OUT AND INTRODUCE OURSELVES TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

SO I JUST WONDER IF THIS MIGHT BE THE KIND OF INITIATIVE THAT WE COULD PIGGYBACK ON ABSOLUTELY.

AND HAVE THAT BUILT INTO IT.

AND, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO CONNECT WITH YOUR OFFICE, UH, TO PROVIDE MATERIALS.

UM, WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO PIGGYBACK ON EXISTING COUNCIL MEMBERS EVENTS.

UM, ANY WAY, I THINK, I THINK WE'D BE PIGGYBACKING OFF OF YOUR COLLATERAL, IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY.

ABSOLUTELY.

LIKE, IF THERE COULD BE WITHIN THE BOOKLET THAT'S ALREADY BEING PROPOSEDLY, JUST A COUPLE PAGES ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHO, WHO YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER IS.

ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK COULD BE VERY HELPFUL.

SO YEAH, WE'LL BE IN TOUCH.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT ITEM.

WE'RE GONNA CHAIR, I'M SORRY.

I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

IT'S OKAY.

WE DO HAVE OUR REMOTE SPEAKER OH, OKAY.

ON THE LINE.

PLEASE INVITE THEM.

WE HAVE ONE MORE IN PERSON TO COVER.

I'LL FOLLOW YOUR LEAD FROM HERE.

GREAT.

UH, OUR REMOTE SPEAKER IS CHAD WALLACE.

UM, GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS.

I THINK I GOT IT HERE.

UH, GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY.

MY NAME'S CHAD WALLACE.

I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION, PRIORITIZING SENIOR HOUSING COOPERATIVES ON CITY OWNED LAND, WHICH, UH, ARE IN, UH, AUSTIN'S E UTAH AREAS.

THIS RESOLUTION ISN'T JUST ANOTHER HOUSING IDEA, IT'S A GAME CHANGER.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE LIVING OPTIONS FOR ONE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

SENIORS, UH, BABY BOOMERS ARE RETIRING IN DROVES.

AND AUSTIN'S HOUSING MARKET IS PRICING OUT THE VERY FOLKS WHO HELP BUILD THIS CITY.

THEY DESERVE BETTER.

AND CO-OPS ARE A SOLUTION THAT BRING LONG-TERM AFFORDABILITY AND COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP RIGHT TO THEIR DOORSTEP.

DOORSTEP.

UH, CO-OPS ALLOW SENIOR, UH, SENIORS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY WHILE PULLING RESOURCES TO MANAGE THEIR HOUSING.

THAT MEANS LOWER COSTS, SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY.

IT'S A MODEL THAT PRO THAT PROMOTES NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT ALSO A DIGNIFIED LIFESTYLE.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT PRIORITIZING THESE PROJECTS ON CITY OWNED LAND MEANS THAT WE'RE NOT JUST SOLVING PROBLEMS FOR TODAY, BUT CREATING LASTING SUSTAINABLE HOUSING FOR TOMORROW.

IT'S AFFORDABLE, IT'S SCALABLE, AND IT'S A KIND OF BOLD FORWARD THINKING APPROACH.

AUSTIN NEEDS THE BENEFITS DON'T STOP WITH SENIORS.

THIS MODEL PROVIDES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB GROWTH, OPENING DOORS FOR YOUNGER WORKERS, AND CREATING A STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITY FOR

[00:20:01]

EVERYONE.

IT'S A WIN FOR ALL GENERATIONS, NOT JUST THE OLDER ONES.

SO I URGE YOU TO PASS THE RESOLUTION AND PRIORITIZE SENIOR HOUSING CO-OPS ON CITY OWNED E TODD TRACKS.

IT'S TIME TO PUT OUR LAND AND RESOURCES TO WORK IN A WAY THAT TRULY BENEFITS AUSTIN'S NATURE.

OUR LAST SPEAKER'S PHILIP WILEY.

THANK YOU, SPEAKER.

I DON'T KNOW THAT YOUR MIC IS ON.

MY NAME IS, UH, PHILIP WILEY.

I'VE LIVED DOWNTOWN SINCE 1992, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF UPDATING THE, UH, DOWNTOWN PLAN.

PLEASE.

UM, I'VE, I'VE BROUGHT A COUPLE CHARTS THAT I'D LIKE TO BRIEFLY GO THROUGH HERE.

THE FIRST IS THE, UM, THE, THE, THE CENSUS, UM, CONCLUSION IN TERMS OF WHAT HAPPENED FROM 2010 TO 2020 TO THE LEFT IS A POPULATION DENSITY CHART, AND I'D LIKE TO KINDA ZERO IN ON THE VERY CENTER OF THE CHART, UM, WHICH IS A DISTRICT OR A CENSUS TRACT IN DOWNTOWN THAT, UH, HAS A POPULATION DENSITY MORE LIKE WESTLAKE THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT, UM, IN, IN THE DOWNTOWN OF A, A RAPIDLY GROWING MAJOR CITY.

YEAH.

IF YOU COULD , I'M SORRY.

UM, SO THE, THE SECOND CHART AGAIN ON THE LEFT SHOWS THAT ONE CENSUS TRACK KIND OF BLOWING IT UP.

AND, UM, I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE DOWNTOWN PLAN AND, AND STRICTLY FROM A A PLANNING PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

UM, IF, IF WE ARE INTENDING TO BECOME A MORE DATA-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION IN THE CITY, UM, THIS SHOULD KIND OF STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB AND, AND ASK, UH, RA RAISE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT, THAT WE MIGHT WANNA ANSWER.

UM, I, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE FOUR CENSUS TRACKS DOWNTOWN.

THE ONE IN WHITE IS THE ONE THAT'S THE MOST NORTHERN, THAT'S BASICALLY, UH, BORDERS, MLK, AND GOES DOWN TO ABOUT 12.

UM, AND YOU CAN SEE THE BELOW THAT IS A, UH, MEDIUM DENSITY MORE, MORE LIKE, UH, UH, THE, THE AREAS WEST AND EAST OF DOWNTOWN.

AND THEN BELOW THAT, YOU SEE AREAS THAT ARE VERY DENSE.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE WHITE, THOSE ARE THE FOUR CENSUS TRACKS DOWNTOWN.

YEAH.

AND SO HOW WE GOT HERE, UH, THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS FOR IT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO BRING SOMETHING TO YOUR ATTENTION AS WE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO DO A DOWNTOWN PLAN FROM PAGE 31 OF THE DAP.

UH, I'VE, UH, TAKEN A SECTION OF THAT OUT AND PUT AT THE, AT TOP OF THIS CHART.

UH, IT'S, IT'S BASICALLY, I'LL, I'LL READ IT TO YOU.

THIS SECTION OF THE DAP PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF THE ISSUES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND PRIORITIES OF THE DISTRICTS, EXCEPT FOR THE SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD OF JUDGES HILL AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OWN NORTHEAST UT DISTRICT, BOTH OF WHICH WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF FUTURE PLANNING EXERCISES.

SO THAT'S FROM, UH, THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN, PAGE 31.

UM, WE NEVER, WE NEVER DID THAT PLANNING EXERCISE, SO I, I THINK NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO DO THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION, MR. WILEY.

DOES THAT CONCLUDE OUR SPEAKERS BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL? AWESOME.

FOR THIS MEETING AND WILL ALSO BE POSTED ON THE SPEAK UP AUSTIN CODE AMENDMENT'S WEBSITE.

UM, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON NOW TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR,

[4. Discussion and possible action on the status and timeline of amendments to the Land Development Code (Part 1 of 2)]

AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE.

I'M STEVIE GREATHOUSE, AND I SERVE AS A DIVISION MANAGER IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN PLANNING DEPARTMENT.

I AM HERE TO PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE STATUS AND TIMELINE OF AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AFTER A BUSY SPRING DELIVERING A PACKAGE OF SIGNIFICANT TRANSIT SUPPORTIVE AMENDMENTS TO OUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

STAFF HAVE BEEN GEARING UP TO WORK ON ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES AND HAVE DEVELOPED AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS TIMELINE GANTT CHART.

THE UPDATED VERSION OF THE GANTT CHART IS INCLUDED IN THE BACKUP

[00:25:01]

THE UPDATED TIMELINE REFLECTS OUR ANTICIPATED WORK PROGRAM OVER THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS.

UH, WE'LL KEEP TODAY'S UPDATE BRIEF AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AT THE END.

SINCE APRIL OF 2024, COUNCIL HAS INITIATED AN UPDATE TO THE PRESERVATION BONUS PROVISIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PHASE ONE OF THE HOME INITIATIVE.

HAS INITIATED AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS FOR FUTURE PDAS, ALSO KNOWN AS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AREAS TO INCLUDE A DENSITY BONUS SUPPORTING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, AND HAS INITIATED A SET OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM.

UH, NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THE REMOTE IS NOT ADVANCING IT.

WELL AS, UH, INFORMATION ABOUT EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL CODE AMENDMENTS, UM, AND THE ABILITY TO ASK QUESTIONS, UM, THROUGH THAT WEBSITE VIA FORM.

AS YOU'LL RECALL, CITY COUNCIL TOOK ACTION IN MAY TO ADOPT A PACKAGE OF SIGNIFICANT TRANSIT SUPPORTIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, INCLUDING AMENDMENTS RELATED TO CREATION AND REGULATION OF A NEW PRIMARY ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING USE MODIFICATIONS TO CITYWIDE COMPATIBILITY, CREATION, AND APPLICATION OF A NEW EQUITABLE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ALONG THE PROJECT CONNECT PHASE ONE LIGHT RAIL LINE AND ITS PRIORITY EXTENSIONS, AS WELL AS PHASE TWO OF THE HOME INITIATIVE, ALLOWING SMALLER LOTS FOR A SINGLE HOUSING UNIT.

AT THE AUGUST 29TH MEETING, COUNCIL APPROVED REVISIONS TO THE, DOWN TO THE DENSITY BONUS 90 DENSITY BONUS COMBINING DISTRICT TO SUPPORT ADMINISTRATION OF THESE REGULATIONS.

STAFF ANTICIPATES BRINGING SEVERAL CODE AMENDMENTS TO COUNCIL OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THE SOUTH CENTRAL WATERFRONT COMBINING DISTRICT IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE CONSIDERED ON SEPTEMBER 26TH, AN AMENDMENT SPONSORED BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT THAT WILL CREATE A LIVE MUSIC AND CREATIVE SPACE.

DENSITY BONUS IS CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO BE CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 10TH, PENDING CONSIDERATION BY PLANNING COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, CREATION OF A DENSITY BONUS FOR FUTURE PDAS OR PLAN DEVELOPMENT AREAS.

IS IT CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO COME TO COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24TH, PENDING CONSIDERATION BY PLANNING COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 8TH.

AND FINALLY, AMENDMENTS SPONSORED BY THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE SECOND PHASE OF SITE PLAN LIGHT AND TO IMPROVE THE INFILL PLAT PROCESS ARE CURRENTLY EXPECTED TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 7TH, PENDING CONSIDERATION BY PLANNING COMMISSION IN OCTOBER.

UM, I BELIEVE THIS ITEM, UM, HAS BEEN NOTICED FOR THE SEPTEMBER 12TH COUNCIL AGENDA, AND THERE WILL BE A POSTPONEMENT ITEM ON THAT AGENDA, UM, TO POSTPONE THAT ITEM, UH, POTENTIALLY TO NOVEMBER 7TH.

STAFF WILL ALSO BE WORKING TO BRING SEVERAL ADDITIONAL CODE AMENDMENTS FORWARD BY THE END OF THE YEAR, INCLUDING AN AMENDMENT TO THE NORTH BURN GATEWAY REGULATING PLAN, AND AN AMENDMENT TO THE NORTH LAMAR, JUSTIN TOD STATION AREA PLAN AKA CRESTVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THE DENSITY BONUS PROVISIONS THAT APPLY TO THE CRESTVIEW STATION AREA ARE CONSISTENT WITH PHASE ONE OF THE ETOD OVERLAY.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CONSULTANT TEAM TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF ALL OF OUR EXISTING DENSITY BONUS PROGRAMS, AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THE RESULTS OF THAT ANALYSIS ALONG WITH A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL GUIDE FUTURE DENSITY BONUS AMENDMENTS.

AS YOU WILL SEE ON THE GANTT CHART, WE ANTICIPATE THAT 2025 WILL BE ANOTHER BUSY YEAR FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS IN JANUARY.

WE ANTICIPATE BRINGING FORWARD AMENDMENTS TO OUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS AN INITIAL SET OF MODIFICATIONS RELATED TO THE PRESERVATION BONUS PROVISIONS OF HOME PHASE ONE IN 2025.

WE ALSO ANTICIPATE ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IN BRINGING FORWARD PHASE TWO OF THE EQUITABLE TOD OVERLAY WORK, BRINGING BACK POSSIBLE UPDATES TO THE EAST RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR REGULATING PLAN ALONG THE EAST RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR, SUPPORTING PHASE ONE LIGHT RAIL, UPDATING THE REGULATIONS THAT WOULD APPLY WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY, AND UPDATING THE DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM IN 2025.

WE WOULD ALSO BRING BACK ANY ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF DENSITY BONUSES, AND WE HOPE TO ENGAGE A CONSULTANT TEAM IN 2025 TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF A POTENTIAL SUITE OF NEW MIXED USE AND MISSING MIDDLE ZONES THAT COULD BE ADDED TO OUR ZONING TOOLKIT TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR DESIRED DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES AS A CITY.

UM, THE GANTT CHART IS AVAILABLE IN THE BACKUP FOR YOU ALL TO PROVIDE DETAILED REVIEW OF AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

UM, FOR THE PUBLIC THAT MAY BE SEEKING MORE INFORMATION, WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A WEBSITE@SPEAKUPAUSTIN.ORG SLASH LDC UPDATES, UM, WHERE FOLKS CAN FIND BOTH THE GANTT CHART THAT PROVIDES SORT OF A SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, UM, AS

[00:30:01]

UM, FOR FOLKS THAT HAVE QUESTIONS, THEY CAN ALSO SEND, UH, OR INPUT CAN ALSO PROVIDE INFORM, PROVIDE AN EMAIL TO LDC UPDATES@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV, UM, OR LEAVE A VOICEMAIL AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN.

AND WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION.

UM, COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS? UM, LOOKS LIKE COUNCIL MEMBER CORY HAS A QUESTION YOU HAVE BEFORE.

YEAH, I WAS GONNA SAY, IT'S A QUICK QUESTION, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ACTUALLY GONNA BE A QUICK ANSWER.

UH, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO WALK US THROUGH ANY UPDATES, UH, AROUND THE, EITHER, SORRY, AROUND THE UNO CODE AMENDMENTS, BUT ALSO THE DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS UPDATES? UM, SURE.

JUST IN TERMS OF TIMELINE ON THE CHART CORRECT.

AND KIND OF WHAT'S IN PROCESS.

SO THE UNO CODE AMENDMENTS, UM, WE ARE WORKING, UM, TO RESPOND TO THAT RESOLUTION, WHICH WAS A COMPREHENSIVE RESOLUTION THAT INCLUDED MORE THAN JUST, UM, CODE AMENDMENTS AND ACTUALLY PROVIDED SOME DIRECTION AROUND ENGAGEMENT AS WELL.

UM, WE HAVE BEGUN THE SCOPING AND INTERNAL DIALOGUE, UM, AND RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS PHASE OF THAT WORK.

UM, WE DO ANTICIPATE BEING OUT, UM, FOR SOME FOCUSED TARGETED ENGAGEMENT IN EARLY, UH, 2025.

UM, WE ARE GONNA BE ONBOARDING, UM, SOME CONSULTANT SUPPORT UNDER AN EXISTING CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE TO HELP US ENGAGE AREA STAKEHOLDERS, UM, IN THAT ENGAGEMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF 2025, UM, WITH A GOAL OF BRINGING BACK, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO THAT RESOLUTION, BUT ALSO SPECIFIC CODE AMENDMENTS, UM, BACK TO, UH, PLANNING COMMISSION, UM, APRIL AND COUNCIL IN MARCH AS THE CURRENT TIMELINE LAID OUT FOR UNO.

UM, THE OTHER HOPE WITH THAT TIMELINE IS THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE THE FINDINGS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF OUR DENSITY BONUS PROGRAMS AND INCORPORATE ANY RELEVANT FINDINGS, UM, INTO THAT WORK SO THAT IT COULD ALL MOVE FORWARD AS A PACKAGE FOR UNO.

UM, THE DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS, UM, AMENDMENTS WE ARE CURRENTLY SHOWING, REALLY PICKING THOSE UP, UM, WITH A THOROUGH ENGAGEMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS, PARTICULARLY DOWNTOWN STAKEHOLDERS, BUT STAKEHOLDERS WERE AT LARGE SINCE THE DOWNTOWN IS OBVIOUSLY A FOCAL POINT AND IMPORTANT TO THE ENTIRE CITY, UM, WITH A GOAL OF COMING BACK WITH, UM, CODE AMENDMENTS THAT COULD BE ADOPTED, UM, BY THE END OF 2025, UM, FOR THE DOWNTOWN PROGRAM.

AND THERE AGAIN, UM, THE NOTION IS THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE FINDINGS THAT COME OUT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE DENSITY BONUS WORK THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE COORDINATING AND INTEGRATING WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR THE DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS WORK WITH WHAT WE WILL BE DOING, UM, WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD OVERLAY, SINCE THOSE ARE OBVIOUSLY ADJACENT AREAS AND RELATE STRONGLY TO ONE ANOTHER.

UM, AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE, UH, ADEQUATE CAPACITY AND TIMELINE, UM, FOR THE, THE PUBLIC TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE SOME DETAILED ENGAGEMENT, UM, IN 2025.

AGAIN, WITH THAT WORK, WE ALSO HOPE TO, UM, ONBOARD CONSULTANT AUGMENTATION UNDER AN EXISTING, UM, CONTRACT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT SOME HANDS-ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN 2025 AROUND THAT WORK.

UM, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE CONVERSATION AROUND THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN UPDATE, UM, WE WILL PLAY INTO THAT AND WE'LL CONTINUE AS WE SCOPE THAT BODY OF WORK AND SCOPE THAT TIMELINE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TWO EFFORTS ARE BEING, UM, MOVED FORWARD IN TANDEM WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND THAT THEY AREN'T AT ODDS BECAUSE THE DOWNTOWN DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM IS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST IMPLEMENTATION ELEMENTS, UM, FOR SUPPORTING THE POLICY GUIDANCE OF THE DAP.

GREAT.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, COLLEAGUES.

LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE IN THE CLEAR.

WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON NOW TO ITEM NUMBER

[6. Discussion and possible action to recommend City Council initiate an Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment to the Whisper Valley PUD Project comprised of 2,066 acres, more or less, and generally located east of FM 973 and approximately 782 feet north of the intersection of FM 969 and Taylor Lane in Austin, Texas.]

SIX ON OUR AGENDA, WHICH IS, UM, RELATED TO THE CITY COUNCIL INITIATING A PLANNED DEV, UH, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT, UM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A PUD, UM, TO THE WHISPER VALLEY PROJECT AS OUR HOUSING STAFF COMES UP.

UM, I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT.

WHISPER VALLEY IS A SUSTAINABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST AUSTIN REGION.

WHISPER VALLEY OFFERS ONSITE AFFORDABILITY, MOST SPECIFICALLY WHISPER VALLEY, UM, OFFERS AFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP.

WHAT WE INITIATE TODAY AS A COMMITTEE WILL ALLOW FOR THE PROJECT TO UTILIZE THE CITY'S SMART HOUSING PROGRAM.

UM, BUT FIRST WE CAN HEAR MORE FROM, UH, STAFF ON THE SPECIFICS OF THIS AND, UM, YOUR AFTER YOUR EXPLANATION COLLEAGUES, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JUST RAISE YOUR HAND.

AUSTIN, NEAR THE NORTHEAST PLANNING DISTRICT.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BRENDAN KENNEDY, PROGRAM MANAGER WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.

UH, AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS ITEM IS GOING TO BE A RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE UP A PUTT AMENDMENT INITIATION FOR THE WHISPER VALLEY PUD, SOME BACKGROUND WHISPER.

VALLEY P IS LOCATED IN DISTRICT ONE IN NORTHEAST

[00:35:01]

UH, IT'S A LITTLE OVER 2000 ACRES OF LAND.

IT WILL INCLUDE OVER 7,500 UNITS OF HOUSING, BOTH SINGLE FAMILY AND MULTIFAMILY.

UH, IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE COMMERCIAL SPACE AND OVER 700 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE, INCLUDING A A 600 PLUS ACRE SIGNATURE PARK.

PUT IS ALSO PROVIDING, UH, AN INNOVATIVE, SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTION TO HOMES THAT WILL INCLUDE GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND COOLING THAT'S AVAILABLE, UH, THROUGH ALL PHASES OF THE P IT'S CURRENTLY, AGAIN, THIS IS AN EXISTING PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT CURRENTLY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE 10% OF BOTH OWNERSHIP AND RENTAL RESIDENTIAL UNITS IS AFFORDABLE FOR OWNERSHIP.

THOSE ARE AFFORDABLE AT 80% MFI AND FOR RENTAL AT 60% MFI.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUT AMENDMENT INITIATION, UH, IN SHORT, IS TO START A PROCESS THAT WOULD ALLOW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE PUD TO SEEK, APPLY FOR AND OBTAIN SMART HOUSING CERTIFICATION.

THE PROGRAM WOULD FURTHER AID THE PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY OF HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN THE PUD, UM, BY OFFERING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FEE WAIVERS, UM, ELIGIBLE THROUGH THE SMART HOUSING PROGRAM.

THE REASON A PUTT AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE PUTT IS LOCATED WITHIN LIMITED PURPOSE JURISDICTION.

UM, PROVISION OF THE CITY CHARTER STIPULATES THAT CITY FUNDING CANNOT BE EXPENDED WITHIN LIMITED PURPOSE JURISDICTION UNLESS AUTHORIZED AS PART OF THE, UH, ACTION FOR LIMITED PURPOSE ANNEXATION IN PLAIN LANGUAGE.

THAT MEANS THAT, UH, ANY EXPENDITURE OF CITY FUNDING WOULD NEED TO BE ALLOWED FOR IN THE PUT AMENDMENT.

IN THIS CASE, FEE WAIVERS THROUGH SMART HOUSING ARE CONSIDERED A FORM OF CITY FUNDING.

AS A RESULT, WHEN WE HAVE HAD, UH, DEVELOPERS WITHIN THE PUT REACH OUT ABOUT POTENTIALLY APPLYING FOR THE SMART HOUSING PROGRAM THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE WITHIN FULL PURPOSE JURISDICTION, UH, IT IS NOT CURRENTLY, UH, AVAILABLE FOR CERTIFICATION WITHIN THE PUT.

SO WHAT THIS PUT AMENDMENT PROCESS WOULD, AGAIN, INITIATE RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNSEL TO TAKE UP A PUT INITIATION RESOLUTION, A DRAFT OF WHICH HAS BEEN PROVIDED AS BACKUP THAT WOULD BEGIN THE PUTT AMENDMENT PROCESS, SO THAT WE CAN, UM, UH, EXPLORE AMENDMENTS TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVISIONS OF THE PUTT ORDINANCE AND MAKE THE CHANGES NECESSARY, UM, TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL AND FURTHER THE GOAL OF DELIVERING AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN THE PUD.

UM, I DO ALSO WANNA MENTION A REPRESENTATIVE, UH, ON BEHALF OF THE PUD IS IN ATTENDANCE AS WELL.

UH, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, UH, FOR THEM THAT, THAT DON'T NEED TO BE DIRECTED TO STAFF.

AND AGAIN, UH, THE DRAFT OF THE RESOLUTION THAT WILL BE RECOMMENDED TO COUNSEL IS INCLUDED IN BACKUP.

UH, WE'RE HAPPY TO PULL THAT UP IF NEEDED.

UH, WITH THAT, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS, COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF OR FOR THE FOLKS REPRESENTING THE POD APPLICANT? WE'LL START WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.

SHE HADN'T HAD A TURN YET, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE DOWN TO COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.

I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY WAS MOVING FASTER THAN I WAS.

UM, FORGIVE ME IF THIS IS JUST A CONVERSATION I'M NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH, BUT, UM, WHEN YOU SAY THAT CITY CODE, UH, PREEMPTS US FROM USING CITY FUNDS OR WAIVING FEES OUTSIDE OF OUR JURISDICTION, CAN YOU TALK ME THROUGH SOME OF THOSE COMPONENTS AGAIN, WHY THEY WANNA PARTNER WITH THE CITY FOR THINGS LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SMART HOUSING? IF THEY'RE NOT IN THE LIMITS, MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING EVERYONE ELSE ALREADY UNDERSTANDS AND I JUST NEED, NEED A RE-EXPLAIN HER.

YEAH, SO THIS MAY BE ALSO MORE OF A, A LAW QUESTION.

IT'S ACTUALLY CITY CHARTER RATHER THAN CITY CODE THAT STIPULATES WHERE FUNDING CAN BE SPENT.

AND AGAIN, IT DOES ALLOW THE EXPENDITURE OF CITY FUNDS WITHIN LIMITED PURPOSE, BUT BECAUSE IT IS LIMITED PURPOSE RATHER THAN FULL PURPOSE, WHAT THE CHARTER SAYS IS THAT THAT NEEDS TO THEN BE EXPLICITLY ALLOWED FOR IN THE PUTT AMENDMENT.

UM, AGAIN, IT'S, IT'S TIED TO THE DELIVERY OF THE GOALS OF THAT PUD, ONE OF WHICH IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

UM, THE FEE WAIVERS THAT ARE A FORM OF CITY FUNDING WOULD HELP TO DELIVER THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MEET SOME OF THE GOALS THAT WE ARE PURSUING A PUT FOR.

UM, SO AGAIN, AS PART OF CITY CHARTER, I CAN'T NECESSARILY SPEAK TO THE POLICY IMPETUS BEHIND THAT, BUT THAT'S, UM, WHAT THE LANGUAGE SAYS.

THAT, THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME ISSUES THAT WE SOMETIMES RUN INTO WITH, UH, WATER SERVICE EXTENSION, AND IF YOU'RE NOT IN THE CITY LIMITS, THERE'S SOME RULES THAT, THAT ARE APPLIED IN THOSE CERTAIN CASES.

AND SO I'M HAPPY TO KIND SUPPORT THIS AND UNDERSTAND THAT STAFF'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A WHILE, AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT I LEARN MORE AS IT COMES TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL FOR US TO BE UTILIZING FUNDS IN THIS WAY.

UM, I DO KNOW WE'VE ALSO OFFERED AUSTIN WATER WAIVERS TO COMMUNITIES LIKE COMMUNITY FIRST VILLAGE.

UM, THEY'RE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, BUT THEY'RE ON AUSTIN WATER.

AND SO WE STILL HAVE HAD WAYS OF SUPPORTING, UM, THE GOALS OF THE COMMUNITY, UM, DEPENDING ON HOW ACTUALLY THE CITY SERVICES ARE BEING LEVERAGED AND WHAT KIND OF EFFECTS WE CAN MAKE

[00:40:01]

ON THOSE AREAS.

COUNCIL MEMBER ELLIS.

COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.

YEAH.

QUICK QUESTION.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUDS IN THE CITY THAT, UH, ALSO NEEDS SMART HOUSING FEES WAIVED? I DON'T KNOW AT THE MOMENT THAT THERE ARE ANY ACTIVE REQUESTS, UM, FOR THAT.

I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IN THOUGH.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF PUDS AND AS YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ALL SOMEWHAT UNIQUE AND, AND THEIR REQUIREMENTS.

UM, SO I WOULD, I WOULD HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK AND GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT.

UM, OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THOUGH, I, I DON'T KNOW OF ANY ACTIVE URGENT ISSUES RELATED TO THAT.

ALRIGHT.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AND NO QUESTIONS FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES JOINING US TODAY.

LOOK LIKE YOU GUYS GOT OFF, SCOTT FREE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU ALL.

APPRECIATE IT.

ALL RIGHT.

SO WE ARE GONNA MOVE ON NOW, AND I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION THAT WE RECOMMEND THAT THE PUT AMENDMENT GO TO THE FULL COUNCIL.

UM, INCLUDED IN OUR BACKUP WAS A DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT STAFF AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE AGREED UPON.

UM, SO IF I CAN GET A MOTION AND A SECOND, UH, MOTION BY VICE CHAIR ALTER AND SECONDED BY, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CADRY.

UM, IN TERMS OF OUR, UH, COMMITTEE ACTION REPORT ON THIS ITEM, UM, IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THAT WE'D LIKE TO INCLUDE IN THE REPORT THAT WOULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE, THE FULL BODY? ARE WE COMFORTABLE WITH WHERE WE STAND CURRENTLY? NO.