SRCC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, February 7, 2023 @ 7:00 PM
In-person Meeting
Good Shepherd on the Hill
MINUTES
Only members may vote. As an officer, you should be a member. Please confirm by emailing membership@srccatx.org. And please register 24 hours in advance.
The chair called the meeting to order at 7:03pm
1. 7:00 Executive Meeting Welcome
Presenter throughout unless otherwise noted: Wendy Price Todd, SRCC President (5 min)
2. 7:05 Membership report & voting
Members must pay dues to participate in SRCC business and actions, such as voting and making motions. Try the subscription option for automatic annual renewals. (5 min)
3. 7:10 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes December 2022
Approve minutes. (5 min)
Upcoming meeting dates GM Feb 21, Apr 18, May 16, Jun 20, Aug 15, Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 21
EC Mar 7, Apr 4, May 2, Jun 6, Aug 1, Sept 5, Oct 3, Dec 5
Sam Martin/David Todd moved to approve. No comments or corrections were proposed, minutes were approved as posted.
4. 7:15 Treasurer’s Report
All reports available upon request: treasurer@srccatx.org
Presenter: Will Andrews, Treasurer (5 min)
Sam Martin indicated that due to the recent power outages, there is no treasurer’s report.
5. 7:20 Standing Committee updates re: events/goals/issues
Presented by Committee Chairs: 1) Planning & Zoning; 2) Historic Preservation; 3) Finance; 4) Mobility; 5) Public Safety; 6) Parks & Environment; 7) Schools; and 8) Communications (10 min)
1) Planning & Zoning. There is a development being proposed on South Congress north of East Live Oak on three properties south of 7-11: windshield repair, car repair, and nursing home. Applicant is currently asking for a bonus in height from 60-85’ to build an apartment building and townhouses that will back up to Nickerson. In a conversation with the applicant, it appears to be a compact development that may not require code variances.
At 200 E Riverside (the easternmost TXDOT building), the developer is proposing 2 towers in a PUD. The former location of Firestone Tire and the nail salon (South Congress, near the river) is asking for a PUD with a single building, though not asking for a lot of concessions. P&Z is asking for more amenities.
2) Historic Preservation. There is a rumor that the demolition application for 409 E Monroe might be withdrawn, but it is still on the demolition list with the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC). Last week’s HLC meeting was canceled due to weather.
We have been told that 1509 Travis Heights Blvd will likely have an application for demo, probably in March. Also 1804 Breckinridge will be coming up for a demo & new construction. The proposed new build is radically different than neighboring homes, a two-story box design.
Preservation Austin is asking for help – anyone who is good at writing or designing; looking for someone to help create advocacy materials for National Register Historic Districts. Contact Susan Armstrong Fisher (skasusan@gmail.com) to volunteer.
3) Finance. Nothing to report
4) Mobility. Project Connect is on hold. For the I-35 project there will be a meeting 2 days from now at the Millennium Youth Complex, both in person and virtual.
5) Public Safety. SoCo and Live Oak homeless issues – have been working with the police officer who handles it over several weeks; in the past they periodically clear out the camps and then they came back. Cleared it out this morning. There are already 4 or 5 tents back on that spot. This is a routine operation for the police, moving from one camp to another, trying to clear out the camps. It was suggested that we call 311. There is consideration being given to removing the gazebo, which is managed by Public Works although the southern portion of South Austin Island is managed by Parks and Recreation.
6) Parks and Environment. Blunn Creek Preserve, last Saturday they cleaned up some storm damage. March 4th there will be It’s My Park Day at the Preserve – sign up, there’s a free t-shirt.
On Thursday Council will consider the development at 406 & 428 E. Alpine, at the southern part of Blunn Creek’s watershed (old VFW hall), which is being proposed for as many as 90 units. It abuts and crosses Blunn Creek. It was suggested that you write to Council and speak up at the meeting to voice concerns (agenda item 52 & 53) about impact on the creek.
7) Schools. AISD is open to volunteers again, where you can read with kids. You can contact Mary at membership@srccatx.org to get details about volunteering.
8) Communication. No update.
6. 7:30 Additional Updates from Representatives and Coordinators
9) GSRC NPCT; 10) EROC; 11) NPCT; 12) ANC; 13) SCC; 14) South Central Waterfront; 15) St. Ed’s; 16) S. Central Affordable CDC (10 min)
No updates were given.
BUSINESS AGENDA ITEMS
7. 7:40 Parking Transportation District Presentation
Austin Transportation Department will present the latest draft proposal for paid and permitted parking on and around South Congress.
Presenters: Mark Thompson SRCC Mobility Chair, Joseph Al-Hajeri of ATD (20 min)
Mr Al-Hajeri (and Ryan Royal) presented some background on the South Congress Parking and Transportation Management District (PTMD). In the past there was some disagreement between residents and businesses on the approaches to be taken to address parking issues along South Congress. More recently there was the South Congress Parking Study & Strategy in 2019/2020, resulting in the PTMD proposal in 2022/2023.
There were several components of the PTMD that were reviewed, along with some of the mobility challenges, as well as the requirements of a PTMD (including an advisory committee to adapt the program over time).
There are existing PTMD parking districts in West Campus, East Austin, Mueller, and Colorado River areas.
The presenters reviewed some potential projects that can be done using PTMD funding.
They are currently at the point in the process where a formal application for the PTMD is being brought forward to ATD. After that the application will be presented at the Urban Transportation Commission (UTC), then it goes on to Council.
The proposed boundary limit was shown. This is not where paid parking is proposed, but the area where the collected funds can be used to pay for mobility improvements. The proposed paid parking areas were also presented. There was a question about routes for input to the PTMD – it would typically go through the SRCC rep (Mark Thomspon) to provide feedback and concerns. It was stated that the map is an iterative process.
A survey will go out for both residents and merchants to gather information that can influence the maps. SRCC will schedule a meeting to gather comments from SRCC residents and members.
First there is an ordinance, then they develop an agreement that can allow the portion of the funding to stay in the PTMD.
There was a question about getting employers to actually provide the required parking for their employees.
Seems likely that we will want to extend some of the parking controls further into the neighborhood, likely to Eastside Drive.
There was a question about how do you keep from just moving all the shoppers’ parking to just past the paid boundary? At first they have to make our best guess, but then as we see the effects of the parking requirements, and then they adjust the boundaries. It often seems that people aren’t willing to walk more than a couple blocks to get to their destination. Also, it seems that some of the historical parking data that was collected was before some of the current development. Can hire an outside consultant to update the data (using money funded by the district), and can collect data from the residents.
Also concern about the Opera House and the impact that will have.
Question about deadlines for input and comments. The upcoming “passage” is really only setting up the financial framework. The timing of the actual parking controls will take place later (thought this may start as soon as April).
Parking wouldn’t necessarily be on both sides of the street, depending on the width of the street. This is also being balanced with emergency access.
How quickly can you assess changes and adapt to them? Typically initially have meetings every month.
Hybrid parking approach – want to disincentivize people from parking in the neighborhood. There will be a higher flat rate in the neighborhood.
Expect there to be about $1M of revenue available to the community/neighborhoods.
Would like feedback by the 21st of Feb.
8. 8:00 I-35 Capital Express Central
February 9 Public Hearing hosted by TxDoT. The Texas Department of Transportation will host a virtual public hearing with an in-person option to gather input on proposed improvements on I-35 from US 290 East to US 290 West/State Highway 71. The purpose of the public hearing is to request public comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and to present the Preferred Alternative.
Presenters: Mark Thompson SRCC Mobility Chair, Yorgos Economos (10 min)
There will be a meeting 2 days from now at the Millennium Youth Complex, both in person and virtual.
9. 8:10 Historic Preservation Update
Updates regarding projects located at 407/409 Monroe and 1509 Travis Heights Blvd
Presenters: Susan Armstrong Fisher, Dani Rasmussen, or Clifton Ladd, SRCC Historic Preservation Chairs (10 min)
See previous info on the standing committee update
10. 8:20 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting was adjourned at 8:12pm.
SRCC’s NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH program is always looking for more participants. Anyone interested should contact Tom Groce, SRCC Public Safety Chair at tgroce71@gmail.com.
This link will take you to information about subscribing, unsubscribing, and posting a message to the neighborhood ListServe: https://groups.io/g/SouthRiverAustin
The next General Membership meeting is February 21, 2023.
The next Executive Committee meeting is March 7, 2023.
Frequently used acronyms:
ACF: Austin Community Fund
ANC: Austin Neighborhood Council (https://www.atxanc.org/)
BoA: Board of Adjustment
CDC: Community Development Corporation
EROC: East Riverside/Oltorf Combined Contact Team
FLUM: Future Land Use Map
GSRC NPCT: Greater South River City Neighborhood Planning Contact Team
NCCD: Neighborhood Conservation Combining District
NHPA: National Historic Preservation Act
NPCT: Neighborhood Planning Contact Team
PC: Planning Commission
PUD: Planned Unit Development
SCC: South Central Coalition of neighborhood associations
SF: Single Family zoning category
ZAP: Zoning and Platting
Agenda Prepared by Noah Balch, vicepresident@srccatx.org Agenda subject to change. Please check www.srccatx.org for the most updated version.
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