Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution relating to the Palm District Plan and initiating amendments to the Downtown Austin Plan and to City Code Title 25.
De
Lead Department
Planning Department.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
On May 23, 2019, City Council issued City Council Resolution 20190523-029, which directed staff to develop a small area plan for the Palm District on the eastern edge of Downtown. This resolution also discusses possible code amendments for development that could have an immediate impact on Waller Creek.
On December 1, 2022, City Council was posted to hold a hearing and consider possible adoption of the Palm District Plan as an amendment to Imagine Austin and took action to postpone the hearing and consideration until February 23, 2023 in order to allow time for Planning Commission deliberation and decision. Hearing and consideration of the Palm District Plan were subsequently postponed to May 18, 2023,July 20, 2023, and again to September 14, 2023. (This resolution is a companion resolution to adoption of the Palm District Plan as an attachment of Imagine Austin.).
For More Information:
Lauren Middleton-Pratt, Director, Planning Department, (512) 974-1827; Stevie Greathouse, Planning Department, (512) 974-7226, stevie.greathouse@austintexas.gov.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
Palm District Plan reviewed by the Planning Commission on November 8, 2022 (postponement), November 15, 2022 (public hearing, discussion, and postponement), December 20, 2022 (postponement), January 10, 2023 (formation of working group and postponement to February 14, 2023), February 14, 2023 (postponement to April 25, 2023), April 25, 2023 (postponement to May 30, 2023), May 30,2023 (postponement to June 27, 2023), June 27, 2023 (postponement to July 11, 2023), July 11, 2023 (postponement to July 25, 2023). Planning Commission approved a recommendation to adopt the Palm District Plan with additional recommendations at their meeting on July 25, 2023.
Additional Backup Information:
In 2019, City Council Resolution No. 20190523-029 directed staff to develop a small area plan for the eastern edge of Downtown: the Palm District. Staff has engaged community and developed a recommended draft Palm District Plan, and Council will consider an ordinance adopting the Palm District Plan as an attachment to Imagine Austin under a related agenda item.
This item would consider a resolution as a companion to adoption of the Palm District Plan that authorizes City Manager to 1) amend the Downtown Austin Plan (DAP) to reflect the boundaries of the Palm District and to ensure consistency between the DAP and the Palm District Plan and to 2) initiate targeted amendments to Land Development Code Chapter 25-2 pertaining to building setbacks, stepbacks, basewall heights, and building designs for development adjacent to Waller Creek in order to implement elements of the Palm District Plan, and 3) undertake additional work supporting implementation of the Palm District Plan.