Posting Language
Title
Conduct a public hearing in accordance with Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 and consider a resolution authorizing a change in use of dedicated parkland, known as Onion Creek Greenbelt, Onion Creek Metro Park, Salt Springs Neighborhood Park, and Marble Creek Greenbelt, for Austin Water to temporarily use approximately 45,215 square feet of parkland and permanently use approximately 133,020 square feet of parkland in order to construct, operate, maintain, and repair a 3,400 linear foot wastewater interceptor line. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact.
De
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation Department, Office of Real Estate Services.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
For More Information:
Lead Department - Parks and Recreation Department, Ricardo Soliz, Division Manager, (512) 974-9452; Gregory Montes, Program Manager, (512) 974-9458
Lead Department - Office of Real Estate Services, Michael Gates, Interim Officer, (512) 974-5639
Sponsoring Department - Austin Water, Axton Vorphal, Graduate Engineer, (512) 972-2055
Managing Department - Capital Delivery Services, Claudia Corsetti, Project Manager, (512) 974-7205.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
October 28, 2024 - Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board on a vote of 7-0, Recommendation No. 20241028-3.
Additional Backup Information:
Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code provides that the use of parkland for non-park purposes may be approved upon findings that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the parkland and that all reasonable planning has been undertaken to minimize harm to such land.
Austin Water is proposing the construction of approximately 3,400 linear feet of 36-inch wastewater line to facilitate the abandonment of the Springfield Lift Station, which is located within the 25-year floodplain of Onion Creek. This initiative aims to eliminate the flood-prone lift station and enhance capacity to accommodate growth in the service area. The proposed wastewater line will necessitate both permanent and temporary easements within the Onion Creek Greenbelt, Onion Creek Metro Park, Salt Springs Neighborhood Park, and Marble Creek Greenbelt. To minimize surface impact, including to trees, a trenchless construction method, where applicable, will be utilized. Construction is scheduled for 2025.
The Parks and Recreation Board reviewed the project at the October 28, 2024 meeting and provided a recommendation to City Council. Upon approval of this item, the Parks and Recreation Department will collect $297,992 as mitigation for the permanent and temporary uses of the parkland.
This item is brought forward because there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the dedicated parkland, and all reasonable planning has been and will be taken to minimize harm to such lands. The dates of public notification in the Austin American-Statesman were November 17 and 24 and December 1, 2024.