Zoning

Proposed Resolution on Cady Lofts for June 2, 2022 Special HNA Meeting

RESOLUTION
BY THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (“HNA”)

Whereas, SGI Ventures (the “Applicant” henceforth), with support from the Housing Authority of Austin (HACA), has applied with the State of Texas for 9% tax credits to develop and operate a building containing 100 SRO efficiency rental units (of approximately 451 s.f. each) for permanent supportive housing (“PSH”) on lots at 1004, 1006, and 1008 E39th in the Hancock Neighborhood; and

Whereas, the Hancock neighborhood adopted a resolution during an April 28, 2022, special called meeting to oppose the FLUM amendment and zoning change for the lots at 1004, 1006, and 1008 E39th to change zoning to the highest allowed density (MF-6-NP), which would have allowed a 90 ft structure citing concerns of protecting the FLUM and zoning; density increase, pedestrian safety, and the need for additional time to analyze these issues; and

Whereas, in the same HNA resolution; we expressed our support for both Permanent Supportive Housing and affordable housing in Austin and our neighborhood; and

Whereas, at the May 24, 2022, City of Austin Planning Commission meeting, both the Applicant and HNA provided their positions along with members of the community in favor and in opposition of the zoning change, the Commissioners were not receptive to the opposition's concerns, and unanimously voted in favor of the Applicant’s FLUM Amendment and lower-intensity (MF-4-NP) Zoning change for the lots; and

Whereas, at the Planning Commission meeting, the City Staff recommended a less intense zoning designation (MF-4-NP) capping height at 60 ft, and the Applicant agreed to the limitation and currently proposes a site plan of fewer than 48 ft; and

Whereas, homelessness is a crisis in Austin, and there is an overwhelming need for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) with 4,012 individual PSH SRO units are needed to make homelessness non-recurring in Austin, according to the 2021 ECHO Needs and Gaps Report; and

Whereas, only 1,016 individual PSH units exist or are in the pipeline, leaving a gap of 2,996 individual PSH SRO units; and

Whereas, the Applicant’s plan for 100 PSH units would help close that gap and the location in the Hancock Neighborhood provides ready access to transit networks, retail, medical services, and amenities such as the Hancock Recreation Center and Hancock Golf Course trail.

NOW, THEREFORE,
 
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION THAT:

To address the homelessness crisis in Austin and add to the inventory of Public Supportive Housing Units with the eventual goal of ending homelessness, the Hancock Neighborhood Association makes the following recommendations on the Proposed Cady Lofts (100 rental units of 451 s.f. each) Zoning Change and FLUM Amendment.

Despite many of our original and ongoing concerns, the Hancock Neighborhood Association NO LONGER OPPOSES the Zoning Change and FLUM Amendment and Applicant’s TDHCA 9% tax credit application for the following reasons:

  1. The proposed zoning change MF-4-NP is less intense than the originally proposed MF-6-NP zoning; providing more compatibility with the existing FLUM plan and adjacent SF-3 zoning.
  2. The Applicant has promised to work with HNA and immediate neighbors to take our input during the development of the site plan.
  3. The Applicant has 20 years of experience building and operating affordable housing units and has brought in a non-profit consultant from Houston, New Hope Housing, with experience providing PSH SRO housing.
  4. SAFE has informed HNA in a signed letter that additional funds are available for PSH in Austin so the Lancaster is no longer in contention with Cady Lofts for funding and can be built regardless of which project is ultimately supported by TDHCA.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

To request the City Manager, City Council, and Mayor to address the following:

  1. The pedestrian and traffic concerns raised by HNA that are worthy of consideration and essential to the success of the project:
    a. We ask the City to review the sidewalk and pedestrian safety plan for the area surrounding the proposed development and build sidewalks where necessary to ensure safe and accessible access for the 100 future tenants of the site.
    b. We ask the City to review the traffic and parking plans for the same area to ensure that there are no concerns for the tenants or nearby residents.
  2. HNA recommends that Council add a conditional overlay in addition to the MF-4-NP zoning, expressly limiting height to 50 feet (lowered from the 60 feet allowed by MF-4) in the case an affordable project does not advance and the zoning is instead used for a market-rate development. This would ensure that a market rate development does not benefit from the granted density requirements secured as part of the FLUM amendment and zoning change for an affordable housing project that removed existing COs added in the 2004 neighborhood plan.

To request the City Manager, City Council, Mayor, Planning Commission, and City Staff to consider the Hancock Neighborhood Association’s recommendations related to zoning changes in Austin, having learned from our experience:

  1. We ask the Planning Commission to refine the notification process for zoning changes to ensure proper and full notification for these changes, addressing an observed deficiency where outdated and incomplete address information was used to notify residents within 500 ft of the proposed change, denying them full notice of the change.
  2. We ask the City Council to amend the Affordability Unlocked ordinance to include the same notification requirements as zoning changes to encourage community engagement and visibility into projects that directly impact land use. Residents should
  3. We ask the City to proactively work with neighborhoods across Austin’s districts to locate and secure properties for PSH units throughout Austin, augmenting the existing process that primarily relies on private developers to identify and secure locations without community input. We believe that collaboration would accelerate the building of PSH units and minimize friction during the planning process

To request the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) improve its notification process and timelines:

  1. We ask TDCHA to change its notification process for applications to include the deadlines for submitting feedback that it uses for scoring. These scoring deadlines are not currently communicated to notified parties.
  2. We ask TDCHA to provide better visibility into how an organization can register to be officially added to the list of recognized organizations that may participate in the scoring process. At this time, HNA is uncertain whether or not our feedback as a neighborhood association is included and considered in the application scoring process.

ADOPTED BY THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: June XX, 2022

ATTEST:

Coan Dillahunty
President, Hancock Neighborhood Association

https://www.hancockna.org/www/content/resolution-06-02-22-hna-meeting.docx
https://www.hancockna.org/www/content/resolution-06-02-22-hna-meeting.docx

Resolution for 06 02 22 HNA Meeting.pdf

Resolution for 06 02 22 HNA Meeting.docx

3500-3700 IH 35 Rezoning Notice.pdf

HNA Zoning Committee Meeting Minutes - August 6, 2020


Thursday August 6th 2020
6:30 pm Zoom Mtg
Minutes

Call to Order 6:30 pm

Members:

  • Hugh Bender
  • Carolyn Palaima
  • Linda Guerreo
  • Bart Whatley (out of town)
  • Bob Mebane

1) Aproval of Minutes of July 23rd, 2020

2) News: Zoning Committee Process.

3) Item - East Avenue Amendment
Developer wants to go to 120 feet in height which would be equal to the current highest height on the frontage road. They presented this basic plan, and are requesting no additional changes to the PUD at this time.

4) Discussion related to, and possible recommendation to HNA, Proposed Amendment for East Avenue PUD Parcel A / Lot 11

5) Zoning Committee Draft Resolution

  • Original Restrictive Covenants: To remain in place and not amended.
  • A glass restriction with reflectivity less than 20% (Waterfront Overlay Standard [25-2-721(E)(1)]: “Exterior mirrored glass and glare producing glass surface building materials are prohibited.” Definitions [25-1-21(67)]:
    - “MIRRORED GLASS means glass with a reflectivity index greater than 20 percent.”
    Height 90' HNA Zoning Committee currently willing to support a height extension to 90 ft. with the conditions as stated within this resolution.
  • A bird deterrence program to be approved by city staff.
    Green barrier design on west face up to a minimum of 2 stories
  • Affordable Housing: New affordable housing standards/commitments based on any units over 65 ft. to meet COA current PUD Regulations on affordability regulations (currently PUD regulations are 10% of units at 60% MFI). No fee fee in lieu of option.
  • Limit Traffic access to/from IH-35 frontage road. (ADT has final determination on Concordia Ave and overall access)
  • Request that COA validated/update the FAR & TIA for whole PUD.

Action Taken/Next Steps: Committee members forwarding recommendation/resolution to HNA General Assembly.

Adjourn

https://www.hancockna.org/www/content/zcminutesaug6th2020odt

ZC_Minutes_Aug_6th_2020.odt

HNA_Draft_Resolution_for_Proposed_Amendment_for_East_Avenue_PUD_Parcel_A_-_Lot_11_(2).docx

HNA Zoning Committee Meeting Minutes - June 24, 2020


Agenda for HNA Zoning Committee Meeting
Wednesday June 24th 2020
6:30 pm Zoom Mtg

Call to Order 6:30 pm

Members:
Hugh Bender
Carolyn Palaima
Linda Guerreo
Bart Whatley
Bob Mebane

Guests: Developer Representatives -Leah Bojo and Kate Kniejski

1) News and Intro: Hancock Shopping Center News
The Engineer was called and they are at preliminary stages/ No physical plans have been drafted to share. Engineer stated that at this time it involves an HEB expansion and may have something related to the old Sear bldg but those plans are still preliminary.

2) Presentation on East Avenue Amendment Presentation: Leah Bojo-respresentative for Developer
Developer wants to go to 120 feet in height which would be equal to the current highest height on the frontage road. They presented this basic plan, and are requesting no additional changes to the PUD at this time. They presented the plan, answered questions from the Committee related to current East Ave Build out numbers, traffic (Frontage access only), restrictive covenants and also any concerns, ideas or input from the committee.

3) Discussion related to, and possible recommendation to HNA, Proposed PUD Amendment for East Avenue
Committee expressed a desire to have actual affordable housing on site. The committee stated that they hoped no reflective glass would be used under this PUD or future amendments. If the height is granted, the committee expressed that any neighborhood facing sides of the structure have design details with shrubs, offsets and that no-tilt walls are allowed.

Both parties agreed that we do not have enough information to discuss MFI and plans, and split up responsibilities to gather more information and then meet again. Zoning committee to work in small groups to contact city staff, obtain, independently, facts and information then meet again in July.

Action Taken/Next Steps: Committee members and developer to gather additional information so we can make an informed recommendation. Next formal meeting of the Zoning Committee is unknown at this time and, as always, will be posted on the HNA website. The HNA should not expect to see a final recommendation for a few weeks to a month, based on the COA current review cycles.

Adjourn

https://www.hancockna.org/www/content/hnazoningmtgjune24th2020docx
https://www.hancockna.org/www/content/hnazoningmtgjune24th2020pdf

HNA_Zoning_Mtg_June_24th_2020.pdf

HNA_Zoning_Mtg_June_24th_2020.docx

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