Staff recommend expanding erosion-hazard review to 200 feet along Colorado River below Longhorn Dam

City staff on the Watershed Protection Department briefed the Climate, Water, Environment and Parks Committee on a proposed amendment to Austin city code that would expand the erosion-hazard review area along the Colorado River downstream of Longhorn Dam from 100 to 200 feet.

Assistant City Manager Susana Carvajal and Watershed Protection Director Jorge Morales told the committee the change would amend Title 25 of the city code and respond to a council resolution that directed Land Development Code amendments tied to environmental, drainage and landscape requirements. Morales said the change is focused on erosion hazard zones — a technical review intended to protect buildings and infrastructure from riverbank erosion — and not a “no build” prohibition.

“We keep emphasizing this to our stakeholders. It’s not a no build zone,” Morales said. “It’s just, you need to look at erosion issues and protect whatever you’re building.” He and Watershed staff said the proposal would apply to new buildings and additions with habitable space and to city-regulated site plans, subdivisions and building permits…