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Environmental Commission backs Project Connect code changes, adds explicit reimbursement formula
Summary
After hearing Austin Transit Partnership and city staff, the Environmental Commission recommended City Council adopt amendments to Title 25 to streamline permitting for light rail, set project‑wide water‑quality rules and allow administrative heritage‑tree review — with an added requirement that any reimbursement for treatment exceeding regulatory requirements be calculated by a defined city formula (Appendix U).
The City of Austin’s Environmental Commission on April 15 recommended that City Council adopt amendments to the land‑development code to support the Project Connect light‑rail program while adding a binding limit on how the city calculates reimbursements for water‑quality work that exceeds regulatory requirements.
Austin Transit Partnership officials told the commission they completed the final environmental impact statement and record of decision in January 2026 and have advanced procurement and early design work. “We completed our environmental impact statement in January 2026,” ATP’s Darren Lozano said, adding the project received a “medium‑high” federal rating and that contractors for design and construction have been selected.
City staff described six components of the proposed ordinance amendment: allowing non‑contiguous site‑plan limits for linear light‑rail construction, rescinding an outdated utility policy, establishing light‑rail streetscape standards, creating a project‑wide water‑quality compliance program, adding administrative…
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