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​You can view a recording of the public stakeholder meetings that took place early March in the video below as well as the PDF of the presentation in the documents section.

Background

In response to City Council Resolution No. 20220609-061, staff evaluated the expansion of steep slope protections within Austin’s urban watersheds. Current regulations effectively preserve natural character and reduce erosion in areas outside of the urban watersheds by limiting development on naturally occurring slopes greater than 15%. However, a simple expansion of these same regulations that focus on protecting natural slopes into Austin’s highly developed urban watersheds presents significant practical challenges, both for development stakeholders and City review staff. The extensive anthropogenic modification in urban landscapes makes it extremely difficult to accurately identify naturally occurring steep slopes verses human-made steep slopes. This difficulty prohibits straightforward review for effective risk mitigation. 

Summary of Proposed Amendments

Rather than expanding existing provisions, City staff recommends meeting the protective intent of Resolution No. 20220609-061 with a targeted, data-driven approach. This strategy focuses on identifying areas with the greatest risk of instability. These zones were identified through GIS analysis of erosive geologic formations and extreme topography—specifically slopes steeper than 60%. By prioritizing these high-risk areas, the City can require specialized mitigation measures, such as global slope stability analyses and professional engineering oversight. This approach aims to protect public safety and infrastructure while balancing the needs of urban development 

Global slope stability analysis and GIS-based hazard mapping are essential tools for managing steep slopes in urban watersheds. A Global stability analysis evaluates the entire slope system, identifying deep-seated failures that could compromise roads, utilities, and buildings. This level of assessment goes beyond surface inspections, providing engineers with critical data to design effective mitigation measures. GIS technology complements this process by enabling large-scale mapping and analysis of slope conditions, geologic formations, and topography. Application of these tools together allows the City, developers, and builders to prioritize high-risk areas and implement targeted solutions that protect public safety while supporting sustainable urban growth. 

Case Manager Contact

Leslie Lilly, Austin Watershed Protection, Leslie.Lilly@austintexas.gov, 512-535-8914