Planning Commission recommends denial of partial abandonment near 30330 First Street after fire marshal and staff raise safety and access concerns

The City of Galveston Planning Commission on a contested item recommended denial to City Council of an application to abandon three portions of right-of-way adjacent to 30330 First Street.

City planning staff told commissioners the applicant requested abandonment of three tracts: a portion of Mechanic Street (Tract 1), a portion of 30 First Street (Tract 2), and a portion of the northwest alley (Tract 3). Staff said 9 public notices were mailed and reported no objections from the majority of city departments and from private utilities; the Fire Marshal, however, opposed the abandonment and Public Works raised concerns about the loss of on-street parking and utility impacts. Staff recommended denial because the request would adversely affect the transportation system, did not conform to the city27s criteria for permanent street closures, and would create a dead-end roadway without a required turnaround…