Commission recommends license for minimal encroachments at 711 14th Street

The Galveston Landmark Commission voted April 21 to recommend approval of a license to use public right‑of‑way for existing encroachments at 711 14th Street, noting the encroachments are minor and have been in place for a long time.

Daniel, a staff member, told the commission that 26 public notices were sent and none were returned, and that no city department or private utility objections were recorded. He described the encroachments as an existing front entry porch that encroaches approximately 2 feet into the 14th Street right‑of‑way and the house itself encroaching roughly 2 feet 2 inches into the mid‑block alley to the south; about half of that distance is roof overhang rather than living area.

Architect Drax Easterwood, the applicant’s representative, said a survey performed for a replat revealed the encroachments and clarified measurements: “The actual house itself is into the alleyway by about 14 inches and then we have an overhang too,” Easterwood said. He asked the commission’s patience with repeated submittals for the same property and thanked staff for their attention.

Because there were no objections from reviewing departments and because staff judged the encroachments minimal and longstanding, staff recommended approval subject to specific and standard conditions. The commission approved the motion by voice vote; Planning Commission will consider the recommendation on April 22.