Planning Commission Endorses $100 Fee for Galveston Landmark Plaques; Sends Text Amendment to City Council

The Galveston Planning Commission on March 4 voted unanimously to recommend a text amendment that would establish a $100 fee for Galveston landmark designation and a fee for replacement landmark plaques. Staff said the fee would offset the cost of ordering upgraded aluminum plaques to replace the city’s current resin inventory.

Catherine, a Development Services staff member, told the commission staff had identified a manufacturer capable of producing aluminum plaques that retain the existing design but provide greater durability. She said staff plans to order 100 plaques and estimated the production cost at about $10,000; staff proposed charging $100 per designation to recover the cost. "It's $99. Okay. And that actually is just the cost of the plaque. We will be absorbing the cost of the shipping," Catherine said during discussion.

Commissioners asked whether owners would be required to display plaques; Catherine said there is no display requirement and owners sometimes keep plaques inside their homes. The Landmark Commission reviewed the request the prior day and recommended approval, Catherine said. City Council has final authority on text amendments and is scheduled to consider the measure at its March 27 meeting.

A motion to approve the text amendment recommendation (25ZA-001) passed unanimously. The transcript records the commission vote as unanimous but does not record individual vote names. The staff recommendation and Landmark Commission endorsement will be included in the materials the City Council receives for its March 27 review.