Landmark Commission approves two-story garage apartment at 1219 Ball

The Galveston Landmark Commission on March 3 approved a certificate of appropriateness for a two-story garage apartment at 1219 Ball, with staff-recommended conditions.

Staff presented the request as a strict appropriateness review for a rear garage apartment adjacent to the alley and not readily visible from the street. Staff noted a previous nonhistoric garage at the property had been demolished with a permit in 2024 and recommended approval while asking for a modification to the siding. "Staff recommends approval of the request with specific condition 1 and standard conditions 2 through 5," staff said, adding that hardy (board-and-batten) siding should be installed below the first habitable floor rather than lap siding as proposed and that all hardy siding be smooth and without patterns.

The application materials specify one-over-one vinyl-clad windows with heavy trim, fiberglass exterior doors with heavy trim, wood- or hardy-clad handrails, and a composition shingle roof. The applicant confirmed the contractor and immediate family had reviewed the plans and asked the commission to allow the project to proceed so the family could secure the backyard. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the public hearing.

A commissioner moved to approve the case with staff conditions; the motion passed on a vote of all present in favor.

The approval is conditioned on conformance with the design materials and placement shown in the staff exhibit and the staff-recommended substitution of board-and-batten skirting below the first habitable floor.

The commission’s action applies only to the certificate of appropriateness; any building permits or inspections required by other city departments remain separate processes.