Galveston planning commission backs alley abandonment near Moody Mansion, trims eastern 10-foot strip

The City of Galveston Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend abandonment of approximately 4,726 square feet of an alley right-of-way within the block bordered by Rosenberg (20 Fifth Street), Broadway, 20 Sixth Street and Seeley, approving the application as amended to exclude a 10-foot eastern portion adjacent to the Satori property.

The action came after a staff presentation describing the request and conditions. "The applicant is requesting the abandonment of approximately 4,726 square feet of alley right of way within the block," said Catherine, a planning staff member, during the commission's briefing. She told commissioners that notices were sent, one was returned in favor, and that city departments and private utilities raised no objections while public works had commented. Staff recommended approval with conditions including that the applicant replat the abandoned right-of-way and provide a utility easement during the planning process.

The applicant, Betty Massey of the Mary Moody Northern Endowment (doing business as Broadway Monument LLC), told the commission the group purchased the property last October and wants to prevent certain commercial uses at the prominent intersection. "We did not wanna see this property at a prominent intersection in Galveston developed as a car wash or a pawnshop," Massey said, describing redevelopment plans and saying the portion where the applicant owns both sides of the alley is important "for safety" and aesthetics. Massey offered to withdraw the 10-foot eastern portion from the application if the adjacent owner, Anthony Jensen of the former Satori property, would not join the request.

Adjacent property owner Anthony Jensen spoke during public comment and described operational concerns if the alley were altered, including access for his dumpster service and the location of utilities: "You've got a 2 inch water line, sewer line, the gas company, and then CenterPoint, of course, as well," he said, asking how regular maintenance and waste pickup would be handled if alley access changed. Jensen said he is undertaking renovations to his building and that maintaining functional access is important for his operation.

Commissioners discussed options including a full-width abandonment of the western alley where the applicant owns both sides, the difficulty of a half-width abandonment leaving a narrow public strip, and the possibility the applicant obtain a quitclaim deed or otherwise partner with the adjacent owner to secure the entire alley. Staff clarified that an abandoned alley would become private property incorporated into adjacent parcels and that a public alley cannot be fenced while it remains public.

After public comment the commission considered motions. Commissioners amended the applicant's request to remove the 10-foot section on the eastern end adjacent to Anthony Jensen's property and then voted to approve the abandonment as amended, with staff's standard recommendations. "Seeing none, we'll take the vote. Those in favor? And that's unanimous," said Donna, chair of the Planning Commission, after the vote.

The commission's approval is a recommendation; City Council has the final decision. City staff said the council is scheduled to hear the request at the July meeting and recommended standard conditions: replatting the abandoned area within the time specified in staff materials and preserving a utility easement during the planning process to allow continued access to infrastructure. The commission also noted that the subject block is within an area identified as eligible for a historic district but that the parcel itself contains no historic resources recorded in the staff report.

The commission's motion and staff report record the modification and the recommendation forwarded to council; the council will make the final determination at its upcoming meeting.