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Planning commission approves alley card‑reader to secure parking lot at 11220 Third Street
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously approved a license to use the public alley adjacent to 11220 Third Street to install an access card reader that will encroach about two feet into the alley; applicant said the device will allow the Tremont House to secure its adjacent fenced parking lot.
The Galveston Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve an LTU (25PDash005) allowing an access card reader to be placed in the city alley adjacent to 11220 Third Street. Daniel, planning staff, said 12 public notices were mailed for the application, with no objections recorded; staff recommended approval with specific and standard conditions.
Applicant and justification David Watson, representing Tremont House (which the applicant said now owns the property and converted seven apartments into hotel rooms), told the commission the card reader would allow hotel management to avoid issuing remote clickers to each guest and would be mounted on an arm that projects roughly 24 inches into the alley, behind an existing bollard. Watson said the device is being requested to secure access to the adjacent fenced and gated parking lot for occupants.
Staff context and findings Daniel said the existing alley pavement and typical alley obstructions (bollards, utility poles, dumpsters) already create encroachments in the downtown MB and R survey area; the proposed card reader would encroach about two feet, less than some existing utility pole encroachments. Staff noted the Historic District/Landmark Commission had reviewed the request and recommended approval and that police staff supported the installation.
Commission action and conditions A commissioner moved to approve the LTU as presented and another seconded; the commission voted unanimously in favor. Staff said approval included specific and standard conditions (conditions 1–9 in the staff report) that must be satisfied before the installation within the right-of-way.
Operational details and timeline Staff and the applicant discussed a nearby access plate and how the reader would be positioned in relation to existing site features. Daniel said the applicant may be asked to obtain any additional permits required by city departments and that the LTU did not eliminate any utility or engineering review requirements before installation.
