Planning commission approves license to use city right-of-way for EV charger at 1522 Ball Street

The Galveston Planning Commission approved a permanent license to use city right-of-way to install an electric vehicle charging station at 1522 Ball Street on Jan. 7, 2025.

Staff told the commission that 25 public notices were mailed and three were returned in opposition. The applicant proposes to place the charging station in the right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb. Staff recommended approval with specific conditions aimed at protecting street trees and ensuring required permits are obtained.

Planning staff explained that Landmark Commission review is required when work occurs inside a historic district; the Landmark Commission failed to secure the four affirmative votes needed to approve the request at its Dec. 16, 2024 meeting but did not move to deny the request. Staff also told commissioners that Chapter 32-5 of the city code governs licenses to use the right-of-way and that electrical permits would be required after any LTU approval.

Applicant Jason Johnston, who identified himself as the owner and resident of 1522 Ball Street, told the commission he had measured the garage (14 feet, 8 inches long by 15 feet, 9 inches wide) and that his vehicle (an 18-foot-long, 7-foot-3-inch-wide truck) extends roughly three feet beyond the garage. Johnston said alley widths and the vehicle size make off-street parking impractical and described the proposed installation as underground wiring to a pedestal-mounted, lockable, weatherproof enclosure located between street trees with plantings to screen it.

Commissioners questioned whether the property line reached the curb, the distance from trees, whether the LTU could be revoked for noncompliance, and whether the sidewalk must be bored rather than cut. Johnston said he had completed a load survey and would provide engineering reports and that the box would be lockable. Staff confirmed that noncompliance with LTU conditions can be grounds for revocation and said the city prefers boring historic sidewalks rather than cutting them; commissioners said a boring requirement could be added as a condition.

Multiple commissioners said they were conflicted about placing charging infrastructure in a 19th-century historic district while also recognizing residents’ modern needs. After a motion to approve 24P-044 with staff recommendations and a second, the commission voted in favor; members did not record individual roll-call votes on the record. The commission asked staff to follow up and finalize the license-to-use agreement.

The approval includes conditions to minimize damage to tree root systems, require required electrical permits, secure the enclosure, and allow the city to revoke the LTU for noncompliance. The Landmark Commission’s lack of an affirmative vote was noted in the record but did not prevent the planning commission’s approval.

Planning staff will contact the applicant to complete the LTU agreement and to document the specific installation and permit conditions before work begins.