The Galveston Landmark Commission on Jan. 6 approved a certificate of appropriateness for alterations at 1202 Ball that include a new side addition and porch and the installation of a driveway, with the approval subject to staff‑recommended modifications to porch depth and materials.

Staff reported eight public notices were sent with zero returns and raised concerns about the proposed side porch because it sits on a highly visible secondary wall (location B) and as proposed is unusually deep. Staff recommended reducing the porch depth to match the main house’s front porch so the addition remains subordinate to the main structure. Staff also recommended that porch elements (stairs, railing, flooring and door) be built in wood and that the proposed windows use a 1‑over‑1 light configuration rather than the 2‑over‑2 shown in the plans. The staff report noted that while design standards generally prohibit new driveways that open onto a primary street, the property has an existing curb cut and driveway apron on Ball Avenue, so staff recommended approval of the driveway with conditions.

Commissioners asked for additional dimensioned details for the porch railing and balusters if not provided on the plans; staff and commissioners agreed that a condition requiring conformance to the commission’s standard railing detail should be added if the applicant had not supplied those drawings.

Dwayne Crowe of Crowe Construction clarified that the existing rear garage functions as a storage area rather than an active garage, and that air‑conditioning units shown on the site plan would be relocated behind the house. Applicant Laura LeBlanc and project representatives stated they had no additional presentation and answered questions about dimensions; the transcript records approximate porch and deck dimensions discussed in the public exchange (participants referenced figures such as 19 by 23 feet and a 30 by 15 footprint for the addition, though staff noted final dimensioned details should be provided in the construction drawings).

The commission moved to approve case 24LC037 with staff conditions: reduce the porch depth to match the front porch, require 1‑over‑1 windows for the addition, require wooden porch elements, and require additional dimensioned details and conformance to the standard railing/balustrade detail. The motion passed; the recorded transcript does not include a numeric roll‑call tally.