Landmark Commission backs license-to-use request for card reader at 11220 Third Street

The Galveston Landmark Commission voted to recommend approval of a license-to-use request allowing an access card reader to encroach into the alley adjacent to 11220 Third Street, forwarding the recommendation to the planning commission, which will hear the case on Feb. 18.

Daniel, city planning staff, described the proposal as "a request for a license to use a public right of way" to place an access card reader in the alley serving a fenced and gated parking lot. Staff said the alley is 20 feet wide and the proposed card reader would extend approximately 24 inches into the alley; existing utility poles and bollards already encroach into the alley and the applicant's materials show the proposed reader would not be the largest encroachment. Staff reported 12 public notices were sent and none were returned, and said there were no objections from city departments or private utilities in the record.

David Watson, representing the property owner, said the Tremont House now owns the building at 11220 Third Street and "they will now be operating the 7 apartments as part of the Tremont House and they needed a card reader so they people can park in the back." He described the device as "just a a 4 inch arm that sticks out with a card reader on it." After a brief public hearing with no other speakers, a commissioner moved to approve the license based on staff recommendations; the motion passed.

The staff recommendation includes specific conditions governing the license; planning commission review is scheduled for Feb. 18 and it will make the final decision on issuance of the license. The transcript records that lack of response from CenterPoint was treated as "no objection" in staff processing.