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Port St. Joe approves two alley abandonments tied to development and public access easement requirements
Summary
Commissioners approved two alley-abandonment resolutions: one for a 20-foot alley tied to an L and A Hotels LLC development (contingent on utilities easement) and another behind the sheriff's department tied to an ingress/egress and utility easement; public commenters raised stormwater and access concerns.
The Port St. Joe commission approved two separate alley-abandonment measures during its February meeting, clearing steps for private development while preserving public access via easements.
City Attorney introduced the first item as a resolution (recorded as "route resolution 2026 01") to abandon a 20-foot alley that runs between 3rd and 4th Street requested by L and A Hotels LLC; staff said the abandonment would be contingent on the developer executing a utilities easement for the alley. "Resolution 2026 01 abandons that alley," the city attorney said when presenting the item.
A public commenter questioned stormwater implications and whether a nearby pond would be used; city staff replied DEP appears unlikely to allow using the marina-adjacent pond and that staff and engineers will meet with the developer to determine the stormwater approach.
A second alley-abandonment resolution affecting the alley behind the sheriff's department also advanced. City staff said the abandonment would be subject to an ingress and egress easement so the public retains access behind the port cottages and can exit to Sixth Street, and to a utility easement over the portion abandoned. The commission moved and approved these items; the minutes record the votes as carried by the commission (each recorded as 4-0 with one commissioner absent).
Why it matters: both abandonments transfer control of narrow public alleys but preserve public passage and utilities through easements the city will require before finalizing the abandonment. Public comment focused on stormwater/pond use and access for adjacent properties, and staff said the developer and DEP reviews will guide final site work.
What comes next: staff said they would meet with the developer's engineers this week to clarify stormwater and easement terms and return any finalized easement documents or additional permit conditions to the commission as needed.
