The Galveston Planning Commission heard testimony and public comment on case 25PDash041, a request to abandon about 18,134 square feet of a city right‑of‑way adjacent to 11254 and 11314 Sportsman Road.

Staff presented the request and supporting exhibits, saying the subject right‑of‑way is a 50‑foot improved strip that dead‑ends into West Bay and that the applicant seeks to divide the strip so each adjacent owner would receive roughly half. Staff noted that public works requires a 20‑foot drainage easement between Sportsman Road and the bay regardless of the abandonment outcome, and that CenterPoint requested an internal street and alley closure as part of its utility review. The staff report cited City of Galveston land development regulations §6.302(b)(3) and the city comprehensive plan in its analysis. "City engineers requested a 20 foot wide drainage easement will be required, regardless or if the abandonment is approved," staff said in the presentation.

The applicant, Joseph Andrews (representing Anco Investments), told the commission the easement had been in place for more than 100 years and, to his knowledge, had "never been utilized." Andrews said he and the adjacent landowners support the abandonment and plan to use the land as part of private development. Adjacent property owner Jack Torgrossa, who said his family has owned property in the area since 1925, described the strip as historically "more than really just a driveway to a handful of camps" and said much of the land south of the right‑of‑way is marsh and not developable.

Another resident, Trey DeBral, provided historical context for a number of platted but unopened 50‑foot north–south streets on the West End and urged the commission to ensure that landowners who rely on prescriptive access would retain practical access if the abandonment were approved.

Commissioners asked staff about the right‑of‑way's origin, whether beach patrol had been notified, and about public‑safety implications of reducing access to West Bay. Staff said many of the rights‑of‑way were laid out by the county before annexation and that beach patrol had not been included in the department notices. The staff report noted 11 public notices returned in opposition.

A motion to approve the abandonment was made and seconded. Because only four commissioners were present for the hearing, commission rules and prior staff notice required a unanimous recommendation to forward an approval to city council; the motion did not receive the required fourth affirmative vote and failed. The commission clerk summarized: "The motion fails due to lack of 4 affirmative votes." The commission may reintroduce the item or forward a record of the recommendation and public comment to city council, which is scheduled to hear the request on Oct. 23, 2025.

Next steps: the Galveston City Council will make the final decision. If the abandonment were approved, staff had recommended several site‑specific conditions and standard conditions, including the 20‑foot drainage easement and other typical filings noted in the staff report.

Public records: the staff report and applicant exhibits (survey, aerials, conceptual division of the right‑of‑way) were shown during the meeting and are filed with the planning commission record.