Commission backs right-of-way vacation for alley at 1909 Comal Street despite calls for formal pedestrian easement

The commission recommended that City Council approve a right-of-way vacation for an undeveloped alley abutting 1909 Comal Street in District 1, after a presentation by Christopher Bueckeert of Transportation Public Works and remarks from the applicant's representative.

Bueckeert said the vacation tract is approximately 0.2399 acres, unpaved and undeveloped, and that notices were mailed to nearby property owners on Jan. 21, 2026 with no objections received as of the presentation. The city will retain a public utility easement over the vacation area.

An applicant representative, identified in the meeting record, said the University of Texas System intends to provide north-south connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists but preferred not to dedicate a formal easement now because there is no active site plan. The representative said the campus is generally open and the university committed in writing that it will provide the connection rather than record a permanent public easement at this stage.

Vice Chair Schumacher and other commissioners raised concerns about ensuring long-term public access and accountability if a formal easement is not recorded. Bueckeert said the reviewers' departmental comments and requirements are the basis for conditions, but he could not state site-plan remedies from his position.

Commissioner Kavalman moved approval and a second was given by Vice Chair Schumacher; the commission recorded seven members voting in favor and the recommendation will go to City Council for final action.

The commission noted Chair Summers recused from this item because the applicant is Summers' employer. Staff recorded that the applicant indicated future redevelopment plans as graduate student housing but has no active site plan at the time of the meeting.