Council approves request to collect letters from property owners before finalizing SPI Ecotourism District
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Summary
Council voted to ask staff and Councilman Schwartz to meet with property owners in the proposed SPI Ecotourism District and collect letters of support before taking further action on the district designation.
Councilmember Carrie presented a proposal to designate a stretch of land west of Padre Boulevard — from the north side of the convention center to the south side of Sea Turtle Inc. — as the South Padre Island Ecotourism District, which she said would highlight local birding and marine habitat and support conservation-minded tourism.
Carrie told council the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved forwarding the plan for council consideration and noted possible partnerships with academic and conservation groups. “The Spi Ecotourism District will encompass Sea Turtle Inc to the South, the Birding And Nature Center and the Convention Center to the North,” Carrie said, urging preservation of native habitat regardless of any convention center project.
Councilmember Ken and other members cautioned that several outside parties — including the county, water districts and AEP — own or influence parcels in the area and that the city did not yet have formal county permission regarding any convention center naming or expansion. Ken said he had found no opposition to creating the district but reiterated the absence of written commitments from the county and from insurers related to any convention center expansion.
Councilmember Joe moved — and a second was received — to ask staff and Councilman Schwartz to meet with all property owners in the proposed district and request letters of support; the motion carried unanimously on voice vote. Councilmembers said no funds for projects would be expended before the outreach and confirmation of support.
Why it matters: designation would formally group a portion of the island for ecotourism promotion and may open opportunities for grants and partnerships; the council conditioned next steps on documented property‑owner support and further coordination with county and other stakeholders.
ACTIONS: Motion to have staff and Councilman Schwartz gather letters of support from property owners — motion seconded and carried (voice vote).
