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Council approves draft updates to dune protection ordinance; city to submit plan to Texas General Land Office
Summary
City Council approved a draft of chapter 22, updating dune protection, building setback language and administrative penalties; the ordinance will be submitted to the Texas General Land Office for review and a public comment period before it becomes effective.
The City Council of South Padre Island approved updates to chapter 22 of the municipal code intended to implement the city’s dune protection, beach renourishment and beach access plan and to align local language with state guidance.
Christina Baburka, the city’s shoreline director, told the council the text updates correct terminology (for example, replacing "town" language with city terminology), add the city’s newer building setback line for recently annexed areas, and revise dune ridge construction standards. Specifically, the draft changes the allowable post‑construction dune ridge height standard from 10 feet above sea level to 12.5 feet, reflecting more recent studies cited by staff.
Baburka said the chapter serves as the implementing provision for the city’s overall dune and beach plan; after council approval the city will submit the chapter and plan to the Texas General Land Office (GLO). She described the state review process: the GLO has up to 90 days to review and respond, the plan would be posted in the Texas Register for a 30‑day public comment period, and an overall effective date could come about six months after council approval if the GLO approves.
Council members asked for clarification about the dune ridge height change and the implementation timeline. The council voted to move the draft forward; staff said a final ordinance adopting the plan and chapter 22 will return to council alongside the full plan document for a formal ordinance reading after the necessary edits and state coordination.
