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Staff proposes consolidating four East Beach berms, will match existing vegetation coverage after GLO talks
Summary
At a Dec. 2 public hearing staff presented a proposal to relocate and consolidate four sargassum berm dunes at East Beach (1923 Bodecker Rd.) to improve beach access and parking; staff said the new dunes will be required to match the existing percentage of dune vegetation coverage and that the Park Board expects to fund the work with hotel occupancy tax.
Planning staff presented a public hearing on Dec. 2 for a dune relocation and mitigation plan at East Beach (1923 Bodecker Road) that would consolidate four existing sargassum berm dunes into a single mitigation area to prevent sand from blowing into a parking lot and to improve beach access.
Carl (planning staff) told the commission the work would keep sand volume and dune function while moving the berms away from parking and combining them into one larger dune area. He said the city discussed vegetation identification with the Texas General Land Office and, to avoid disputes over species lists, staff will require the new dune to match the existing dune’s percentage of vegetation cover. "So if the dunes are covered now at 80%, the new dune must be covered with dune vegetation at 80%," Carl said, adding the sand volume would remain the same.
Staff noted the Bureau of Economic Geology estimates the area is accreting about 5–6 feet per year and provided photos and survey maps for the record. Commissioners asked whether avoidance alternatives had been fully considered and how the GLO review requirement under the Texas Administrative Code would be satisfied; Carl said staff had conferred with GLO that afternoon and judged the percentage approach to meet the TAC intent for 1:1 coverage and mitigation sequencing.
Elizabeth Wallen, environmental programs manager for the Galveston Park Board, said the Park Board operates and maintains East Beach and confirmed the project timeline aims to complete work within a year though the permit allows up to three years. When asked about funding, Wallen said the project would be paid from hotel occupancy tax (HOT tax).
Chair closed the public hearing after applicant remarks; staff recorded no further public comment and stated no additional Planning Commission action was required that day. The proposal, including the revised vegetation metric, remains subject to any required external reviews and permitting.
