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South Padre Island council approves Harbor and Blue Water beach-access designs; Daydream decision deferred
Summary
Council approved Site 1A layouts for Harbor Circle and Blue Water Circle—adding parking, permanent restrooms and ADA dune walkovers—and deferred a decision on Daydream Circle while negotiating private right-of-way issues.
The South Padre Island City Council approved design layouts for two beach accesses and deferred action on a third at its Nov. 19 meeting.
Shoreline Director Christina Baburka said the shoreline task force recommended Site 1A for Harbor Circle (Beach Access No. 1), which includes about 20 parking spaces, two permanent restrooms, a dune walkover and an emergency wooden drive-over to improve southern emergency access. After staff described the layout and noted a small private-property encroachment, a council member moved to approve Site 1A for Harbor Circle and the motion carried.
On Blue Water Circle, staff presented two options. Baburka said the task force recommended the top layout (Site 1A) that would expand parking to about 26 spaces, provide two permanent restrooms and an ADA dune walkover; she told the council the construction funding is scheduled for next year and the project is fully grant-funded through the Coastal Management Program with no local match. A motion to approve Site 1A for Blue Water Circle passed.
Daydream Circle remains on hold. Baburka described two options: one that preserves existing informal use of the city right-of-way with roughly 10 parking spaces and a retaining wall, and a second that would reclaim the full right-of-way for about 17 spaces and a permanent restroom. Council members and staff said they are negotiating with adjacent property owners about continued access and possible lease arrangements, and further legal review would be required before a final decision.
The council’s approvals for Harbor and Blue Water aim to add permanent restrooms, improve ADA access and increase parking capacity as part of a multi-cycle coastal management program. The Daydream item will return for future discussion once negotiations with property owners and required legal review are resolved.
