Residents blame incomplete fencing and permitting gaps after Paddle Pointe Park drowning

Several Rowlett residents used the citizen-input period to press the city over park safety and alleged permitting failures they say contributed to a recent drowning.

Resident Dave Hoel told the council “8 days ago, another drowning occurred on the lake. It was facilitated and originated from the Paddle Pointe Park parking lot,” and said an incomplete fence and delayed park ordinance updates contributed to access and safety problems. Hoel said he had submitted exhibits and open-record requests and urged the council to monitor the fence’s impact and address unintended negative consequences immediately.

Multiple commenters, including Denise El Juhi and Hassan El Juhi, alleged the city has repeatedly allowed permit or zoning workarounds for a neighboring property and raised broader concerns about selective enforcement and missing records. Denise El Juhi cited specific ordinance sections during her remarks and said the city granted a permit by exploiting a loophole that treated an attached addition as detached; she called the current permit “procedurally void” and urged enforcement and removal. Hassan El Juhi asked for final inspections and public records the family says they still have not received.

Council did not take immediate formal action during citizen input. The council meeting transcript records the complaints and the residents’ request that staff follow up; residents offered specific documents and meeting videos to support their claims.