The unforeseen delays in obtaining government permits to rebuild Peregrine’s infrastructure, as well as the swimming pool, driveways, bulkhead wall, laundry, and basically everything at ground level, has caused much frustration for all of you and for us here, who are dealing with the reconstruction first hand.
Why all the delays with permitting? There was always a real possibility that permits would never be issued to rebuild Peregrine. There were two major problems, both equally serious.
Problem number 1: the treatment and disposal of wastewater, (often called black water) discharged by forty townhouses on the beachfront. The Peregrine property that was being used as a wastewater discharge area was washed away by the storm surge tide. The only Peregrine property now available where 4,500 gallons of wastewater per day could be discharged runs adjacent to protected wetlands adjoining Christmas Bay and its delicate eco system. After eight months of study and consideration by the Army Corp of Engineers, as to whether the wastewater discharge area required by Peregrine’s forty townhouses would have a negative impact on the wetlands and the environment of Christmas Bay, approval to use that area for wastewater discharge was given December 2009. The Texas Commission on Environmental Health has also now given their approval. Our permit application, with the engineer’s design plans, and other required legal documents, is now being reviewed by the County Environmental Health Department and Texas General Land Office, who will ultimately be responsible for issuing the permit.
Problem number 2: Peregrine is one of only a few Texas resorts truly on the beach, being only 200 feet from the surf. All beaches are publicly owned by the State of Texas. By law, the line of vegetation running parallel to the gulf determines where public beach ends and private property begins. After the storm, the line of vegetation had been pushed inland leaving many properties, including Peregrine, on public beach. Because Peregrine was now on public property and was heavily damaged, the State of Texas could have condemned it as they did with many other beach properties. During 2009, the Texas General Land Office, in the absence of a natural vegetation line, established a temporary boundary line to clarify what was now public beach and private property. With a State approved boundary line re-defined on August 17, 2009, Peregrine was re-surveyed and found to be landward of the 200 foot line and is now on private property. This has cleared the way for the permitting process to move forward.
As noted earlier, there is still a lot to be done before Peregrine can safely accommodate guests, even if for only owners. Again, we cannot begin replacement of any ground level facilities, driveways, dirt work, swimming pool, laundry, etc., until we have the proper permits in hand. Shortly after receiving the construction permits, we will inform you of a tentative opening date.
We are very conscience of your losses as a homeowner, and are working to restore your resort to you as soon as possible. Even though frustrated, the majority of you have been reasonable and understanding when calling the office and we thank you for that.
