Building Set Back

Texas Coastal Bend Chapter activists urged their city council to maintain the county recommended 350 feet set back from the ocean. The city wanted to reduce it to 200 feet or less, but council member Nelda Martinez supported the chapter's “more is better” in approach and lead the vote to keep it as the county recommended level. For years, erosion, strong hurricanes, and persistent coastal subsidence have plagued the Texas shoreline. With three of the nation’s busiest ports, large coastal metropolitan centers, and a thriving coastal economy, the State stands to be significantly affected by climate change and sea-level rise. Maintaining building set backs is critically important in this effort.