The dust has settled in a legal dispute between a developer and the city.
KRIS 6 News has reported on the problems with sand blowing from property along Park Road 22 on Padre Island, across from Schlitterbahn. That sand has caused difficulties for drivers and people with breathing problems.
After several delays, a judge has accepted plea agreements in the remaining 49 cases against Paul Schexnailder. Initially, he faced 79 counts related to the sand blowing from his property, which is the site of the planned Lake Padre Development.
Under the terms of the agreements, 10 of the 49 pending cases were dismissed and Schexnailder pleaded no contest to the other charges. He will have to pay $101 in court costs in each of those cases.
Additionally, Schexnailder will pay a fine for those 39 convictions. Twenty of them carry a $500 fine, while the other 19 carry a fine of $200.
During the hearing in municipal court, the attorney representing the city said there have been no recent complaints about the blowing sand. However, the city also warned that if they start up again, criminal citations would be issued again.
Schexnailder now has 30 days to either pay in full or apply for a payment plan. His attorney said in court that work on the Lake Padre Development is moving forward and construction should start soon.
The lawyer also said Schexnailder is committed to working with the city to make sure the blowing sand doesn’t become a problem again.
