Oct 2 - UH OH
There is some very disturbing news in the Merida Insider, concerning a new law (is it a law??) prohibiting construction and/or reconstruction within a certain distance of the water’s edge at high tide (in the Yucatan). . . It is unclear whether or not this law is in affect yet, or if it is actually a law, and just how it would apply to all real estate in the area. . For anyone interested in reading all the comments concerning this, they are posted on the Merida Insider, in the Discussion Forum, under the topic Living in Merida and ‘update-beach law’. . . Several of the comments on the topic are as follows:
(one comment) - - -I was in a government office on Tuesday morning, waiting, so picked up a copy of Por Esto! Looks VERY scary to me. Will have to find it and really read it. From what I gathered after about three minutes of reading… it has been written up in the Diario Official—no reconstructions, new constructions or remodeling within 60 meters (190ish feet) of the high tide mark. So, if there is a hurricane and houses get damaged, the owners can’t re.build.
(another comment - a bit more informative).. .I just checked Por Esto — there have been a series of articles/responses to the Tuesday article about Decreto 801 (the executive order regarding prohibition for building new, or rebuilding destroyed homes within 60M of the sea). Here is a link to the original article: http://www.poresto.net/content/view/16408/70/
The latest news is a statement by the new state secretary of Ecology that the decree is badly edited, and will be re-written. He says a lot more: (link to today’s article):http://www.poresto.net/content/view/16857/70/
Keep in mind — this was published in Por Esto!, and the lede focused on the fact that it was a “last minute” decree by former governor Patricio Patron, who is routinely attacked by Por Esto!. In other words, there is probably a bit of “gotcha” type exagerration, to make a political point. In this light, it’s of interest to note that the Diario de Yucatan has yet to publish an article on the topic (perhaps because the original story is exagerrated, OR because the Diario de Yucatan has other political interests…).
Needless to say, this has put our plans on hold for the time being. . . and I have written our realtor asking for any ‘inside’ news on this . . . as it will indeed affect the lots that we have purchased. . . And, as I think about the impact of such a restriction, I recall all the other ‘bits of real estate’ located on the beach that would be affected. . Not just homes, but condos and apartments, rental houses, businesses (restaurants and such) many located by the long pier where the ships dock in Progreso - and not just ‘gringos’ or other foreigners owning property there, but many Mexican citizens own homes and/or businesses within this ‘restricted’ zone. . .
It sounds like there is quite a ‘buzz’ going on at the moment over this ‘news’. . . But all we can do here is sit and wait and hope for some good news on the outcome of this situation. .
So, until we hear more, this is it for now. . .
signing off. . . .
pattycake
