Home for Beyonce's family violates beach law

GALVESTON — A seaside getaway on Galveston Island used by pop star Beyoncé Knowles' family has run afoul of the Texas Open Beaches Act.

Hurricane Ike pummeled the beachfront vacation house that the General Land Office says is owned by Mathew Knowles, a successful music executive who manages Beyoncé and her sister, Solange. Mathew Knowles also is founder of Houston record label Music World Entertainment and was executive producer for Obsessed, the 2009 film staring Beyoncé.

A contractor hired by the elder Knowles to repair the home, which was on the tax rolls for $423,000 in 2008, built a slab-like concrete floor under the structure, GLO spokesman Jim Suydam said.

The problem is that Ike scoured away the beach in front of the house, placing it on the public beach where hard structures are prohibited, Suydam said.

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said Knowles is being cooperative and his department won't seek any penalties as long as he's correcting the problem.

He said Knowles isn't getting special treatment.

The GLO could go to court to enforce the regulations, but Patterson said he wants his agency to take a cooperative approach in its dealings with all Texans.

“I didn't know who Beyoncé Knowles was,” Patterson said. “If he's getting special treatment it's not because of me.”

Patterson said he's not going to make Knowles or any other beachfront property owner move their house off the beach unless it affects beach access or poses a health or safety problem.

Knowles was unavailable for comment.