[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633340,"mediaKeyId","2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f","parentId",2665785,"title","Residents raise parks, traffic, water and zoning transparency during Rockwall open forum; resident seeks backyard‑chicken permit changes","audioSeconds",383,"startMs",731000,"endMs",1114000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f&start=731&end=1114","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f/thumbnail_731000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633340/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Residents-raise-parks-traffic-water-and-zoning-transparency-during-Rockwall-open-forum-resident-seeks-backyardchicken-permit-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633340-e518f9e7c8d0901c99db7f259f49aeb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430693&Signature=h4c3MenyfaySXU1mgtfmMlbwlBfbbGOuVsWrfbSXAGauAGL6bGD-OZxMD9A~YSnwSR79dWf-FFejbzYzZnZErRAp79FujLdBWZdLlhkjnERu-KpNW2D554bv-t5DSRqBLJth4HJdiXZDDeL6FeAYksQi3pqO7Naft2yDxL8VMYMPoYWIHy0rUW3auKAk3kKGHN~kEHIIWdMBdOSnTciQQKHWFpLznoL6DvugjbGuo3Do1BFpn1grBcIqZudWpD6Rm4hQ6Cf84Q44~BqABCWqxORDNiRSIfFawXXgkch0LLEaao4an7TWcdefi9MSH81gLGGsvEWuEMIRtRHFSdKKoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockwall","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","During the March 17 open‑forum segment, several residents addressed the council about neighborhood conditions, infrastructure and zoning transparency.

Parks, drainage and roads: Several residents said the city has added amenities such as pickleball courts without restrooms and that new residential projects near John King Boulevard are contributing debris, drainage and traffic concerns. One resident said loose gravel on roads is a hazard for motorcyclists and asked for better code enforcement of contractors hauling materials.

Traffic and school area safety: Commenters asked about turn lanes and left‑turn provisions along FM 1141 and John King, and raised concerns that some new subdivisions lack left/turn lanes that would reduce crash risk. Residents urged the city to coordinate road improvements with new development.

Water and landscaping: Speakers observed that new subdivisions include landscaping and extensive plantings that increase household water use. Several residents asked how the city’s water planning accounts for new landscaping and whether watering requirements for HOA common areas would be borne by property owners or the HOA.

Backyard chickens: Tim Conaway asked the council to modify city rules to allow backyard chickens by permit on single‑family lots, citing examples from nearby cities and proposing permit conditions (no roosters, setbacks, coop size and food‑storage rules). He offered to work with staff on a written permit approach rather than a ban.

Economic incentives and transparency: Longtime resident Bob Wacker urged greater transparency around economic development incentives and the timing of council votes. He cited a $11 million package tied to a 380 economic incentive agreement for a large retailer and said some voters were unaware of the total value. Council members and staff responded that negotiated incentives involve confidential negotiations but are reported in agenda packets and meeting minutes; council members said votes on incentives are recorded in the public record.

High‑speed Internet: A resident asked whether the city can influence AT&T to provide fiber to neighborhoods still on DSL; councilmembers suggested the city can coordinate but private providers make infrastructure decisions.

Public comment items did not result in immediate council direction during the meeting; several council members asked staff to follow up on specific concerns and indicated some items would move to formal agenda or staff reports in future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockwall - City Council - Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the March 17 council meeting, residents urged the council to address park development and road safety, asked for clearer notice about economic incentives (including a cited $11 million agreement), and a resident requested the city adopt a backyard‑chicken permitting option instead of an outright ban.","taxTitle","Rockwall City, Rockwall County, Texas","taxId",54915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633345,"Votes at a glance: Council approves multiple zoning changes, declines short‑term rental",6463,3610000,10073000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f&start=3610&end=10073","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f/thumbnail_3610000.jpg","/articles/6633345/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-multiple-zoning-changes-declines-shortterm-rental","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633345-ec9efd5ec63b9a229cfffd7b0691b6f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430693&Signature=F-R1npfEaAHOYx4tKuxedgEg~XPA870HE09JYoPE~VyU4XynaIG96z0OXycwvPgDPsFNIWxwoMbcdK2037OKM7FhNGoc78JAjNOcjvZz2MDl4fWck1PCAxhEZhdT-eDOOlV6A7IgGloOb9RNmeBwNOOtBy1TQOIItxdguIuoZvEBS02ZlQvhNesQ~9yfNLLoEQKMzCcHaOJ8CPwWJESI1t9qbPL7VZSlIEw5NCq09YSm5gJfJJGKpfEhKzwllOmOgcFNnHU6-R1hbPZXZ5oAHzOTDCam83I77GsD4l0Ynmvzo1jRztN~RUZt-t9hZ6YScuKehamYbFToQR5LTDvNhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockwall City Council handled a package of zoning and administrative items on March 17. Key outcomes:

- Z2025‑004 (SUP for guest quarters / accessory agricultural building, 2201 East FM 550): City council approved the specific‑use permit requested for an accessory building that combines guest quarters and agricultural accessory space; Planning and Zoning had recommended approval 7‑0.

- Z2025‑005 (Erwin Farms PD): Council approved the planned‑development rezoning for the 98.3‑acre Erwin Farms subdivision (see separate article). P&Z recommended approval 7‑0.

- Z2025‑006 (Rezoning near North FM 1141 / North Country Lane — Erwin Farms concept): Council adopted the planned‑development zoning for the Erwin Farms property (see main article) after P&Z’s 7‑0 recommendation.

- Z2025‑006 (recount) / Z2025‑006 at Quail Run (Brooks): A separate application asking to rezone a triangular parcel at John King and Old East Quail Run to general retail was heard; Planning and Zoning recommended neighborhood services instead of general retail. Council approved the neighborhood‑services zoning; the applicant said the intended use is a licensed childcare (Harvest Academy).

- Z2025‑007 (SUP for house of worship): Council approved a specific‑use permit to allow a small house of worship at 917 North Goliad Street (PD 50 area); P&Z recommended approval 7‑0. The rabbi who applied said the congregation currently meets at a residence and expected services to be walkable for many congregants.

- Z2025‑008 (John King at FM 552): An application to rezone approximately 6.5 acres at John King Boulevard and FM 552 was considered; Planning and Zoning recommended neighborhood services instead of general retail. Council approved the neighborhood‑services zoning 4‑3.

- Z2025‑009 (SUP for short‑term rental, 1827 Mystic): Planning and Zoning voted 7‑0 to recommend denial because the property is within the city’s 1,000‑foot minimum separation from existing non‑owner‑occupied STRs. Council denied the SUP (denial carried by the council).

- Z2025‑010 (Amend PD 50 to include additional parcel): Council approved an amendment to PD 50 to add a 1.65‑acre parcel along Goliad/Olive Street to the district; P&Z recommended approval.

Appointments and other actions

- The council unanimously appointed Karen Brock to Planning & Zoning (to fill an unexpired term) and Brandon Bushel to the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation (REDC) to fill an unexpired term.

- The council announced the city had acquired land from the Kennop family near Lakeshore Drive tied to the original Rockwall formation discovery; staff said the site will be developed as a historic park in coming years.

The council carried the ordinances on first and subsequent readings as required by the city’s procedures. Planning staff will proceed with site‑plan, engineering and permitting steps for projects where zoning was approved.","At its March 17 meeting the Rockwall City Council approved several zoning changes and special‑use permits, appointed volunteers to boards and denied a short‑term rental application that fell within the city’s 1,000‑foot STR separation standard.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633349,"Independent auditors give City of Rockwall a clean opinion on 2024 financials",394,4014000,4408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f&start=4014&end=4408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f/thumbnail_4014000.jpg","/articles/6633349/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Independent-auditors-give-City-of-Rockwall-a-clean-opinion-on-2024-financials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633349-1e31a5c37f550931b6801536c3d331aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430693&Signature=ORvqJhAMfUBo9yBcJLdG~x3a~t4d3f8s1TRnfbpG84cW016pmyTOQRUr-uoE2u~vVglAFhs4khFNk3xmq3a1tSyii5bhC~4oj1OLi6MRUDrPzQYFgwYg~lSOvA3ljRm4oPWnYHv-kBCWWkiiNlrXNnjmpe93CGPJtiCy7-kvO0ibAXBky362nO3ISmr1jsw~B3QDCT6D6A-aPXbIhI56vTD1LyKS4jZvXUKJlUC7wOe8pu4T1HVbRF1fqzaE5WOykSuWSFzwhK8MDN9dWRAYYNO6WoMeG1EWJGW4dn2Ug8gRo0zL71lzHMQCeX4RsvBL4vZJJKwQ4Ftuw4yM-ptcTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Patillo, Brown & Hill presented the City of Rockwall’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, during the council meeting on March 17. Jacob Bowman, an audit supervisor, told the council the firm issued an unmodified opinion — the firm’s highest level of assurance — and reported no material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting.

The audit included a federal single‑audit review of major federal programs. The auditors examined the city’s SAFER grant (staffing for fire and emergency response) in depth and found no instances of noncompliance or questioned costs. The audit letter therefore contained no findings for internal control, financial reporting, or federal compliance.

Bowman highlighted reserve balances in the city’s major funds as of Sept. 30, 2024: the general fund had the equivalent of about 52.7% of one year of spending in unassigned fund balance and the utility fund had roughly 26% of a year’s operating expenses in reserves. He directed the council and the public to the ACFR’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (pages 4–9) and statistical tables (for example, the 10‑year trends on page 86) for additional context about revenues, expenses and fund balance trends over the past decade.

City staff thanked the auditors and finance team for a “clean” audit and noted the work required to prepare the report.

The ACFR and formal audit opinion will be posted with the city’s financial documents; the auditors said they had provided a digital copy to council and staff.","Patillo, Brown & Hill presented the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, and issued an unmodified (clean) opinion with no material weaknesses and no findings on federal grant compliance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633354,"Rockwall Council approves Erwin Farms planned development with septic on larger lots",1384,2771000,4155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f&start=2771&end=4155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665785-51249dc8711575729b5675341311bb3f/thumbnail_2771000.jpg","/articles/6633354/Rockwall-City/Rockwall-County/Texas/Rockwall-Council-approves-Erwin-Farms-planned-development-with-septic-on-larger-lots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633354-d5c84286c2f48b4ad1968bd54a9a656d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770430693&Signature=XGVBQA~CoWG13OpqU3TK5~I7Syv75PpMYkjn93lxbonZpup3eY6y9Kd62~ZVg1533mtZM1-A-vVLU8gt15ZreoFUAaqaJ44VX69fp-wCsstcOU591QSPqHYDA3tmuXb2w00ZDa14Bus5YvAUoB7mFB5IdtCtyuIqip~J3oEsxjpkPGmzJFS49VhqIHXhoN2tmhbPesCV4j~aGE~iI0H9tuu2luPjhHCUeIpiZFlBQnChXRzwhMLrljqniPO2V8pVs-IVay7bLOr6j-7mKqMxfU8W8U93iHPEGjV4AHlwYjtsVc5hPt16VQfkCiuviR~nbbqiX36XITnpWrfl4IktWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rockwall City Council on March 17 approved a planned-development rezoning called Erwin Farms, allowing a 123‑lot single‑family subdivision on about 98.3 acres east of North Country Lane. The council voted to adopt the PD after the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval earlier in March.

The development will include three lot types: 100 lots with a minimum of 100 by 120 feet (about 12,000 sq ft), 17 lots of about 3/4 acre, and six 1‑acre lots. The applicant said the project’s gross density will be 1.25 dwelling units per acre and the planned development will require a minimum home size of about 2,800 sq ft on the smaller lots and 3,000 sq ft on the larger lots.

Developer representatives told council that lots south of an existing Atmos gas easement will use on‑site sewage facilities (OSSF, commonly known as septic). The developer said the decision to include septic on the 3/4‑ and 1‑acre parcels followed direction from neighbors and the Planning and Zoning Commission to reduce density and provide larger lots. City staff described OSSF on lots smaller than one acre as a discretionary council decision; at least one earlier Rockwall approval had allowed 3/4‑acre lots with OSSF.

Council and the developer also discussed required infrastructure. The developer reported sewer upgrades would require upgrades to two existing lift stations (roughly $750,000 was cited as the order of magnitude) and a 12‑inch water line along the subdivision is required by the city’s master water plan, at an additional cost the developer put at about $185,000 compared with an 8‑inch alternative. The developer said those off‑site infrastructure costs were a primary reason the project’s density was lowered from an earlier, higher‑density proposal.

Erwin Farms’ concept plan also shows about 33.19 acres of open space (about 25.6% of the gross area as calculated under the Unified Development Code), a loop trail, two retention ponds with fountain features, a pavilion, and on‑street parallel parking adjacent to the largest contiguous open space in lieu of wider residential streets. The developer said home prices were expected to start in the high $700,000s on the smallest lots and reach roughly $1.2 million on estate lots; he projected the buildout would take about six years with a first‑home occupancy around the second quarter of 2028, if approvals and infrastructure proceed on schedule.

Council members and several nearby residents questioned traffic, park buffering, and water use. Several speakers who live east and north of the site said notification and drainage were concerns. The developer and staff said they had reduced density, added perimeter preservation and a 30‑foot planted buffer in some areas, and would provide a perimeter landscape buffer and trail—details that will be finalized in the engineering and site‑plan process. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the PD and voted 7‑0 to recommend approval.

Councilmember McCallum made the motion to approve the ordinance; the motion was seconded. The ordinance adding the planned‑development zoning passed unanimously.

The project file will move next into engineering review and final platting, where detailed stormwater plans, OSSF permitting (for the affected lots), and construction timelines will be established.","The Rockwall City Council unanimously approved a planned-development rezoning known as Erwin Farms that will create 123 single-family lots, including 3/4‑acre and 1‑acre lots that will use on-site sewage facilities south of a gas easement. Council and the developer said infrastructure upgrades will be required before homes are built.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise parks, traffic, water and zoning transparency during Rockwall open forum; resident seeks backyard‑chicken permit changes

Votes at a glance: Council approves multiple zoning changes, declines short‑term rental

Independent auditors give City of Rockwall a clean opinion on 2024 financials

Rockwall Council approves Erwin Farms planned development with septic on larger lots