The Rockwall City Council on Aug. 18 directed staff to advance a three‑part revision of the Southside Residential Overlay District, voting 5–1 to send the proposed changes through the normal public‑hearing process.

City staff presented three separate recommendations: remove commercial parcels from the overlay; eliminate the overlay’s reduced development standards so base SF‑7 standards apply; and rezone a small area currently zoned MF‑14 (multifamily) to single‑family 7 (SF‑7). “The intent of the district has always been to allow flexibility for infill and redevelopment, while protecting the character of the existing neighborhood,” Planning staffer Ryan Miller told the council.

The council’s direction authorizes staff to prepare both a text amendment to the Unified Development Code and a city‑initiated zoning case. Miller said the two actions will appear separately but on the same agenda and will follow the development cycle beginning Aug. 26.

Councilmember Frank Henson moved to approve the staff recommendations and implementation schedule; Councilmember Thomas seconded. The motion passed 5–1, with Councilwoman Campbell voting no. Mayor McCallum presided; Councilmember Lewis was absent earlier in the meeting and not involved in this vote.

Miller told the council the overlay currently covers about 43.95 acres and roughly 145 parcels; roughly 75% of parcels are SF‑7, 11% are PD‑52 (commercial), about 6% are multifamily, and about 8% are commercial. Staff said adopting the SF‑7 base standards would increase the minimum lot size by 2,000 square feet and lot width by 10 feet, and raise the minimum dwelling size from 900 to 1,100 square feet, noting that most homes in the district already exceed the proposed minimums.

Council members asked about effects on existing residents and the process for rebuilding legally nonconforming homes after a loss. Miller said legally nonconforming structures could be reestablished through the Board of Adjustments process; he said the proposal would make some lots legally nonconforming under the new standards but would retain nonconforming protections in the Unified Development Code.

Staff and the city attorney will bring the text amendment and rezoning case through the Planning and Zoning Commission and subsequent council public hearings on the schedule presented by staff.