Rockwall — The Rockwall City Council voted Sept. 2 to deny a special‑request application by Tammy Underwood to allow LP smart panel siding on a replaced manufactured home at 203 Lynn Drive in Lake Rockwall Estates, finding the replacement did not meet Plan Development District 75 (PD 75) one‑time replacement requirements.

Why it matters: PD 75, the zoning overlay for Lake Rockwall Estates, contains a limited one‑time replacement allowance intended to help transition the neighborhood from older manufactured homes to more permanent site‑built appearance and materials. The code requires multiple criteria including a permanent concrete foundation and a largely cementitious exterior material to meet the replacement standard.

Planning staff testified that PD 75 requires four primary conditions for a one‑time manufactured‑home replacement: the new unit must be larger or newer than the one removed; it must be affixed to a permanent concrete foundation; the roof pitch must be at least 3:12; and 90% of the exterior finish must be masonry or cementitious materials (Hardie board or similar). Staff said the applicant removed the existing unit before pulling a permit, which prevented staff from verifying compliance prior to installation. The applicant requested a special exception to use LP smart panel (a composite panel) instead of the cementitious siding specified by PD 75.

Tammy Underwood, the applicant, said, “I didn't get a permit. I thought that the mobile home mover was the 1 who got the permits.” She told council she had letters from multiple mobile‑home retailers saying manufacturers no longer build units with Hardie board and that her unit carries a 50‑year limited warranty.

Planning & Zoning reviewed the request Aug. 26 and voted 4–3 to recommend approval to council; three commissioners (Roth, Hageman and Conway) dissented. City staff checked building‑inspection practice and told council that when a manufactured home is affixed to a permanent foundation the foundation provides support for cementitious siding, and staff reported that since 2019 the city issued five one‑time replacement permits and none required exceptions.

Following an executive‑session consultation, the council returned to open session and voted unanimously to deny the special request, with a motion stating the replacement did not meet the PD 75 one‑time replacement requirements. The council’s action left the applicant without the requested administrative exception; staff said the PD remains the governing standard.

Background/clarifying details: PD 75 was adopted when Lake Rockwall Estates was annexed to encourage replacement of older manufactured homes with units that meet the district’s exterior material and foundation standards; staff reported five one‑time replacement permits issued since 2019 that complied with the rules; the council’s denial was a formal, final administrative action taken Sept. 2.

What this means: The applicant will need to conform to PD 75 replacement standards if pursuing future replacement or seek alternate remedies allowed under the code. The council’s vote preserves the city’s stated material and foundation standards for future one‑time replacements in PD 75.