Rockwall County disapproves River Rock Trails preliminary plats, cites water and public‑safety concerns

Rockwall County Commissioners Court on June 3 voted unanimously to adopt orders disapproving four preliminary plats for the River Rock Trails development — phase 1A, phase 1B, the proposed wastewater treatment plant and the project’s remainder tract — citing inadequate access to water for fire protection, possible danger to public health and safety, and failure to meet county open‑space requirements.

The disapproval affects preliminary plat submissions the court considered after a county staff review and follow‑up exchanges with the developer. Each motion to adopt an order of disapproval passed 5‑0; the court also authorized county counsel to send the developer formal notice and the adopted orders.

County officials said the orders rely on section 3.2.4 of the Rockwall County Subdivision and Land Development Regulations and on provisions of the Texas Local Government Code (cited in court documents as sections 232.101(a) and 232.032). The orders specifically list: (1) issues and bases under section 3.2.4, including that the subdivision lacks adequate water necessary to serve the development and to provide water for fire protection; (2) a failure to satisfy section 232.032 of the Texas Local Government Code (which requires a certified letter from a water utility certifying availability of water of sufficient quality and quantity); and (3) failure to comply with the county’s open‑space requirements.

Why it matters

County officials and residents said health, safety and emergency‑services access were central to the court’s concerns. Mayor Brian McNeil of McClendon‑Chisholm told commissioners during the public forum that his city has been unable to secure reliable performance from the developer’s contractor on fire protection and related payments, and that his city voted in July 2024 to terminate a fire‑services agreement with the…