Rockwall board approves accessory-building COA for 403 East Kaufman Street, 4-0

The Rockwall City Historic Preservation Advisory Board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a certificate of appropriateness for a 144-square-foot accessory building at 403 East Kaufman Street.

Angelica Guevara, historic preservation staff, said the parcel is designated non-contributing within the Old Town Rockwall Historic District. Guevara reminded the board that in August of the previous year the property owner received a COA to construct a new single-family home and that staff redesignated the lot from medium contributing to non-contributing as part of that prior approval. Guevara said the Unified Development Code allows rear-yard storage buildings that "reflect the character of the existing residence" and be compatible in scale, height, roof shape, materials and detailing. She said the proposed accessory building would be 144 square feet, set on a concrete foundation, 9 feet in height, and clad in siding to match the primary structure.

Guevara said staff mailed 18 notices to property owners and occupants within 200 feet and had not received objections. The applicant, Gary and Carol Bird, were not present. During board discussion one member said, "The house is gorgeous, and it looks like that is in keeping with the house," and noted the proposal met applicable size and development requirements.

A board member moved to approve the COA and another seconded. The motion carried 4-0, approving the accessory building as presented. The board recorded no conditions beyond the requirements of the UDC and the COA approval.

Votes at a glance: COA for accessory building at 403 East Kaufman Street — approved 4-0.

Details from the record: staff indicated the accessory structure is discretionary for the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, meets UDC compatibility standards for rear-yard storage buildings, and will match materials and scale of the approved primary residence.