Rockwall City Council approves multiple specific-use permits, including golf driving range and church expansion

Rockwall City Council on June 16 approved a package of zoning and development requests, including a specific-use permit for a two-story golf driving range and family entertainment center, an expansion of Ridgeview Church, a wholesale showroom, a large detached garage, and two detached covered porches.

The decisions allow the applicants — who received unanimous or near-unanimous council support after Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations — to proceed under the conditions specified in draft ordinances provided to the council.

Why it matters: The approvals change permitted land uses and approve deviations from the Unified Development Code in multiple parts of the city. The driving-range project in particular includes tall support poles and lighting and drew attention for its size and proposed operations; the church expansion will more than double the existing building footprint on its site and add childcare and event space.

What the council approved (highlights) - Z2025-024 (Golf driving range / family entertainment center): The council granted a specific-use permit to allow an outdoor commercial amusement/recreation use and a structure taller than 60 feet on a 7.847-acre parcel at the end of Fitsport Boulevard. The applicant’s concept showed a two-story driving range with covered bays (11,900 sq. ft. of golf bays), a mini-golf course, an arcade, playground, banquet/event space, two restaurants (6,600 sq. ft. total), retail and service space, and a parking field showing 345 spaces (77 more than required). The applicant said the proposal was reworked from an earlier, larger plan and emphasized the entertainment orientation: “It’s 70% entertainment,” applicant Tony Winkler said, adding that the range would be a shorter, 60-yard experience with electronic tracking for players. Planning and Zoning recommended approval 5–0; the ordinance ultimately passed with the council announcing final approval (see Voting at a glance).

- Z2025-027 (Ridgeview…