Rockwall planning commission tables 101‑acre Irwin Farms rezoning after residents raise lot‑size, traffic and drainage concerns

The Rockwall Planning & Zoning Commission on a unanimous vote tabled consideration of a rezoning request for a 101.43‑acre tract known as Irwin Farms after residents and commissioners raised concerns about lot sizes, traffic and drainage.

The applicant asked the commission to approve a planned development (PD) rezone to allow 203 single‑family lots (a gross density the applicant described as 2.00 dwelling units per acre) on land south of North Country Lane and east of FM 1141. The developer presented a concept plan that would include five lot types, 22.4 percent open space (29.15 acres noted on the concept), 8‑foot concrete trails along major frontages and internal walk connections, and a mix of architectural standards including a 100 percent masonry requirement and a minimum house size the applicant said would be 2,800 square feet.

The proposal would require several deviations from the city's standard street and alley requirements, the applicant said, including narrower back‑to‑back street widths adjacent to park/open space in exchange for added parallel parking and trail improvements. The developer also told the commission Atmos Energy currently holds a blanket easement across the site and estimated…