The Rockwall City Council on Jan. 6 approved multiple zoning ordinances, a special-use permit for an accessory building and an ordinance removing the city's impact-fee regulations from the municipal code.

The actions came primarily on the consent agenda and during two second-reading votes. The council approved a special-use permit for a detached garage at 2348 Saddle Brook Lane and approved a large planned-development zoning change after a close vote.

Most items were approved on the consent agenda, which the council moved and seconded before voting. The consent package included four ordinances: a zoning change from agricultural to single-family SF-10 for a 1.47-acre tract (identified as tract 3 of the N. Butler survey, abstract 183); an amendment to consolidate regulations for Planned Development (PD 9) over a roughly 307.57-acre tract; a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to allow a general retail store on a 5.1292-acre parcel (Lot 2, Block D, Ellis Center No. 2 addition); and an ordinance repealing in full Article 3 (Impact Fee Regulations) of Chapter 38 (Subdivisions) of the city code. Each ordinance as read in the meeting carried the statutory penalty language that a violation may be fined up to $2,000 per offense. The consent agenda passed unanimously.

Action item Z-2024-055, a second-reading vote on an SUP to allow accessory structures that exceed the normally permitted accessory-area limits at 2348 Saddle Brook Lane (Lot 13, Block A, Saddle Brook Estates No. 2), was moved by Councilmember Campbell and seconded by Councilmember Thomas. The ordinance passed on second reading, 6-1; Councilmember Jorf cast the sole vote against the motion.

Action item Z-2024-060, a second-reading rezoning request submitted by Michael Ryan Joyce of Michael Joyce Properties, sought to change a collection of tracts totaling about 519.5402 acres to Planned Development 103 with a mixture of single-family SF-10 and general retail uses. The council voted to approve the rezoning on second reading by a 4-3 margin. The transcript records the vote as four in favor and three opposed; two of the opposing members named in the record are Campbell and McCallum; the transcript includes one additional opposing vote that is not clearly identified by name in the record.

Councilmembers asked no extended policy questions on the record during the votes; both Z-2024-055 and Z-2024-060 were handled as second readings with motions to approve followed by roll-call votes.

City Manager (name not specified) delivered routine reports at the end of the meeting, telling council members that "The reports are in your packet. I'll be happy to answer any questions that you might have." The manager also said staff were preparing for potential winter-storm activity and asked residents to weatherproof homes and "strip their faucets." The manager noted an upcoming dedication for Amanda Rochel Elementary on Sunday and said staff would send updates about Rockwall County Days and a chamber launch via email.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:07 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Z-2024-055 (SUP, 2348 Saddle Brook Lane) — Approved on second reading, vote 6-1 (Nay: Jorf). Z-2024-060 (Rezoning to PD-103, ~519.5402 acres; applicant: Michael Ryan Joyce, Michael Joyce Properties) — Approved on second reading, vote 4-3 (Opposed: Campbell, McCallum; one opposing vote not clearly identified in the transcript). Consent ordinances (4 items including impact-fee repeal) — Approved unanimously.