Park board approves Southside Hills Phase 1 plat, accepts 11.6-acre park donation

The Rockwall Parks and Recreation Board unanimously approved the final plat and site plan for Phase 1 of the Southside Hills subdivision and accepted an 11.6-acre park donation in lieu of cash-in-lieu land fees.

Staff told the board the proposal covers 284 single-family lots on about 262.94 acres and that the applicant, Brian Kramer of CCD Rockwell LLC, will donate the 11.6-acre park and fully amenitize it according to the approved Planned Development District (PD 99) and the alternative tree mitigation settlement. Staff listed cash-in-lieu land fees at $996.38 per lot (total $282,971.92) and pro rata equipment fees that total $241,811.80, for combined assessed fees of $524,641.72. The applicant has proposed $1,250,000 in park improvements; staff said that level of investment “substantially satisfies the pro rata equipment fees.”

Board members asked questions about plan changes and whether the site plan matched prior submissions. Staff said the layout is similar to previous conceptual material and that additional design details will return to the board as the project moves beyond concept. Amenities described for the donated park included an 8-foot concrete hike-and-bike trail, playground, plaza, covered pavilion, picnic areas, benches, landscaping, a lake overlook and a rock-skipping station.

A board member moved to approve the final plat including assessment of parkland dedication, pro rata equipment fees and cash-in-lieu fees; the motion carried unanimously. Later the board voted 7–0 to accept the park donation and site plan recommendation to forward to city council as appropriate.

The board’s approval is a recommendation on the plat/site plan and park improvements; the city council has final authority over zoning/platting matters and will review ordinances and any required administrative approvals in subsequent steps.