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Historic board allows painted brick at 501 E. Kaufman in 4–1 vote
Summary
After an emotional public testimony, the Historic Preservation Advisory Board voted 4–1 to allow existing painted brick at 501 E. Kaufman Street to remain, stipulating that any further painting must be a solid white and approving a small railing and corbels.
The Rockwall City Historic Preservation Advisory Board voted 4–1 to allow painted brick to remain at 501 East Kaufman Street and to permit a porch railing and corbels, with a condition that any future painting of brick be limited to a solid white color.
Staff introduced H2025-021 for a non-contributing property constructed in 1995. Neighborhood Improvement Services had initiated a proactive code case after the owner painted previously unpainted brick. Staff noted the historic guidelines discourage painting natural, previously unpainted masonry and that paint is effectively irreversible; staff said paint colors are not subject to board approval but that the board must address the alteration because it involved masonry on a property within 200 feet of a high-contributing property. Notices: 19 mailed on November 3; staff received one emailed response in opposition.
Owner Shannon Barton spoke in favor of allowing the work to remain and provided personal context: she has lived in the house 25–26 years, said she recently underwent major surgery and a cancer diagnosis and that she used her savings to update the interior and paint the exterior because she wanted to enjoy her home. "I spent a whole lot of money to paint my house... I can't afford to go back and repaint it," Barton said, asking the board to allow her to finish the project and to permit a small railing and decorative corbels on the porch.
Board members debated options: denying the certificate would require paint removal (sandblasting), but staff cautioned sandblasting would not restore the brick to its original appearance and could leave the house looking worse. Several members referenced similar painted-brick cases in the district; staff and board noted this property is non-contributing, which distinguishes it from prior contributing-property cases. One board member stated a general policy preference against painting brick, while others expressed concern about the harm sandblasting could cause.
A motion to allow the existing painted brick to remain, require that any further painting of brick be a single solid white color, and permit the applicant's proposed railing and corbels passed 4–1. The dissenting vote came from a member who reiterated opposition to painting brick on principle. Staff will process the certificate and permits under the board's conditions.
