Council amends PD‑78 to allow side‑entry garages on large Discovery Lakes lots, removes flat‑front requirement for Type A

The Rockwall City Council approved Z2025‑066, an amendment to Planned Development District (PD) 78 covering Discovery Lakes Phase 1 (approximately 316.315 acres). Staff said the applicant requested that side‑entry garages be allowed on the larger Type A lots (about three‑quarters of an acre) after the city updated the Unified Development Code to better define garage orientation types. Planning and Zoning recommended approval 6–0 with Commissioner Hastings absent and staff reported one written support among 57 notices mailed to nearby property owners.

During the public hearing, applicant representative Amanda O’Neil said builders prefer side‑entry orientations to accommodate lot widths and create more varied street frontages. Council members discussed density and design: several expressed a desire for fewer 60‑foot lots overall and endorsed side‑entry and J‑swing designs for what they described as higher‑end, larger lots. The mayor moved to approve the amendment, specifically adding side‑entry garage language to the ordinance and removing flat‑front entries for Type A lots; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Staff noted the change modifies only garage‑orientation language and does not alter other development standards in the PD. The ordinance as read carries a standard penalty and effective‑date language; council will rely on the Unified Development Code and the PD exhibits to implement the change at plat/site‑plan stages.