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Rockwall council denies request to allow alternative siding on manufactured-home replacement
Summary
After a public hearing and executive-session consultation, the council unanimously denied Tammy Underwood’s request to permit LP Smart Panel siding in place of the PD 75 requirement for cementitious (Hardie) siding on a one-time manufactured-home replacement.
The Rockwall City Council voted unanimously Sept. 2 to deny MIS2025-012, a special-request by Tammy Underwood to allow LP Smart Panel siding instead of the cementitious (Hardie) siding required under Plan Development District 75 for a one-time manufactured-home replacement at 203 Lynn Drive.
Planning staff told the council that PD 75 allows a one-time replacement if several criteria are met, including that the new manufactured home be affixed to a permanent foundation, have a minimum roof pitch, and use 90% masonry or cementitious exterior materials (for example, Hardie board). Staff noted that the applicant removed the prior home without first pulling a permit, which prevented staff from verifying compliance before the move. Planning staff said five previous one-time replacement permits since 2019 had met the ordinance requirements without exceptions.
Tammy Underwood, the applicant, said she believed the mobile-home mover would obtain permits and submitted letters from retail manufacturers indicating the product she installed is commonly used and comes with a 50-year limited warranty. She told council that some manufacturers no longer apply Hardie board at the factory and that aftermarket application raised warranty concerns.
Council members debated the visual compatibility and long-term policy implications of allowing an alternate composite panel in Lake Rockwall Estates. Several members expressed concern about setting a precedent that could weaken PD 75’s intent to move the area toward site-built-appearance homes. After a brief executive-session consultation, Mayor resumed the meeting and moved to deny the special request on the grounds the one-time replacement requirements were not met; Council member Thomas seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The council record and staff packet note that the city council has the authority under PD 75 to grant special exceptions, but that this request was discretionary and required only a simple majority. The denial leaves the city's PD 75 exterior-material requirement in place for future replacement permit reviews.
