Board approves renovation plans for 501 Munson Street with conditions

The Historic Preservation Advisory Board approved a certificate of appropriateness for proposed exterior repairs at a medium‑contributing property at 501 Munson Street in Old Town Rockwall, with conditions to preserve the house’s historic appearance.

City planning staff explained the application (H2025‑020) sought permission to replace deteriorated siding with 6‑inch smart lap siding to be painted white, replace a mix of aluminum and one original wood window with vinyl windows, and replace rotted porch decking. Staff noted many features had been altered previously and that 27 notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet.

Bevan Locke, the contractor representing the absent owner, said the owner and contractor held two neighborhood meetings and were prepared to reinstall the front porch railing and to accept the board’s guidance on whether windows should be plain glass or gridded. "On the windows, the client's not phased either way ... they just would like to update the windows," Locke said.

Board members asked staff to ensure that window encasements remain and discussed tying the new windows’ gridding to the pattern on the side windows to preserve a more historic look. A member moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness as proposed, subject to reinstating the porch railing, matching the gridded pattern on the side windows and retaining the outer encasements; the motion carried.

The approval allows the owner to proceed with the described repairs under the board’s conditions; staff and the contractor will follow up on final details and construction permitting.