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Board approves half basketball court at 406 William despite neighbor concerns about easement and parking
Summary
The HPAB approved a COA for a half basketball sports court at 406 William St., requiring an updated exhibit with the paving permit; neighbors raised concerns that the cleared area resembled a parking lot and worried about possible commercial/office use and use of an unimproved easement, but the applicant said the court is for family use and will have no lighting.
The Rockwall Historic Preservation Advisory Board voted 4–1 on Sept. 19 to approve a certificate of appropriateness for a half basketball sports court at 406 William St., with a condition that the applicant provide an updated exhibit showing the court location to accompany his paving permit.
Applicant Clay Shipman, who identified himself and an address outside Rockwall, told the board the court would sit at the rear of his property adjacent to the park, have no dedicated lighting and be used by his family. “I don’t intend on using it as an office,” Shipman said, adding that he has materials ready and that the project would be primarily for his children and relatives.
Neighbors spoke at length. A resident who said she lives one door down described seeing dump trucks and rebar and said the cleared area “looked like a parking lot,” asking whether the property might be converted to an office or used for commercial parking. Staff answered that the property is zoned single‑family and that rezoning to commercial in this context would constitute impermissible spot zoning; staff also noted enforcement tools and possible fines for violations.
Board members questioned whether lighting or other visible changes were planned; staff reminded the applicant that any dedicated lighting would require a special use permit and that the board’s review focused on visibility and setback issues. The approval was conditioned on providing an updated exhibit to demonstrate setbacks for the paving permit.
The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with permit filings and installation provided the required exhibit and paving permit comply with setback and historic‑district standards.
