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Rockwall City Council adopts 2026 update to "Our Hometown Vision 2040" to prioritize lower-density housing and downtown preservation
Summary
The Rockwall City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2026 update to the Our Hometown Vision 2040 comprehensive plan, shifting the city s density calculation from gross to net acreage, adding low-density acreage and directing future downtown preservation and corridor strategies.
The Rockwall City Council unanimously approved the 2026 update to the city comprehensive plan, Our Hometown Vision 2040, after a public hearing and council discussion on July 20.
Staff planner Ryan summarized the changes, saying the update moves the city from a gross-density to a net-density calculation and "thereby lowered the densities we allow" while increasing low-density residential acreage by 3,483 acres and reducing medium-density residential acreage by 3,959 acres. He also told council the plan reduces mixed-use by 247 acres and increases a "live/work" designation by 71.67 acres to help transition commercial areas to nearby neighborhoods.
Mayor McCallum framed the update as the central reason he sought office, telling the council and audience, "This was the number 1 reason I ran for mayor" and arguing the plan will protect neighborhood character by raising minimum lot sizes to 10,000 square feet and discouraging cul-de-sacs in favor of curvilinear street patterns. He said the changes reflect a desire to make Rockwall "family friendly instead of being developer friendly."
During the public hearing resident Robert Wacker urged clearer document presentation and urged the council to finish a master thoroughfare plan because he said the city may assume additional roadway responsibilities from TxDOT as Rockwall grows. Ryan confirmed the changes were developed in-house and were reviewed by a CPAC committee and the Planning & Zoning Commission, which recommended approval by a 6-0 vote.
Council members offered mostly supportive remarks, with Councilmember Lewis expressing concern the 10,000-square-foot minimum could make housing less affordable for younger buyers, saying it gave him "heartburn," but he indicated he would support the update. Councilwoman Campbell and Councilmember Hageman praised the work of volunteers and staff and highlighted the plan's attention to downtown preservation and infrastructure.
Mayor McCallum made the motion to adopt Z2026-030; Councilmember Henson seconded. An ordinance was read into the record and the council voted to approve the comprehensive plan update unanimously.
What happens next: the council adopted the ordinance during the July 20 meeting. If the council or staff proceed with rezonings, site plans or zoning code changes to implement parts of the plan, those actions will return to the council as separate cases.
