Council approves Emerson Farms zoning changes with requirements for side‑entry garages and three‑car garages

The Rockwall City Council on April 20 approved a rezoning amendment for the Emerson Farms subdivision that will allow side‑entry garages, require wrought‑iron fencing, and raise the minimum house size to 3,000 square feet. The ordinance passed 5–2, with Councilmembers Campbell and Lewis voting no.

The Planning & Zoning Commission presented the proposal, saying the changes would bring the 138.79‑acre PD‑76 into closer alignment with the city’s current Unified Development Code. Staff told council the amendment would add side‑entry garages, update anti‑monotony standards, require tubular‑steel or wrought‑iron fencing, and clarify that each home must have a two‑car garage; staff also recommended increasing the minimum home size from 2,600 to 3,000 square feet.

During the public hearing, a Stone Creek resident, Bob Lacker, urged the council to guard against homeowners inserting bamboo or other infill in wrought‑iron fences and asked whether the city could require HOA language to prevent incompatible materials. Applicant representatives said making the fences mandatory at construction would avoid later disputes and that a five‑foot wrought‑iron fence would reduce costs for buyers.

Mayor Tim McCallum moved approval with staff recommendations plus conditions requiring at least 50% of lots to include side‑entry garages and requiring three‑car garages on all lots; Councilmember Henson seconded the motion. Council discussion focused on consistency with previous neighborhood approvals and the cost implications of mandatory garage sizes. The motion carried 5–2.

The ordinance language adopted amends the plan development district standards for the named tract, provides for a penalty not to exceed $2,000 per offense, and includes a severability clause. The council indicated the decision is discretionary and based on the record provided by staff and P&Z.