Council approves Rayburn‑backed entertainment venue with conditions after neighborhood outcry

The Rockwall City Council voted 5–2 on May 18 to grant a special‑use permit for a proposed regional entertainment campus that would include restaurants, bowling, arcade space and a golf driving range with tall netting and lighted poles. The project is proposed on a 39.525‑acre tract at the northwest corner of S. Goliad Street and Sids Road on land owned by Rayburn Electric Cooperative.

Mayor Tim McCallum moved to approve the permit after staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission presented the applicant’s concept plans and operational conditions. Councilmember Jeffers seconded the motion; the measure passed 5–2, with Councilwoman Campbell and Councilmember Alaris voting no.

Developer Tony Winkler and Rayburn Electric’s representative David Naylor told council the venue aims to serve local families and provide new recreation and dining options. Winkler said the facility would be smaller than national driving‑range chains and pledged community benefits including youth scholarships; Naylor said Rayburn will be landlord and partner in the project.

Nearby residents gave extended public comment opposing the proposal, focusing on light trespass from high‑mounted LED fixtures and the visibility of tall netting. Justin Alpa and Jeffrey Lowe, who live in Flagstone Creek/Flagstone Estates near the site, argued the facility’s outfield poles and illuminated nets — industry examples often 150 feet or taller — would breach Rockwall’s residential photometric limits and be visible from homes across the adjacent six‑lane highway. Lowe asked the council to require an independent photometric study and legally enforceable shutdown provisions if light levels exceed code at the property line.

Staff said the Unified Development Code requires full cut‑off, downward‑directed fixtures and a photometric plan demonstrating that residential property lines receive no more than 0.0 foot‑candles and commercial property lines no more than 0.2 foot‑candles. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a 3–2 vote, and staff emphasized the case remains discretionary.

In deliberations, council members balanced residents’ concerns against the city’s economic goals. Several members said a major, well‑maintained entertainment venue could be a regional draw and expand dining and event capacity in Rockwall. Councilmember Henson and others urged firm operational conditions to limit impacts.

The final approval includes an explicit operational condition capping the preferred pole height at 150 feet while allowing staff to approve up to 200 feet where required by engineering calculations that demonstrate the higher poles are necessary to contain balls and meet safety requirements. The ordinance also requires submission and city approval of photometrics, lighting cut sheets and a detailed site plan during the site‑plan review process. Staff said those site‑plan materials will be reviewed by Planning and Zoning and must demonstrate compliance with the city’s dark‑sky and light‑trespass standards before building permits are issued.

Mayor McCallum and others said the council will hold the applicants to the photometric plan and other operational restrictions; Rayburn’s role as landowner and public‑facing partner was repeatedly cited as a factor in council members’ votes.

The council directed staff to incorporate the motions and operational conditions into an amended ordinance for second reading. The vote was 5–2; council recorded Councilwoman Campbell and Councilmember Alaris as dissenting.