Planning and Zoning Commission approves site plan for Rockwall Downtown Lofts development – Blue Ribbon News
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Suggested location of the rockwall.com development site
ROCKWALL, TX – July 28, 2021 – Last night, the Rockwall Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site plan with a 6-1 vote for the 263 unit Development of the Rockwall Downtown Lofts on the corner of SH-66 and Alamo Road near Downtown Square. The property is across from the Rockwall Police Department.
The proposed development will include 170 one-bedroom, 86 two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom units with an average of 850 square feet. The developer is also proposing secure parking for the Rockwall Police and will provide a dedicated right turn lane along SH-66 and a slowdown lane along South Alamo Road. Features include a resort swimming pool in the center of the property, a two-story resort-style fitness center, and gated parking with camera surveillance for residents. A sky lounge on the fourth level on the south side of the property will overlook the lake.
P&Z Commission Chairman Eric Chodun had the only vote against approving the site plan, stating that, in his opinion, the development did not meet the requirements of urban residential use, which zoned the property.
“I don’t think urban residential is defined for this type of development,” said Chodun. “I have a problem with that and I think the community supports my opinion on it. I think it is in the best interests of the community to deny this. “
According to Rockwall City Planning Director Ryan Miller, urban residential land use for the Central Business District (CBD) was adopted with two provisions:
- Urban living includes residential developments that are at least partially oriented towards streets, public sidewalks or communal open spaces or that are located above retail, office or service uses.
- Urban residential on the ground floor should have direct access to a sidewalk via a flight of stairs or a landing, and a majority of the parking spaces should be in a building.
Miller said the form-based code has remained unchanged since its adoption and until the time the applicant submitted its proposal for the Rockwall Downtown Lofts development in 2018.
Despite numerous local residents speaking out against the building at the meeting’s open forum session, the majority of the P&Z commission members voted in favor because the building meets all the requirements of the city center’s form-based code and complies with the land terms of use set out in the UDC (Unified Development Code) of the city are specified.
“It’s extremely difficult when you look and listen and understand where everyone is from,” said P&Z Vice Chairman Jerry Welch. “One of the reminders is that this is the first step, this is a map, so there is still a lot to do and a lot of permits to get. I counted 27 required standards and each standard was checked for compliance. This is a technical body and there are certain things that we can and cannot enforce. “
Tony Austin, the builder of the proposed apartment, raised residents’ concerns during the meeting.
“I feel with their worries. I am also a resident of this community, I love this community. I think this project will be very useful for our community. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t see fit. We have worked very hard with the city on this project for the past two years to meet all requirements. We tried to be very sensitive to all issues in the city. I apologize that we can’t keep everyone happy, but I firmly believe this is the right project at the right time for the City of Rockwall, ”said Austin.
“Ultimately, my aim is to do the right thing, as far as the city has agreed, as long as it is in accordance with the laws and rules that we have here,” said Commissioner Sedric Thomas. “This project goes with everything. This is a difficult situation for all of us. “
click here to see the meeting in its entirety.
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