CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECAP - 07/28/26 TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKER: Zack King, AICP - Director of Planning & Development

Hello, I'm Zack King, Director of Planning and Development, with a recap of the July 28 City Council meeting.

Council received an update from Public Works Director Bryan Creed on the City's major capital improvement projects.

The Hubbard Drive Improvement Project remains on schedule for completion within the contract by December 2026. Recent milestones include completion of the water line, ongoing work at the Larry Drive intersection, continued concrete pouring, and installation of most of the storm drainage boxes.

The City's Water Plan also continues to make significant progress. 

Design work is underway for Wells 2 through 4. Design continues for the new three-million-gallon storage tank, and procurement is complete on the new one-and-a-half-million-gallon elevated storage tank.

The Terry Lane Rehabilitation Project is now complete, and work is moving forward on the new sidewalk. Surveying and preliminary layout have been completed, design is underway, and Rockwall County has dedicated the remaining rehabilitation funds to help construct the sidewalk. 

Progress also continues on the Hubbard Trail project. The current segment requires an easement from the City of Dallas along the causeway, which has advanced to the Dallas City Council agenda process, and a survey has been commissioned.

The Candlelite Fire Flow Project is now 50 percent complete, with the remaining projects in the program currently in engineering.

Construction of the new Public Works Facility is nearing completion, and the new Department of Public Safety Stations 30 and 31 remain on schedule for completion next spring.

Five public hearings related to zoning and land use requests were on the agenda.

The first request, for rezoning a property at 400 Heathland Crossing, was withdrawn by the applicant, and Council formally accepted the withdrawal.

Council then approved a zoning change for approximately 4.1 acres at 400 Heathland Crossing and 1500 Laurence Drive. The request eliminates split zoning on the property and allows construction of a new home while ensuring that the 4.1-acre tract cannot be subdivided further.

Council approved a companion item which was a request to change the Future Land Use Map for these properties from Medium Density Residential to Rural Estate. Council cited this request as being in alignment with the City's Comprehensive Plan that encourages estate size lots.

Council also approved zoning requests for 20- and 40-acre tracts within the Heath Golf and Yacht Club, changing the zoning from Agricultural to Single-Family Residential with a minimum lot size of one-acre. 

These properties will be developed in accordance with the 2013 Heath Golf and Yacht Club Master Development Agreement, which includes trail improvements.

Council approved the final plat for Founders Reserve, located along Laurence Drive across from Rockwall Heath High School. The subdivision includes just over 22 acres and will feature 18 single-family residential lots, with each being one acre or larger. The development includes a trail and complies with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and parkland dedication ordinance.

Council held the first public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Budget and Municipal Services Plan and scheduled the next required public hearing for August 11. You can find the proposed budget on the City website.

To help fund future water system improvements, Council approved submitting a grant application to the Texas Water Development Board. 

If awarded, the funding would support key water supply and infrastructure projects identified in the City's Water Plan.

Council concluded the meeting by appointing and reappointing citizens to serve on City Boards and Commissions. Once the appointments are accepted, we'll recognize these individuals publicly.

Thank you for staying engaged with your hometown. 

As always, if you have questions, please contact us at City Hall. Have a great week!