A Rockwall-based homebuilder wants to reconfigure land in Heath's Hilltop Estates subdivision into two large estate lots, adding to a series of large-lot residential approvals in the city this summer.
Dean Cathey of Cathey Custom Homes, who has built homes in Rockwall County for more than 40 years according to the company's website, filed a replat request asking the Heath Planning & Zoning Commission to combine Tracts 3 and a portion of Tract 9 in Hilltop Estates into two new parcels: Lot 3R at 4.2 acres and Lot 9R at 3.86 acres, according to the commission's Aug. 13 agenda. Both lots would remain zoned for single-family residential use.
The combined 8.06 acres sit in the W.W. Ford Survey, Abstract 80, within Heath city limits in Rockwall County.
The commission can act on the replat, listed as Case No. RP-26-7, at its Thursday, Aug. 13 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Heath City Hall, 200 Laurence Drive. The item falls under "Items for Individual Consideration" rather than a public hearing, meaning commissioners could approve or deny it that evening. City Secretary Norma Duncan posted the agenda on Aug. 7.
Fits Heath's large-lot pattern
The proposed lot sizes align with Heath's 2025 Comprehensive Plan, which designates "Rural Estate" as the land-use category for minimum 3-acre lots and encourages large undeveloped tracts to develop under the city's SFE-3.0 Residential Estate District regulations. The plan caps residential density at one dwelling unit per acre of developable land.
The replat follows the Heath City Council's July 28 approval of the final plat for Founders Reserve, an 18-lot estate subdivision on Laurence Drive, and a rezoning of 60 acres at the Heath Golf and Yacht Club from agricultural to residential.
Infrastructure upgrades planned
Hilltop Estates is also on the city's infrastructure list. In April 2026, the Heath City Council approved an engineering design contract with Freeman-Millican, Inc. for water line and fire hydrant upgrades across nine subdivisions, including Hilltop Estates. That contract, not to exceed $559,685, carries an estimated 24-month construction timeline.
The work has not started yet.
If the P&Z Commission recommends approval on Aug. 13, the replat would move to the Heath City Council for final action. Residents who want to address the commission can sign in before the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at 200 Laurence Drive.
