Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in The Colony public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
Accessory structure rules and lot coverage limits
The city currently bans 'mother-in-law suites' on most single-family lots. Council is exploring allowing them with strict limits — owner-occupied, no rentals, big-lot-only — to help multigenerational families, but parking and wastewater capacity worries remain.
Election Sign Ordinance Cleanup
Old sign ordinances don't fit the reality of city property serving as polling sites — candidates were confused during early voting. Council wants a full review and update after the first of the year.
Carr Street pavement reconstruction
Carr Street from Chapman to Main Street — the subject of many resident complaints — is getting a full concrete rebuild thanks to a $505,287 contract with the low bidder. Expect construction detours and temporary parking changes from this summer through March 2027.
New Recreation Center CMAR and renovation timeline
Thirteen firms competed to be the construction manager at risk for the new rec center; four were interviewed and a winner is being finalized. The pick saves about a month versus the normal approval process, with the full construction contract coming back to the board around July.
Annex Parking Congestion During Early Voting
Early voting crowds are filling every spot at the Annex, making it hard for library patrons to visit. Council asked staff to look at shifting detective parking to open more stalls.
Auto parts and accessory sales SUP at 4177 Main Street
The commission took the first step toward allowing an auto parts and accessories shop (inside sales only) at the Lone Star Car Wash development near Main Street and Ridgepointe Drive. The actual business would still need a separate specific use permit hearing, where operating details will be set.
Precious metals and coin dealer SUP at 5000 Main Street
KC Gold, Silver and Rare Coins is relocating to the Shops at Colony and needs a specific use permit to operate. Staff added conditions to keep it from becoming a pawn shop, and the police department will review security at the certificate-of-occupancy stage.
Crossing guard pay and school-year services
The city renewed crossing guard services for 2026-27 at $153,430.20 — the same meeting a resident asked that guards get a raise.
Oncor Electrical Infrastructure and Street Lighting
Nearly $290,000 in solar street lights will be installed on Memorial Drive between Standridge Drive and FM 423.
FM 423 median lighting repairs
58 light fixtures along the 3.75-mile stretch of FM 423 are damaged or dark. A $382,000 contract will fix them all, with work done in four to six weeks.
Blue Sky Sports Center litigation resolution and asset sale
The city consented to the sale of Blue Sky's building and assets, resolving the TOCA Colony v. Blue Sky litigation. Terms were worked out in closed session.
Palace Parkway, LLC lease and Chapter 380 incentive agreement
The council approved a lease and Chapter 380 economic incentive deal with Palace Parkway, LLC after closed-session deliberation — a business development agreement whose details remain confidential for now.
NTTA law enforcement services agreement
With DPS gone from the tollway, The Colony police will formally cover NTTA property and get reimbursed up to $672,068 over two years — money in, not out.
City Facility Energy Upgrades (Schneider Electric)
Council directed staff toward a $50,000 detailed energy audit with Schneider Electric. The company projects $80,000-$100,000 in annual utility savings that could fund $4-5 million in lighting, HVAC, and controls upgrades over 20 years — with savings guaranteed by the contractor.
CDC Sales Tax Revenue Bonds Series 2026
The CDC wants to issue roughly $39 million in sales tax revenue bonds over 30 years to fund a prioritized list of park projects — rec center renovation, pickleball expansion, athletic complexes, and aquatic upgrades — instead of funding them piecemeal. Both boards agreed on the 30-year structure with intent to pay off early; final numbers come in June.
Grandscape PID Annual Assessment
Businesses inside Grandscape will pay $980,616.89 in special assessments next year to fund enhanced police, traffic, and maintenance services — residents don't pay this. A public hearing is set for September 15.
Amarco HQ Office Development
A rare new office project: a three-story, 17,679-square-foot headquarters building for the Amarco real estate corporation in the Business Park district, bringing daytime business traffic to The Colony.
Automobile Fatality Memorial Markers
New city rules let families of traffic fatality victims request a city-installed memorial sign showing the victim's name and date of birth; signs stay up two years and then go to the family. The ordinance responds to a fatal crash on North Colony and concerns from neighbors living near an existing memorial.
Fleet Division Budget Shortfall
Rising fuel and vehicle maintenance costs forced a mid-year $300,000 transfer from the general fund's contingency to the Public Works Fleet Division — a sign of inflation pressures on basic city services.
Animal Cruelty Arrest Transparency Policy
A resident told the story of Miss Piggy, a dog stabbed 31 times in a crate, and asked the city to publicly release names, mugshots and case outcomes for serious animal cruelty arrests. Councilmember Wade said the police department handles 600-700 cases a month and can't post updates on every felony case, pointing residents to open records requests.
Atmos Energy Gas Rate Increase
The council signed off on a negotiated settlement letting Atmos raise system-wide rates by $260.5 million — about $13.37 more per month for the average home starting October 1. Cities negotiated the ask down from $291.1 million.
Gateway Centre North PD-30 amendments
A 73,000-square-foot office-warehouse-retail project is coming to 3.6 acres on Memorial Drive, with a committed distribution center and flex space. Parking rules and landscaping address concerns about roll-up door loading conflicting with customer parking.
FY2027 Property Tax Rate and Budget
The city is keeping the property tax rate flat at $0.63 per $100 — 26 straight years without an increase — while cutting $800,000 from the general fund, freezing hiring, trimming raises to 1-2%, and saving up for a $126 million wastewater plant expansion. Formal adoption is set for September 1.
FY2027 Property Tax Rate
The council adopted a flat $0.63 tax rate with a quarter-cent cut from the original proposal, saving the median homeowner a few dollars a year but costing the city about $190,000. The budget passed with cuts already baked in from declining home values, and two council members argued the money would be better spent on streets and sidewalks.
New City Fee Schedule
Development fees jump about 30% October 1 — still below neighboring cities — alongside parks fee changes and new film permit fees as The Colony courts film productions.
Amarco HQ office building in Business Park district
A new three-story, 17,679-square-foot office building is headed for City Council with a favorable recommendation. It will serve as Amarco's corporate headquarters with a law office tenant, bringing more business activity to the Standridge Drive area near the 121 corridor.
Short-term rental inspection fee
The $500 annual inspection fee for short-term rentals survived its review. With about 115 active rentals, the fee covers whole-house fire inspections and matches what nearby cities charge.
Data Center Regulations (SI26-0003)
The Colony now has rules on the books for data centers before any developer has asked. They're banned in every zoning district except Planned Development, with a 25-acre minimum, strict noise limits, a 1,000-foot buffer from homes, and required water and power studies. A resident warned these facilities can use up to a million gallons of water a day.
Turner Road Bridge repair
The bridge over the creek is a problem — and for some residents it's the only way in and out. Council added $43,540 for Olsson's design work, with construction expected around $500,000.
Drone as First Responder program
Year one of the $150,000 Flock Safety drone program is funded, plus a state grant helping offset year two and buying catalytic converter etching equipment for free theft-prevention events.
Nonprofit facility lease rates
The Chamber, American Legion and Community Theater have paid $150/month for years. Council set a new rate of $1 per square foot or $150 minimum, whichever is greater, with a reevaluation in a year — a modest bump meant to recoup some utility costs without pricing out the nonprofits.
Sidewalk repair backlog
A resident documented six broken sidewalks reported as far back as 2023 that still haven't been fixed — including one that sent his wife to the ER and another where he fell himself. He called the delays unacceptable for a city with residents who rely on walking.
2026/2027 CIP project list
The CDC board considered its capital project list for the coming fiscal years, funding the new recreation center, athletic field upgrades at BB Owen and Turner parks, playground replacements, and aquatic park renovation phases. These projects shape what parks and facilities residents will have over the next several years.
Bond issuance and special session scheduling
Staff was to update the board on bond issuance timing and dates for special sessions. The bond proceeds fund the new recreation center, athletic fields, and other voter-approved park projects, and the City Council must also vote after the CDC's special sessions.
2026/2027 CDC operational budget
The board considered the CDC's operational budget for the coming year, covering transfers to the parks fund and capital projects fund, incentive payments, and administrative costs. It determines how the CDC's sales tax dollars are deployed annually.
PID Budget Amendment for Landscape Maintenance
Council added $309,553 from PID fund balance to cover extra landscape maintenance and repairs — funded by PID dollars, not the general budget.
Parks Department Fee Increases
Staff proposed raising fees that in many cases haven't changed since before 2011 — rec center and senior memberships, athletics, rentals and Stewart Creek Park — plus ending holiday kids camp sessions and charging disabled veterans for park passes. Council pushed back on the veteran fee.
Flock License Plate Reader Cameras
The city signed a two-year, $126,000 contract with Flock Group for automatic license plate readers — a public safety tool that also raises routine questions about data use.
November 3, 2026 General Election
Council formally called the November election for council Places 3, 4, 5 and 6. Candidate filing runs through August 17 — residents interested in running need to act fast.
SPAN Senior Transportation and Meals on Wheels Funding
The council renewed its $162,049 contract with SPAN for senior rides and Meals on Wheels. Councilmember Ensweiler flagged a $53.30 round-trip cost and two-hour rides; SPAN pledged to work on efficiency and cost per trip.
Regulation of scooters, e-bikes, and pocket bikes
The council adopted new rules after residents complained about kids on motorized bikes speeding past pedestrians on trails and sidewalks. Kids and unlicensed teens are now barred from riding scooters on sidewalks and public property, helmets are required under 18, and pocket bikes are banned from public property entirely. Council members flagged enforcement challenges and plan to revisit the rules with school resource officer input next school year.
Athletic Club water well repair
The city is spending $266,733 to replace the pump at Well No. 3, which is nearing its ten-year lifespan. Keeping the well running avoids costly outages in the water system.
Public Works screening wall scope change
The city will swap a planned $485,000 masonry wall for a $62,603 chain-link fence at the Public Works yard, saving about $422,000 that returns to fund balance. The wastewater plant and Fire Station 2 lot are excluded because the wall would conflict with plant construction.
Opioid abatement funds for recovery housing
The city joined a national settlement with six remaining opioid defendants, which should bring settlement funds to the city for opioid-related costs.
Denco Area 9-1-1 District board seat
The council cast the city's vote to keep former County Commissioner Jim Carter on the Denco 9-1-1 District Board of Managers, with no other candidates having come forward.
SPAN paratransit and meals-on-wheels contract
The SPAN contract for senior and disabled resident services was pulled from the agenda and will be considered August 4.
Garage conversion variance at 5676 Powers Street
A homeowner in The Tribute's Somerset Village is requesting a 5-foot side yard setback variance to build an attached patio cover because their rear yard is mostly driveway. Staff recommends denial, stating that altering master-planned setbacks without formal plan amendments undermines the community's long-term design vision.
Bill Allen Memorial Park erosion repair
A $178,484 contract amendment with CGC General Contractors finishes the stream bank erosion stabilization project at Bill Allen Memorial Park, split between Parks CDC funds and Engineering CIP funds.
Police catalytic converter etching program
A $12,868 budget amendment reimburses the Police Department for catalytic converter etching equipment through a state crime prevention grant — a tool against theft of converters from parked cars.
Motor vehicle crime prevention grant
The city got the green light to apply for up to $550,000 in state grant money aimed at fighting catalytic converter theft.