The Colony · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in The Colony public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Purchasing policy modernization
Updates to the city's purchasing policy clarify cardholder rules, add retainage and surplus property procedures, explain construction sales tax exemptions, and create a signature authority matrix with dollar thresholds.
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.
Grandscape Fountain Digital Art Conversion
The dormant Grandscape fountain will be replaced with nine programmable LED art columns that dim at night, keeping the space lively without disturbing nearby restaurants or the apartment tower.
Grandscape July 3 fireworks exemption
Grandscape got permission to launch fireworks at 10:40 p.m. on July 3, an exception to the usual 10 p.m. noise cutoff — deliberately the night before the city's own Liberty by the Lake show.
U-Haul auto rental at South Colony Blvd
A proposed U-Haul rental operation in a shopping center suite near South Colony Blvd was delayed after the applicant pulled the item for more study. The public hearing stays open until May 26.
The Rustic restaurant conversion at Grandscape
The former Lava Cantina space is becoming The Rustic, with a new entry trellis and canopy approved. The use shifts from event-focused to a restaurant with small indoor live performances.
LED Screen Purchase for Events
The Economic Development Corporation is funding a $103,073.50 16:9 LED screen from Musco Sports Lighting — presumably for community events and watch parties.
Energy Code Renewable Energy Amendment
The council repealed local energy code sections that required renewable energy systems and renewable energy certificates for new commercial construction.
Traffic detection equipment contract
The city is spending $292,500 on intelligent transportation systems detection equipment through a cooperative purchasing contract.
Library Board vacancy and appointment
Joanna Krueger resigned from the Library Board, and Sydney Chastine was appointed to fill her Place 5 seat through June 2027.
Public safety dispatcher recognition
The city celebrated its 911 dispatch team: director Tonya Nyer won a statewide Operations Professional of the Year award, two dispatchers earned a scholarship to a national conference, and two received Silent Hero awards.
Gateway Standards Waiver Flexibility
New rules make it easier to redevelop small or awkward lots along 423 and SH 121 — shorter landscape buffers, alternative dumpster enclosures (but no wood fencing), and sign landscaping swaps — while keeping the Gateway district's high design bar.
Boating Concession at Stewart Creek Park
After problems with boat operators misusing park passes, the city is formalizing things: DFW Boat Charters becomes the authorized concessionaire for recreational boating at Stewart Creek Park.
Winter Storm Fern response recognition
Public Works got a mayoral proclamation and $200 bonuses for the January ice storm response: 1,211 man-hours, 213 lane miles cleared, 26 tons of salt and 70 tons of sand. Business owners told the council The Colony's roads were passable when neighboring cities' weren't.
Library strategic plan and accreditation
The library's 2026-2030 strategic plan was adopted, keeping its state accreditation (and the grants that come with it). The library won a statewide excellence award for the seventh straight year and is planning for a future renovation — it's out of shelf and program space.
7204 Main Street parking lot
A 35-space parking lot will be built to bring an existing Main Street medical office building up to code, including demolition of an unused 1,900-square-foot building.
Stewart Creek Park Host agreement update
The city updated its Park Host contract for Stewart Creek Park, spelling out which maintenance tasks hosts handle versus city staff, and moving to a three-year term.
Kilo Steakhouse patio expansion
The Grandscape steakhouse is enclosing its existing patio and adding a covered one, giving diners more outdoor seating options.
Legislative Consulting Contract Extension
The city is paying $18,000 to extend its lobbyist, Desk 138 LLC, through March 2026 to represent The Colony's interests in Austin during the legislative session.