The Colony · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in The Colony public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.