The Colony · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in The Colony public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grandscape PID Annual Assessment
The annual assessment of roughly $980,617 funds enhanced police, traffic and maintenance services at the 403-acre Grandscape district — paid by the PID, not general property taxpayers. Officials emphasized this keeps Grandscape well-maintained without burdening homeowners.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
The council amended the planned development rules for a 6.5-acre mixed commercial site at Standridge and Memorial, letting buildings in Tract B have roll-up doors facing Memorial Drive and dropping a required cross-access drive. Council members flagged concerns about counting door-front spaces as parking, which will be sorted out at the site-plan stage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opioid abatement funds for recovery housing
The council granted $8,000 of its opioid settlement funds to Next Steps The Colony for recovery housing, leaving $800 in the fund. The nonprofit runs women's and men's recovery houses locally.
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.
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.
Lewisville ISD litigation response
In closed session, the council authorized the city attorney to file an answer in Lewisville ISD v. Deirdre A. Furtado, a Denton County lawsuit naming the city.
Indoor Recreation Center grant application
The city is applying for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Local Park Grant to help fund the Indoor Recreation Center at 4431 Augusta St.
Adoption of 2026 water and wastewater master plans
The city updated its state-required water conservation plan (now dated 2026) with added graphs and policy language to stay eligible for water grants. Residents see no practical change, but the city must match Dallas Water Utilities' restriction stages.
Animal shelter indoor dog play space partnership
The city's animal shelter expansion could include a 400-square-foot indoor play space, with the Friends of the Colony nonprofit raising half the $100,000–$120,000 cost through kennel sponsorships and donor bricks. Council gave favorable direction.
Real property / business prospect letter of intent
After a closed session about an unnamed business prospect, the council directed the city manager to seek a private letter ruling from the State Comptroller's Office — a sign of an economic development deal in the works, though details remain confidential.
U-Haul Auto Rental at Colony Square Shopping Center
A new U-Haul neighborhood dealer would bring truck and trailer rentals to The Colony for the first time, saving residents trips to Plano or Dallas. Commissioners back the business but are worried customers returning trucks won't stay inside the small rear storage area next to single-family homes.
Perryman Park Playground Replacement
The new Perryman playground is nearly complete, with inspection this week. The board picked Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to noon, for a casual popsicles-in-the-park celebration during Parks and Recreation Month.
Pickleball courts opening and parking concerns
The new pickleball courts open within a month, but the board wants to delay the grand opening until the parking lot expansion is done so senior users aren't squeezed out. The courts will be free public play; fees apply only for programmed events.
Retirement of Fire Chief Scott Thompson
The Colony said farewell to Fire Chief Scott Thompson after 17 years leading the department and 40 years in the fire service. The department grew from three firehouses under his tenure, and both the mayor and State Rep. Jared Patterson honored him.
Aquatic Park splash pad replacement questioned
Council Member Joel Marks called the aging Aquatic Park splash pad a money pit with obsolete parts and questioned building a second splash pad half a mile from the free one at Kids Colony. Staff agreed to generalize the line item as an 'aquatic amenity upgrade' rather than a straight replacement.
2026 City Council Budget Retreat
The council is planning its budget retreat for a Saturday in June at City Hall — timed so budget talks happen before the July 1 homestead exemption deadline.
Turner Street Stream Bank Stabilization
A $310,000 construction contract will stabilize the stream bank along Turner Street, addressing erosion and drainage concerns.
Stewart Creek Park RV site improvements
Phase one of RV improvements at Stewart Creek Park is underway, with about $850,000 set aside and a $1 million placeholder for roughly ten new RV sites including premium sites with sewer hookups, a restroom/laundromat building, and showers. The board signaled support to move forward.
Martinizing Cleaners on Main Street
A new two-story dry-cleaning franchise with drive-thru pickup is planned at 7447 Main Street, filling an undeveloped lot in the Gateway Overlay District.
P10P Headquarters Cross-Access Variance Request
The first development on Elm Street since the area left the Gateway Overlay District — two warehouse buildings for a promotional-products company. Council hopes it sparks more redevelopment in that corridor.
EV charging infrastructure at Grandscape
MN8 Energy will convert 13 parking spaces at Grandscape into an EV charging station with five dual-port chargers and six smart poles, responding to growing EV adoption.
Public-Private Partnership Performance Updates
MarineQuest reported Hidden Cove Park improvements including 40 cabin shelters, new restrooms, and a 10-inch water line; Stewart Peninsula Golf converted sand bunkers to grass and was ranked No. 10 among nine-hole courses in Texas.
FY2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
The city's books got a clean bill of health: an unmodified audit opinion, $26.3 million in unassigned fund balance, and only three minor audit adjustments — down significantly from last year.
World Springs Resort Deck Expansion
Consideration of an 8,500-square-foot lounge deck addition at World Springs mineral pool resort to provide extra seating without increasing overall site occupancy.
Yard House Restaurant Remodel at Grandscape
Review of architectural updates, patio enclosure, and a 950-square-foot entrance addition for a new Yard House location replacing Rock & Brews at Grandscape.
Repeat nuisance offense penalties
Some property owners just pay nuisance citations without fixing trash and debris violations. The new ordinance lets fines escalate for repeat offenses within a year, giving municipal court a stronger deterrent.
Gateway Overlay District Standards Waiver Procedures Amendment
The city wants to make it easier to redevelop tight or constrained properties along Main Street and Highway 423 without constant waiver requests. The changes trade rigid dimensional rules (buffer widths, masonry dumpster enclosures, sign landscaping) for performance-based alternatives like denser planting and better screening. City Council has the final say.
B.B. Owen Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant
Great news: the city won a $750,000 matching grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife for B.B. Owen, ranking 15th out of 61 applicants with only 26 funded.
Dogwood Capital Management economic development agreement
Out of closed session, the council approved a performance agreement between The Colony EDC and Dogwood Capital Management, LLC — terms discussed privately, so details are limited, but it's an incentive-backed business deal.
Roadway lifting contract ($350,000)
A $350,000 contract with Kaitlin Kent Enterprises will fund roadway lifting — concrete leveling — at spots around the city, fixing sunken panels without full replacement.