The Colony · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in The Colony public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 kept the proposed tax rate flat at $0.63 per $100 and set hearings for August 18. Because taxable values fell about 1.1%, the city expects roughly $270,000 less revenue — and homeowners with expiring homestead caps may see bills rise even as values drop.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.