NEWS

Thursday, November 8, 2001

Colleyville City Council Tables Wood Shingle Ordinance

COLLEYVILLE COUNCIL TABLES WOOD SHINGLE ORDINANCE…by Linda Newton

In a 5-0 vote Tuesday night the Colleyville City Council decided to table the ordinance prohibiting the use of wood shingle material on new residential and commercial construction in the city. The fires on October 2^nd that destroyed two homes in the Woodland Hills subdivision prompted the consideration of the ordinance.

As originally written the ordinance would have banned the use of any type of wood shingle roofing material.  However, after meeting with citizens on October 29^th, the city staff prepared a revised version of the ordinance that addressed the issue of partial roof replacements.  Although the original ordinance was intended to apply only to new construction, residents raised questions at the October 29^th meeting concerning the enforcement of the ordinance when replacing only a portion of a roof. 

Approximately 20% (1,239) of the homes in Colleyville currently have wood shingles.  There have been several efforts over the last ten years to restrict the use of untreated wood shingles.  During the discussion Tuesday night it was recommended that additional research be completed on alternatives to banning their use before voting on the ordinance.  Councilman Brad Rice commented that “bad legislation comes out of over-reaction to an incident”.  City Manager Bill Lindley told the council that staff would be looking into the use of treated shingles in surrounding cities.

In other action the council approved a contract in the amount of $88,000 with Dannenbaum Engineering Corporation to update the Water System Master Plan.  The plan has not been updated since 1994.  The vote was 4-1 with Councilman Joe Hocutt voting nay. 

The council also appointed Vince Rosen to serve on the Metroport Teen Court Advisory Board, and named Councilman Joe Hocutt as council liaison to the Board.  

The next regular Colleyville City Council meeting will be Tuesday, November 27, 2001.  It was rescheduled from November 20^th due to the Thanksgiving holiday.