Update: The city of Highland Village’s heart grew three sizes Tuesday.
The city announced that it is reversing course regarding a controversial stance on a seemingly innocuous activity: decorating trees along city streets.
The city had said on social media Monday night that such holiday decorations are against city code and staff would remove them. That post drew a lot of criticism from residents, who commented with Grinch GIFs and comparisons to Flower Mound, which allows residents to decorate S.T.A.R.s (Sad Trees Along Roadways).
After considering the feedback, the city changed its mind, it announced Tuesday.
“Highland Village, we apologize. Last night we were visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. When we woke up and looked in the mirror we saw Scrooge. The wind blew our way and we realized we stink, stank, stunk. Please accept our apology, we will not be enforcing the City Code regarding Christmas tree decorations in the right-of-way,” the city said.
Highland Village is asking residents to abide by a few rules, the same ones Flower Mound has:
- Avoid trees on roads managed by TxDOT, which are FM 407 and FM 2499. Choose a less busy, safer roadway.
- Be sure your decorations do not block visibility and don’t endanger yourself or others to decorate the tree.
- Please secure all decorations so they can withstand all types of weather and remove the decorations on your tree on or before Jan. 3.
“We have seen the error of our ways and have chosen joy this holiday season!” a city spokesperson said.
Original story: The city of Highland Village is discouraging residents from decorating trees along public streets in the city.
Unlike neighboring towns like Flower Mound — which has embraced residents’ desire to spread Christmas cheer by decorating S.T.A.R.s (Sad Trees Along Roadways) — Highland Village will be removing such decorations. The city posted on social media Monday that city code prohibits placing privately owned items, such as holiday decorations, in the public right-of-way.
“Besides, it’s just not safe,” the social media post said, adding that Code Enforcement employees will be taking down such decorations. The post got a lot of attention from residents, who commented with Grinch GIFs and comparisons to Flower Mound’s S.T.A.R.s.
“Not to be a complete Scrooge, if you want to see holiday decorations in other places, watch here for the Parade of Lights Holiday Lighting Contest winners,” the city said in the social media post.
