At a special Tomball City Council workshop, consultants from Westwood Consulting presented two conceptual approaches for new gateway monumentation and a citywide family of wayfinding signs and asked the council for input on how to proceed. Patrick Owens, a landscape architect with Westwood Consulting, said the project is “about midway through our conceptual design process” and the team is “wide open in this creative process. We'd love your input.”

The debate centered on two primary concepts: a traditional vertical stone monument that adheres to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) sign criteria (kept at a 20-foot maximum) and a larger, perforated-metal-panel concept that could be scaled up if the city can secure waivers or own the property in the TxDOT triangle at the south end of town. "If we can capture that audience from a distance," Owens said of the larger concept, "that would be the ultimate scenario."

Why it matters: the chosen design will shape Tomball’s public identity at its main north, south, east and west entrances and on several secondary sites. Stakeholders and several council members urged designs that distinguish Tomball from the typical stone monuments seen in many Texas towns and that include imagery connected to local history and events.

Council members and the stakeholder group of about 12 people discussed how to balance boldness and maintainability. Councilman Parr said he preferred the stone option, while other council members and several stakeholder representatives said they favored the perforated-metal panels. "We liked concept number 2 better than concept number 1," Amanda Kelly of the Tomball Farmers Market said. Theresa (last name in transcript: "Putts and Latsis") representing local business groups added that stakeholders wanted the design to highlight the city’s seal and festivals such as Germanfest.

Consultants described a primary study area in a TxDOT-owned triangular right of way between State Highway 249 and Business 249 on the south end of town. The stone concept would adhere to TxDOT’s 20-foot sign-height guidance and include stone and steel elements with removable graphic inserts or the city seal; consultants also presented a scaled sculpture option because TxDOT treats artwork differently than conventional signage. The second concept uses a series of perforated metal panels with laser-cut historical or cultural imagery (train motifs, agricultural imagery, festival iconography) that would be illuminated from behind and could sit on berms for added height.

Council and stakeholders discussed location strategy and phasing. Consultants said they are studying 11–12 potential sign locations and would prioritize the four main entrances first, with other sites phased over time. They recommended applying one refined concept across locations but scaling the elements to fit each site. The design team noted that some locations are TxDOT right of way and that ownership, visibility and access will affect feasibility; the group said the larger metal concept could require property acquisition or a TxDOT waiver to exceed the 20-foot standard.

Concerns raised included the risk that a traditional stone monument could look like many other cities’ signs and that high-maintenance finishes (painted metal) would need periodic recoating. Owen’s team said typical exterior finishes will require maintenance cycles such as re-coating every five to 10 years, and that weathering-steel options can stain adjacent landscaping.

Council direction and next steps: the council and consultants agreed to refine the two concepts into a tighter set of alternatives that better reflect Tomball’s history (train, oil and agricultural imagery) and taglines such as “Hometown with a Heart” or “Welcome Home.” Staff said they will return to council with those refinements before scheduling a publicly advertised community meeting. The consultants’ stated timeline targeted concept meeting #3 in September, concept meeting #4 in October and a final public wrap-up before the end of the year, with the understanding that final design and construction budgeting are separate downstream steps.

No formal vote or ordinance was taken at the workshop; the session was for discussion and direction only.

The council and consultants also discussed outreach: the stakeholder group has contributed feedback during two conceptual meetings, and consultants plan a properly advertised public meeting after the council-level refinements.