Tomball council approves business incentives, annexation hearing and board updates; multiple votes pass 5-0

Tomball — The Tomball City Council on Oct. 6 approved multiple routine and economic-development items, including incentive agreements reviewed by the Tomball Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), an annexation application public-hearing order and updates to boards-and-commissions rules required by state law.

Highlights and outcomes: - TEDC incentives and agreements: The council approved a first-reading infrastructure-style grant agreement with Cheddar’s Casual Café (Resolution No. 2025-51) for a 6,181-square-foot full-service restaurant on approximately 2.14 acres at FM 2920/Business 249 and Alice Road; the incentive capped at $164,463. The council also approved a similar incentive on first reading for Olive Garden (Resolution No. 2025-52) for a planned 7,800-square-foot restaurant on the same general commercial corridor (incentive not to exceed $219,502). Both projects were described in staff presentations as producing local jobs and capital investment; Cheddar’s was described as showing two access points (Alice Road and Business 249) and an estimated capital investment of about $5.6 million. Both resolutions passed on council votes (Cheddar’s vote recorded 5-0; Olive Garden first reading approved 5-0).

- TEDC agreement with CSE/CSC West Industries: The council approved a TEDC agreement with CSE West Industries (sometimes referenced in meeting materials as a facility for advanced manufacturing and instrumentation) for phase 1 of a multi-phase project that would consolidate manufacturing and corporate offices, with an incentive not to exceed $660,000 and a target of roughly 300 full-time jobs in phase 1. The applicant described plans for a multi-year buildout; staff noted staged payouts for the incentive to reduce budget impact. Motion carried 5-0.

- Annexation public hearing: The city secretary’s office reported receipt of a complete consent annexation application from 2 S and Z Investment LLC for approximately two tracks (totaling about 2.109 acres) north of Mahaffey Road and east of Huff Smith (Work Lane/Warwick Lane area). The council ordered a public hearing to be advertised for the Nov. 3 council meeting; the council approved the resolution setting the hearing (Resolution No. 2025-50) 5-0.

- Nomination to Harris County Appraisal District board: The council approved a nomination (Resolution No. 2025-47) to reappoint Melissa Noriega to represent Tomball on the Harris County Appraisal District board; the motion carried 5-0.

- Contract/professional services amendment tied to HUD-funded design work: Staff described a required contractual change to replace a professional services agreement with Teague Noll and Perkins because the additional scope (regrading a Harris County flood-control ditch and relocating a sanitary trunk line) exceeded the contract change-order limit; HUD has agreed the expanded scope is eligible under the city’s CPF/HUD award and staff presented a new, consolidated agreement suited to the broader scope. Council acknowledged HUD funding for the expanded design scope; the informational presentation did not show a separate vote in the transcript beyond committee consent items.

- Boards, commissions and committees handbook update (Senate Bill 1883): Council approved updates required by Senate Bill 1883 (effective Sept. 1, 2025) that change composition requirements for certain advisory committees; staff said the capital-improvement advisory committee must now be reconstituted and applications solicited so that at least 50% of members represent the real-estate or development professions. Motion carried 5-0.

Why this matters: The approved TEDC agreements and the CSC/CSE West Industries project represent the council’s active economic-development strategy to attract restaurant and manufacturing investment to commercial corridors and a large planned employment site. The annexation public hearing initiates the formal public process for a small, developer-initiated annexation; the SB 1883 changes reflect a statewide statutory update that requires local implementation.

Votes at a glance (selected items from Oct. 6 meeting): - Resolution 2025-51 (Cheddar’s Casual Café, TEDC infrastructure grant): approved 5-0; incentive not to exceed $164,463; estimated capital investment $5,600,000; target employees 40 FTE (projected). - Resolution 2025-52 (Olive Garden, TEDC infrastructure grant): approved on first reading 5-0; incentive not to exceed $219,502. - TEDC agreement with CSE/CSC West Industries (phase 1): approved 5-0; incentive not to exceed $660,000; phase 1 target ~300 jobs; multi-phase project. - Resolution 2025-50 (order public hearing for annexation by 2 S and Z Investment LLC): approved 5-0; public hearing set for Nov. 3, 2025. - Resolution 2025-47 (nomination to Harris County Appraisal District / HCAD board — Melissa Noriega): approved 5-0. - Resolution 2025-53 (use of eminent domain for Lot 43 detention): approved 5-0 — (covered in separate article). - Handbook updates per Senate Bill 1883: approved 5-0.

What’s next: Developers and applicants will proceed through site-plan and building-permit reviews; the annexation will carry a public hearing on Nov. 3. TEDC-funded incentives will follow the terms of their respective agreements, including phased payouts and performance reporting.

Source: Staff presentations, applicant summaries and council votes taken during the Tomball City Council meeting on Oct. 6, 2025.