Residents decry 1,000-seat plan for Legacy Square, warn of traffic, parking, flooding and loss of historic character

Public comments at the Legacy Square briefing were lengthy and sharply divided. More than a dozen neighbors who live adjacent to the former church property urged elected officials to reject or scale back a proposed large amplified venue and to prioritize neighborhood protection, drainage and tree preservation.

"A venue hosting up to 1,000 attendees would bring substantial vehicle volume to streets not designed for it," Lisa Daniels said, arguing the scale and nature of a 1,000-seat amplified music venue are incompatible with single-family Old Town zoning. She cited White Oak Music Hall in Houston as an example where neighbors pursued restrictions after opening.

Esther Mera, who said she served on the advisory committee, told the council the project has "runaway" growth in scale — from earlier conversations about 500 seats to plans approaching 1,000–1,200 — and warned that placing a venue of this size in a historic residential neighborhood would harm community character and could lead to demolition of older homes.

Residents repeatedly raised flooding and drainage concerns. Kristen Hicks, whose house abuts the site, described standing water and said she has lost animals to flooding; she said the project must not worsen existing drainage problems. Several speakers said mature trees and a remaining pocket of green space would be lost if parking lots expand.

Other residents urged the EDC to keep control of the property rather than sell it to an unknown private developer. Derek Townsend noted recent state-level limits on municipal land-use control and said that some development is better than a private buyer putting in incompatible uses, while opponents countered that public ownership must include clear protections to avoid neighborhood harm.

Support for an arts campus also surfaced. Brandy Beyer, representing local business groups, and Leslie of the Tomball Art League argued that a multiuse venue with flexible seating could provide space for nonprofit galas, education programs and cultural events currently lacking in Tomball. Matt Davis of Main Street Crossing said EDC ownership is the "safest" way to protect the church buildings and avoid a White Oak-style outcome.

EDC representatives and council members acknowledged the concerns and said they will take comments into account; the meeting produced no vote, and staff said additional meetings and analysis will follow.

(Reporting note: speakers were given a two-minute time limit during public comment; written submissions were accepted as exhibits.)