Residents urge smaller, community‑first Legacy Square and oppose 300‑space parking lot

Debbie Daigle, president of the Tomball Art League, told the council she hopes Legacy Square becomes a community cultural space with classrooms, workshops and student shows rather than a development designed primarily to maximize revenue. "We could begin modestly using existing buildings, grow in response to demand, and become something completely suited to town hall," Daigle said during public comment.

Several other residents backed arts and makerspace uses but pressed the city to protect nearby neighborhoods. Lisa Daniels, who lives on North Oak Street behind Fellowship Hall, strongly opposed a proposed 300‑space concrete parking lot and the plan to place its entrance between two existing homes across from her front porch. She told council the lot would introduce “constant vehicle flow during events, increased congestion on neighborhood streets, and the disruption of normal residential traffic patterns.”

Michael Pierce said the project offers a big opportunity for Tomball but urged officials to "start small and start now," and to hold workshops so residents and project leaders can develop middle‑ground plans. Another resident suggested a neighborhood shuttle and other ways to reduce car demand rather than increasing pavement.

City and TEDC staff acknowledged the concerns during the workshop and said public feedback had already prompted revisions to early concepts. Council members and developers were repeatedly reminded that no final decisions or construction funding will be approved without additional public process and individual council votes.