If the Tomball Independent School District wants to build a new Ag barn, it will likely have to do so outside of the city limits of Tomball.

At its May 4 meeting, the Tomball City Council unanimously denied a request by Tomball ISD to amend an existing livestock ordinance that would have allowed the school district to build a 32-acre livestock facility within the city limits.

After dozens of residents voiced their concerns over possible property value losses, unpleasant odors and increased traffic, the council turned down the district’s request.

“It was evident the city council did not want the district’s project barn within the city limits,” Tomball ISD Superintendent John Neubauer said. “At this time, we are redirecting our plans to ensure that our students are served.”

When asked by council member David Quinn if the district had a “Plan B,” Neubauer admitted that it did not. Quinn also asked if the school district had considered selling the land and building outside the city limits.

“That may be my plan in the morning,” Neubauer said.

The current city ordinance states that only one animal may be kept per acre of land. Tomball ISD was requesting an amendment to that ordinance so that any new facility would allow the district to keep up to 60 head of livestock, as well as smaller animals such as chickens and rabbits, or up to 12.3 animals per acre.

The project was planned to be located south and east of the current Transportation Center on Baker Drive. A new Ag barn and livestock facility was a part of the $198 million bond district voters approved in 2007.

Council member Roy Lazenby asked Neubauer if the district knew at the time the bond project was being proposed where the Ag site would be located.

“My concern is that if the residents knew where it would be located, a lot wouldn’t have voted for it,” Lazenby said.

Neubauer assured the council that the district did not know at the time where the site would be located.

“We never say where a facility would go,” he said. “We would have no idea.”

Several Tomball residents, as well as Tomball ISD administrators, teachers, students and supporters of the FFA program, were in attendance at the meeting, both to voice their approval and disapproval of the plan.

“We do not oppose the Ag program,” Preston Dodson said. “We seriously oppose the location of the project.”

Michael King of the Springwood subdivision cited “air pollution” as a potential problem stemming from a new Ag facility.

Neubauer explained that plans were in place to properly and regularly dispose of animal waste to eliminate possible odors. In addition, initial designs called for more than 50 feet of trees bordering the facility, as well as an elevated berm to block out noise.

Michelle Breaux, President of the Tomball FFA Booster Club, said the Ag program helps “build future leaders” and that the facility needed to be constructed soon.

“To put it off any longer will not only hurt the community, but it will hurt the children,” she said.

Heather Rahm, a Tomball High School senior and Club President, said the FFA program has readied her for her future.

“The FFA has taught me so many lessons,” she said. “I have responsibility for something other than myself, which is something many high school students lack.”

District spokesperson Staci Stanfield said Tomball ISD is currently “considering a secondary location.”

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