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Gonzales council discusses Martin Luther King Jr. overlay for Robertson Street; schedules community workshop
Summary
The Edwards Association requested adding Martin Luther King Jr.'s name as an overlay to Robertson Street. Council members and residents debated an overlay versus replacing the street name and agreed to mail notices, gather resident feedback and hold a workshop after the June meeting to review samples and returned comments.
The Gonzales City Council discussed a request from the Edwards Association to add a Martin Luther King Jr. designation to Robertson Street between U.S. Highway 90A and Saint Edward/ Saint Andrew Street, and agreed to schedule a community workshop after the June meeting to solicit resident input and collect mailed responses.
Rhonda Miller, a resident who said she worked for the city, told the council she favored an overlay instead of changing the official street name: "I am for, an overlay on that street or possibly as you stated, miss Brighthouse, 183 would be great." Miller argued an overlay would honor Dr. King without requiring residents to change addresses or bear costs.
Other residents said they opposed replacing the family name on the street. Roxanne Greenhouse, who identified herself as a taxpayer and property owner on the 800 block of what she called Robinson Street, said she supported honoring King but objected to removing the Robinson family name: "I'm not against having MLK. I'm just against it not being Robinson Street. My family heritage is on Robinson Street."
City staff explained the request had met initial submission requirements and that the Edwards Association provided an official memo plus 17 letters of support. The council reviewed the city's renaming policy language requiring staff notices to identified property owners, with owners given 30 days from the date of the notice to submit comments.
Councilmembers emphasized they did not intend to erase the Robertson/Robinson family name. The council discussed possible treatments: an overlay plaque or banner above the existing sign, a separate memorial sign at one or both ends of the corridor, or designating a portion of U.S. 183 with a ceremonial name. Councilmembers asked staff to provide sample signage options for the workshop.
The council agreed to hold a public workshop after the June meeting (targeting July) so mailed notices can be sent to identified property owners and responses collected in accordance with the policy. Staff will prepare notices, mail them to affected property owners, and include charter and policy details on the next agenda; the policy requires 30 days' notice before committee meetings and that owners be given 30 days to respond.
No formal renaming or official overlay was approved at the meeting. Councilmembers asked staff to return to the council with sample signage, the results of mailed notices, and an agenda item for a workshop where affected residents and stakeholders can present views prior to any formal action.
