Council approves revised Cleveland Gibbs naming plan after split votes; some residents object

The NorthlakeTown Council held a public hearing May 22 on proposed name changes affecting Cleveland Gibbs Road, Dale Earnhardt and nearby segments and then moved through several motions before adopting a revised naming plan.

Background and options: staff presented three naming options for segments affected by growth and the planned roadway connection. Options ranged from modest renaming (changing a single segment to create continuity) to a larger re-mapping that would have replaced Dale Earnhardt along a longer stretch. Staff notified property owners for the sections listed on the meeting packet.

Public comment: several residents and business owners spoke during the hearing. Christine Fowler (13355 Cleveland Gibbs Road) asked council to minimize the number of address changes and raised concerns about the administrative burden for homeowners and businesses. Joel McGregor (8921 East Samley Lane) and other residents asked the council to prefer options that maintain continuous road names to reduce confusion for motorists and emergency responders.

Council action and outcome: council debated the three options and took multiple votes. An initial motion failed 3–4. After discussion and a subsequent motion, council adopted a plan by 5–2 vote that will make the yellow corridor shown in staff materials contiguous under the Cleveland Gibbs name down to State Highway 114, while leaving the previously changed north segment as Cleveland per earlier action. Council also directed staff to revisit any further renaming of the Gibbs name at a later meeting, including notification and outreach, because several parcels and Fort Worth jurisdictional segments were implicated.

Why it matters: renaming affects mail delivery, business stationery, online listings and state or county signage; it also requires coordination if adjacent jurisdictions (City of Fort Worth) are involved. Staff cautioned that large-scale continuous realignment would require right-of-way work and could be costly and complex, and that any additional renaming beyond the segments already noticed will require further outreach.

Next steps: staff will implement the approved name changes for the segments noticed for this hearing and return to council before changing additional segments or pursuing a new name for the Gibbs portion. Staff noted the need to coordinate with Fort Worth for segments that sit in that city’s limits.