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Planning commission recommends renaming Ryan Drive to Steve Perkins Drive after public testimony; one neighbor opposed
Summary
The Decatur City Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend to the city council renaming Ryan Drive to Steve Perkins Drive; the applicant fell short of a formal 75% signature threshold required for council action but commissioners forwarded the request after extensive public comment both for and against the change.
The Decatur City Planning Commission voted 8-0 on April 22 to recommend that city council consider renaming Ryan Drive to Steve Perkins Drive. Sharonda Acklin, a resident of Ryan Drive, presented the application and said she collected signatures from homeowners in support of the change following the 2023 death of Stephen Clay Perkins.
Acklin read a statement describing Perkins’ life and community involvement and urged the commission to forward the request as a way to honor his memory. "To preserve his legacy, we would love to leave a beautiful mark in honor of Steve's legacy where he and his wife started their family," Acklin said. Several other neighbors and family members testified in support, describing Perkins as a helpful neighbor and present father. Elois Perkins, identified as a first cousin, said, "I love Rhine Drive, and I would love to see Steve's name on the street sign saying Steve Perkins Drive, Southwest."
At least one neighbor spoke against the change. Rico Elliot and resident Justin Shepherd said they preferred to keep the existing street name; Brandy Taylor, who said she is the homeowner who withheld a signature, explained that the street name is a painful reminder and that some long‑term residents did not sign the petition.
Staff and commissioners noted the administrative requirement that a street name change application must demonstrate that a minimum of 75% of affected properties agree to a name change before it is final. Planning staff advised the applicant that about one or two additional signatures would be needed to reach the 75% threshold and that the commission’s role at this hearing was to verify paperwork and forward a recommendation to council. The commission voted to recommend the change to the council with an 8-0 roll call; staff recorded that the item will move forward to council with an 8-0 recommendation but that the applicant must secure the required signatures before formal action by the council.
The commission’s recommendation advances the request to the city council, which will receive the application and any documentation of homeowner support and will make the final decision on renaming the street and any required address changes for affected properties.
