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Council directs staff to consult DOT on commemorative vs. renaming options for Henderson Drive honoring longtime officer
Summary
Council added a naming discussion to the agenda after two community requests. Staff outlined options — full renaming of the NC DOT state road (which would affect hundreds of addresses) or a commemorative designation that does not change official addresses — and will report back after DOT consultation.
Jacksonville councilors agreed to pursue staff analysis and early outreach on two community requests to honor local citizens — including longtime officer Lieutenant James XY Brown — along Henderson Drive.
Staff told the council the section of Henderson Drive under discussion is a state‑maintained (NC DOT) road; formally renaming a state road requires a resolution and district‑level DOT review and may trigger address changes for affected residences and businesses. Staff reported the Marine-to-Western segment alone includes about 389 addresses; the broader segment to Gum Branch includes roughly 246 addresses, making a full renaming a logistically complex and potentially costly action for businesses and residents.
As an alternative, staff described a commemorative designation used by other cities: erecting signage and a commemorative plaque or 'way' name for a stretch of roadway while leaving official addresses and 911 addressing unchanged. That approach avoids address‑change costs and is often acceptable to families and business owners, staff said.
Council directed staff to consult with NC DOT on the district policy, confirm whether a property‑owner petition percentage is required, and return promptly with a report and outreach plan. Several councilors also recommended pursuing a heritage‑trail placard at a nearby school and working with the chamber and county tourism to upgrade and maintain commemorative markers citywide.
Why it matters: renaming a public road affects mail, business registrations, emergency addressing, and the costs borne by residents and commercial tenants. A commemorative approach gives the council a lower‑impact option for honoring community service without forcing address changes.
What’s next: staff will email a report and begin DOT conversations; council will consider a formal resolution and community outreach when staff returns with options.
