WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS VOTE 3-2 TO RENAME MACHEMEHL ROAD TO OLD BRYAN ROAD
A request to change the name of a county road led to a split vote between Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday.
Stolz speaks to county commissioners
on Tuesday regarding a proposed
name change for Machemehl Road.
Commissioners approved renaming
the road to Old Bryan Road on a 3-2
vote.
Commissioners voted 3-2 to rename Machemehl Road, located in Precinct 3 between Cedar Hill Road and Quebe Road, to Old Bryan Road. The divide came as the court weighed public comments that either advocated for changing the name for historical significance or cited the county’s road standards as reason for denial.
The item came before commissioners by way of a petition supported by 360 citizens. Chip Bryan said the Bryan family originally owned all of the land bordering the road and still owns approximately 80 percent of that land. He stated that the road was previously named for the Bryan family but changed at some point, and asked for it to be changed back to reflect the history and heritage of the county.
Also supporting the change was Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura, who spoke on how his great grandfather owned property just south of the Bryan family and about his past experiences at the Bryan General Store. He said the Bryans were not properly notified at the time of the first name change, which happened because of concerns about confusion for first responders between the county road and Bryan Street in Brenham.
Kenjura, along with Bryan, acknowledged the worry commissioners might have about setting a precedent with changing the name of the road. However, Kenjura said he feels in this instance that the county would just be restoring the original name.
According to County Engineer Wesley Stolz, county road names were converted from numbers to family or cultural names in the early 1990s, with this road being named County Road 57C before the name swap. He told KWHI that an original draft of proposed names presented to the public showed Bryan Road, but there was a commissioners court meeting that changed several roads at one time, one of those being Bryan Road to Machemehl Road.
Stolz said at Tuesday’s meeting that, from the standpoint of the Engineering and Development Services Department, there is no technical reasoning for the name change, so the department cannot recommend it. He did say, though, that he understands the cultural aspect.
Kevin Mutscher, representing the Machemehl family, spoke against renaming the road. He said the county’s road standards require absolute necessity to change a name and does not feel this situation qualifies. He also pointed to the county’s rules that prevent duplication of road names and said permitting this would violate those procedures. In addition, he disputed the claim that the Bryans did not receive proper notice on the original name change, saying a public meeting was held on the matter, though Chip Bryan maintained that the Bryans were never notified or signed a petition.
Commissioners Kirk Hanath and Dustin Majewski voted in opposition to the name change. Majewski said he understands and respects both sides, but the county has a policy in place, and the policy does not necessitate a name change. Hanath said he feels deviating from existing policies sets the county up for challenges and makes it difficult for the county to still require others to follow those policies.
Mayor Kenjura and your three County Commissioners please tell me where the historical site marker is located for the historic Bryan Store? I drove down Machemehl Rd. on Saturday and I saw nothing. I drove in from Waco since my Great Grandparents had a farm on Quebe Rd. and I keep track of our family history. I just figured if you changed the rules that this prominent location would already be identified with a marker with a written history. “my bad”
Looks like our finest elected officials are selectively ignoring another important question from the taxpayers. Dodging questions has obviously bled over to the elected county officials from the elected city official.
Wow, city politics have opened the door to making county decisions, that are beyond the city limits. Just because the city breaks their rules, doesn’t mean the county should do the same. It’s all downhill for the county now.
I’m glad the road name is being changed. I was a mistake to have changed it to Machemehl Road in the first place. This vote is merely correcting that mistake. The Bryan family deserves this historical recognition.
This is totally ridiculous. I remember when they renamed the roads. It was in the paper. They could have voiced their opinion then just like the rest of us. The Commissioners are wrong to go against policy. And about the petition, I don’t think 360 people live on that road. When we wanted the speed limit lowered on our road, we were told only people who lived on the road could sign the petition. So what makes the Bryan family so special? Do the judge and Commissioners know them? What makes them so special that policy is broken for them. If I want my road renamed would they do it for me? I’m sure they won’t. Bad move.