Fajita Drive vote rescinded, road remains as West Ranch to Market Road 150 until a new name is chosen

KYLE, TEXAS – After holding a public hearing, the Kyle City Council has voted to remove the street name Rebel Drive. State highway will continue to be referred to by its state assigned designation as West Ranch to Market Road 150 until a new name is chosen.

During the Tuesday, Aug. 25 meeting, City Council voted six to one to rescind the previous vote to rename Rebel Drive to Fajita Drive at their Aug. 18 meeting. Council then voted unanimously to remove Rebel Drive as the street name. A second reading to remove the street name Rebel Drive will come back to Council on Tuesday, Sept. 1. 

On Sept. 1st, Council has also directed City Staff to present an outline and schedule for forming an Ad Hoc committee to bring forward recommendations for a proposed new street name. The Ad Hoc committee, if approved by Council, would be advertised by the city and committee members would be appointed by Council to come up with a new name for West Ranch to Market Road 150.

During the second reading to approve the 2020-21 City Budget, Council voted to set aside cost savings in the amount of $5,346 to establish grant funds for residents impacted by the possible future renaming of West Ranch to Market Road 150.

The portion of road being reverted to West Ranch to Market Road 150 extends from its southern end at W. Center Street 1.67 miles north to the intersection of North Old Stagecoach Road/FM 2770. Until a new name has been chosen, businesses, property owners and residents can continue using the Rebel Drive address.

Background

The Kyle City Council originally approved a ordinance to rename the entire length of Rebel Drive to Fajita Drive at its Aug. 18 meeting. After listening to members of the community express discomfort with the renaming, the City Council decided to hold a public hearing and take action to reconsider the item to allow more input from the community at its Aug. 25 meeting.

Fajita Drive was originally chosen as an homage to the City of Kyle’s place in fajita history. Juan Antonio “Sonny” Falcón sold the first fajita taco in September of 1969 at a concession booth at a Diez & Seis celebration in Kyle. Falcón, later known as “The Fajita King,” went on to popularize the dish throughout Central Texas by selling his fajita tacos to crowds of appreciative people at rodeos, fairs, and outdoor festivals on nights and weekends.