Title
AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO CHANGE AN EXISTING STREET NAME.
Executive Summary: Several recent requests to rename streets have been made prompting Council to consider the criteria for renaming streets existing streets and the procedure to do so. Staff has revised a draft according to a discussion of this topic at the April 23, 2013 workshop as follows.
Body
Legislative History
None.
Purpose & Explanation
The following revisions have been made to the draft discussed at the April 23, 2013 workshop:
1. The policies and procedures were reorganized to put the procedure for changing an existing street name before the criteria for street names.
2. A procedure for city-initiated street name changes has been added, the procedure being the same as a private party initiated request except for the application process.
3. A criterion was added that a request to rename an existing street will be considered only under unique circumstances.
4. Council discussed the petition requirement for a private party-initiated street name change. Staff maintained the requirement in this draft (A.1.a.ii) in the belief that Planning Commission and Council would take into consideration the make-up of the petition signers and the amount of frontage each represents.
5. We also provide information on Honorary or Memorial Streets that Council may wish to consider for some circumstances.
Procedure for Renaming an Existing Street
Existing streets may be renamed using the following procedures, one initiated by a private party, the other initiated by the City.
- Private Party Initiated Street Name Changes
a. Application. Application shall be made to the Department of Community Development. The application shall consist of the following materials:
i. A completed signed application form supplied by the Community Development Department which will include a checklist proving compliance with the Criteria for Street Names.
ii. A petition in support of the name change supplied by the Community Development Department signed by 51% of the property owners whose property abuts the street to be renamed.
iii. A map showing the entire length of the street to be renamed.
iv. Mailing labels for all property owners with property abutting the street right-of-way to be renamed, and all property owners whose property has an address on the street or may have an address on the street in the future.
v. A fee in the amount of $40 plus the cost of each street sign to be replaced or added.
b. Staff Review. The Community Development Department will verify with the Fire, Police, and EMS departments that the name meets the Criteria for Street Names.
c. Planning Commission recommendation. The Community Development Department will present the request to Planning Commission at a public meeting for a recommendation to Council.
d. Council Public Hearing and Final Action. The Community Development Department will mail notice to those properties for which mailing labels have been supplied of a public hearing before City Council. The Community Development Department will post a sign at each end of the street to be renamed 21 days before City Council's hearing. City Council will take final action following its public hearing to approve or deny the application. The cost of each street sign to be replaced or added will be refunded if Council denies the application.
e. Documentation. If the name change is approved the Community Development will see that affected property owners, departments and agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service and emergency services, are notified, that city maps are revised, and that the installation of street signs is coordinated with the Public Works Department. The applicant is responsible for amending recorded plats as necessary. Affected property owners are responsible for changing their addresses with their personal contacts.
2. City-Initiated Street Name Changes
a. City Manager initiates. The City Manager will forward the request for a street name change to the Community Development Department to verify that the name meets the Criteria for Street Names.
b. Planning Commission recommendation. The Community Development Department will present the request to Planning Commission at a public meeting for a recommendation to Council.
c. Council Public Hearing and Final Action. The Community Development Department will mail notice to all property owners whose property has an address on the street or may have an address on the street in the future of a public hearing before City Council. The Community Development Department will post a sign at each end of the street to be renamed 21 days before City Council's hearing. City Council will take final action following its public hearing to approve or deny the application.
d. Documentation. If the name change is approved the Community Development Department will see that affected property owners, departments and agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service and emergency services, are notified, that city maps are revised, and that the installation of street signs is coordinated with the Public Works Department. The City is responsible for amending recorded plats as necessary. Affected property owners are responsible for changing their addresses with their personal contacts.
Criteria for Street Names
1. The name must be unique and not be repeated in the City of Hudson. (The City must establish a list of official street names and acceptable suffixes.)
2. The name must have a suffix acceptable to the City (road, drive, lane, etc.)
3. The name must not sound the same even though it may be spelled differently than another.
4. The name must be simple to pronounce.
5. The name may not contain cardinal directions (north, east, southwest).
6. The name may not contain offensive or derogatory terms.
7. The name may not contain punctuation or special characters.
8. The name must use the common or correct spelling.
9. The name including spaces and suffixes may not exceed 20 letters.
10. The name shall change when the street makes a directional change of approximately 90 degrees.
11. Street names shall continue across intersections.
12. A street name may not be used for a loop road in such a way that it creates two intersections with one other street.
13. A request to rename an existing street will be considered only in honor of an extraordinary event or meritorious service to the community. Due consideration will be given to the street name to be replaced.
Honorary Street Names
As suggested by the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) of Washington, honorary street names allow citizens the opportunity to honor people who have made significant contributions to the community and may provide Council an opportunity to provide recognition without renaming a street. Please see the attachment concerning Honorary Street Names.
Timing Considerations
None.
Fiscal Impact
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that Council comment on the revised policies and procedures. Staff will create legislation and schedule it for adoption if Council is satisfied with them or continue to make revisions as necessary.
Submitted by,
Mark Richardson, Director of Community Development