Robert Armstrong, Director, Development and Environmental Services. Street, Park and Facility Naming Policy

Transcription

1 Date Monday, September 12, 2016 From Subject Report No. DES Robert Armstrong, Director, Development and Environmental Services Street, Park and Facility Naming Policy Roll No. N/A Recommendation That Committee of the Whole recommend Council of the Municipality of Meaford establish a Street, Park and Facility Naming Policy for the Municipality of Meaford. Background The following resolutions were passed at Council: April 2011 Resolution # and Direct Staff to develop a road naming policy for future road naming. May 2016 Resolution # Whereas, Council s Strategic Priorities identified celebrating heritage and fostering identity & unity as objectives; and Whereas, commemorative naming could be used to recognize community builders and local heroes; and Whereas, Council is awaiting a staff report on the development of a road naming policy; Therefore be it resolved that Council of the Municipality of Meaford direct staff to develop a draft commemorative naming policy for the future naming of facilities, roads & parks with public consultation. Report DES Page 1 of 3

2 Analysis Staff have reviewed other similar policies from other Municipalities and have developed a comprehensive policy for the naming of Streets, Parks and Municipal Facilities (Appendix 1). The proposed Street Naming policy would be administered by the Development and Environmental Services staff in the road naming is linking to the Civic Addressing program for 911 and also most road naming will occur as a result of new development. This policy will also apply to private roads as they need to be numbered for 911 purposes and also need to avoid duplication. The Parks, Recreation and Culture is the appropriate department the parks and facility naming as they provide the maintenance of these facility. In both cases the naming would be approved by Council. A definitive process for the naming of streets, parks and facilities reduces confusion on a process and the selection of names. Financial Impact Not applicable. Sponsorship opportunities, if explored, can generate revenue. Implications There are no adverse implications to having a clear policy addressing streets, parks and facility naming. Strategic Priorities This report supports the mission, vision and values of the Municipality of Meaford, as well as the goals and objectives set out in Council s Strategic Priorities , particularly with respect to: Focus Area: Objective: Objective: Objective: Objective: Strengthening Our Community Foster Identity and Unity Celebrate Heritage Promote Arts and Culture Enhance Parks and Recreation Report DES Page 2 of 3

3 Consultation and Communications Senior Management Other municipalities who have similar policies Conclusion The new policy for the naming of streets, parks and facilities will establish a clear process and related criteria. Supporting Documentation Appendix 1 Street, Park and Facility Naming Policy Respectfully Submitted: Robert Armstrong, RPP Director, Development and Environmental Services Robert H. A. Tremblay Clerk, Director of Legislative and Protective Services Reviewed by: Denyse Morrissey, CAO Report DES Page 3 of 3

4 Policy: Municipality of Meaford Corporate Policy Street, Park and Facility Naming Policy Department: Development and Environmental Services (Streets) Parks, Recreation and Culture (Parks and Facilities) Last Revision: September 2016 Policy Statement Purpose Definitions Policy Requirements Implications Monitoring Authority Contact Change History Policy Statement The Municipality of Meaford has deemed it appropriate to establish a protocol for naming streets, parks and municipal facilities. The policy will ensure that naming opportunities are dealt with in a consistent manner. In this regard, the Street, Park and Facility Naming Policy establishes guidelines regarding naming and the establishment of an Approved List. Purpose This policy provides guidance on the method of street, park and facility naming within the Municipality of Meaford. The function of naming is to enable people, and emergency services, to locate properties readily. This policy will be applied in conjunction with the civic numbering policy developed in conjunction with the County of Grey which utilizes a six digit number for rural properties and a three digit number for rural subdivisions.

5 Definitions Approved List means Schedule A to this policy updated from time to time with the names approved by Council for future naming of streets, parks and facilities. Commemorative means the official naming after a person, persons or family name in recognition of their contributions. Park means a parcel of land owned by the Municipality of Meaford other than a road allowance or public street that is maintained by the Municipality for use by the public for recreational purposes. Municipal Facility or Facility means a building or structure owned by the Municipality of Meaford, or a room or part of a facility. Suffixes used for street naming, include: "Boulevard" means all streets which have a planted median divider for its full length. "Court" means all streets which end permanently as a bulb/cul-de-sac, a T, or a design which permits turning around - they have only one point of access. "Crescent" means all streets which intersect another street at both ends, and which actually forms a crescent. "Gate" means all streets which serve as an entry onto a court or a crescent their main characteristics are that they are short in length and that no other streets intersect them. "Lane" means all streets which are exclusive to condominium projects, or where there is a desire to name a private drive. Policy Requirements 1.0 General Policies for Appropriate s The following criteria will be considered for potential naming of streets, parks and facilities: 1.1 s Honouring Those Who Have Served or Given their Life in Public Service The Municipality will facilitate the naming of streets, parks and facilities after residents of the municipality who have lost their lives while serving within the Armed Forces. In addition, the Municipality may also include the name of those who lose their lives in the service of the public through either the Ontario Provincial Police or the Fire Department with the written consent of his/her immediate family. Special signage containing the Poppy symbol is to be used for all Veteran street, park and facility names.

6 1.2 s Honouring Individuals for Community Service, Local Historical Reasons, National Reasons or International Reasons Council may approve, upon request by an individual or proponent, a name for a street, park or facility which identifies a specific individual. Generally such a name will be of historic importance to the municipality or be a name which is of importance either nationally or internationally or lastly be a name of a person who has been of public service to the municipality or broader community. A written description of the individual s contribution to the municipality, or broader community explaining why the honour should be given, shall be submitted by the proponent. Staff shall research names proposed by Council. The written consent of his/her immediate family is required. 1.3 s that reflect the Municipality s Agricultural and/or Heritage/Nature Council may approve, or a proponent may request the approval of, a name which reflects the municipality s agricultural and/or heritage/nature. A written description of the proposed name and its linkage to the area shall be submitted by the proponent. Staff shall research names proposed by Council. 1.4 Other s Other appropriate names are those that promote pride in the municipality, acknowledge local heritage and history, and recognize unique features and geography. Proposed names should meet one of following: i. Commemorate local history, places, events, culture. ii. Strengthen neighbourhood identity to reflect the character of the area. iii. Recognize native wildlife, flora, fauna, natural features. iv. Recognize communities that contribute to the public life of the Municipality. s that represent specific themes are encouraged as they are easily recognizable for emergency services and provide consistency in large developments. 2.0 Priority for Selection of s In assigning names, names from the Approved List should be used when selecting names for a proposed street, park or facility. The categories of this list are as follows: 1. s Honouring Those Who Have Served Their Country 2. s Honouring Those who have given their Life in Public Service 3. s Honouring Individuals Local Historical 4. s Honouring Individuals National or International 5. s Honouring Individuals Community Service 6. s that reflect the Municipality s Agricultural and/or Recreational Heritage/Nature 7. Other s

7 3.0 Specific Policies regarding Suitability of Street s When naming a new street, in addition to the General Policies as stated in the previous section, the following shall be adhered to ensure orderly naming of streets: 3.1 Ease of Spelling and Pronunciation Street names shall be easily pronounced, recognized and use conventional spelling to avoid difficulties in emergency situations. Street names should be spelled the way they are pronounced. 3.2 Individuals Streets named after individuals shall be a posthumously honour and Council shall consider such names provided that a written consent is obtained from the individual s surviving immediate family. A written description is required detailing how the individual made a significant contribution to the Municipality of Meaford. The honouring of a living public figure requires his/her written consent. 3.3 Two Word Street s Proposed street names consisting of two words shall be changed to one word. Only a person s last name shall be used unless additional identification is necessitated by the Municipality to prevent duplication with an existing street name in the municipality and surrounding local municipalities. 3.4 Street Characteristics s should generally not exceed ten characters in length. This helps ensure that the above mentioned criterion are met and that there is a standard street name signage across the municipality and county. 3.5 Street s to Avoid i. s that are in conflict with other street names within the Municipality or County of Grey. ii. s that could be construed as advertising a particular business, product or brand. iii. Cumbersome, corrupted, modified names, discriminatory or derogatory names from the point of view of race, sex, colour, creed, political affiliation or other social factors. iv. s with any sexual overtones, inappropriate humour, parody, slang or double meaning. v. s that have a secondary negative or offensive connotation. vi. Street names spelled differently but sound alike (i.e. Crosby Lane and Crosbie Lane) or have similar pronunciation but are spelled differently (i.e. Heirloom Street could be pronounced with H dropped (Eirloom Street)). vii. Use of complex words (ex. Quetico Drive). viii. s with hyphens, apostrophes or dashes are discouraged and only considered on a case by case basis provided other criterion is met.

8 4.0 System for Assigning Street Suffixes Generally, street names shall contain the suffix Street", Avenue, Road or Drive. The suffix "Road" shall only be utilized for major collector or arterial streets (i.e. those streets that are, or will be, designated as collector or arterial roads within the municipality). Other proposed suffixes shall include: Boulevard, Court, Crescent, Gate, and Lane. 5.0 Street Approval/Assignment The process for approving a street name is as follows: i. The Development and Environmental Services Department receives a written request by the proponent of a name which includes the proposed street name and a brief but complete explanation for the name. ii. is checked for similarities and duplications in the Municipality and County Index. iii. which does not currently exist anywhere in the County are circulated to the County Planning Department and County Emergency Services Department for comments to ensure that similar names are not currently being considered in other municipalities. iv. If a name is not acceptable to those circulated, the Development and Environmental Services Department shall refuse the name. iv. Development and Environmental Services Department staff submit the names to Council for approval at the same time as the Draft Plan of Subdivision/Condominium Report comes forward. Staff will include a recommendation as to which of the categories set out in Schedule A on which such name shall be placed on the Approved List. The name, when associated with a Draft Plan, shall be reserved for use in that particular project. v. Upon approval by Council, the street name is placed on the Approved List and is available for use. If a proponent s request is approved by Council, the name may be reserved for use with the proponent s project. vi. Public Notice shall be through the Council agenda. The process for assigning an approved street name to a proposed street is as follows: i. The proponent reviews the Approved List for street name selection, including any names approved by Council specifically for use within the proponent s project. ii. A minimum of one street name and no less than 50% of all streets in the proposed development must be chosen from the first six priority categories of the Approved List. Such names are then reserved for the proponent s project and must be used therein.

9 6.0 Park and Facility Approval/Assignment The process for approving a park and facility name is as follows: i. The Parks, Recreation and Culture Department receives a written request of a name which includes the proposed name and a brief but complete explanation for the name. ii. is checked for similarities and duplications in the Municipality and County Index. iii. which does not currently exist anywhere in the County are circulated to the County Planning Department and County Emergency Services Department for comments to ensure that similar names are not currently being considered in other municipalities. iv. If a name is not acceptable to those circulated, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department shall refuse the name. iv. Parks, Recreation and Culture Department staff submit the name to Council for approval. Staff will include a recommendation as to which of the categories set out in Schedule A on which such name shall be placed on the Approved List. v. Upon approval by Council, the name is placed on the Approved List for future use or assigned immediately to a park or facility. vi. Public Notice shall be through the Council agenda. 7.0 Renaming The name of streets, parks and facility named commemoratively should not be changed unless it is found that the individual s personal character is or was such that continued use of their name for a street, park or facility would not be in the best interest of the community. Staff will advise in writing the person or their living family of a proposed change. 8.0 Sponsorship The following locations are exempt from this policy to allow for sponsorship and corporate naming opportunities to be pursued: Meaford Hall & Culture Centre Meaford Harbour Memorial Park Meaford Public Library Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre (arena) Implications This policy provides guidance on the method of naming within the Municipality of Meaford. The function of naming is to enable people, and emergency services, to locate properties readily through a uniform system of assignment.

10 Monitoring The Chief Administrative Officer shall be responsible for receiving complaints and/or concerns related to this policy. Council may, at any time, direct that a specific name be used for a specific street, park or facility. Authority The naming of a street, park or facility shall be the sole responsibility of the Municipality of Meaford. The naming of a private street, wherein individual properties are numbered in accordance with the Municipality s numbering policy (and therefore within the Emergency Services directory of individual properties) shall be the sole responsibility of the Municipality of Meaford. Examples of private streets that meet this description include those within a Plan of Subdivision or Condominium which contains Parcels of Tied Land ( POTL ). The renaming of existing public and private streets, parks and facilities shall be the sole responsibility of the Municipality of Meaford. Effective Date This Policy as it relates to the naming of a new public or private street applies to all lands and/or streets contained within Plans of Subdivision or Condominium which have not been granted Draft Plan Approval or have been registered by March 31, Contact Director of Development and Environmental Services Telephone: ext rarmstrong@meaford.ca Change History Policy Effective Date Significant Changes By-law No. Street, Park and Municipal Facility Naming Policy Sept New XX-2016

11 Schedule A Approved List 1. s Honouring Those Who Have Served their Country 2. s Honouring Those who have given their Life in Public Service 3. s Honouring Individuals Local Historical

12 4. s Honouring Individuals National or International 5. s Honouring Individuals Community Service 6. s that reflect the Municipality s Agricultural and/or Recreational Heritage/Nature

13 7. Other s Municipality of Meaford Corporate Policy Street, Park and Facility Naming Policy 10