DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services

Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Robert Tadmore Coordinator of Geomatics / GIS Advocate

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2004-May-18

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

Policy Regarding the Naming of Streets with Councillor Names

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Development Services Committee report entitled “Policy Regarding the Naming of Streets with Councillor Names”, be received;

 

That Council confirm the current process (adopted by Council February 25, 2003) for placing potential names on the Street Name Reserve List, as outlined in the report.

 

And that it be acknowledged that the current policy for approving street names may include the use of the names of former Members of Council, subject to the name complying with street naming procedures and requirements, including consultation with the Region of York and the Fire Department.

 

BACKGROUND:

Development Services Committee, at its April 6th, 2004 meeting reviewed a report requesting approval of the first quarter 2004 street name reserve list (see Appendix ‘A’). The street name reserve list was amended by Committee to delete names of former members of Council. Staff was requested to provide a review of the policy regarding the use of Councillors’ names for streets.

 

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Planning staff enlisted the assistance of the Clerks Department to locate any records involving the use of Councillor names; only one instance was identified. It involved an October 19, 1998 Recreation and Culture Committee report entitled “Naming of Facilities and Parks Policy”. In an October 27th Council meeting, the recommendations of the report were amended by Council and referred to the November 10th, 1998 Council meeting for approval. Council revisions to the recommended policies included an addition to employ names that recognize “a person who has made significant accomplishments or achievements at the local, provincial or national level”. An amended motion to require that only names of deceased individuals be considered was defeated (Appendix ‘B’). Consequently, it would appear that the current policy in regard to naming facilities and parks would permit the use of a Councillor’s name, while the Councillor is living.

 

Staff was not able to identify any policy established by Council regarding the use of names of members of Council for streets in Markham. There is therefore, currently no policy restricting the naming of streets after a member of Council living, or deceased. Should Council wish to restrict the use of Councillors’ names, such restriction should be established in the form of a new policy, adopted by Council.

 

The current policy for approving street names, as adopted by Council on February 25, 2003, requires staff to undertake the following procedures:

 

  1. Submission of proposed street names to staff (submissions to come from developers, Councillors, or special requests from Markham residents);
  2. Circulation of proposed street names (for acceptance or rejection) to affected Ward Councillor (if applicable), the Region of York and the Fire Department;
  3. Addition of acceptable names to the street name reserve list;
  4. Presentation of the street name reserve list to Development Services Committee, for approval, on a quarterly basis, with changes highlighted;
  5. Director of Planning and Urban Design – assignment of street names from the street name reserve list to a draft plan of subdivision;
  6. Assigned names are so noted on the street name reserve list and utilized names are removed upon registration of the plan.

 

It was also noted that in the event the timing of registration of a plan does not fit with this process, staff will bring proposed street names directly to Development Services Committee (through a Part A presentation), for approval.

 

Staff have no issues regarding the inclusion of former Councillors’ names on the Town’s Street Name Reserve List subject to the name meeting all standard requirements, including consultation with the Region of York and the Fire Department.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

There are no financial implications arising from this report.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

There are no environmental implications arising from this report.

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

There are no accessibility implications arising from this report.

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

There are no Engage 21st implications arising from this report.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Clerk’s Department was consulted regarding the existence of any street naming policies involving the use of Councillor names.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix ‘A’ to this report consists of an excerpt from the April 6, 2004 Development Services Committee meeting.

Appendix ‘B’ to this report consists of an excerpt from the November 10, 1998 Council meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director of Planning & Urban Design

 

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Commissioner of Development Services

 

Q:\Development\Planning\Teams\Geomatic\Admin\Reports\Councillor Street Names.doc