17. STREET NAME CHANGE - GREENVIEW AVENUE |
Committee recommendation as amended
That
Council approve that the City provide signage at the intersections of Greenview
Avenue and Don Street indicating the house numbers on the Greenview Avenues.
Recommandation modifiÉe du Comité
Que le Conseil municipal approuve
que la Ville installe à l’intersection de l’avenue Greenview et de la rue Don
des affiches qui indiquent les numéros des habitations qui seront construites
sur l’avenue Greenview.
Documentation
1. Deputy City Manager's report (Planning
and Growth Management) dated
29 July 2005 (ACS2005-PGM-BLD-0019).
2. Extract of Draft Minute, 27 September
2005.
Report
to/Rapport au :
Planning and Environment Committee
Comité de l'urbanisme et de
l'environnement
and Council / et au Conseil
29 July 2005 / le 29 juillet 2005
Submitted by/Soumis par : Ned Lathrop, Deputy City Manager/
Directeur municipal adjoint
Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance
Contact
Person/Personne ressource : Sandra Garnett, Manager, Legal and Service
Integration
Building Services
Branch/Services juridique et integration des services
Building Services/Direction des services du
bâtiment
613-580-2424 x41544, sandra.garnett@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT: |
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OBJET : |
REPORT RECOMMENDATION
That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council enact a by-law to change the name of Greenview Avenue for that part located between Howe Street and the cul-de-sac south of Don Street to "Lorne Greene Way".
RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité de l’urbanisme et de l’environnement
recommande au Conseil d’adopter un règlement pour changer le nom de l’avenue
Greenview en ce qui a trait à la portion qui se trouve entre la rue Howe et le
cul-de-sac au sud de la rue Don au nom « voie Lorne Greene ».
BACKGROUND
On January 12, 2005, City Council approved a work program directing that a number of existing street names be changed to ensure, as a partner of the Public Emergency Reporting Services (PERS) 911 program, a safe environment with clear street names to optimize way finding and effective emergency response. Greenview Avenue is one of the initial streets identified as a priority for remedial action.
Greenview Avenue is physically divided with each section not readily visible or directly accessible from the other section (Reference Document 1). Approximately 30 years ago, with the reconfiguration of Greenview Avenue to provide direct access between Carling Avenue and Britannia Park, the original northerly section of Greenview Avenue between Howe Street and the just south of Don Street became a cul-de-sac. While Don Street links the two sections of Greenview Avenue, this section is limited to bus access only. The original north section of Greenview is therefore, not accessible from Carling Avenue. Vehicles must access this section via Richmond Road, Britannia Road and Don Street. In response to concerns that the existing situation is presenting a safety hazard through potential emergency service response delays and inconvenience for the public attempting to locate specific addresses adjacent to the two sections of Greenview Avenue, this issue is submitted for consideration and resolution.
The Department and emergency services have received a number of complaints that emergencies in the area have been negatively impacted by the division of this roadway and the resulting confusion. The division of the street is not common knowledge to the general public or services dispatched from outside the immediate area.
To develop the best course of action in this regard, the approved guidelines for changing street names were applied (Reference Document 2). The approved weighting criteria states: "that the accepted principle objective when name changes are necessary is to impose minimal impact on the least number of individuals and businesses that would be affected. When the number of residents/businesses are effectively equal, other evaluation factors would be considered and weighed for final comparison". In this case, the section that would be least impacted is the north section and therefore this portion is recommended for a street name change.
A petition signed by 11 residents of the north section indicated that the owners would prefer to not change the name primarily because the street was named in commemorative recognition of "Lorne Greene", the actor, who as a youth resided on the street. (Petition with historical background on Lorne Greene available.)
On June 20, 2005, Councillor Cullen hosted a public meeting at which a second petition was received, signed by 317 residents living on the reconfigured south section who support the Department's rationale for selecting the north section and affirmed their opposition to a name change for the south section given the greater impact. A consensus on the issue was not achieved.
The Department, therefore, in support of the Council approved guidelines and objective to ensure minimum disruption while improving way-finding and reducing confusion, recommends to rename the north section, as indicated in the historical reference of the first petition, to "Lorne Greene Way".
CONSULTATION
A letter dated April 8, 2005, was provided to the affected residents on the north section (adjacent to the park) explaining the rationale for a name change and the process to implement that change. Owners and occupants were offered the opportunity to choose one of two optional names that relate to the area, i.e. the natural extension of "Howe Street" or "Pier Street" relating to a historical pier that was located in Britannia Park. Alternatively, to circulate a petition to solicit majority support for another name acceptable under the guidelines.
The petition signed by 11 of the 13 residents living adjacent to the north section of Greenview Avenue provided the following specific rationale in opposition to a name change for this section:
The petition signed by 317 residents living on the south section of Greenview provided the following specific rationale in support of the Departmental position and opposed to a name change for this section:
Given that the residents on the north section did not in their petition formally recommend "Lorne Greene" as a preferred replacement name, the residents were notified by letter dated June 28, 2005 that additional time was provided to circulate a second petition to consider/confirm either "Lorne Greene" or an alternate name as the preferred name should their street name be changed.
One response was received that reiterated opposition to the name change. Their concern is the personal family attachment to the street name with parents having lived in one of the original cottages since 1954. The respondent also indicated that if the name must change, it should relate to the park and trees, and that Council should consider: White Pines Way, Sunrise, Sunset Haven, Pine Green Street or Green Pine Street. Without a majority consensus from the affected community, the Department was unable to consider these names.
The legislated advertising of Council's intent to consider the street name change was published 14 days prior to the Planning and Environment Committee meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Two street sign blades will need to be replaced at an estimated cost of $200, charges for fabrication and installation will be charged to the Public Works and Services Traffic and Parking Street Sign Operating Maintenance 132523.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 2 Street Name Change Guidelines
Available on Request:
DISPOSITION
Planning and Growth Management Department to notify the emergency services, the primary utility companies, IT, Government and identified business agencies of Council's decision.
Office of the City Solicitor to ensure the by-law is enacted and registered in accordance with the Recommendation.
Public Works and Services to arrange for the manufacture and installation of required street name signs on request by the Planning and Growth Management Department.
Document 1
Location Plan
LOCATION MAP / Plan de
revision Street Name Anomalies / Anomalies des noms de rues
Greenview Ave.
PRODUCED
BY /Produit par
Planning and Growth
Management Department/
Insert File Number 03-1382-L
CO\03\SIGNS\NOR50.DGN
REVISION DATE
DE RÉVISION
PROCESS FOR STREET NAMES/NUMBERING
In the establishment and
maintenance of clear unique property identification, the Building Services
Branch of Planning and Growth Management will review and resolve addressing
concerns identified by the public and emergency services based on established
criteria inclusive of a public consultation process (detailed below), when
street name/numbering changes are required.
Identified concerns that qualify
for review include any street or combination of streets that cause confusion
for general way-finding and/or create a potential delay in the provision of
emergency services. Examples include:
The factors, as priorized below,
are considered when evaluating identified concerns. These were developed in consultation with the public and
subsequently endorsed by the Transition Board and approved by City Council as
part of the duplicate names project:
Weighting Criteria
The accepted principle objective
when name changes are necessary is to impose minimial impact on the least
number of individuals and businesses that would be affected. Where the number of residents and/or
businesses are effectively equal, other evaluation factors would be considered
and weighed for final comparison.
During the duplicate names project, the comments received from the public
on the proposed method of evaluation indicated some preferred that the
weighting be based solely on historical significance. When tested, it was concluded that a decision based on historical
significance only would give unfair advantage in situations where other factors
need to be taken into consideration.
For example, one street name may have been in existance for many years
but the street services only a few residents, while a second street of the same
name services numerous residents and businesses where a name change would
impose significant disruption. e.g., Queen Street, Richmond vs Queen Street,
Ottawa. The evaluation must have the
flexibility to filfill the principle objective and all other factors.
Application:
Classification:
High Priority for
Remedial Action Value
Rating
§
Similar/exact sounding names with the same suffix but
spelled differently, with or without duplicate civic
numbers (Dayton Crescent/Deighton Crescent). 10
Remedial Action
Would Improve Clarity
Replacement Names:
Those directly affected plus all emergency and major
public/private sector contacts will be notified of the change and the effective
date.
Public Consultation Process:
Replacement street signs will be installed on the effective
date of the new street name.
STREET NAME CHANGE - GREENVIEW
AVENUE
CHANGEMENT DE NOM DE
RUE – AVENUE GREENVIEW
ACS2005-PGM-BLD-0019 BAY/BAIE (7)
Vice-Chair
Feltmate chaired this item.
D. Jacobs, Arlene Gregoire, Director, Building Services, and Don Brousseau, Senior Policy Officer, Legal and Service Integration Division, appeared before the Committee with respect to departmental report dated 29 July 2005.
The
Committee heard from the following delegations:
Cyril
Winter referred to the map of streets in the Greenview area. The extension of Don physically provides a
link to the odd numbered side of Greenview.
Contrary to what is stated, it is not divided; but it is more
appropriate to say it is “branched” into a boulevard. Secondly, the report states the odd numbered side (older section)
of Greenview is a cul-de-sac, which it is not.
It is bound by Don and Howe. The
only section of a cul-de-sac services one house. The street is accessible by Carling via an access lane that is
part of Greenview. This issue arose
because of a safety concern and due to errors contained in the report, he asked
for reconsideration. A directional sign
would alleviate safety concerns.
Harry
Schep attempted to clarify comments in the report, which states Greenview was
identified as a priority for remedial action.
This all came about through an accident at 104 Greenview, with an
ambulance delayed because there was no number.
Identification problems have since been rectified through signage. Residents have lived on the street for 40
years and there has never been a safety issue.
The new numbers and signs in the area, as a result of the ambulance
situation, is the appropriate approach to simplify the situation. The ratings hinge on the physical disconnection. The City imposed the bus link for no real
reason that he could ascertain. The
report and rationale for the name change are faulty.
Bryan
Parlour advised that residents of the section to be changed do not want the
change to take place and want PEC to reject the change and maintain the status
quo. Echoed previous comments that
there is no safety hazard. Residents do
not believe the minor inconvenience is significant enough to inflict a street
name change. Paramedics have said it is
not a safety issue for them to find the street. If it is not an issue for us, why is it an issue for City
Council? Preferences of street
residents should take precedence over policy issues.
Gina
Taggart Budde, President, Board of Directors, The Britannia Condominium
Corporation 68, represented 317 residents that live in 212 units in
the condominium; some have lived there for over 30 years; and, provided a
written submission, a copy of which is on file with the City Clerk. Plans for the building and the Greenview
name have existed since 1973. A 14-page
petition was sent to PEC through Mr. Brousseau’s office and contained 258
names; many residents were away or not at home when the petition was
canvassed. Numerous emails have also
been received by Mr. Brousseau, Councillor Cullen and Ms. Ferrari; she represented
many residents and there was a large turnout at the public meeting at the Ron
Kolbus Lakeside Gardens Centre (RKLGC).
These residents oppose the renaming of the section of Greenview that
extends from Carling to RKLGC (the long continuous uninterrupted section) since
that portion of the street has a large number of residents. In addition the change would affect others
as thousands of residents access the facilities in the area (West Ottawa Tennis
Club, Children’s Safety Village and the RKLGC). There would be an incredible cost and inconvenience to a large
number of residents who live in the area.
Renaming the northern section, with 11 homes would be more appropriate,
definitely more logical and certainly more cost-effective for the majority involved. She did regret those residents who would be
inconvenienced if a compromise cannot be arrived at. In summary, she requested PEC follow its precedent of changing
the name of the portion of the street with the least number of residents.
Councillor
Cullen sympathized with the 13 long-term residents of the original Greenview,
but there are two distinct streets. The
original Greenview, unfortunately, is separated by the extension of Don, which
is bus-only access and designed to protect the community from any overflow
parking from Britannia Park. The
original Greenview was in existence when the area was developed; the long
Greenview came about through the redevelopment of the Park and the Condominium
that faces Carling that should have had a Carling address. There was a problem with Lakeside Gardens
having a Carling address, with residents trying to access the polling station;
it created confusion and the Council of the day chose to rename the entire
section Greenview. The policy states
that for safety reasons the distinctiveness must be resolved. The law of larger numbers means that
ultimately the original portion would be renamed. There was public consultation and 13 homes on the original
portion of Greenview rejected all ideas and want to retain the original
name. The staff recommendation to
change one or the other is valid (and brought to PEC’s attention a newspaper
article). There is no desire to have
another tragedy. Lorne Greene did live
on the original Greenview and had an influence on the name since that was not
the original name when the subdivision was constructed; hence the proposal for
Lorne Greene Way.
Mr.
Brousseau referred to the recently approved Harmonized Addressing By-Law and
guidelines set out therein. Council
also approved the anomalies report in January that spoke to 290 identified
concerns the City would attempt to resolve over the years with this as an
initial step on the first ½ dozen this year.
Staff is aware of the problems and constantly under pressure from
Emergency Services (EPS) to resolve anomalies, receiving more weekly.
In
response to Councillor Holmes, Mr. Brousseau explicated it is not quite correct
that ambulance crews did not have a problem; the paramedics were attempting to
reassure residents that “we’ll find you”, but EPS has stressed this is a concern
and want it resolved. Signing, with
numbers, would not be EPS’s first choice.
A/Chair
Feltmate received confirmation that emergency vehicles can access bus routes.
On the
departmental recommendation, copied below:
That the
Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council enact a by-law to change
the name of Greenview Avenue for that part located between Howe Street and the
cul-de-sac south of Don Street to “Lorne Greene Way”.
LOST
YEAS(3): Councillors A. Cullen, M. Bellemare, G.
Bédard
NAYS (4): Councillors J. Harder, G. Hunter, D.
Holmes, P. Feltmate
Moved by
Councillor A. Cullen:
That the
City provide signage at the intersections of Greenview Avenue and Don Street
indicating the house numbers on the Greenview Avenues.
CARRIED as
amended with Councillor G. Bédard dissenting