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
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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.
Recommendation
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:
- When the condominium was built the adjacent street name was to be designated Greenview Avenue and residents on the existing Greenview Avenue opposed this for the very reason the City is now claiming it needs to be renamed.
- At that time, we were assured this would not be a problem.
- In the "News" community newspaper, the Deputy chief of communications for the Ottawa Paramedics Service, Myles Cassidy, stated emergency service drivers know the area and it is not a problem.
- The name of the original Greenview Avenue (north section) is well suited, as the street is situated in front of the park and historically significant as the actor Lorne Greene resided on the street before leaving for Hollywood.
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:
- Residents have had Greenview as their address since 1975 and some have lived in the condominium for 30 years.
- The condominium is comprised on 212 units and approximately 317 residents.
- Others affected would be three townhouses, the West Ottawa Tennis Club and the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre.
- The cost implications would be much greater for the large number of residents and businesses.
- Lorne Greene Way for the north section would honour Lorne Greene since he lived on this section.
- The south section, commencing at Carling Avenue, is a long continuous roadway into the park, a clearly defined street that is known by many thousands of people who use the facilities in the park on a year round basis.
- With only 11 homes situated on the northern section, far fewer people would be affected by a street name change.
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:
- Petition/rationale from residents of north section adjacent to park.
- Petition/rationale from residents of south section adjacent to Carling Avenue.
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/
Service de l'Urbanisme et de la Gestion de la Croissance
Insert File Number 03-1382-L
CO\03\SIGNS\NOR50.DGN
2004-09-09
REVISION DATE
DE RÉVISION
Document
2
Street
Name Change Guidelines
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:
- Streets
physically divided,
- Duplicate
names with different suffixes and duplicate civic numbers,
- Similar/exact
sounding names,
- Names
with difficult/multiple pronounciations,
- Continuous
streets with multiple names,
- Streets
with non-sequential civic numbers,
- Street
names not officially recognized.
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:
- Number
of residents/businesses affected,
- Historical
significance,
- Date
street was created,
- Street
name contributes to an existing theme,
- Street
forms a boundary with or extends into a municipality outside the new City,
- Landmark
- well known street or safety related (e.g. with a hospital),
- Cost
to replace the signs.
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:
- Requests
are submitted in writing to the Department by mail or via a web based form
(to be developed).
- Each
submission will be reviewed applying the rated criteria set out below in
determining the severity of the concern, the impact and recommended course
of action.
- Streets
rated 10 will be evaluated and subjected to the street name change
process.
- Streets
rated less than 10 will be evaluated with a view to providing additional
clarity for way-finding and emergency response.
Classification:
High Priority for
Remedial Action Value
Rating
- Streets
with sections that are not physically connected or clearly visible
e.g. Caledon Street). 10
- Duplicate
names with different suffixes and duplicate civic numbers
(Ancona Court/Crescent). 10
§
Similar/exact sounding names with the same suffix but
spelled differently, with or without duplicate civic
numbers (Dayton Crescent/Deighton Crescent). 10
- Duplicate
names/duplicate suffixes/duplicate or unique numbering. 10
Remedial Action
Would Improve Clarity
- Duplicate
name, different suffix but unique civic numbers 4
- Streets
divided into sections where the next section is clearly visible 4
- Similar/exact
sounding names with different suffix and unique numbering 4
- Street
names with difficult/multiple pronounciation 2
- Streets
divided by a physical barrier (Bell St North and South [Queensway]) 2
- Multiple
streets with the same name some with cardinal points
(Arthur Lane, Arthur Lane North and Arthur Lane South)
2
- Duplicate
names, one name with the prefix “Old”
2
- Continuous
streets with multiple names (Meadowland Dr., E and W) 2
- Unofficial/unrecognized
names (Ex: Experimental Farm, Carleton University) 2
- Missing
Accents/Incorrect spelling
2
- Buildings
facing one street but addressed to another
2
- Missing
street signs
2
- Inappropriate
suffix
2
- Non-sequential
civic numbering
2
Replacement Names:
- For
streets approved for a name change, the Department will initiate the
Public Consultation Process described under Recommendation 2. The recommended pre‑cleared
replacement name will be based on the greatest support from the community.
- The
Department will submit a report to the Planning and Environment Committee
and City Council recommending the preferred name.
- Legal Services will be tasked to prepare and submit the implementing by-law for Council enactment.
- The effective date for the name change must provide sufficient time for residents/businesses to advise person/business contacts, exhaust stationery and coincide with the next printing of the telephone book (six months or greater).
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:
- The Department will contact affected
individuals/businesses in writing to explain the identified concern, the
process to resolve such issues and the method for public involvement in
determining the replacement street name.
- Two optional street names will be offered. The list of available street names
maintained by the City and names previously identified by the various
heritage groups will determine the two optional names. Also included will be a petition form
(Document 5) so that individuals or groups wishing to pursue an alternate
acceptable name, may obtain majority support from the affected
owner/occupants. The optional name
or petition name with the strongest majority support will be the name recommended by the Department for
consideration by Council.
- A report with a recommendation for a specific name
change will be submitted to the Planning and Environment Committee and
Council for approval. A summary of
the public input, a list of the suggested names and the petition with the
greatest support will be included.
- Following enactment of the implementing by-law,
notification will be provided to the affected owner/occupants and
emergency/service agencies. The
implementation date will coincide with the printing of the next telephone
book. The date established will
provide sufficient time for individuals/businesses to notify personal and
business contacts. To offset
potential costs that may be incurred by those affected, the effective date
will be delayed for a minimum of six months to allow businesses to exhaust
existing stationery.
Replacement street signs will be installed on the effective
date of the new street name.