(A) Purpose. This section establishes a process and criteria for consideration of a request by a member of the public to name or rename a public (or private) street, a public park, public building, or other real or personal public property located within the city limits. This process also includes a request for an additional name or sign to be added to an already existing name.
(B) Petition. Any request for naming or renaming a street, park, building, or other property within the city limits, shall be initiated in writing from one or more resident(s) within the city by completing a petition for naming or renaming form and provide the following information:
(1) Name of petitioner;
(2) Type of request;
(3) Reason the request to name or rename is being proposed;
(4) Detailed description of the building, park, street, or other property (real or personal); and
(5) Location within the city. (Petitions for naming or renaming a street must have an attached street map and must be signed by at least 51% of the property owners on the affected street or portion thereof.)
(C) Petition filing. The petition, and any filing fee established by Council, shall be filed with the City Clerk’s office, by 12:00 noon, ten days prior to the City Council meeting in which the petition will be presented. The City Clerk will provide copies of the petition and supporting documentation to City Council, the City Manager, City Attorney, City Engineer, Chief Inspector, and Associate Planner prior to the Council meeting.
(D) City Council initial action. At the Council meeting in which the petition for naming or renaming is presented, the City Manager will request City Council receive and file the petition and refer it to the City Planning Commission for a recommendation.
(E) City Planning Commission consideration.
(1) Research. The City Planning Commission will evaluate the petition and supporting documentation, and shall base its recommendation on what is in the best interest of the city. If the request is for renaming a street, park, building, or other property, the Commission shall research the historical significance, if any, of the current name and how the renaming shall affect the abutting property owners.
(2) Public hearing. The City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at which time all interested persons will be heard. Notice of the public hearing shall be mailed via regular mail to all property owners abutting the affected building, park, street, or other property, at least 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing and shall be posted for the general public in the City Clerk’s office, the city’s website, and on the city’s cable network.
(3) Recommendation. The City Planning Commission may recommend approval, denial, or approval with conditions of the request. The recommendation of the City Planning Commission shall be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration. The petitioner will be given written notice of the recommendation of the City Planning Commission. Any recommendations for approval affecting a street must be forwarded to the County Road Commission for its approval prior to Council consideration.
(F) Council final action. Upon receipt and review of the recommendation from the City Planning Commission on the petition, City Council may sustain the recommendation or may rule otherwise. The decision of City Council is final.
(G) Assessment of costs.
(1) Upon receipt of petition. The petitioner shall be provided an estimate of the cost to be incurred by the city in reviewing the petition, researching the requested change, providing the public notices required in this section, and conducting the public hearing, which costs shall be the sole responsibility of the petitioner. Upon receipt of payment in full of the estimated costs, the steps set forth in division (E) shall proceed. If payment is not received within 30 days of an estimate being provided, the petition will be considered withdrawn.
(2) Petition approval. If the petition is approved, the petitioner shall be provided an estimate of the cost determined to implement the naming or renaming, which costs are the sole responsibility of the petitioner. Upon receipt of payment in full of the estimated costs, city staff shall implement the recommendation. If payment is not received within 30 days of an estimate being provided, the petition will be considered withdrawn. At the time of granting the petition, City Council may, at its discretion, waive any or all costs to be incurred.
(3) Estimated costs. Petitioners shall be responsible for payment of any costs associated with their petition that are in excess of any estimate provided. Should the actual costs involved in processing a petition or implementing a naming or renaming be less than the estimate paid, any overpayment shall be returned to the petitioner by the city.
(H) Withdrawal. If the petitioner(s) wishes to voluntarily withdraw their petition, they must do so in writing and file same with the City Clerk.
(Prior Code, § 152.51) (Ord. O-69, passed 5-19-2008, effective 5-29-2008; Ord. O-198, passed 11-20-2017, effective 11-30-2017)