HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-2014 C14 Street Name OrdinanceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Agenda Report, Meeting Date, Item Number
FROM: Derek Johnson, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Phil Dunsmore, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 12.32, CITYWIDE
STREET NAME REGULATIONS
RECOMMENDATION
As recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee, introduce an ordinance to amend
Municipal Code 12.32 (Street Names) to include guidance and reference to a Historic Registry
for the naming of streets.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City’s Municipal Code, Chapter 12.32 regulates the naming of streets. In addition to general
procedures, the code provides criteria for naming streets that focus on ease of pronunciation and
logistical direction (i.e. no duplicates, where streets change direction new street names should be
provided, etc.). A local historian, Joe Carotenuti, requested that Council consider updating street
name requirements to incorporate references to pioneers who helped shape the history of the
City. Staff has been working with Mr. Carotenuti to identify ways to add more guidance to the
street name ordinance including the concept of utilizing a “Historic Name Registry” as a
reference in the naming of new streets.
The Cultural Heritage Committee (CHC) reviewed proposed ordinance changes on February 24,
2014 and recommended the City Council amend the Street Name Ordinance to add additional
guidance criteria, including development of a Historic Name Registry to be used as a reference
for street names. The CHC included recommendations to broaden the criteria to include
categories associated with significant local places, flora and fauna; and suggested that new
subdivisions provide street names that build on a theme that is relevant to the particular area.
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to provide additional guidance in the code to promote
the community’s appreciation of its history through street names. The new guidance would
encourage, but not require, street names to reflect prominent civic ancestors or significant places
or events. Many of San Luis Obispo’s streets already follow these criteria; however no specific
policy is in place to require this approach. With several new residential subdivisions and new
streets planned for the Orcutt, Airport and Margarita Areas it is timely to explore the concept of
updating the street naming ordinance.
Historic Name Registry
As a community we are proud to remember our heritage through the people who were significant
in our community’s history and through the places and events that have occurred through time. A
May 20, 2014
C14 - 1
Street Name Ordinance MC 12.32 Page 2
Historic Name Registry is simply a directory of those individual, families and places that
influenced and contributed to the growth and development of the City. It is envisioned as an
annotated compilation of names and pertinent information. Many communities maintain a
Pioneer Registry simply as a historic reference; however the registry can also serve as a resource
for street names or in designating names for parks, bridges, monuments, etc. Although not
complete at this time, the registry is a work in progress and will be developed with the assistance
of the Cultural Heritage Committee and community volunteers. An outline and example of the
registry has been provided in Attachment 3.
General Plan Policy
The General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE) provides goals, policies and
programs that support historic preservation.
Goal 3.2 states:
“The City will expand community understanding, appreciation and support for historic
and architectural resource preservation to ensure long-term protection of cultural
resources.”
Goal 3.2 is implemented by a number of policies and programs, most notably program
3.6.6 which states:
“The City will foster public awareness and appreciation of cultural resources by
sponsoring educational programs, by helping to display artifacts that illuminate past
cultures and by encouraging private development to include historical and
archaeological displays where feasible and appropriate.”
The proposed revision to the Municipal Code implements Goal 3.2 by providing direction and a
street naming resource that celebrates the City’s past and provides a way by which the
community can be made aware of the City’s history.
Registry Format
The City’s recently adopted Historic Context Statement (available in the Council Reading File)
provides excellent background towards developing a Pioneer Registry. The Context contains: 1)
historic themes; 2) prominent family names; and 3) place names that are significant to our
community. Examples of existing street names that reflect this history may be found in several
themes. For example, the names Serra, Cavaller, Forrester, Bonilla, Pollard and Angel are a few
of the names that deserve local recognition because of their association with our community’s
early history. The Historic Registry would not be incorporated into the Municipal Code but
would instead be referenced in the Municipal Code and would exist as a separate document on
file in the Community Development Department, making additions and modification more
efficient.
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Street Name Ordinance MC 12.32 Page 3
Proposed Changes to the Street Name Ordinance, MC 12.32.110
As recommended by the CHC, the proposed edits to MC 12.32.110 are shown below. Proposed
new language is underlined:
12.32.110 Street name criteria.
A. Street names must be pleasant sounding and grammatically correct.
B. Street names must be easy to spell, pronounce and read so the public, especially children, can
say the name correctly in an emergency.
C. Street names must include an appropriate classification such as “street,” “way,” “lane,”
etc., to be determined by the community development department.
D. Streets must not be named after a living person, except they may be named after a family
prominent in local history as recognized in the Historic Name Registry even if family members
are alive.
E. Streets in the 911 emergency-response area must not have duplicate or similar sounding
names.
F. Street names must have fewer than fifteen characters, including letters, punctuation and
spaces, but not including the street classification.
G. A continuous street, or one proposed to be continuous, must have the same name throughout
its length.
H. Two street segments that don’t form a continuous street, and aren’t proposed to form one,
must have different names.
I. Preference shall be given to street names that are associated with significant names
recognized in the Historic Name Registry as maintained by the City Community Development
Department; The registry will recognize periods of historic significance consistent with the
Historic Context Statement and recognize significant names, flora, fauna or events that are
unique to the community.
J. Where several street names are to be designated, such as within a new subdivision, the street
names should be thematically organized and related to the local area of the subdivision.
CONCURRENCES
Staff has submitted the proposed Code revisions to Public Safety staff for comment and they
concur with the proposed amendments. The CHC reviewed and recommended the proposed
ordinance amendments at their regular hearing on February 24.
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Street Name Ordinance MC 12.32 Page 4
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Historic resource evaluation is exempt from environmental review (CEQA Guidelines Section
15308 (Resource Protection), and the revisions to the Municipal Code regarding the project is
exempt from environmental review per CEQA Guidelines under the General Rule (Section
15061(b)(3)) since it can be seen with certainty that proposed amendments to the Municipal
Code could not have a significant effect on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Proposed amendments to MC 12.32 will not create fiscal impacts because there are no costs
associated with providing guidance to the naming of future streets and there are very
insignificant costs associated with maintaining a Historic Name Registry as this activity will be
assisted with student interns and with volunteer assistance.
CONCLUSION
Through the development of a Historic Name Registry, and the use of the registry as a source of
street names, the City is providing a direct approach to foster an interest in our community’s
past, thereby implementing an important COSE program.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council may consider alternatives to the proposed municipal code amendment including
additional guidance in the naming of streets. As an option, the Council may wish to consider
limiting the level of flexibility and requiring that new street names follow the new criteria
instead of simply encouraging the use of these criteria.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Draft Ordinance
2. CEQA Notice of Exemption
3. Historic Name Registry Outline
AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE
Historic Context Statement
T:\Council Agenda Reports\2014\2014-05-20\Amendments to Street Name Ordinance (Johnson-Dunsmore)\Street Name Council
Agenda Report.docx
C14 - 4
[Type text] [Type text] ATTACHMENT 1
O _____
ORDINANCE NO. (2014 Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
AMENDING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 12.32
CITY STREET NAME REGULATIONS
(TA 20-14)
WHEREAS, the Cultural Heritage Committee conducted a public hearing on February
24, 2014 and recommended approval of amendments to MC 12.32 to provide further guidance to
the City Street Name Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a public hearing on May 20, 2014, and has
considered testimony of interested parties, the records of the Cultural Heritage Committee
hearing and action, and the evaluation and recommendation of staff; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed revisions are consistent with the
General Plan, the purposes of the Street Name Regulations, and other applicable City ordinances;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the environmental determination as
prepared by staff and reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds and determines that Historic resource evaluation is
exempt from environmental review (CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Resource Protection), and
the revisions to the Municipal Code regarding the project is exempt from environmental review
per CEQA Guidelines under the General Rule (Section 15061(b)(3)) since it can be seen with
certainty that proposed amendments to the Municipal Code could not have a significant effect on
the environment.
SECTION 2. The City Council makes the following findings:
1. The work effort to draft and maintain a Historic Name Registry is an educational
component that implements General Plan Conservation and Open Space programs.
2. The proposed amendment to the municipal code will provide additional guidance in the
naming of streets without reducing the flexibility in determining future street names.
3. Revisions to the Municipal Code regarding The project is exempt from environmental
review per CEQA Guidelines under the General Rule (Section 15061(b)(3)). Municipal
Code amendments are summarized below which conclude that it can be seen with
certainty that proposed amendments to the Municipal Code could not have a significant
effect on the environment.
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Ordinance No. (20xx Series) ATTACHMENT 1
Page 2
SECTION 3. Ordinance Number _____ (20xx Series) is hereby amended and reenacted
in full to read as follows:
12.32.110 Street name criteria.
A. Street names must be pleasant sounding and grammatically correct.
B. Street names must be easy to spell, pronounce and read so the public, especially children, can
say the name correctly in an emergency.
C. Street names must include an appropriate classification such as “street,” “way,” “lane,” etc., to
be determined by the community development department.
D. Streets must not be named after a living person, except they may be named after a family
prominent in local history as recognized in the Historic Name Registry even if family members
are alive.
E. Streets in the 911 emergency-response area must not have duplicate or similar sounding
names.
F. Street names must have fewer than fifteen characters, including letters, punctuation and
spaces, but not including the street classification.
G. A continuous street, or one proposed to be continuous, must have the same name throughout
its length.
H. Two street segments that don’t form a continuous street, and aren’t proposed to form one,
must have different names.
I. Preference shall be given to street names that are associated with significant names recognized
in the Historic Name Registry as maintained by the City Community Development Department;
The registry will recognize periods of historic significance consistent with the Historic Context
Statement and recognize significant names, flora, fauna or events that are unique to the
community.
J. Where several street names are to be designated, such as within a new subdivision, the street
names should be thematically organized and related to the local area of the subdivision.
SECTION 4. A summary of this ordinance, together with the names of Council
members voting for and against, shall be published at least five (5) days prior to its final passage,
in the Telegram-Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in this City. This ordinance shall
go into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its final passage.
INTRODUCED on the 20th day of May 2014, AND FINALLY ADOPTED by the
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo on the ______ day of _______ 2014, on the following
roll call vote:
AYES:
C14 - 6
Ordinance No. (20xx Series) ATTACHMENT 1
Page 3
NOES:
ABSENT:
Mayor Jan Marx
ATTEST:
Anthony Mejia
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
C14 - 7
Notice of Exemption
To: Office of Planning and Research From: City of San Luis Obispo
1400 Tenth Street, Room 121 Community Development Department
Sacramento, CA 95814 919 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3249
County Clerk
County of San Luis Obispo Filing Not Required
1144 Monterey Street, Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Project Title: Amendments to Municipal Code 12.32 Street name Regulations – TA 20-14
Project Location - Specific: Citywide
Project Location - City: San Luis Obispo Project Location - County: San Luis Obispo
Description of Project: Amendments to Municipal Code 12.32 Street Name Regulations to include guidance
and reference to a Historic Registry for the naming of streets.
Name of Public Agency Approving the Project: City of San Luis Obispo
Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out the Project: City of San Luis Obispo
Exempt Status (check one):
Ministerial (Section 21080(b)(1); 15268;
General Rule (Section 15661(b)(3);
Declared Emergency (Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a));
Emergency Project (Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)
Categorical Exemption. State type and section number:
Statutory Exemptions. State code number:
Reasons why project is exempt: It can be seen with certainty that proposed amendments to the Municipal Code related
to street naming will not have a significant effect on the environment because there is no physical effect which results
from naming a street.
Lead Agency
Contact Person: Phil Dunsmore Area Code/Telephone/Ext. 805-781-7522
If filed by applicant:
1. Attach certified document of exemption finding.
2. Has a notice of exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project? Yes No
Signature:______________________________ Date: ___________________
Title: Community Development Director
Signed by Lead Agency Date Received for Filing at OPR: __________
Signed by Applicant Revised April 1997
Attachment 2
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ATTACHMENT 3
HISTORIC NAME REGISTRY
The Historic Name Registry provides an informative directory of those individuals and families who
influenced and contributed to the growth and development of the municipality before and during the
earliest years of the area’s history.
While saving the physical remembrances from the past, the people who helped sustain our community’s
development are too often forgotten as time dims memories and/or the significance of various
contributions to our civic life. Preserved history can become connected to the three dimensional world of
things and lose sight that there were men and women who built, nurtured, legislated, encouraged and
discouraged, who contributed to the breathe and width of both buildings and ideas.
A Historic Name Registry is envisioned as an annotated compilation of names and pertinent
information. It essentially will provide a reference guide of those who impacted San Luis Obispo from
an early settlement encompassing a broad geographical area through continued development and a
narrowing (geographically) into a more defined civic unit.
Each name will include a brief synopsis of the person/family’s involvement with a particular era of the
municipality as well as any contributions to the historical evolution of the community in a significant
manner.
FORMAT: The Pioneer Registry is envisioned as including four major sections. An asterisk indicates
names currently used in the City. An alternative might be a separate section dedicated to names
currently in use.
I. The Spanish/Mission Era: 1772-1821
*Portola, Gaspar de: Born in Spain, Portola led the first land expedition through the area in 1769
Cavaller, Fray Joseph: the first padre of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
II. The Mexican Era: 1821-1846
Bonilla, Mariano: the last alcalde for San Luis Obispo and first judge of the County of San Luis Obispo
in the Court of Sessions
*Pico, Jose de Jesus: cousin of Pio Pico, Jesus was instrumental in ending the California conflict in the
Mexican-American War
III. Pre-statehood through Township: 1846 – 1876
Pollard, Samuel Adams: A native of Virginia, Pollard opened one of the first businesses in San Luis
Obispo in 1849 and served in a variety of civic positions in the Town, City and County.
C14 - 9
ATTACHMENT 3
Vickers, Rome: the editor of the first local newspaper The San Luis Obispo Pioneer (1868)
IV. City: 1876- 1900
Angel, Myron: editor of the Tribune and author of The History of San Luis Obispo County published in
1883
McDougall, S. P: the first mayor of the City of San Luis Obispo (1876)
Depending on desired length, images also could be included in the Registry.
C14 - 10
i MAY 2 0 ?_014
Agenda Correspondence
337
I' C14 Street Name Regulations
DATE: May 20, 2014
TO: Mayor and Council
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date Item #—L1,,.
FROM: Derek Johnson, Community Development Director
BY: Phil Dunsmore, Senior Planner
VIA: Katie Lichtig, City Manager
RE: May 20, 2014 Council Agenda. Item C14 - Street Name Regulations Update
The staff report and proposed ordinance amendment to the Street Name Regulations both
reference the Historic Context Statement as the source of the identified periods of history
for which street names are encouraged. It was pointed out that Attachment 3, the draft
suggested format for the Historic Registry, did not reflect the Early History period described
in the Context Statement. Please see the revised Attachment 3 which shows the addition
of the Early History period as part of the Historic Registry. This document is not intended to
be codified as part of the ordinance but will exist as a resource in the Community
Development Department as applicants seek to name new streets.
Please contact Kim Murry in the Community Development Department with any questions
at kmurrv(@slocity.org or via phone at 805- 781 -7274.
Attached: Revised Attachment 3
ATTACHMENT 3
HISTORIC NAME REGISTRY
The Historic Name Registry provides an informative directory of those individuals and families who
influenced and contributed to the growth and development of the municipality before and during the
earliest years of the area's history.
While saving the physical remembrances from the past, the people who helped sustain our community's
development are too often forgotten as time dims memories and/or the significance of various
contributions to our civic life. Preserved history can become connected to the three dimensional world of
things and lose sight that there were men and women who built, nurtured, legislated, encouraged and
discouraged, who contributed to the breathe and width of both buildings and ideas.
A Historic Name Registry is envisioned as an annotated compilation of names and pertinent
information. It essentially will provide a reference guide of those who impacted San Luis Obispo from
an early settlement encompassing a broad geographical area through continued development and a
narrowing (geographically) into a more defined civic unit.
Each name will include a brief synopsis of the person/family's involvement with a particular era of the
municipality as well as any contributions to the historical evolution of the community in a significant
manner.
FORMAT: The Pioneer Registry is envisioned as including fetes -five major sections. An asterisk
indicates names currently used in the City. An alternative might be a separate section dedicated to names
currently in use.
I. Early History: Prehistory — 1772
Native American Names: Obispeno Chumash
III. The Spanish/Mission Era: 1772 -1821
*Portola, Gaspar de: Born in Spain, Portola led the first land expedition through the area in 1769
Cavaller, Fray Joseph: the first padre of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
VIII. The Mexican Era: 1821 -1846
Bonilla, Mariano: the last alcalde for San Luis Obispo and first judge of the County of San Luis Obispo
in the Court of Sessions
*Pico, Jose de Jesus: cousin of Pio Pico, Jesus was instrumental in ending the California conflict in the
Mexican - American War
ATTACHMENT 3
114-.IV.Pre- statehood through Township: 1846 —1876
Pollard, Samuel Adams: A native of Virginia, Pollard opened one of the first businesses in San Luis
Obispo in 1849 and served in a variety of civic positions in the Town, City and County.
Vickers, Rome: the editor of the first local newspaper The San Luis Obispo Pioneer (1868)
W-N, City: 1876- 1900
Angel, Myron: editor of the Tribune and author of The History of San Luis Obispo County published in
1883
McDougall, S. P: the first mayor of the City of San Luis Obispo (1876)
Depending on desired length, images also could be included in the Registry.
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES
April 4, 1892 — May 8, 1901
COUNCIL MEETING: 051zo 1.zpi l
'TFM NO.: C1 (4
5%�-bWV'A+eC) by Iv1240r Sari MdrX
April 4, 1892 — December 19, 1892 Pages 1 — 42
January 3, 1893 — December 21, 1893 Pages 43 — 84
January 21, 1894 — December 27, 1894 Pages 85 — 164
January 7, 1895 —December 16, 1895 Pages 165 - 229
January 6, 1896 — December 30, 1896 Pages 229 — 304
January 4, 1897 — December 20, 1897 Pages 304 — 354
January 3, 1898 —December 19, 1898 Pages 354 — 407
January 3, 1899 — December 18, 1899 Pages 408 — 458
January 2, 1900 — December 17, 1900 Pages 459 — 535
January 7, 1901 — May 8, 1901 Pages 536 — 555
OFFICIALS
1892 1896
Robert Edgar Jack, Chairman Edwin P. Unangst, President (resigned
George W. McCabe 1/4/96) followed by
Archibald C. McLeod William A. Henderson, President
Frank Campbell Mitchell Joseph Lind
John J. Simmler (resigned 9/21/92) Charles H. Reed
followed by Smith Shaw
Wade Hampton (1/3/93; resigned Alfred S. Whitsel (appointed 1/11/97)
12/4/93) followed by C. F. Sammann, Clerk/Assessor
Edwin P. Unangst (1/15/94) James W. Cook, Marshal /Tax & License
Samuel A. Pollard, Clerk/Assessor Collector
Madison Graves, Marshal/Tax Collector Frank Adelbert Terry, Treasurer
Charles A. Haskin, Treasurer Robert V. Bouldin, Attorney
Rockwell A. Loomis, Recorder
William A. Ships , Attorney
1894 1898 •`
Archibald C. McLeod, President William A. Shipsey, President
William A. Henderson Joseph Lind (resigned 4/6/1900) followed by
Charles H. Reed William Mallagh
Edwin P. Unangst Antonio G. Pinho
Smith Shaw Shaw Smith
C. F. Sammann, Clerk/Assessor John A. Goodrich, Clerk/Assessor,
James W. Cook, Marshal/Tax Collector replaced by
Charles A. Haskin, Treasurer George W. Robbins (11/23/99)
William A. Shipsey, Attorney (resigned James W. Cook, Marshal/Tax & License
4/20/94) followed by Collector
W. H. Spencer (7/9/94; resigned 2/16/94) Andrew F. Fitzgerald, Treasurer
followed by Silas Marden Swinnerton, Attorney
Elias Noah Williams
Library Trustees (appointed 10/4/97):
Mrs. John Dill Armstrong
Mrs. Clarence 'T. Greenfield
Mrs. Charles H. Reed
Mrs. Aaron Z. Sinsheimer
Mrs. McDowell R. Venable
1900
William A. Shipsey, President
C. B. Huston (resigned 1/7/01) followed by
Frederick S. Finney (1/21/01)
William Mallagh
Antonio G. Pinto
McDowell R. Venable
George W. Robbins, Clerk /Assessor
William G. Johnson, Marshal/ Tax & License Collector
Andrew F. Fitzgerald, Treasurer
Edward Samuel Green, Attorney