Recent actions by Council regarding the renaming of streets within the City suggests that a coherent policy be established defining the requirements and process for future rename requests.

This report proposes a processing strategy for the renaming of public and private streets. The report also considers appropriate fees for future renaming applications.

Staff recommends that requests for the renaming of public streets be subject to Council action by Resolution consistent with State law, and that requests for the renaming of private streets be subject to staff level review through a Miscellaneous Plan Permit process.

The Municipal Code for the City of Sunnyvale does not include a detailed procedure for the renaming of streets. Section 5026 of the State of California Streets and Highways Code provides that the naming, or a change to the name of a street, or other improved places, shall be by resolution. This approach was followed by the City in the recent renaming of Agena Way to Mathilda Place. Agena Way is a relatively short street located between the Mozart development currently under construction and the Mathilda Avenue overpass. On December 11, 2001 Council approved a resolution for this change.

On January 7, 2002 the Board of Directors of the Hindu Temple faxed a request to the City of Sunnyvale requesting consideration of a street name change for the address at which the Temple is currently located. The current address for the Temple is 420-450 Persian Drive. On February 13, 2002 Council approved the request to initiate a street rename study from Persian Drive to Mandir Drive and directed staff to prepare a street rename policy.

There are no Goals, Policies, Action Statements or Objectives in the General Plan directly related to this item, however, the following items are somewhat related to the proposed policy:

Policy R1.5 Maintain a functional classification of the street system that identifies Congestion Management Program roadways and intersections, as well as local roadways and intersections of regional significance.

Action Statement C31.1 Maintain and update a functional classification of the street system.

The proposed street rename processing policy provides two distinct processing strategies for public and private streets, respectively.

PUBLIC STREET RENAME STRATEGY

The proposed street rename policy recommends that the public street rename process consist of two steps: (1) consideration of the initial request for a street rename study, (2) processing of the formal application.

The policy recommends that a public street rename request be initiated in writing from one or more resident, business owner or tenant (or by a home owners association or similar common ownership organization) within the City of Sunnyvale. This policy limits requests for a public street rename to persons who live or work in the City of Sunnyvale. Persons who are not a resident, business owner or tenant of the City of Sunnyvale do not have standing to initiate a rename request for a public street.

Requests shall be provided in writing to the Director of Community Development stating the reason the change is being proposed, which street or streets are requested for consideration of a street name change and any proposed new name(s). A street map shall also be provided showing the location of the proposed street name change. The Director will schedule City Council consideration of the proposed requested street rename and prepare a staff report providing a brief analysis of the request.

A notice of the public hearing will be published in the local paper. At the hearing, Council will determine whether to allow the filing, with fee, of a street rename study. Council action to approve the request is not an indication of Council support for the requested street renaming. The formal application (step two of the process) that follows will be evaluated on its merits and may be approved, denied or approved with modification.

If the request for a street rename study is approved by Council, consideration of the proposed street rename (step two) shall be initiated by the filing of a public hearing application and fee.

Although such requests are expected to be rare, staff recommends amending the fee resolution identifying the fee for a public street rename study; this will ensure a quick determination of the required fee. Due to localized and community wide interest in the potential renaming of public streets, staff recommends a fee sufficient to address anticipated costs. Staff recommends that the Legislative Actions/General Plan Amendment fee also include public street rename studies (currently $2,647.00). The 2002-2003 Fee Resolution will be considered by Council as part of the 2002-2003 Budget on May 7, 2002. This revision has been incorporated into the 2002-2003 Fee Resolution.

The application filing shall include a statement as to the reason the change is being proposed, which street or streets are requested for consideration of a street name change and any proposed new name. A street map shall be provided showing the location of the proposed street name change.

The Community Development Department shall process the application incorporating public outreach, public notice and neighborhood workshops. Community Development Department analysis of the rename request will include, at a minimum, consultation with the City’s Department of Public Safety, the County of Santa Clara, Communications Department - Technical Services Division and the United States Postal Service.

The Director of Community Development shall prepare a staff report providing a detailed analysis of the request including alternatives. At a public hearing, Council will determine whether to approve the requested rename. Council action shall be by resolution.

PRIVATE STREET

The private street rename processing policy provides a less rigorous, staff level review due to the private ownership status of such streets.

A private street rename request shall be initiated by the filing of a Miscellaneous Plan Permit Application and fee from at least 50% of property owners (or by a home owners association or similar common ownership organization) whose property is addressed on the private street under consideration to the Director of Community Development. The fee recommended for this application is the Administrative Request/Extension of Time fee (currently $423.00). This revision has been incorporated into the 2002-2003 Fee Resolution.

The Miscellaneous Plan Permit Application shall include a written project description stating the reason the change is being proposed, which street or streets are requested for consideration of a street name change and any proposed new name. A street map shall be provided showing the location of the proposed street name change.

This item is seeking action from Council establishing a street renaming policy; no fiscal impact will result from this item. Should requests for the renaming of streets be received in the future, costs for staff time to process such requests will include public notice, neighborhood meetings and public hearings. If approved, cost to the City will also include the updating of street maps, handouts, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and all published material that make reference to original street name. Similar fiscal impacts would also be realized by all property owners and tenants whose address takes access from the subject street. The extent of these impacts are unknown.

Notice of the public hearing for this item was published in the Sun Newspaper. The staff report for this project was posted on the City of Sunnyvale’s Website and a copy of the report was provided at the Reference Section of the City of Sunnyvale’s Public Library. The Agenda was posted on the City of Sunnyvale’s Website.

Alternative 1

Prepared by:
Fred Bell
Principal Planner

Reviewed by:
Trudi Ryan
Planning Officer

Robert Paternoster
Director, Community Development

Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager