TITLE
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, adopting a street name change policy. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The City has received requests from SLV Homestead, LLC and Desert Cedars HOA to change street names in their respective subdivisions. Currently, the City has no adopted policy by which to implement street name changes; therefore, staff has prepared the attached Street Name Change Policy guidelines based on various municipalities and counties in Arizona. This short memorandum provides preliminary information to the City Council in preparation of the proposed Street Name Change Policy.
Changing a street name often has significant financial impact on property owners, tenants, and the city (bank accounts, letterhead, business cards, deeds, licenses, signage, advertisements, phone book listings, permits, and other records). In addition, private mapping services such as Google, MapQuest, Bing, and Yahoo need the information to update maps to reflect accurate street names. Obtaining this information from the County Recorder's Office data could take up to two years to document a street name change. As such, a well-coordinated effort has to be made when a street name change is proposed, i.e. public input, emergency providers' acceptance, and finally, an approval from the City Council.
Background
Since incorporation in 2003, the City of Maricopa relied on Pinal County addressing protocol and procedures and also accepted street names as submitted through the subdivision platting process from the development community. An in-house addressing protocol was created by staff in 2005; however, this protocol is no longer consistent with current policies and ordinances adopted by other jurisdictions in Arizona. These organizations required their City Council or Board of Supervisors to make the final decision on street name change requests. Based on these reviews, staff prepared a draft copy of the policy that may be adopted by the City Council through a resolution.
The City Council shall have complete legislative discretion to change the name of any street in the City. The Council is the final decision maker and may choose to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the proposed street name change.
If approved by Council, the Street Name Change Policy will be ultimately included in the future Street Name Addressing Procedures (SNAP). The purpose of the SNAP is to reduce the potential for confusion, and to provide a uniform means of identifying developed property and its improvements for the provision of emergency services, government record keeping, and postal delivery. Primary consideration to the needs of emergency service providers shall always be given priority and City addressing functions will continue to be coordinated with the emergency providers, and Pinal County Planning and Development and GIS Departments.
This item will be presented by Zoning Administrator Kazi Haque.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council formally adopt Resolution 14-11, Street Name Change Policy.