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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRoad Naming Policy 2025 Municipality of Bayham Road Naming Policy 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1. This policy establishes the processes and criteria for naming, renaming, or dedicating Municipal highways, including the methods by which the public may provide suggestions and comments. 2.0 DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATION 2.1 Highway – means a common and public roadway or a portion thereof under the jurisdiction of the Municipality and includes any bridge, trestle, viaduct or other structure forming part of the roadway. 2.2 Manager of Public Works – means the Manager of Public Works of Municipality or designate. 2.3 Municipality – means The Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham 2.4 Private Road – means single or multi-lane path accessible to vehicles that is not under the jurisdiction of the Municipality, County, or Province. 2.5 Road - means a Highway/Public Road or a Private Road 3.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS Staff may, at any time, recommend that a specific name be used for a specific Highway. The intent of naming is for permanent recognition. The renaming of Highways is strongly discouraged as it significantly impacts numerous individuals, Municipal departments, and the community. 4.0 ROAD NAME PROCEDURES Council Approved Nov 6/25 2 4.1. The naming, renaming, and dedication of Roads shall be the responsibility of staff of the Municipality. Public consultation is not required for the naming of a Road unless such process is recommended to be appropriate by the Manager of Public Works. 4.2. Municipal staff may, at any time, recommend to Council that a specific name be used for a specific Road. 4.3. Along with the legal requirements of giving notice of the registration of any by-law to name or rename a Road, the surrounding municipalities located both inside and outside of the County of Elgin should be notified of the proposed Road names. 4.4. Every attempt should be made to avoid duplication of Road names (particularly within the Municipality and the neighbouring municipalities) unless they are continuous in nature. 5.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES 5.1. There are several general guidelines which should be followed: (1) The Council of the Municipality makes all final decisions concerning what is placed or occurs on municipal property. (2) Roads with sequential numbering should have one name. (3) Roads without sequential numbering should not have one name. (4) Municipal boundary Roads should have one name. (5) If a Road is separated by a river, or other barriers, two separate names should be assigned. (6) Road name changes should only occur at intersections. (7) If a Road is stopped by an unopened road allowance, not likely to be opened, then separate names should be assigned. If the Road is likely to be completed, one name may be sufficient but special directional signs may be required. (8) “Concession” and “Sideroad” names shall be avoided. (9) Roads with common names and different suffixes should be avoided. For example, if there is a Vantage Street there should not be a Vantage Court. Council Approved Nov 6/25 3 However, to address existing legal Road names, a maximum of two derivatives of the same Road name but having different suffixes may be used where alternatives are not acceptable. (10) The prefixes or suffixes "North, South, East and West” shall be avoided. (11) When there is a significant jog in a Road, a separate name for each Road segment may be needed. (12) The use of a common indicator shall be required as follows: North-South Roads shall be "Road" and West-East Roads shall be "Line". (13) Cul-de-sac Roads shall be named “Court”, short form “Crt” (14) Road names shall be unique and phonetically similar names or similarly spelled names shall be avoided. This includes for jurisdictions immediately adjacent to the Municipality, whenever possible. For example, if there is a Lynwood, there should not be a Linwood. (15) Roads associated with condominium or subdivision developments, the request submitted by the proponent or developer for a name(s) shall include: • a sketch of the proposed Road location(s) • the suggested name(s) that shall be a name other than that of the proponent or developer’s own name(s) The suggested name(s) will be vetted by staff through the investigation and criteria evaluation process of this policy. Staff may recommend changes to any proposed Road name. (16) Consideration should be given to local landmark names such as schools, churches, hamlets, etc. (17) Road names that are difficult to spell and difficult to pronounce should be avoided. (18) Road names shall not be discriminatory, derogatory, or political in nature; names conveying a secondary negative or offensive connotation, any sexual overtones, inappropriate humour, slang or double meanings shall be avoided. Council Approved Nov 6/25 4 (19) Road names with hyphens, apostrophes, or dashes shall be discouraged but may be considered on an individual basis. (20) Road names may, on an exceptional basis, honour the significant contributions of an individual or family. (21) Road names to honour elected or appointed public officials, Municipal administrative officials, or staff shall occur posthumously. (22) Road names should not exceed a maximum of 26 characters in total. Total number of characters includes any spaces between each element of the Road name. The elements of the Road name are: • Road Name - maximum 15 characters (including any spaces), one space, • Road Suffix - maximum 7 characters (when abbreviated), one space; and (23) The form of signage shall be consistent with the Municipality’s signage guidelines. 6.0 PROVINCIAL HIGHWAYS 4.1 Provincial Highways are named as any other Road, and the highway identifier is maintained. 7.0 PRIVATE ROADS 5.1 Where Municipal approval is given for the usage of a Private Road, the name shall: (1) Not contain a prefix. (2) Have the designation of "/PRIV." after its name, and (3) Not be the same as any Road name in or adjacent to the Municipality. 5.2 Where a Private Road is in existence or is proposed to be constructed, the owner may apply for the numbering or renumbering of the buildings and lots or units along the Private Road and for the naming or renaming by filing an application with the Municipality together with: (1) A copy of the deed and description of the land, Council Approved Nov 6/25 5 (2) The plans of the land in duplicate indicating: • the location of the buildings on the site • the location of the main entrances to the buildings or the units and the number of units served by each entrance • the location of all Private Roads, walks, parking areas, aisles and driveways • the location of Private Road signs • a key plan to indicate how the Private Roads tie into the network of public Roads, and • the proposed name of the Road (3) A processing fee in accordance with the Municipality’s current Rates and Fees By-law. 8.0 ROAD NAMING DISPUTE ARBITRATION In the event of a boundary Road naming dispute between municipalities, the County will be consulted to mediate and arbitrate a final name selection. 9.0 ROADWAY IDENTIFICATION SIGNS 7.1 Provincial Highways Signs on or at Provincial Highways are subject to Ministry of Transportation standards. 7.2 County of Elgin Roads The County of Elgin will assist in the co-ordination of the purchase/production of Road Identification Signs. Signs on or at County of Elgin Roads are subject to County standards. 7.3 Local Municipal Roads (1) Road name signs are to be located on the southwest corner of all intersections unless the Manager of Public Works otherwise specifies. (2) New Road name signs should be mounted on separate poles from regulatory signs at the discretion of the Manager of Public Works. At "Tee" intersections, where it is not possible to locate a roadway identification sign on the southwest corner, the roadway sign poles shall generally be located across the intersection opposite the centre line of the intersecting road. Council Approved Nov 6/25 6 (3) Road name plates shall be extruded aluminum blades with heat activated application of "engineering grade" reflective vinyl to the blank. Lettering shall be reflective white on a reflective blue background. Lettering should be on both sides of the sign where applicable and in accordance with municipal standards. 7.4 Private Roads (1) Municipal approval of the Private Road name is required prior to usage. Any municipal number assignment other than a unit number and any sign being erected shall be a manner approved by the Manager of Public Works. Filing in the County registry will be required and will always indicate the road name with ______/PRIV". (2) Road sign colouring will be white lettering on a reflective blue background in accordance with municipal standards. (3) Lettering on the sign shall be "ROAD NAME/PRIV". (4) Shall be located at all intersections in a manner approved by the Manager of Public Works. (5) Be maintained by the Private Road owner.