DEPARTMENT: Development Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Michael Shannon
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing and possible action of a City Council Request to amend Chapter 6 of the City Code to establish a five year waiting period after a street has been renamed before a subsequent request for a street name change can be filed.
SUMMARY:
On January 11, 2017 District 6 Councilman, Ray Lopez sponsored a Council Consideration Request (CCR) to amend Chapter 6 of the City Code to not allow a request for a street name change for five (5) years after the street has been renamed. Any changes to the City Code require City Council approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Recently, a street name change was approved by Council and in less than a year an application was submitted requesting to change the street to the original name. The current regulation allows for individuals to request to change the name of a city street or add a memorial designation by filing an application with Development Services Department. The code states that the request may only be initiated by the following parties:
(1) A member of the city council;
(2) The director of development services, if it is determined that the street name change is in the best interest of the health, safety, welfare, and public convenience and safety of the citizens of San Antonio;
(3) One of the following located on the subject street:
a. A group;
b. An agency;
c. A business;
d. An owner of property; or
(4) An officer or authorized representative of a governmental subdivision, agency, or department.
A completed application must be accompanied by the required fees and the name and address of all owners of property affected by the name change. After a completed application is received staff will review for completeness and distribute to various agencies for review. The renaming of streets, including the designation of a memorial name, requires a recommendation from city staff, the planning commission at a public hearing, as applicable the historic and design review commission, and final consideration by city council at a public hearing.
ISSUE:
Changes to the code will require an amendment to Chapter 6, Division 6, Sec. 6-674, of the City Code. Currently, the code does not address how to process multiple requests for the same street and the proposed amendment will provide clarification and more administrative efficiency with the application process.
ALTERNATIVES:
Council could chose to leave the street change process as is and continue to process applications as the stated in the current code.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the City’s general fund or the Development Services Department’s enterprise fund with this proposed amendment. There are line items within the approved budget to provide for codification, publishing, and printing through the contract with Municipal Code Corporation (Municode).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of amending Chapter 6, Division 6, Sec. 6-674 of the City Code to require a five year waiting period from the date of council action before any application to change the name of a street can be filed.