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 (5) year waiting period after a street has been renamed or a memorial designation added before a subsequent request for a street name change is 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. City Code 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 process may only be initiated by the following parties:
• A member of the city council;
• 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;
• One of the following located on the subject street:
o A group;
o An agency;
o A business;
o An owner of property; or
• An officer or authorized representative of a governmental subdivision, agency, or department.
A completed application must be accompanied by the required fees and name and address of all owners of property affected by the name change or memorial designation. 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
• When applicable, the historic and design review commission
• Final consideration by city council
The proposed amendment has been presented to the following Boards and Committees:
• Governance Committee - February 8, 2017
• Planning Commission Work Session Briefing - March 22, 2017
• Neighborhoods and Livability - April 17, 2017
• Planning Commission Public Hearing - April 26, 2017
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 choose to leave the code as is and staff will continue to process applications as currently stated in the 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 (5) year waiting period from the date of council action before any application to change the name of a street or add a memorial designation is filed.