Req. #12661
RESOLUTION NO. 3 8 0 91
A RESOLUTION relating to community development; authorizing the adoption of
the City's revised Policy on Place Names and Name Changes.
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WHEREAS, on July 25, 1989, the City Council adopted
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4 Resolution No. 30525, establishing the City's official Policy on Place Names
5 and Name Changes ("Policy"), which Policy designated the Landmarks
6 Preservation Commission ("Commission") as the City Council designee for
7 evaluating proposals for naming public property and for considering name
8 changes to public property, and
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WHEREAS, in fall 2008, the City Council requested that the Commission
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review the existing Policy regarding place names, including the review process,
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1 2 ways to improve public outreach, better criteria and process for considering
1 3 street name change requests, and improved definitions of historical
14 significance, and
1 5 WHEREAS, on July 22, 2009, the Commission voted to recommend the
16 proposed changes to the City Council and made revisions to the
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recommendation by motion on April 14, 2010, in response to the City Council's
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feedback,and
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20 WHEREAS, on March 1, 2010, and May 19, 2010, the Neighborhoods
21 and Housing Committee considered the proposed revisions, and
22 WHEREAS, on June 21, 2010, this was presented to the Neighborhoods
23 and Housing Committee, which gave it a "do pass"; Now, Therefore,
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Resl 2661.doc-DEC/lad/tok 5 8
LF.C. nfi4 H I MM
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TACOMA:
That the proposed revised Policy on Place Names and Name Changes
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3 is adopted, said document to be substantially in the form of the proposed Policy
4 on Place Names and Name Changes on file in the office of the City Clerk.
5 Adopted AUG i 7 20io
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7 Wyor
8 Attest:
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10 City Clerk
I 1 Approved as to form:
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14 Deputy City Attorney
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513 Resl 2661.doc-DEC/lad/tok
LEG 004 (11/891
City of Tacoma Public art installations that have been
Policy on Place Names and Name commissioned and/or accessioned with a title
Changes that serves as the name of the piece.
SECTION 1: PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY SECTION 3: INITIAL PROCEDURES FOR
CONSIDERING NAME CHANGE REQUESTS
1 .In the event that the City of Tacoma wishes I . Requests for name changes to existing
to confer a specific name on a municipally property may be submitted by any Tacoma
owned property or street, the following policy resident, property owner, or City official.
is adopted. Such a proposal shall be made in writing to
the Landmarks Preservation Commission
2. The criteria contained within this policy and include:
should also be followed in reviewing or
preparing the City of Tacoma's official a. Map illustrating the area affected by
comments or recommendations to State, the proposal
Federal, and/or intergovernmental boards
taking actions regarding geographic names, b. Any existing place, street or facility
naming, or renaming. names that would be affected
c. Any common usage names or
SECTION 2: SCOPE OF THIS POLICY nicknames for the area or its
elements, including topographical
1 .This policy affects municipally owned landmarks
property only. d. Representative photographs of the
2. The following types of municipally owned area
property are included within the scope of this e. An overview of any public outreach
policy (referred to hereafter as "property"): or support received for the proposal
to date, including media coverage
a. Buildings and structures, including and meetings; and
overpasses, bridges and viaducts f. A statement of the criteria in this
b. Real Property, including open policy that apply to the request, and
spaces and parks how the proposal meets these
criteria.
c. Rights of Way, including under
certain circumstances, streets 9. A summary of any public outreach
conducted to date, including to
3. The process and criteria for naming or neighborhood associations,
renaming municipally owned properties Neighborhood Councils, Business
described in this policy do not apply to the District Associations, and
following types property: commercial property owners'
groups. This may include any
a. Historically registered properties for statements of support or
which a name has been indicated endorsement received. Applicants
on a nomination form and accepted are encouraged to seek public
for use on a historic register, support prior to submitting a request
including property on the Tacoma, for name changes.
Washington State, or National h. A description of any plans for
Registers of Historic Places interpretive measures to be taken by
City Policy On Place Names and Name Changes 6 0
Page I of 5
the sponsor if the naming request is
approved, including signs, SECTION 4: INITIAL PROCEDURES FOR
interpretive panels, or markers. CONSIDERING NAMING REQUESTS FOR
2. The Landmarks Preservation Commission, NEW NAMES
upon receiving such a request, shall review
the proposal for completeness at its next I . For new or unnamed City-owned properties,
available Commission agenda. the City Council may make a new naming
3. If the request is considered complete, the request directly to the Landmarks
Commission may take action to schedule Preservation Commission.
the request for a public hearing following its
normal public hearing procedures. 2. When so directed, the Landmarks
4. If more information is required, the Preservation Commission shall publicly
Commission shall defer scheduling of the solicit ideas for naming new facilities, except
request and describe to the proponent what where otherwise indicated in this policy.
information is needed to complete the 3. Such a call for proposals shall minimally
request. take the form of a press release, website
5. If no action is taken to schedule the request posting, and distribution of an
for a public hearing within 60 days of the announcement to the Commission's mail
first consideration of the request, it is and electronic distribution lists. The call for
considered denied. The Commission may proposals shall state a timeline for
also vote to deny the request. submission and review, as well as the
6. If the Commission denies the application by criteria for naming contained in this policy.
vote or by failure to act, the Commission 4. The purpose of the solicitation is to develop
shall not consider the request for the period a broad array of ideas, and to encourage
of one calendar year. community participation in the naming
7. If the Commission denies a request, the process.
Mayor may, for any reason, direct the
Commission to reconsider its action. 5. While an individual may directly propose to
8. Following its public hearing, there shall be a the Landmarks Preservation Commission
mandatory 30 comment period. consideration of a particular name for a
property, such a request is not required to
9. After the close of the comment period, the initiate the naming process for new facilities,
Commission shall review the testimony and nor is the Commission's consideration of
written comments, and the criteria contained names limited to that proposed by an
within this policy, and forward a individual.
recommendation to the appropriate City
Council Committee for further consideration. 6. The naming process shall be initiated as
soon as practical in the development
process.
SECTION 5: PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED
1. For both renaming requests, and names for
new facilities, the Commission shall hold a
minimum of one public hearing to receive
comments on all naming requests.
61 City Policy On Place Names and Name Changes
Page 2 of 5
a sponsor, incorporating the Commission's
2. Notice shall be published in the newspaper recommendation.
as well as sent via regular mail and
electronic mail to interested stakeholders no 4. Otherwise, if the Commission
less than 14 days ahead of the scheduled recommendation is modified or rejected, the
hearing. Council Committee may send an alternative
proposal to full Council as a sponsored
3. Interested stakeholders include property resolution.
owners and occupants within a 400' radius
of the subject property, recognized 5. In all cases, the City Council will have the
neighborhood and business groups, and prerogative of accepting or rejecting the
parties included on the Landmarks proposal.
Preservation Commission's contact lists.
Other groups or individuals may be 6. The City Council shall approve or
contacted as well. disapprove of any naming or renaming
action by resolution.
4. Following the public hearing, the
Commission shall keep the public record 7. Once a name has been officially approved
open for 30 days minimum to allow for by the City Council, changes should be
additional comment. strongly discouraged.
5. Following the close of the comment period, SECTION 7: CRITERIA FOR THE CITY
the comments received shall be compiled by COUNCIL AND LANDMARKS
the Commission and findings made relative PRESERVATION COMMISSION TO
to the proposal and the applicable criteria, CONSIDER
and a recommendation made to the Council
via the appropriate Council Committee. The City Council and Landmarks Preservation
Commission shall use the following criteria when
SECTION 6: RECOMMENDATION TO CITY considering proposals to name or change the
COUNCIL name of a public facility or building.
1 . Based on the findings and recommendation 1 . To avoid duplication, confusing similarity or
of the Commission, the City Council inappropriateness, the Commission, in
Committee, at its discretion, may accept, considering name changes, shall review
modify, reject or remand the existing building and facility names.
recommendation of the Commission, or may 2. Context and geo
recommend to the full Council that an - -graphical location. Sites
additional public hearing should be held. and facilities should be given names that
directly reflect or are contextually related to
2. If the Council Committee finds that the the history of the site.
Commission should reconsider the proposal
due to errors in application of criteria or a. Common usage names that have
procedure, or if relevant factors were not developed over time shall be favored.
considered, the Council Committee may Facilities may be given official
remand the decision for further designations based on common usage
consideration. by residents of an area, such as
topographical features, nearby schools,
3. If the Commission recommendation is or historical plat names.
accepted, a resolution will be prepared with
City Policy On Place Names and Name Changes 6 JV-)
Page 3 of 5
b. Names of features indicated on general SECTION 8: SPECIAL CRITERIA
usage maps for fifty years or more CONSIDERATIONS
(National Register age criteria) should
only be changed under exceptional 1 . Individuals. Except where otherwise
circumstances. indicated, facilities and public property
ordinarily shall not be named for living
3. Natural or Geological Features. Names may individuals.
be based on distinctive, predominant and
defining natural or geological features of an 2. Streets. Official renaming of existing
area. streets, in general, is discouraged except
when:
4. Historical Significance. A facility may be
given a name based on historical a. A naming effort is part of a larger,
significance if it meets one of the following coordinated and planned effort
criteria: involving multiple streets or blocks; or
a. The name is associated with a b. Proposals to rename existing streets for
historically significant event or for individuals may be considered for those
events reflecting broad patterns of persons that have a broad, regional or
Tacoma's history national significance that is generally
recognized by Tacoma residents
b. The name is associated with the
lives of persons of citywide 3. Street Renaming Requirements.
significance in Tacoma's past; or
C. The name reflects a distinctive a. Renaming of existing streets shall only
architectural or engineering occur at existing shifts in the street grid
achievement or where there are clear topographical
or geographical shifts in the grid.
d. The name is related to an existing or
proposed registered historic b. The City Real Property Services
property or district. Division, Public Works Traffic
Engineering, Community and Economic
5. Contributions. New facilities may be named Development Buildings and Land Use
for an individual or organization if that Service Division, and the Law
individual or organization has made a Enforcement Support Agency shall be
significant direct property or monetary given a copy of any street naming
contribution to the City of Tacoma, request prior to the scheduling of a
consistent with the City's relevant public hearing on the matter.
acceptance policies, a for purposes of
developing that particular building or facility, c. A signed petition of 51% by linear
and the naming is a stipulation of the frontage of the affected property owners
donation. in support of the renaming must be
solicited and submitted by the
6. Portions of a facility may have another name proponents of the renaming prior to
than that of the entire facility or features may consideration by the City. Such a
be dedicated to or in honor of a person such petition shall be implemented at the sole
as "Tide Pool - Cecil Brosseau" and "Owen expense of the proponents); however,
Beach" at Point Defiance. the City may provide a list of affected
taxpayers of record.
6 3city Policy On Place Names and Name Changes
Page 4 of 5
4. Street Renaming Alternatives.
a. Organizations are encouraged to
consider alternatives to street renaming
requests for the commemoration of
individuals or organizations. For
example, interpretive plaques at key
locations on buildings or sites, or where
appropriate, in sidewalks or other visible
pedestrian areas.
b. In some cases, an "Honorary Street"
designation may be given to certain
sections of existing streets to
commemorate the lives of important
community members. A
commemorative street blade sign may
be mounted below the official street
name for a defined length of the street, if
approved, at the expense of the
applicants. "Honorary designations" of
streets may be considered as requests
for renaming of facilities.
c. For "Honorary Street" designations, the
City shall develop and provide a
standard sign specification for approved
requests.
City Policy On Place Names and Name Changes 64
Page 5 of 5
CITY CLERK USE ONLY
REQUEST FOR T11rquest II 2= tons I
bcmia
0 ORDINANCE [A RESOLUTION Ord./Res. 3 8 091
1. DATE: July 6, 2010
2. SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER(s) N/A 7
3a. REQUESTING 4a. CONTACT (for questions): PHONE:
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION/PROGRAM Reuben McKnight 253-591-5220
CEDD
3b. "Do PASS" FROM Neighborhoods and
Housing 4b. Person Presenting: Phone:
Z Yes Reuben McKnight 253-591-5220
F-1 No
F-1 To Committee as information only
F1 Did not go before a Committee 4c. ATTORNEY: PHONE:
3c. DID THIS ITEM GO BEFORE THE Debra Casparian 253-591-5887
PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD?
F-1 Yes, on [Date]
No
,j required
///N/l N/A
DepartmentDi n Budget Officer/Finance Director
5. REQUESTED COUNCIL DATE: August 17, 201 0
6. SUMMARY AGENDA TITLE: (A concise sentence, as it will appear on the Council agenda.)
Adoption of a revised Citywide Policy on Place Names and Name Changes
7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION/GENERAL DiscussioN: (Why is this request necessary? Are there legal
requirements? What are the viable alternatives? Who has been involved in the process?)
Council Resolution 30525 (July 25, 1989) designated the Landmarks Preservation Commission as the
Council designee for evaluating proposals for naming public property and for considering name changes
to public property. In fall 2008, the City Council requested the Landmarks Preservation Commission
review the existing Council policy regarding place names, including the review process, ways to improve
public outreach, better criteria and process for considering street name change requests, and improved
definitions of historical significance. The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to recommend
these changes to City Council on July 22, 2009 and made revisions to the recommendation by motion on
April 14, 2010 in response to Council feedback. The Neighborhoods and Housing Committee previously
considered these revisions on March 1, 201 0 and May 19, 201 0.
8. LiSTALLMATERIALAVAILABLEASBACKUPINFORMATIONFORTHEREQUESTANDINDICATEWHEREFILED:
Source Documents/Backup Material Location of Document
Minutes of the Landmarks Preservation CEDD
Commission July 22, 2009
Minutes of the N&H Committee 3/1 /1 0, City Clerk's Office
5/19/10 and 6/21110
G
a
cotclerk\foriiis\ReqiiestResolittioii0i-dipiatice.doc office of the City Clerk (0312312009)
CITY CLERK USE ONLY
REQUEST (CONT) Request 2LPLol
Ord/Res 3 8 0 91
9. WHICHOFTHECITY'SSTRATEGiCGOALSDOEsTHISITEMSUPPORT?(CHECKTHEGOALTHATBESTAPPLIES)
A. F@ A SAFE, CLEAN AND ATTRACTIVE COMMUNITY
B. 0 A DIVERSE, PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
C. Z A HIGH-PERFORMING, OPEN AND ENGAGED GOVERNMENT
10. IFTHtSCONTRACTISFORANAMOUNTOF$200,OOOORLESS,EXPLAtNWHYITNEEDSLEGISLATIVEAPPROVAL:
11. FINANCIALIMPACT: R EXPENDITURE R REVENUE
A. Z No IMPACT (NO FISCAL NOTE)
B. F] YES, OVER $ 1 00,000, Fiscal Note Attached
C. R YES, UNDER $ 1 00,000, (NO FISCAL NOTE)
Provide funding source information below:
FUNDING SOURCE: (Enter amount of funding from each source)
Fund Number & Name: State $ city $ Other $ Total Amount
If an expenditure, is it budgeted? F1 Yes R No Where? Cost Center:
Acet
6 0`6
cotclerk\fornts\ ReqiiestResoliitiotiOrditiatice.doc Office of the City Clerk (0312312009)
Resolution No. 3 8 0 9 1
Adopted: AUG i 7 2010
Maker of Motion:
Seconded:
Voice Vote:
MEMBERS AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Mr. Boe
Mr. Campbell
Mr. Fey
Mr. Lonergan
Mr. Manthou
Mr. Mello-
Ms. Walker
Ms. Woodards
Mayor Strickland
Roll Call Vote:
MEMBERS AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Mr. Boe
Mr. Campbell
Mr. Fey
Mr. Lonergan
Mr. Manthou
Mr. Mello
Ms. Walker
Ms. Woodards
Mayor Strickland
Occagendalagenda procedures and formsVesolutionvotingrecord.doc