Honorary Street Names
One way to memorialize a local public figure is to have a street named after him or her. Renaming an existing street can create headaches, but designating a secondary honorary street name may be the perfect solution. The need to consider creating such a designation may not come up often, but when it does, wouldn't it be helpful to have a procedure in place? We offer a sample that sets forth basic criteria and requires the review of the local historical review board. If you're looking for a unique way to honor a local hero, review the following sample legislation on renaming streets…
Sample Ordinance:
New Rochelle, C. NY: Ch. 281, Art. V
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New Rochelle, C. NY:
Chapter 281
STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
ARTICLE V
Secondary Honorary Names for Streets
[Adopted 11-21-2000 by Ord. No. 194-2000]
§ 281-65. Basic criteria for consideration.
The City Council may consider a petition to designate a secondary honorary name for an existing street or portion of existing street in the city upon such petition meeting the following basic criteria:
- At least 70% of the number of owners of real property (as shown on the City Assessor's records) adjoining the street or portion of street proposed for such honorary naming shall have signed such petition; and
- The person whose name is proposed for such honorary naming shall have resided in the City of New Rochelle at least five continuous or noncontinuous years during his/her lifetime, during which time such person shall have preferably resided on the street in question.
§ 281-66. Procedure for designation of honorary name for existing street; referral to Historical and Landmark Review Board for report.
(1) The historical significance of the person whose name is proposed to be the secondary honorary name for the street;(2) Such person's history of contributions to the City of New Rochelle, County of Westchester, State of New York;
(3) Such person's history of residence in the city, including duration and location of such residence; and
(4) History of the street, including its existing name.
- Upon the City Council receiving a petition which meets the basic criteria set forth in § 281-65, such petition shall be referred to the Historical and Landmark Review Board for its report to the City Council regarding the following:
- Upon the City Council reviewing such report from the Historical and Landmark Review Board, it may designate the petitioned secondary honorary name for the existing street.
