objectid

ontario_richmondhill

format

record

Settlement Name

Richmond Hill

Province, Territory, or State

Ontario

Country

Canada

Keywords

race

Has Policy?

Yes

Policy

Municipal Addressing and Street Naming: 1.0 STREET NAMING The naming of new public and private streets is the responsibility of City Council. Street names proposed by the proponent of a development which incorporate new public or private streets, any interested body, or any City citizen are subject to Council approval. The Planning and Infrastructure Department is responsible for processing street name requests for consideration by Council including the coordination of approval with the Region of York’s Community Planning and Development Services Department and the City’s Emergency Services staff. Street name requests are evaluated for suitability and appropriateness based on conformity with the street naming and addressing policies contained herein. Approved street names are to be placed on the City of Richmond Hill Approved Street Name List for future use. Only approved street names may be assigned to public and private streets. The Planning and Infrastructure Department is responsible for maintaining the Approved Street Name List and all records related thereto. Council may, at any time, direct that a street name on the Approved Street Name List be used for the naming of a specific street.

1.2 Categories of Street Names Honouring Those Who Have Given Their Life in Public Service 1. The City will facilitate the naming of streets after City residents who have served and lost their lives in the Canadian Armed Forces. Secondly, the names of those who have lost their lives in public service either through the York Regional Police or the City of Richmond Hill Emergency Services shall also be honoured. Where street names are proposed in a new development, a minimum number of street names honouring those who have given their life in public service, 2. Consent is to be given by the person’s family. 3. Special signage containing the Poppy symbol is to be used for all veteran street names.

Charitable Auction Names 1. Any local charity may request permission from Council to auction an opportunity to name a street as part of a fundraising event. The local charity must meet the following criteria:  the charity office should be based in Richmond Hill or have a local affiliation; and,  the charity must provide a letter indicating where the funds to be raised will be directed. 2. Prior to the fundraising event, the charity must first obtain Council’s approval to auction the opportunity to name a street. 3. If Council grants approval to auction the opportunity to name a street, the charity must submit written details about the proposed display and wording for the fundraising item for approval to the Planning and Infrastructure Department. The display and wording must clearly indicate that the winning bidder’s proposed street name will be: a) subject to the review by Region of York and the City’s Fire Department; b) be in accordance with the City’s street naming policies; and, c) subject to Council’s approval, whose decision is final and binding. 4. The display must also indicate that if the fundraising item is not related to a particular development within the City, the street name (if approved by Council) would be entered into the City’s Approved Street Name List, and is subject to being selected at some future date by a user and is not specific to a particular street or neighbourhood. 5. The charity, at its fundraising event shall display an up-to-date copy of the City of Richmond Hill Municipal Street Naming and Addressing Guide and the City approved display and wording. 6. Upon completion of the fundraising event, the charity shall notify the City of the winning bidder’s proposed street name for consideration by Council. 7. At all times, the charity will deal with the winning bidder and the City will deal with the charity or its representative.

Honouring Individuals for Community Service, Local Historical Reasons, National Reasons or International Reasons 1. Generally, a proposed street name will be of historic importance to the City, or be a name which is of importance either nationally or internationally, or lastly, be a name of a person who has been of public service to the City. A written description explaining the individual’s contribution to the City and why the honour should be given, shall be submitted in writing to the City. Staff shall research any names proposed by Council. 2. Consent for the use of the name must be given by the person’s family. Other Names 1. Names that promote pride in the City, acknowledge local heritage, history, and recognize unique features and geography are appropriate. Proposed street names should meet one of following criteria: a) commemorate local history, places, events, culture; or, b) strengthen neighbourhood identity to reflect the character of the area; or, c) recognize native wildlife, flora, fauna, natural features; or, d) recognize communities that contribute to the public life of the City. 2. Names that represent specific themes are encouraged as they are easily recognizable for Emergency Services and provide consistency in large developments. Priority for Selection of Street Names A proponent shall select names from the Approved Street Name List in the following priority order: a) Names Honouring Those Who Have Served Canada; b) Names Honouring Those who have given their Life while in Public Service; c) Charitable Auction Names; d) Names Honouring Individuals – Local Historical; e) Names Honouring Individuals – National or International; f) Names Honouring Individuals – Community Service; and, g) Other Names. 1.3 Suitability and Appropriateness of Street Names In addition to the policies of Section 1.2 Categories of Street Names, the following policies have been developed to assess the suitability and appropriateness of street names. Ease of Spelling and Pronunciation Street names should be easily pronounced, recognized and use conventional spelling to avoid difficulties in emergency situations. Street names should be spelled the way they are pronounced.

Individuals Streets named after individuals shall be a posthumous honour and Council shall consider such names provided that written consent is obtained from the individual’s surviving family. The honouring of a living international or national public figure requires the individual’s consent. Two Word Names Proposed street names consisting of two words should be changed to one word. Only a person’s last name should be used unless additional identification is necessary to prevent duplication with an existing street name in the City or surrounding municipalities within the Region of York. Street Name Characteristics Names should generally not exceed ten characters in length (including spaces). This helps ensure that the above mentioned criteria are met and that standard street signage across the City and Region are consistent. Names to Avoid a) Names that could be construed as advertising a particular business; b) Cumbersome, corrupted, modified names, discriminatory or derogatory names from the point of view of race, sex, colour, creed, political affiliation or other social factors; c) Names with any sexual overtones, inappropriate humour, parody, slang or double meaning; d) Names that have a secondary negative or offensive connotation; e) Names spelled differently but sounding alike (i.e. Crosby Lane and Crosbie Lane) or having similar pronunciation but are spelled differently (i.e. Heirloom Street could be pronounced with the ‘H’ dropped (Eirloom Street); f) Use of complex words (ex. Quetico Drive); and, g) Names with hyphens, apostrophes or dashes are discouraged and only considered on a case by case basis provided other criteria have been met.

Place Name Tools

Street Naming Application Form: https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/shared-content/resources/documents/2023-Development-Applications-/2023-Street-Naming-Application-Form.pdf

Policy Score

78