Uxbridge Municipal Asset and Street Naming: 1. PURPOSE 1.1.The intent of this Policy is to provide a fair, consistent, transparent, and appropriate naming process for Municipal Assets and Streets. 2. GENERAL 2.1.The naming, renaming and dedication of Streets and Municipal Assets shall be the responsibility of the Council of the Township of Uxbridge. Council may, at any time, direct that a specific name be used for a specific street, facility or park, or element thereof. 2.2.The intent of naming is for permanent or timed recognition. The renaming of streets is strongly discouraged as it significantly impacts numerous individuals, Township departments, and the community.
4. NAMING PRINCIPLES 4.1. When a Street or Municipal Asset is named, renamed, or dedicated, the following principles shall be applied: 4.1.1. Names shall be processed and reviewed by Township Staff and approved by Council. 4.1.2. In the case of streets, an approved list of Veteran’s names shall be utilized for all street naming and additional names added to the list shall be approved through Council and then forwarded the Durham Region Planning Department for final approval. 4.1.3. Names shall not impair the ability of emergency services to respond to emergencies, nor shall they impair the Township’s ability to deliver services. 4.1.4. Names shall be unique; name duplication and similar sounding or spelled names shall be avoided. 4.1.5. Names should give a sense of place, continuity, belonging, and celebrate the distinguishing characteristics and uniqueness of Uxbridge. 4.1.6. Names should promote pride in the Township of Uxbridge, acknowledge local heritage, history, and recognize unique features and geography (e.g., names that related to local history, places, and events native wildlife, flora, fauna and natural features or unique characteristics of a neighbourhood or area). 4.1.7. Names should maintain a long-standing local area identification with the residents of Uxbridge. 4.1.8. The rationale associated with the use of a name shall be understandable to the majority of Uxbridge residents. 4.1.9. Names shall not be discriminatory, derogatory, or political in nature. Names conveying a secondary negative or offensive connotation, any sexual undertones, inappropriate humour, slang, or double meanings shall be avoided. 4.1.10. Names may, on an exceptional basis, honour the significant contributions of an individual or family. (e.g., a previous mayor). 4.1.11. Individuals and/or family members shall be asked permission to use the suggested name. 4.1.12. Names may recognize the contributions of organizations, such as a partnership, with or without financial contributions. 4.1.13. Names with hyphens, apostrophes or dashes shall be discouraged, but may be considered on an exceptional basis. 4.1.14. The form of signage shall be consistent with corporate signage guidelines. 4.1.15. The cost associated with a naming/renaming (including but not limited to signage, ceremonial costs, legal costs, etc.) shall be the responsibility of the Township when the naming/renaming has been initiated by the Township. 4.1.16. The cost associated with the naming/renaming (including but not limited to signage, ceremonial costs, legal costs, etc.) shall be the responsibility of the community or corporate entity when the naming / renaming has been initiated by the community/corporate entity. 4.1.17. Municipal assets are not intended to provide the facilities and/or function of memorial purposes normally found at cemeteries. 4.1.18. Council shall retain the right not to name certain facilities of broad community importance, such as Town Hall.
5. PROCESSES 5.1 General 5.1.1 Township of Uxbridge assets may be named after the neighbourhood/community or street they are located on. 5.1.2 The name selected for an asset must respect the community where it is located and be a name that is sustainable as communities grow and change. 5.1.3 Anyone may apply for the naming of a municipal asset by submitting a request to the Township. 5.2 Prioritization 5.2.1 Priority shall be given to naming, renaming, or dedicating Municipal Assets after: 5.2.1.1 The area or street in which the property or building is located, to provide a geographical association for ease of way-finding; 5.2.1.2 The most dominant constant feature either within or nearby the selected site, such as an associated significant ecological or natural resource feature; 5.2.1.3 A historical name related to Uxbridge’s heritage and/or history; 5.2.1.4 An event or person of international, national, or provincial significance; or 5.2.1.5 An organization or individual (except for current public officials or Township Staff) to recognize activities and significant contributions to the community, outstanding contributions, or sponsorships made toward the development and/or the enhancement of a property or building. 5.3 Specific Criteria for Commemorative Naming 5.3.1 Where the commemorative naming of a Municipal Asset is being requested, at least one of the following criteria shall apply: 5.3.1.1 The nominated individual shall have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional service to the citizens of the Township of Uxbridge, the Province of Ontario and/or Canada (including veterans of military conflicts); 5.3.1.2 The nominated individual shall have an extraordinary community service record; 5.3.1.3 The nominated individual shall have worked to foster equality and reduce discrimination; 5.3.1.4 The nominated individual shall have a direct relationship or association that existed between the place of residence of, or community efforts undertaken by, the individual and the property, building or element to be named; and/or 5.3.1.5 The proposed name has historical significance. 5.3.2 An individual’s name shall only be used once. 5.3.3 Where the name of an individual or organization is so used, permission shall be obtained from the individual (or their family), or the organization for such naming.
5.5 Naming a Street 5.5.1 Developers shall request street names and provide a map of the intended streets for use in a report to Council for approval, which will include the current approved list of Veteran’s Street Names. Council will select a name(s) from the pre-approved list provided. This report shall be completed during the detailed design stage of a project, following the Draft Plan of Subdivision approval. 5.5.2 Once Council has selected the name(s), a map depicting the name will be forwarded to the Region of Durham for final approval. 5.5.3 The Veterans Street Naming List is given priority and developed in consultation with the Royal Canadian Legion and must be submitted to the Region of Durham for pre-approval. 5.6 Naming a Municipal Asset 5.6.1 Receipt of a Municipal Asset Naming Request 5.6.1.1 Requests for the naming of a Municipal Asset shall be submitted in writing to the Township Clerk’s Department. 5.6.1.2 Processing the request involves Staff evaluating if the recommendation meets the principles and criteria of this Policy and providing a written report to Council with a recommendation. 5.6.1.3 If the request is rejected, the requester will be formally notified by the Township of Uxbridge and a note placed in the list describing the rejection and rationale. 5.6.2 Naming Process for New Facilities 5.6.2.1 Council may require Staff to solicit public engagement through appropriate media or a public consultation meeting(s). 5.6.2.2 If public consultation is deemed necessary, Staff will provide a report to Council to summarize public comments. Council will consider both Staff recommendations and the public comments and decide to approve either one of the names or propose an alternate. 5.6.2.3 Requests for the naming of a new facility should begin prior to construction/completion of the facility. 5.6.2.4 Requests will be directed to the Township Clerk to be processed and reviewed against the selection criteria set out in this Policy. 5.6.2.5 If no requests are received, Staff will initiate the naming process, and confer with Members of Council to decide on a name. 5.6.2.6 If a request is received, Staff will process, review, and recommend to Council one name and up to two alternatives. 5.6.2.7 When a name has been finalized through Council approval, it will then be referred to the appropriate department for implementation. 5.7 Renaming a Municipal Asset 5.7.1 The renaming of a facility cannot be considered when that facility is currently within a term of a timed recognition. 5.7.2 Where Council is considering the renaming of a municipal asset, the request shall be referred to staff to provide notice at least 60 days before the Council’s consideration of the name change. 5.7.3 All requests approved by Council for the renaming of a Township facility will be evaluated by Township staff as follows: research and confirm heritage/historical/community relevance; notify all residents and ratepayer associations within service area of the facility of the proposed name change, by placing a notice in the Community Page of the newspaper, a notice on the Township website, and a notice at the Facility where the name change is being suggested; the Community will have 30 days to comment on the proposed name change; the Township Clerk will receive all comments/submissions provided by the community, and direct them to the appropriate department for consideration and a recommendation report to Council; and once the research and community comments have been completed, staff will report back to Council with their recommendations and Council may accept the recommended name change, decline the name change, or refer to the community for further comment through the appropriate media or a public meeting.
6. LIMITATIONS 6.1. Excluded Facilities 6.1.1. Excluded Facilities include, but are not limited to: Valley lands not adjacent to parkland and open spaces; Fire stations; Town Hall; Works/Parks yards; and Other properties owned by the Township of Uxbridge that do not allow for use by the community. 6.2. Name Characteristics that will not be Approved 6.2.1. Proposed names with the following characteristics shall not be considered for approval: Proposed street names which exceed 16 characters in length (including spaces); Discriminatory or derogatory names, those which may be interpreted as such, or names of individuals known for discriminatory behaviour and/or beliefs; Names with undesirable definitions or those pronounced or spelled similar to those with undesirable definitions (including names with sexual undertones, inappropriate humour and slang); Names seen as advertising for a particular business; Names already assigned to existing streets and park facilities in the Region of Durham and surrounding areas; Names with similar spelling or pronunciation to an existing street name; and Names with multiple words or special characters (i.e., dashes and hyphens) may be considered on an individual basis.
