Barrie POLICY STATEMENT: The City of Barrie is committed to providing a fair, consistent and efficient process while respecting the important need for public consultation and legislative approvals with respect to naming, renaming or dedication of Municipal Assets such as streets, parks, and facilities, as well as the major elements of such municipal assets. On occasion, Barrie City Council may wish to acknowledge the activities and significant contributions of a person, persons or family, to the community through the naming of a municipal asset. PURPOSE / APPLICATION: This policy establishes the processes and criteria for naming, renaming or dedicating Municipal Assets such as streets, parks, and facilities as well as the major elements of such municipal assets, including the methods by which the public may provide suggestions and comments. The main objectives of this policy are: To continue the current practice of naming municipal property, buildings and parks after significant geographical, neighbourhood and historical elements; To recognize, on an exceptional basis, significant contributions that organizations or individuals have made to public life and the well-being of the people of Barrie; To provide direction on how to apply for approval to name, re-name or dedicate municipal street, facility, or park; To ensure the application of a defined consultation process to encourage community participation; To ensure a clear, efficient and timely naming process; To ensure the application of key criteria to determine the validity of a commemorative name; To ensure the compilation of a comprehensive Names Registry to act as one central repository for all approved names for streets, parks, and facilities; To ensure a proper approval process and the importance of the role of legislative bodies (ie Committee and Council approval) are acknowledged; and To provide for a working group that is responsible for developing recommendations with respect to naming of specific municipal assets for Council’s consideration. The policy applies to all City employees and persons acting on behalf of the City, as well as members of Council and the public with respect to naming of municipal assets. The policy is not intended to address: Individual memorial dedications such as commemorative benches, trees or plaques; Naming rights/Sponsorship opportunities (addressed under a separate policy); The naming of City-owned facilities leased to commercial tenants; or The naming of Core facilities (City Hall, fire halls, police stations, public libraries)
SPECIFIC POLICY REQUIREMENTS General Provisions The naming, renaming and dedication of Municipal Assets shall be the responsibility of the Council of the City of Barrie. Council may, at any time, direct that a specific name be used for a specific street, facility or park or element thereof. The intent of naming is for permanent recognition. The renaming of streets, parks and facilities is strongly discouraged as it significantly impacts numerous individuals, City Departments and the community.
Naming Principles When a Municipal Asset is named, renamed or dedicated, the following principles shall be applied: Names shall be unique; name duplication and similar sounding or spelled names shall be avoided. Names should give a sense of place, continuity, belonging and celebrate the distinguishing characteristics and uniqueness of Barrie. Names should maintain a long standing local area identification with the residents of Barrie. Names should promote pride in the City of Barrie, acknowledge local heritage, history, and recognize unique features and geography (such as names that relate to local history, places, and events, native wildlife, flora, fauna and natural features or unique characteristics of a neighbourhood or area). The rationale associated with the use of a particular names shall be understandable to the majority of Barrie residents; Names shall not be discriminatory, derogatory or political in nature; names conveying a secondary negative or offensive connotation, any sexual overtones, inappropriate humour, slang or double meanings shall be avoided. The re-use of former street names shall be discouraged to avoid confusion with property records management. Names shall assist with emergency response situations by being consistent with street names and geographical locations. Names with hyphens, apostrophes or dashes shall be discouraged but may be considered on an individual basis. Names may, on an exceptional basis, honour the significant contributions of an individual or family. Names may recognize the contributions of organizations such as a partnership with or without financial contributions The form of signage shall be consistent with corporate signage guidelines. The cost associated with a naming/renaming (including but not limited to signage, ceremonial costs, legal costs, etc.) will be the responsibility of the City when the naming/re-naming has been initiated by the City and will be the responsibility of the community or Corporate entity when the naming/renaming has been initiated by the community/Corporate entity. The City of Barrie makes all final decisions concerning what is placed or occurs on City property and in its buildings. Names associated with a sponsorship will be considered when a donation amount relates to the valuation of the Naming Right for the facility, park or element thereof, in accordance with the Sponsorship Policy. Naming in honour of elected or appointed public officials, City administrative officials or staff shall occur posthumously. Municipal Assets are not intended to provide the facilities and/or function of memorial purposes normally found at cemeteries. Council shall retain the right not to name certain facilities of broad community importance such as (but not limited to) City Hall. Prioritization Priority shall be given to naming, re-naming or dedicating Municipal Assets after: the area or street in which the property or building is located to provide a geographical association to help the public to locate a park, bridge or building more easily; the most dominant "constant feature either within or nearby" the selected site such as an associated significant ecological or natural resource feature; an historical name related to Barrie's heritage and/or historical folklore; an event or person of international, national or provincial significance; or an organization or individual (with the exception of public officials or City staff, unless posthumously) to recognize: o particular activities and significant contributions to the community; and/or o outstanding contributions and/or sponsorships made toward the development and/or enhancement of a property or building. Specific Criteria for Commemorative Naming Where the commemorative naming of a Municipal Asset, is being requested, at least one of the following criteria shall apply: The nominated individual shall have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional service to the citizens of the City of Barrie, the Province of Ontario and/or Canada, including veterans of military conflicts; The nominated individual shall have an extraordinary community service record; The nominated individual shall have worked to foster equality and reduce discrimination; 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; An individual may be recognized for a significant financial contribution to a park or facility, where that contribution significantly benefits the community that the park or facility serves, in accordance with the Sponsorship Policy (to be finalized); The nominated name has historical significance Where the name of an individual or organization is so used, approval shall be obtained from the individual (his/her family) or the organization for such naming. Single Use A commemorative name should only be used once. A single use of a commemorative name shall apply as of the effective date of this policy. No Memorials The Policy is not open to commemorate an individual’s death which may include flowers, floral arrangements, images, signs, tokens, religious offerings, etc. These applications will be directed to the Commemorative Bench, the Commemorative Tree Program, or other appropriate memorial program. Current programs are identified in Appendix “C” to this policy and may be updated from time to time. Requests for naming dedications will not be granted for memorial purposes normally found at cemeteries. Renaming of Commemoratively Named Assets The names of Municipal Assets named commemoratively should not be changed unless it is found that the individual’s personal character is or was such that the continued use of their name for a park or facility would not be in the best interest of the community. Municipal Names Registry All approved names from the Municipal Names Registry for use associated with Municipal Assets will be listed publicly on Barrie.ca. The public listing shall apply to names approved as of the effective date of this policy. Processes The naming process for Municipal Assets may involve a different course of action depending on the circumstances surrounding the request/requirement for naming. A. Process – Suggestions for Adding to the Municipal Names Registry and/or Naming of a Park or Facility Receipt of a Nomination/Application: All requests for adding names to the Registry/naming of a Park or Facility are to be submitted in writing by completing the Naming Application Form available as Appendix “A” to this policy document, and all supporting documentation as may be required. Processing of the Nomination/Application: Processing the application involves confirmation of criteria, discussion with the applicant and the applicable City departments/external stakeholders including Emergency Services, initial meeting of the Municipal Naming Working Group, public consultation for a 30-day period, compiling consultation results and a reconvening meeting of the Municipal Naming Working Group for a review of the public consultation results. In cases where there is no opposition received during the public consultation period, a report may be submitted directly to General Committee, without the reconvening of the Municipal Naming Working Group for a second meeting. Opposition is defined as a clear expression that the name in question does not meet the criteria for as outlined in this policy. Report to General Committee: When a name is recommended for approval, a report to General Committee is prepared containing the Municipal Naming Working Group’s recommendation. Implementation of Approved Nomination: Upon Council approval of a recommendation, implementation of the approved name is undertaken. This involves final notification to the nominee and may involve an official unveiling ceremony with the presentation of a plaque or sign to be erected at the site, indicating the name as well as its significance, if the approval includes immediately assigning the name to a specific asset. Maintenance of the Municipal Names Registry: Names that are approved by Council shall be placed on the Municipal Names Registry along with all records related to the history of the approved name. Where an approved name is not assigned to a specific asset immediately, it shall remain on the Registry for future use. B. Process - Naming of a Street Receipt of a Proposed Street Names: The Planning Services Department receives a written request by the proponent or developer for a name(s) which includes the proposed street name(s) and a brief but complete explanation of the significance of the name, as per the conditions of development approval. In the absence of a specific theme or choices by the developer or proponent, staff will provide the Councillor for the ward in which the development is occurring with the names available for use from the Municipal Names Registry and request their choice. Processing of the Street Name Request: Processing the application involves confirmation of criteria, discussion with the proponent or developer and the applicable City departments/external stakeholders including Emergency Services, and consultation with the Ward Councillor(s). A meeting of the Municipal Naming Working Group may be held but will not be required for the naming of a street. Public consultation shall not be required for the naming of a street. The Planning Services Department shall inform the developer if the name is known to conflict with existing street names at either the local or county level or is otherwise unacceptable to any of the parties consulted and shall provide the reason why the name is not acceptable. The Street Type designations shall be applied in accordance with the Appendix B to this policy. Commemorative street names shall remain the responsibility of Planning Services Department. Where a request for a commemorative street name has been made, the name will be vetted through the investigation and criteria evaluation process of this policy and the processing may include consultation with the Municipal Naming Working Group. Assigning Name from the Municipal Names Registry: Where the proponent is also the owner or developer of a project, a name from the Municipal Names Registry may be reserved for use in that particular development. The proponent reviews an up-to-date Municipal Names Registry for the name(s) selection, including names approved by Council specifically for use within the proponent's project. Street Type designations shall be applied in accordance with the Appendix B to this policy. Approval of Names: The Ward Councillor has been provided with delegated authority to name a street, where such name(s) is in accordance with provisions of this policy. A Zoning By-law Amendment is presented to Council using the suggested street name(s) after consultation with the Ward Councillor. Implementation of Approved Nomination: Upon passage of the Zoning By-law Amendment, implementation of the approved name is undertaken. This involves final notification to the developer and may involve an official unveiling ceremony with respect to commemorative names, with the presentation of signage to be erected at the site. Special signage containing the Poppy symbol shall be used to recognize all streets named in honour of veterans. Maintenance of Municipal Names Registry: Planning Services staff shall maintain records related to the history of the approved street names. Names that are approved by Council without ass
Renaming The renaming process shall be identical to the naming process and also require City Council as the final authority for approving the proposed Municipal Asset name. However, the renaming an existing commemoration shall be subject to a minimum of a 60-day public consultation period. If an application is intended to displace an existing commemorative name, before a Renaming Application is accepted, the nominator must have written permission from the family or next of kin to be displaced. Where a renaming has been initiated as a result of a development proposal, the proponent may be required to resolve any opposition that may exist to the renaming, prior to the presentation of a report to General Committee. Public consultation shall be required for the renaming of a street.
LIMITATIONS The policy is not intended to address: Individual memorial dedications such as commemorative benches, trees or plaques; Naming rights/Sponsorship opportunities (addressed under a separate policy); The naming of city owned facilities leased to commercial tenants; or The naming of Core facilities (City Hall, fire halls, police stations and public libraries)
