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Home My WebLink AboutA001 - Memo dated August 17, 1995 to City Manager from Oak to Riverside Neighborhood Assn a_;3 OAK TO RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEMO TO: Steve Schainker, City Manager Thursday, August 17, 1995 City of Ames, 515 Clark, Ames, IA 50010 FROM: Jeanette Smithson; Chair, Oak to Riverside N. A. 304 North Riverside Drive, Ames, IA 50010 RE: Need to Clarify Addresses in Our Neighborhood Over the past few years it has become increasingly apparent to us that the city needs to rethink and change its policy on street addresses in our neighborhood--that is, the area north of Lincoln Way. The formal address of properties north of Lincoln Way has not been given a "North" designation. Those south, have. This has led to the following confusions: 1. periodically the U.S. Postal System delivers mail to the wrong side of Lincoln Way merely because"North"was not on the address and the delivery person did not know the special system in Ames-"Addresses north and west do not carry the direction designation; only those south and east do." 2. United Parcel Service and other delivery systems often have gotten our mail mixed up, especially around Christmas and other peak times when extras are hired temporarily. 3. Persons looking for our residence often are confused due to the absence of "North" on the official address. 4. When the "North" designation has been affixed to certain mail, especially computerized addresses originating in the City of Ames mails, the address has been reported as "nonexistent", even when that's where we've been living for years! These are a few of the examples of confusion, usually merely annoying in their consequences. However, there are times when mailings have been time-sensitive and have been unduly delayed due to the above problem. In those incidences the consequences have been greater than merely annoying. We think it is time the City changes this policy and uses the directional designation on all streets that have multiple directions. "South" Walnut, for example is used (outside our neighborhood area) even though it does not go north of Lincoln Way. This designation is quite helpful for those looking for an address, be they clients, visitors, or delivery persons. We are asking that such a change happen in our neighborhood. Please let us know what the process is that you will use to investigate and implement this request, what the timetable will be for its disposition, and keep us informed by sending a copy of each such memorandum to the Chair, whose address is listed above and whose affixed signature indicates her speaking on behalf of our Association. Thank you for your prompt and thorough response. Sincerely yours, Jeanette Smithson STAFF REPORT STREET NAMING POLICY At their September 12 meeting, the City Council referred a request from the Oak-to-Riverside Neighborhood Association requesting that the City consider altering our street naming policy. The following report is offered as background information for your deliberations. EXISTING STREET NAMING POLICY Street names are initially established in conjunction with the platting process. As the various final plats are approved by the City Council, the names are included as part of the official recorded information and become a part of the property record system. If the name is to be changed, the City Council has traditionally enacted an ordinance to accomplish this alteration. In the past, various street name changes have been enacted. For example, Lincoln Way was originally Boone Street prior to its change in 1914. The established street naming policy is based at the intersection of Lincoln Way and Duff Avenue. Streets which cross these two streets have the prefix "south" or "east" added to the names if they are located south of Lincoln Way or east of Duff Avenue. This directional designation is made to differentiate the two locations. If streets do not cross Lincoln Way or Duff Avenue, there is no directional prefix included in the name. Staff has been unable to determine when this policy originated. PROCESS TO CHANGE STREET NAMING POLICY The attached map shows the streets that cross either Lincoln Way or Duff Avenue. The City Council's request to evaluate adding "north" or "west" as a directional prefix would affect all of the highlighted streets. The process to enact such a change should involve some manner of notification to the affected property owners that the proposal was being considered with the date that the proposed ordinance change would be considered. The City Council would then consider the pros and cons of this issue, receive public input, and make a decision. The Council, of course, will have to decide whether that notification to the affected property owners can be accomplished through publication in the newspaper or through flyers or mailings sent directly to each affected property owner. IMPLEMENTATION COSTS If the City decides to add the directional prefix of north or west for those streets that cross Lincoln Way or Duff Avenue, it is important to note that all formal property records in the County, City Assessor, Police, Fire Department, and Planning and Housing Department offices will need to be updated and modified. In addition, all City maps would need to be updated. City staff has estimated that approximately 300 street name signs would need to be changed at a cost of approximately $10,000 (which includes manpower and material costs). If the street names are changed, it would also seem appropriate to send a written notification to each affected resident. Of course, private businesses and households would also be affected by this change, which could require costs associated with modifying mailing lists, stationery, bank records, etc. It is impossible to determine the private costs associated with this change. CONCLUSION Based upon the feedback that staff has received in the past when inquiries were made to change street names, it is safe to conclude that not all affected parties will agree with this proposed action. Therefore, the City Council must first decide if you would like to proceed with this matter further given the fact we have received a request from only one neighborhood association. However, if you do choose to move ahead with this issue, it may be advisable first to attempt to gauge the level of City-wide support from affected property owners for this policy change. Council should also be aware of the fact that a great deal of time and effort will need to be invested by whoever is directed to notify affected residents of these proposed changes. s 3Av 1138 - boo I as 3Av N01Jlv0 a a LI c e I I 1�! 0 3AV Tina s s 1 _ lux F„ 1 1 HI t- c3 1 Go o HI J— 1 4 a 1 A i -JJ//II �• 1 1 1 1 i J � 1 1- h 1 s NO 1 a_ 10 iz ts 1� ! 1 � 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 yl 1 y i a 1ms'�1� 1 1 1 1 R