By Frank Luba, The Province | July 12, 2011
Vancouver residents will have more say in the naming of new streets and parks.
A motion by Coun. Andrea Reimer to request a staff report on best practices for naming streets was passed unanimously by city council Tuesday. It included an amendment by Coun. David Cadman that the initiative include the naming of public places such as parks.
Currently, the city’s street naming committee, composed of city staff, isn’t obligated to consult with the public or stakeholders.
Reimer argued that should change. “Of all the infrastructure in a city with a name on it — schools, parks, libraries, streets — the ones that last the longest are streets,” she said.
“The idea that the public should be involved in the naming of those streets makes some fair sense,” Reimer said. “It’s an opportunity for people to think creatively about their city and what kind of a legacy they’d like to see left behind on a street name in their neighbourhood or community.”
Some people have strong emotional responses to names, she said.
One woman told Reimer she won’t go to Swiss Chalet at Broadway and Trutch because B.C.’s first lieutenant-governor, Joseph Trutch, spoke disparagingly about First Nations and native land claims.
Naming streets is done differently, depending on the municipality. But street names in all communities can’t sound so similar there could be any confusion for emergency services.
West Vancouver council votes on street names that can be suggested by developers but these are assessed by the planning department to see if there’s any historical or geographical links.
Darren Braun of Abbotsford’s planning department said street names there are initiated by developers, then reviewed with fire and police.
Pioneers and historical figures can be referenced or even be a theme, as on the west side of Abbotsford, where the community’s long connection to railroads is acknowledged in names such as Roundhouse and Whistle Drives.
Kelowna also has criteria that include local geographical, historical figures, settlers and prominent residents. One of the city’s newest streets, Snowsell Road, is named after a pioneer family in the area.
