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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Town Debates Road Naming Rules

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
      The debate on how to name roads in Edgewood continues.
    The Edgewood Planning and Zoning Department looked over an ordinance to clarify procedures for naming roads at its most recent meeting.
    The proposed ordinance is, in part, the result of a resolution to change the name of part of N.M. 344 and all of Edgewood 7 to Keaty Boulevard in April. The decision came after residents voiced a number of strong opinions, both in favor and against renaming the road. The road would have been named in honor of Edgewood's first mayor, Larry Keaty.
    “It certainly seems to generate no small amount of emotion,” Tim Fleming said at the June 16 commission meeting.
    Fleming, who was appointed to the commission in May, said he felt the town might adopt an ordinance that didn't allow roads to be named after individuals.
    “I don't see an issue with naming roads after individuals,” said commissioner Raymond Fulwiler. “I've seen this in Albuquerque and the county … people name roads after their cousins or granddaughter …”
    Commissioner Doyce Wilhite pointed out that a number of roads in town are already named after people, such as Rory Road, Hill Ranch Road and Bassett Boulevard.
    “A lot of times it is customary to name a road after a founding family …” said director Karen Mahalick.
    “I'm not married to this, if it's the feeling of the commission to let it stand then I'll abide by that,” Fleming said, adding that he was looking to avoid future conflicts. “I was just looking for an out.”
    The proposed ordinance says the town reserves the right to determine whether a road name is appropriate, and also calls for petitions to give residents the opportunity to oppose a road name. Also, after a road is named, residents cannot petition to rename it for at least 10 years unless there is a need based on the health, safety or welfare of the public, according to the ordinance.
    The ordinance also gives a detailed description of how addresses should appear. There has also been discussion of the town providing the materials for numbering at a low cost
    “It puts the onus on the property owner,” Mahalick said.
    She added that a volunteer group, such as a local Boy Scout troop, might aid anyone who needs help coming into compliance.
    “We're discussing how we can implement it so that we're not putting tax dollars out in specific places,” Mahalick said. “We want to make sure that what we're doing is equitable.”
   

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