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Report regarding a resolution renaming Antoinette Lane north of Chestnut Avenue as Civic Campus Way. (Sharon Ranals, Assistant City Manager)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution renaming the section of Antoinette Lane north of Chestnut Avenue as Civic Campus Way.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On October 11, 2022, staff met with the ad hoc City Council Naming Committee, which is comprised of Vice Mayor Nicolas and Councilmember Addiego. One of the items discussed by the Committee was a proposal that the portion of Antoinette Lane that is north of Chestnut Avenue, which runs between the new Police Operations building and the new Library | Parks and Recreation Center, be renamed Civic Campus Way. There is no requirement that the entirety of Antoinette Lane be subject to the name change. The section of the street that is south of Chestnut, which runs between the Chestnut shopping center and the new Summerhill residential complex, would remain Antoinette Lane. The address of the new Police Operations Building, 1 Chestnut, would remain unchanged. The proposal was favorably received by the Naming Committee and is being forwarded to the full City Council for consideration.
The rationale for the suggested street name change is to elevate recognition of this very significant new civic building; contribute to place-making; and aid residents in locating the new Council Chambers, and Library | Parks and Recreation Center. The new building has two entrances, one on El Camino Real and one on what is now Antionette Lane. It should be noted that if the address of the building is changed to Civic Campus Way, the building will have an address on Civic Campus Way. This is to avoid visitors using navigation systems from being directed to the El Camino entrance and potentially pulling over to drop off or pick up someone there at curbside. It is preferable that visitors navigate to the campus, drive in, and park, and use the safer park-side entrance. The El Camino entrance is preferred for pedestrians and bus users.
With respect to the administrative process, the City Attorney’s office has advised that changing the name of a city street is a simple two-step process. First, the City Council must adopt a resolution designating the new name of the street. Second, the City Clerk must send a copy of the resolution changing the street name to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and record the new street name with the United States Postal Service. The Library | Parks and Recreation Center will have a street address on the newly named Civic Campus Way, which will be provided to utility and communication vendors when accounts for services are established with providers.
There are two apartment complexes along this section of Antoinette, with a total of 54 apartment units. The exact number of adult occupants living within these units who might be affected by needing to change their addresses is not known but is estimated at approximately 100. There is no legal requirement that the City reimburse the people or businesses located on the renamed road for the costs associated with a street name change. Such costs may include updating legal and tax documents; changing passports, driver’s licenses, and mailing addresses; and placing new numbers and signage on buildings. Staff did a search of South San Francisco business license holders and found only one active business license in this section of Antoinette Lane, which is listed as “personal service/junk pick up.”
There are voluntary actions that the City may take to minimize inconvenience to the people and businesses located on the renamed road. The City can notify the US Postal Service (USPS) of the street name change on behalf of all affected properties and USPS will forward all mail to the affected addresses for a maximum of 18-months. The street name signage may retain the former name of the street in a smaller subscript for a period of years to enable the community to become accustomed to the change. The City may also voluntarily elect to provide some form of financial reimbursement to the affected parties, though again, there is no legal requirement to do so.
It should be noted that staff mailed a notice addressed to “Resident” to the 54 apartment units, and the two separate apartment unit owners, advising that the proposed change in street name has been agendized for consideration at the City Council meeting of November 9, 2022, should they wish to provide input.
It is very timely that this issue be considered if a change is to be made. Signage designating the building address, as well as wayfinding signage on the exterior of the building, must be finalized and fabrication begun to ensure that signage will be finished and installed by the time the building opens in 2023.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed name change for a portion of Antoinette Lane is exempt from review under California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that changing the name of a portion of Antoinette Lane may have a significant effect on the environment.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Approval of this item supports Strategic Plan Priority #2, contributing to long-range public recognition of the new Library | Parks and Recreation Center, which will enhance the quality of life in the community.
FUNDING
There would be some staff time required to accomplish and record the name change, and to handle the notification of affected residents. There would also be a modest cost to change the street name signage. These efforts can be absorbed internally within existing staffing and budget. The cost of signage associated with the new building is included in the project budget.
If the City Council elects to provide voluntary financial reimbursement to affected parties, staff suggests that a fair payment amount would be $500 per apartment unit, and up to $1,000 for each of the two building owners, upon documentation that the street name changes have been made. Staff estimates the cost of reimbursements would be in the range of $30,000. If the name change is approved, and payments to affected parties is authorized, staff will request funding as part of the mid-year budget process.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council approve renaming the section of Antoinette Lane north of Chestnut to Civic Campus Way and authorize staff to take the necessary actions to accomplish this change. It is further recommended that the City Council authorize payments of up to $500 to each building apartment unit, and $1,000 for each of the building owners, with funding requested at the 2022/23 mid-year budget process.
Attachment 1: Map of Street Section
Attachment 2: Notice re: Proposed Street Name Change