Settlement Name

Cedar Rapids

Province, Territory, or State

Iowa

Country

USA

Has Policy?

Yes

Policy

33D.07 - STREET NAMES.
1.Street Name Standards. With the exception of alleyways, all public and private street names adopted after the effective date of this Ordinance shall meet the following criteria:
A proposed street name shall not duplicate (written or phonetically) an existing street name within the greater Cedar Rapids area. Variations of the same name with a different road type classification are considered duplication (i.e. Pine Drive, Pine Way, Pine Lane).
Street names shall be easily pronounced and commonly spelled, or spelled as nearly as possible to the phonetic sound if no common spelling for the name exists.
Street names may not contain abbreviations, acronyms, initials, hyphens, slashes, or other special characters.
New streets which are on a reasonable alignment with existing and named streets shall bear the assigned name of the existing streets.
A street may be named after a person only under the following circumstances: the individual has been deceased for not less than three (3) years and either (a) had been a resident of the city and contributed positively to the city's image, or (b) had a positive significant or altruistic impact regionally or globally.
To the extent possible, street names should add to community pride by promoting local heritage, history, geography, and character. Name selection should be impartial as to culture and supportive of the City's multi-faceted community.
Street names shall not be longer than 14 characters, including spaces and road type class (excluding quadrant).
For the purpose of street naming, the City is divided into quadrants by means of a north/south baseline which intersects with an east/west baseline. The baseline separating the north and south quadrants of the City is 1 st Avenue and the baseline separating the east and west quadrants of the City is the Cedar River. Following the road name, roads will carry the appropriate grid quadrant suffix, NW, NE, SW, or SE.

2.Naming New Streets. The property developer will have the responsibility of proposing names of new streets that are in conformance with the applicable standards in this Chapter. Street names that are indicative of natural attributes, local historic connections, and/or of a similar theme are suggested for subdivisions. Proposed names of new streets arising out of the subdivision of land will be submitted as part of the subdivision process found within the Subdivision ordinance. All proposed names for new streets must be reviewed and approved by the Public Works Department before going to City Council for approval.

3.Renaming Existing Streets.
City Council, city departments, or owners of adjoining property may initiate the renaming of an existing street in conformance with the applicable standards in this Chapter.
The initiating party must submit a completed street name change application to the City. If a property owner initiates the name change, a petition supporting the change and signed by at least a minimum of 90% of the property owners with property fronting the street which is the subject of the proposed name change must be submitted with the application. The Public Works Department will review the application and provide comments.
If a property owner's application for a name change is approved by the Public Works Department, payment must be received for the fabrication and installation of the signs as outlined in the application before the Ordinance will be submitted to City Council for consideration of approval. Additional costs may include, but are not limited to, costs of publication, recording, and/or updating maps.
A public hearing before City Council will be held on the proposed Ordinance, followed by readings of the Ordinance as required by Iowa Code Section 380.3, as may be amended from time to time, after which City Council will vote on the proposed Ordinance.
Subsequent proposals to change the name of streets will not be permitted for five (5) years from the date of acceptance or denial by the City Council.
Following passage of an ordinance changing the name of a street, the City Clerk shall file a copy thereof with the County Recorder, County Auditor, and County Assessor.

Contact Info

p.platz@cedar-rapids.org

Policy Score

77