Introduction
It is essential to the maintenance of a Democratic Society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the residents of these Districts are fully aware of and able to observe the performance of Board Members and Public Officials, attend and listen to the deliberation and decision that go into public policy. Adding the name to streets, avenues, plaza’s intersections, squares, overpasses and foot bridges are essential part of this public policy.
Submission Requirements
Excluded in these procedures are name adding of landmarks.
No request or action taken during July and August; Board Vacation period.
A Petitioner requesting a name add for a location that extends into another Community Board District must also get approval of that District. If the Petitioner already has an approval; from the other district a copy must be submitted with the application.
The Petitioner must state in the application and support documents, A) The contribution of the person or organization to General Community, and or the Street or location being proposed. B) The relationship of the Petitioner to the person or organization being proposed.
Petitioners must present proof when filing application that they have communicated with residents, business, civil groups, etc… in the location of the name change. Proof consists of names and address of people spoken to. Written statements, newspaper articles which state the petitioners intention to request a change of name.
Supporting material should include; A) A Biography (or something similar) of the person or a background of the group of organizations. B) Reasons for requesting the change. C) Statements from area residents and a map of general area affected. The petitioner must make a personal appearance at the Transportation Committee’s Fact Finding meeting, prepared to respond to all inquiries.
Any member of the Board or public who has knowledge of misstatement(s) of essential information about the name add is requested to notify the Board Office immediately, this will allow the Board to trace such action as the circumstances may require.
Staff Responsibilites
Provide the petitioner with the proper procedures, forms follow up for the name change.
Accept and review for completeness, Petitioner’s application and support documents.
Notitfy the Transportation Committee Chairman in a timely manner of the submissions and provide copies of all documents.
Inform area residents of the name change request and send notice of meeting dates.
Notify the local postal service to determine its impact on mail delivery.
Assists the Committee in estimating the costs of the name add through contact with the proper agencies.
Send notification to elected official an agency impacted by the name add with the proper agencies.
Transportation Committee Responsibility
Review the application and support documents
Through field vested and other means of communication, validate the accuracy and completeness of the application and support documents.
Review and evaluate the cost and where appropriate, suggest a reduced scope.
Conduct a public fact-finding Meeting that allows petitions, supporters and oppossers and opportunity to present their case.
Prepare a recommendation to the Board for an approval of disapproval of the application in a timely manner.
Request the broad place this item on the agenda.
Board Responsibility
Place the name add request on the agenda and require the petitioner to be present at the Board meeting.
Review the recommendation of the Transportation Committee and after deliberation; make a public determination in the form of a Board resolution, table the items of dismissing the application.
For approved name add, notify appropriate elected officials a proper agency (i.e. City Council Members, Boro President, Dept. of Transportation etc.)
Inform the petitioner of their follow up responsibilities.
Points of information: Determination and final determination:
Determinations of the Board shall be in the form of a written resolution. Such resolution shall state the reason for the approval or denial of the application and scope of the project. The determination shall be made in an open and public meeting so that residents of the petitioner.
Points of Information
Withdrawal of application: the Board may request, or the petitioner may decide to withdraw an application or appeal at any time prior to final determination. If the request is made before the Public Hearing, the Board may permit withdrawal without prejudice. (Allow resubmission a later date)
Dismissal of Application: The Board may, it its discretion, dismiss an application for lack of a good faith effort to provide information upon request with or without prejudice depending on the circumstance. The board may, at its discretion, dismiss an application in which it is found to be defective or incomplete and has not been corrected incomplete. Such dismissal shall be at a public hearing. If possible, prior notice should be given to the petitioner.
A committee of the Whole: If it is necessary to call a “Committee of the Whole” strict time limits will be enforced at the speaking time and time allotted for debate.
Denial of Name Change Application
Rights of Appeal
Application for name change that have been by the Board have the right to appeal the Board’s decision.
Time for Appeal
No application for appeal shall be entertained unless the petitioners Notice of Appeal has been filed within ten (10) days from the date of the Notice of Determination.
Request for rehearing
Request for rehearing shall be made within thirty (30) days of Notice of determination. Rehearing shall not be granted unless substantial new evidence is submitted that was not available at the time for the Boards Public Hearing.
Appeals and Rehearing
Appeals and rehearing shall be conducted by the Board sitting as a “Committee of the Whole” and a public final determination must be made.
A petitioner, whose application has been denied, may appeal the Board’s decision to their City council person or Borough President.
Copies of determination for Name Change shall be filed at the Boards office.
Revised1/15/15