CHAPTER 3. STREET NAMES AND ADDRESSES

Article 1. Street Names

10-3.101 Changing Street Names.

The following procedure shall apply to the changing of street names:

a. Authority. The City Council may, by resolution, change the name of any street within the City if the street name is identical or similar to another street name in Central Contra Costa County, if one continuous street is known by more than one name, if a street different from the official name is in common use, or for other just cause.

b. Initiation. Except as otherwise provided herein, a street name change may be initiated by any of the following methods:

1. By action of the City Council;

2. By action of the Planning Commission;

3. By request of any adjoining local government;

4. By petition representing not less than 20% of the households or addresses on the street to be renamed except that the petition need not represent more than ten (10) addresses.

c. Procedure. When a street name change has been initiated pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, a public hearing shall be scheduled before the Planning Commission. At least ten (10) days prior to the public hearing the Community Development Director shall cause notice of said hearing to be posted in conspicuous places along said street, said notice to contain letters not less than one (1) inch in height reading "NOTICE OF PROPOSED STREET NAME CHANGE" along with a general description of the proposal.

After the closing of the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall make a recommendation to the City Council. If the Planning Commission recommends a change, the City Council may adopt a resolution putting the recommended change into effect without a hearing or the City Council may hold a public hearing at its option. The City Council shall not change any street name contrary to the Planning Commission recommendation without first holding a public hearing thereon. If the Planning Commission recommendation is for no change, the matter may be summarily dismissed by the City Council or a public hearing on the proposal may be scheduled. If the City Council is to conduct a public hearing, the notice requirements for said hearing shall be the same as contained in the first paragraph of this subsection.

d. Exceptions. In the event there are no addresses in use on a street the name of which is to be changed, or if all households or occupants on such street consent in writing to the change, the Council may make such change without referral to the Planning Commission and without a public hearing. (§1, Ord. 1048, eff. February 17, 1971, as amended by §1, Ord. 1097, eff. December 1, 1971, and by §26, Ord. 1143, eff. August 30, 1972)

10-3.102 New Street Names.

Names for new streets shall be established by the adoption of a resolution by the City Council. No public hearing need be held. (§1, Ord. 1048, eff. February 17, 1971)

10-3.103 Street Naming Committee.

There is hereby created a street naming committee for the City of Walnut Creek.

a. Membership. The Street Naming Committee shall consist of representatives of the following:

1. Consolidated Fire District;

2. United States Post Office;

3. County of Contra Costa;

4. Each adjoining City;

5. A member of the Planning Commission appointed by the Chairman thereof;

6. City Police Department;

7. Walnut Creek Area Chamber of Commerce; and

8. Any other agency as approved by the City Council.

b. Referral and Report. No new street shall be named nor shall any street name be changed without first referring all proposed names to the Street Naming Committee by the Community Development Director. Upon receipt of replies from the Street Naming Committee or upon the expiration of fifteen (15) days after notice was sent, the Community Development Director shall forward his findings and recommendation to the Planning Commission or City Council, whichever has primary jurisdiction. (§1, Ord. 1048, eff. February 17, 1971, as amended by §26, Ord. 1143, eff. August 30, 1972)

10-3.104 New Addresses.

The Community Development Director shall have authority as an administrative function to assign addresses to new buildings and to change an address when so requested by the occupant of building or portion thereof affected by such change. (§1, Ord. 1048, eff. February 17, 1971, as amended by §26, Ord. 1143, eff. August 30, 1972)

10-3.105 Address Changes.

Except as provided in Section 10-3.104 of this chapter, the procedure for changing addresses on an occupied street shall be the same as for changing the name of an occupied street. (§1, Ord. 1048, eff. February 17, 1971)

10-3.106 Duties of City Clerk.

Whenever the name of any street, boulevard, park or place is adopted, established or changed, or any house numbers are changed on any street, boulevard, park or place, the City Clerk shall promptly forward a copy of the resolution providing for such new name, change of name or house number to the Board of Supervisors. (§1, Ord. 1048, eff. February 17, 1971)