HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2017-017strikeWHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2017-111
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Originator:
JPR
316117
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FE—D) If`J" L�
3121117
Introduction
Public Hearing
Division Head:
JPR
316117
MAR 14 2017
414117
Dept. Head:
VV 117
a7
Prosecutor:
WHATCOM COUNTY
Purchasing/Budget:
A
COUNCIL
Executive:
WNLT.
TITLE OF D
Proposed Ordinance change to the Whatcom County's Code Title 12.60 Road Naming System including
Honorary Road Naming.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memo
2. Ordinance
3. Exhibit A: Proposed Chang es to Whatcom County Code 12.60
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? (X ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO
Requested Date: 414117
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Amendment of Whatcom County's Road Names System, Whatcom County Code 12.60 to include
Honorary Naming of Roads.
COMMITTEE ACTION.•
COUNCIL ACTION.•
3/21/2017: Introduced 7 -0
4/4/2017: Adopted 6 -0, Weimer absent, Ord. 2017 -017
Related County Contract #.
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution 1
Number:
Ord. 2017 -017
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the Count 's website at. www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
PROPOSED BY: Public Works e Engineering
INTRODUCTION DATE: 3/2112017
ORDINANCE NO. 1017 -017
AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 12.60, ROAD NAMING SYSTEM
WHEREAS, Whatcom County citizens have requested honorary names for County Roads;
and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Code (WCC) has no system to include honorary road
naming; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Public Works Department has identified additional
changes to WCC 12.60 that, if adopted, should improve the implementation and administration
of the code; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that the Road
Naming System chapter, WCC 12.60 is hereby amended as shown on Exhibit A, with the
addition of the Honorary Road Naming section, WCC 12.60.150, and the renumbering of the
two immediately following sections of that chapter.
'�jj%I1AA 0Pw�this 4th day of
. N�C(}�y r`r
A.• •� ,{
Daiwa Brpwn -RAI3 Coundl Clerk
AP P R OVEQ, ; JTCi�IV` \
Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor
April , 2017.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATCOM Y, YASHINGTON
VrVuchanA, Council Chair
4pprove ) Deni
Jack Louws Executive t
Date: 1
Exhibit A
Chapter 12.60
ROAD NAMING SYSTEM
Sections:
12.60.010 Purpose.
12.60.020 Definitions.
12.60.030 Responsibilities of the public works department.
12.60.040 Appointment and responsibilities of the citizen address and road name appeals
committee.
12.60.050 Requirement for road name.
12.60.060 Criteria for road name selection.
12.60.070 Name assignment procedure.
12.60.080 Road name signs.
12.60.090 Road sign specifications.
12.60.100 Address numbering system.
12.60.110 Correction of address number sequence.
12.60.120 Address number assignment.
12.60.130 Life, safety and property protection standards for address designation markers.
12.60.140 Road name changes and procedures.
12.60.150 Honorary Road Nar -nill
1260150 12.60,160 Master map.
16 160 12.60.17i.Compliance requirements and penalties.
12.60.190 Severability.
12.60.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for a logical system of road naming and address numbering,
which is consistent with the desires of Whatcom County residents, with the Whatcom County
Comprehensive Plan, and with the practical needs of county residents, emergency service providers, and
visitors. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.020 Definitions.
A. "Address" means the appropriate combination of address number, directional prefix or suffix, road
name, and road type, e.g., 100 East Bakerview Road.
B. "Address grid system" means an imaginary network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular
lines used to establish regularly spaced intervals as the basis for assigning address numbers.
C. "Address marker" means a marker with numbers on two sides used to designate an address number
along a road, or numbers affixed to a building.
D. "Address number" means the assigned property number which is written ahead of the road name, e.g.,
'525' Noon Road, and shall be numerical only.
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
E. "Alpha road name" means a word, usually a proper or common noun, or a combination of words used
to identify a road, e.g., 'Smith' Road, 'Trout Lake' Road.
F. "Applicant" means the individual(s(s)) or entity responsible for initiating the creation or expansion of a
road,_or requesting the change of the name of an existing road.
G. "Block number" means the 100 number interval based on the address grid system.
H. "Building address number including building designation" means the property number assigned to a
building.
I. "Directional prefix" is the word such as "West" or "East" placed ahead of the name of a road.
J. "Directional suffix" is the word such as "West" or "East" placed after the road type, e.g., Willow Lane
East.
K. "Driveway ": Primary function is to provide direct access to property.
L. "Joint driveway" means a driveway with primary function to provide direct access for up to four
properties.
M. "Mobile home park" means any parcel of land or adjacent parcels of land in the same ownership which
is utilized for occupancy by more than two mobile homes.
N. "Numeric road name" means an ordinal number used to identify a road, e.g., '2nd Street', '31st'
Avenue.
O. "Private road" means a road which is on private property and which is maintained with private funds.
P. "Recreational vehicle park" means a parcel of land in which three or more sites are primarily for
occupancy by recreational vehicles for travel, recreation or vacation uses.
Q. "Right -of -way' means a legal right of passage over a piece of land, generally established by either
dedication, ownership, or easement.
R. "Road" means a travel way intended for the use of motorized vehicles or other modes of
transportation.
S. "Road name sign" means a sign designating the name of a travel way.
T. "Road name type" follows the road's alpha road name and indicates the type of travel way, e.g., Britton
'Road', Sunset'Lane'. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.030 Responsibilities of the public works department.
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
A. Whatcom County department of public works, hereinafter called the department, is directed to assign
and /or change address numbers to buildings and unimproved property, to facilitate and record the naming
of roads, and to assure placement of road name signs, according to the provisions of this chapter.
B. The department will recommend to the executive for approval by the county council rules and
regulations regarding all address numbering and road naming policies.
C. The department and the applicant shall work cooperatively and in a timely manner to facilitate and
expedite the procedures required by this chapter. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.040 Appointment and responsibilities of the citizen address and road name appeals
committee.
A. The county council shall appoint a citizen address and road name appeals committee, hereinafter
called the "citizen appeals committee ", of five members representing the diversity of Whatcom County
residents. Committee members shall serve three -year overlapping terms and shall be eligible for
reappointment.
B. The responsibilities of the citizen appeals committee shall be as follows:
1. Consider and decide appeals of address numbering, and road name assignments and
corrections;
2. Review and decide appeals in enacting the policies and procedures of this chapter;
3. Develop a list of preapproved road names from which applicants may choose;
4. May propose changes or additions in the county's address numbering, road naming, and sign
policy.
C. Decisions by the citizen appeals committee may be appealed to the county council. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.050 Requirement for road name.
A. Road names shall be required for all public roads and private roads now existing or hereafter created
when such roads:
1. Are any length and serve five or more lots; or
2. Are 1,000 feet or greater in length and serve three or more lots.
B. Roads that are not required to be named per WCC 12.60.050.A above may also be named at the
unanimous request of all the property owners served by the road when said road serves three or four
existing lots. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.060 Criteria for road name selection.
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
A. Objectives. Names should be pleasant sounding, appropriate, and easy to read and pronounce (so
that the public, and children in particular, can handle the name in an emergency situation) and shall meet
What -Comm (9 -1 -1) computer programming requirements.
B. Recommended Types of Names. Names of local historic families, individuals, landmarks and events,
features of the natural terrain, plants and animals, names of aesthetic or community significance.
C. Unacceptable Names. Numeric (e.g., 42nd, 56th, Fifty- Fifth, etc.) if they have already been used or if
they do not conform to the address grid system; alphabetical letters (A, B, C, etc.); frivolous, complicated
or unseemly names (e.g., My Road, Slick Road).
D. Avoidance of Name Duplication. Similar sounding names shall be considered duplication regardless of
spelling. No duplication of names shall be permitted within Whatcom County. Road type shall not be
used to distinguish road names within these areas, except in logically compelling instances where there is
contiguity (e.g. Oak Circle at the end of Oak Street; but not Oak Lane at a location not contiguous with
Oak Street). Directional indicators (e.g., North, South, Northeast) shall not be allowed as street names to
distinguish noncontiguous roads (i.e., if there were an existing Wilson Road, "North Wilson Road" could
not be considered a distinct, nonduplicative name).
E. Road Type Designations. Due to existing road names, "view ", "vista ", "trail', and "plaza" shall not be
permitted as a road name type. The designation "highway" shall be reserved for state and federal
administered roads. The road name types "road" and "street" shall be reserved for Whatcom County
public roads only.
F. Directional Prefixes. Roads running east -west which intersect (cross or abut) the Guide Meridian shall
be prefixed "East' on the east side of the Guide and "West" on the west side of the Guide.
G. Directional Suffixes. Directional suffixes shall not be allowed in road names. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.070 Name assignment procedure.
A. The applicant for a new road may propose three original names: a preferred name and two alternates.
The department shall provide the road applicant with a copy of this chapter and a list of preapproved
names from which a road name may be selected, if the applicant prefers not to propose an original name.
B. If preapproved name is not selected, the road name approval process shall consist of submission to
the department for review including What -Comm 9 -1 -1 and the local fire district(s) according to the criteria
set forth in WCC 12.60.060.
C. If an appeal is made, the citizen appeal committee shall evaluate the appeal with regard to
compliance, review proposed road names for appropriateness, and make recommendations on new road
names and road name changes.
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
D. When the recommendations of the department and the citizen appeals committee do not agree, or
when the applicant contests the decisions of the department and the citizen appeals committee, the
matter may be referred to the council for consideration. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.080 Road name signs.
A. Signs on public county roads shall be placed and maintained by the county. When an applicant
dedicates a road to the public, the applicant shall pay for the initial installation of the road name sign(s).
B. Signs on new private roads shall be installed and maintained by the applicant in accordance to
Whatcom County Development Standards. On existing private roads, the responsibility for installation
and maintenance of signs shall rest collectively with the owners of real property which abuts or may use
the private road as access or as outlined in the plat covenants. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.090 Road sign specifications.
A. For Arterial Roads. The color and letter size shall be consistent with current county road signs for all
public county roads.
B. For Private Roads. Signs designating private roads shall be the same style as public road signs in
accordance with Whatcom County Development Standards.
12.60.100 Address numbering system.
A. An address numbering system following a grid pattern of 400 three- or four -digit numbers per mile
meets current and projected future needs in Whatcom County. This system provides for one address
number every 26.4 feet on either side of the road. (Ord. 96 -049).
B. Except for Point Roberts, the horizontal (east -west) base line is the Whatcom County and Skagit
County border. Numbers 0 to 99 are reserved for parcels in Skagit County that access and are
addressed on Whatcom County roads. The base line is 100, and addresses increase to the north by 100
numbers per quarter- section line, 400 numbers per approximate mile.
C. Except for Point Roberts, the vertical (north- south) base line is the dividing line between range 2 east
and range 3 east (Guide Meridian for most of the county). The base line is 100 and addresses increase
going east and increase going west by 100 numbers per quarter- section line, 400 numbers per
approximate mile.
D. For Point Roberts, the horizontal (east -west) base line is the theoretical western section line of 40N 3W
33. The base line is 1000 and addresses increase going east by 100 numbers per quarter- section line,
400 numbers per approximate mile. The vertical (north- south) base line is the Canadian border. The
base line is 0, and numbers increase to the south by 100 numbers per quarter- section line, 400 numbers
per approximate mile.
E. Addresses on the north side of an east -west running road will be even numbers; addresses on the
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
south side of an east -west road will be odd numbers. Addresses on the east side of a north -south
running road will be even numbers; addresses on the west side of a north -south road will be odd
numbers.
12.60.110 Correction of address number sequence.
The department shall make corrections where necessary to accomplish full implementation of the address
numbering system for all county addresses in accordance with the following time -line and criteria:
A. The department shall correct addresses beginning in 1997, and shall continue until the entire county
has been reviewed and corrected.
B. Notices of address corrections shall be mailed to affected property owners and become effective six
months after notification by the department.
12.60.120 Address number assignment.
A. The department shall assign address numbers to previously unaddressed lots prior to issuance of a
building permit.
B. New address number assignments and address number corrections shall follow the address number
system. New address numbers shall logically fit into the existing numbering system of the particular area.
When incorrect address numbers are found during the permit process, corrections should be made to
those addresses at that time.
C. One address per legal lot of record shall be assigned, and except when the lot of record hosts:
1. One or more individual multiple dwelling or multiple occupant buildings (e.g., apartment
buildings, condominiums, duplexes, quadplexes, office buildings, strip malls), then each building
shall have a separate address.
2. One or more permitted detached accessory dwelling units, then each unit shall have a
separate address.
D. For nondwelling type detached accessory structures (e.g., shops, garages, barns), separate addresses
shall not be assigned different from the primary lot of record address.
E. For multiple dwelling and multiple occupant building, alpha designator or suite number suffixes shall
also be used in combination with the primary lot of record address.
F. For permitted attached accessory dwelling units, alpha designator suffix use is optional in combination
with the primary lot of record address.
G. For mobile home and recreational vehicle parks, site numbers shall be assigned to the individual
mobile home or recreational vehicle sites and not to the mobile homes or recreational vehicles
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
themselves. One address number shall be assigned to the mobile home or recreational vehicle park as a
whole. The address of any one unit in the mobile home or recreational vehicle park shall consist of the
mobile home or recreational vehicle park address followed by the site number.
12.60.130 Life, safety, and property protection standards for address designation markers.
A. The owner of real property on which any building is located which is habitable or tenantable for
residential, commercial, business, storage, or other purposes shall be responsible for ensuring that the
proper address numbers are placed in such a position as to be plainly visible and legible from the road
fronting the property.
B. Address Designation Marker. Where the building is not visible from the road or the address is not
legible from the road, or more than one building is on a site, one address designation marker per building
or address shall be provided at the junction of the driveway and the named road, and another address
designation marker should be provided at the intersection of the individual driveway and the joint
driveway. The ultimate responsibility for health and safety issues on private property rests with the
property owner.
1. Placement. Address designation markers shall be placed so that the numbers are not
obstructed by grass or landscaping. Installation and maintenance are the responsibility of the
property owner.
2. Installation. Installation and maintenance of temporary address designation markers during all
permitted construction shall be the responsibility of the permit applicant in compliance with
subsections B and C of this section.
3. Specifications. Address designation markers must be visible at night. The minimum standard
shall be three -inch numbers arranged horizontally or vertically on a clearly contrasting
background. Reflective numbers and reflective backgrounds are recommended. Blue and white
are the recommended colors to be used on address designation markers.
C. The property owner(s) of mobile home and recreational vehicle parks are responsible for ensuring that
each space is marked with the individual site number. The site number shall be easily visible and legible
and affixed to some permanent structure located on the space. In mobile home and recreational vehicle
parks with multiple access lanes, the access lanes shall be marked with the range of site numbers
served.
D. Map Signs. In complexes where multiple buildings exist, map signs are recommended to be posted at
the main entrance of the complex. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.140 Road name changes and procedures.
Some road names warrant being changed in order to reduce confusion arising from duplicate names or
by different names on segments of the same travel way (which may or may not change direction). In
addition, a request may be made to change an existing road name. Whenever possible, road name
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
changes shall be made concurrently with correction of address number sequencing (refer to WCC
12.60.110). The road(s) shall be renamed by the following procedure:
A. For department- initiated road name changes, the department shall notify all property owners with
addresses that use the current road name (affected property owners) that their road(s) requires a name
change. Within this notification, the (affected) property owner shall be informed of the opportunity they
have to participate in the selection of the new road name, and the department shall also outline the
following:
First Notification:
1. The reason for the road name change (duplication, merging roads, etc.);
2. The two (or more) existing affected road names;
3. The department may recommend road name(s) or changes based on the following criteria:
a. WCC 12.60.060, Criteria for road name selection,
b. WCC 12.60.070, Name assignment procedure,
c. Historical records (deeds, plats, etc.),
d. Date on which road(s) were named,
e. Number of affected residents and /or property owners of record located on each road,
f. Extenuating circumstances known by the department,
g. Preapproved road name list;
4. The date at which a response is due back to the department, any additional circumstances to
be considered, and the road name proposals (a three -week period).
Second Notification:
1. A brief summary of prior notice;
2. A list of all proposed road names submitted by residents;
3. A date in which the residents need to submit their top two choices (a two -week period).
Third Notification:
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
1. Tallied results from responses for new road name. The department will strive to obtain
consensus.
2. An outline of the appeal process with the deadline to submit an appeals request (three weeks
from date of third notice);
3. The department will make the official road name announcement;
4. The date when the new road name may become effective (additional three -week period).
(Ord. 96 -049).
B. For non - department- initiated road name changes, the applicant shall submit a road name change
application form (which the department shall create and maintain consistent with this chapter) to the
department, together with the fees per the Whatcom County Unified Fee Schedule.
1. Each road name change application shall include the following:
a. A vicinity map showing the existing road.
b. The current name of the road.
c. The proposed name of the road.
d. The reason for the road name change.
e. List of names, mailing addresses, and parcel numbers of all property owners with
addresses that use the current road name (affected property owners).
f. Typed, self- adhering (self- stick) mailing labels containing the names and addresses
of all affected property owners.
g. A notarized affidavit certifying that the above statements and the information
contained in any papers or plans submitted are true and accurate to the best of the
applicant's knowledge, and that the list of affected property owners is complete and
current.
2. The department will send a notice of the requested road name change to the affected
property owners, What -Comm 9 -1 -1, and the local fire district(s), asking for comments on the
requested road name change.
3. The notice will provide a 30 day comment period.
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
4. The department shall provide a staff report to the Whatcom County Council including, but not
limited to, the following information:
a. The comments received on the requested application.
b. An analysis on the name change meeting the criteria of WCC 12.60:060.
c. Cost of changing the road signs.
5. The Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing and make a decision on the request.
6. If the Whatcom County Council approves the request, the ordinance changing the road name
will include the requirement for the applicant to reimburse the department for the actual cost
of the road sign changes.
12.60.150 Honorary Road Naming.
1. An honorary road name is a subsidiary designation for a road or a portion of a road
that does not replace the legal name of the road. The honorary road name shall be
denoted by signs that augment but do not replace signs for the legal road name
required for emergency service access. If a road or a portion of a road, except
intersecting roads, has been designated with an honorary road name, no other
honorary name shall be given to the road or section of a road. Honorary signs shall
meet the standard road sign criteria for size and shape with a brown background
and white lettering, and shall be placed underneath signs designating the legal road
name.
2. The council shall designate an honorary name for a road or portion of a road by the
adoption of an ordinance. Honorary road names shall be limited to recognition of
individuals organizations, entities and events of local significance to the county., as
determined by the county council. The actual costs of manufacturing, designing and
installing or replacing signs due to damage, theft or vandalism shall be paid to the
Public Works Department by the ap licant requesting the honorary designation
before the signs are manufactured and installed.
3. An application to the council for honorary road renaming shall contain a list of all
persons having ownership in properties addressed on the road to be ,given the
honorary name and the signatures of the majority of those persons indicating
acquiescence in the honorary road name. The application shall include a statement
recognizing that costs defined in subsection 2 of this section shall be borne by the
applicant and noting that the legal name of the road will not change.
4. The council shall mail notice of a proposed honorary name to all property owners on
3/6/2017
Exhibit A
the affected road at least twenty days before council action.
12� 0 12.60.160 Master map.
The department shall develop a master map of all public and private roads in Whatcom County in
conjunction with WCC 12.60.110 and shall maintain and keep current thereafter. (Ord. 96 -049).
116 12.64.170 Compliance requirements and penalties.
A. All address assignments or changes duly required by the department shall be recorded on title
transfers.
B. Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or of the codes adopted
by reference by this chapter, shall be deemed guilty of a civil offense and shall be given 30 days to
correct the situation and shall be fined not more than $250.00 for each offense. (Ord. 96 -049).
12.60.190 Severability.
If any portion of this chapter is deemed to be invalid or inoperative, all remaining sections shall continue
in effect. (Ord. 96 -049).
3/6/2017