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Kincardine council is considering a name change for the
entire stretch of Campbell Avenue, north and south of Russell
Street, in the former Town of Kincardine.
In committee-of-the-whole last night (Jan. 14), community
emergency management co-ordinator, Roberta Trelford, brought the
issue back to the council table from which it was deferred Dec.
3. She recommended Campbell Avenue, from Russell Street to Scott
Street, be renamed McGaw Drive. Discussion in December
determined that the majority of residents already have McGaw
Drive addresses so the change would not impact as many people.
Trelford said the affected residents on Campbell Avenue were
notified by telephone, and followed up with registered letters.
The renaming of the street is necessary to maintain the
integrity of the 911 system, providing prompt response by
emergency services, she said, adding that the change will not
have any impact on the existing house numbers, only the name.
Councillor Gordon Campbell said the building and planning
committee discussed the issue and put forward the motion that
all of Campbell Avenue be renamed McGaw Drive, including the
portion north of Russell Street. Mayor Larry Kraemer said that
motion also includes the need to discuss the proposed change
with the affected residents of that section of Campbell Avenue.
Trelford pointed out that in other areas of the municipality,
there are different street names for opposite sides of a
dividing street. "Sometimes it's more efficient for emergency
services to have two separate street names," she said. "It's
easier to identify the streets and you get a quicker response."
However, Kraemer said the building and planning committee noted
there are two streets named Campbell (Avenue and Crescent) in
Kincardine and the municipality should get rid of the
duplication. "Switching Campbell Avenue to McGaw Drive would do
just that," he said.
Deputy mayor Laura Haight said when Kincardine first adopted the
rules for the 911 service, the main purpose was to eliminate
confusion so emergency services personnel could locate property
addresses quickly. Unfortunately, some street-renaming allowed
for different names on either side of a dividing street, such as
Willow and Elgin which are separated by Kincardine Avenue in the
south end. (next column)
15/01/2009 06:56 PM
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"We should get rid of duplicate names so the streets are
consistent and easy to find," she said. "We should stick to the original
principles (of the 911 system) which were developed with some rationale
in mind. This address change is going to screw up people's lives, just
as it did before."
Kraemer said one objection in December came from a resident on Campbell
Avenue, south of Russell Street, who said his street address was
engraved into the side of his home. However, Kraemer said he drove that
section of road and didn't see any engraved house numbers.
Councillor Ron Hewitt suggested council put forward the motion to rename
the entire length of Campbell Avenue to McGaw Drive, subject to
notification of the Campbell Avenue residents north of Russell Street.
"We would need a month for notification and reasonable time for input,"
said Kraemer.
Haight suggested the bylaw be passed but implementation be delayed so
people could get the address changes made; for instance, if the bylaw
were done in March, it would take effect in June.
"Can we notify the post office that this is happening so we don't have
any problems with them?" asked councillor Marsha Leggett. "The post
office will work with us," said Haight. "We have to write to Canada Post
in London and make arrangements through the local post office. Things
take awhile but it'll work out."
Council agreed to have registered letters sent to all residents of
Campbell Avenue, north of Russell Street, stating that council is
considering the street name change to McGaw Drive to provide clarity and
faster emergency services response; and that discussion will be held at
the Feb. 11 corporate services committee meeting.
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