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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-084-17Planning Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: Planning and Development Committee Date of Meeting: November 13, 2017 Report Number: PSD-084-17 Resolution: File Number: PLN 7.9 By-law Number: Report Subject: Request to Name a Street after Joe Roka Recommendations: 1.That Report PSD-084-17 be received; 2.That the request to name a street after the late Mr. Joe Roka be denied; and 3.That Donna Roka be informed of Council’s decision and be provided with a copy of Staff Report PSD-084-017. PD-201-17 Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-084-17 Page 2 Report Overview In response to a request from Donna Roka to name a street in Courtice after the late Mr. Joe Roka, it is recommended that the street name request be denied since it does not meet municipal policy regarding memorial tributes. 1. Background On October 23, 2017 Mrs. Donna Roka submitted a letter requesting that a street be named after her father-in-law, the late Mr. Joe Roka for one of the future subdivisions in the Bloor Street/Trulls Road area. She submitted letter outlining Mr. R oka’s life and her desire to thank her father-in-law with a road named in his honour (Attachment 1). 2. Discussion There are two policies regarding commemorative street names: a)War Dead and War Veteran Names for Streets; and b)Memorial Tributes Policy (Attachment 2). For members of the community-at-large, the Memorial Tributes policy provides for recognition on an ad-hoc basis by Council “based on the length and degree of service to the community”. Mrs. Roka’s letter outlines the late Mr. Roka’s journey to Canada from Hungary, purchase of land in Courtice in 1930, raising a thriving family of five children and providing a better life for his children and grandchildren. The letter notes he lived a simple yet joyous life before his death in the early 1970s. Mrs. Roka’s description is that of a wonderful and humble family man with a similar life to many immigrants to this country. Council’s policy is based on the length and degree of service to the community. It is a tribute reserved for a very limited number of people. Staff have not been able to identify service to the community that would meet this description. 3.Conclusion Council’s policy is not to recognize through street naming the length of ownership of a property or the kind character of a person like the late Mr. Roka. It is a limited honour to someone who has served the community in a sustained and substantive manner. It is respectfully recommended that Donna Roka’s request to name a street after the late Mr. Joe Roka be denied. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-084-17 Page 3 4. Strategic Plan Application Not applicable. by: Submitted Reviewed by: David Crome, MCIP, RPP, Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B Director of Planning Services CAO Staff Contact: David Crome, Director of Planning Services, 905-623-3379 ext. 2402 or dcrome@clarington.net List of interested parties to be notified of Council's decision is on file in the Planning Services Department. Attachments: Attachment 1: Letter and pictures from Ms. Roka Attachment 2: Memorial Tributes Policy DJC/tg I:\^Department\LDO NEW FILING SYSTEM\PLN Planning Files\PLN 7 Department Responsibilities\PLN 7.9 Street Name General\Joe Roka\PSD-084-17 Staff Report.docx Attachment 1 to Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-084-17 Attachment 1 to Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-084-17 Attachment 2 to Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-084-17 POLICY REGARDING MEMORIAL TRIBUTES (Report Admin-16-98) A) MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: Mayors: recognize past or present Mayors by the naming of a facility. Councillors Deceased During Term of Office/or Deceased in First Term After Leaving Office: may be recognized upon request, by the naming of a street or a park within the Municipality. B) MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE Members of the Community At Large: recognition on an ad-hoc basis by Council, as requests are received, by the naming of any park, street or facility, based on the length and degree of service to the community. C) NATIONAL TRIBUTES/RECOGNITION OF ROYALTY Nationally recognized individuals, such as Terry Fox, and recognition of Royalty through visits to municipally hosted events, may be recognized by the naming of a street, park, or facility. STREET NAMES: The suggestion of any street names will be processed in conjunction with the Planning Department's registry and street naming process. FUNDS: Funds required to implement recognition memorial tributes will be budgeted in any given year that the tribute is anticipated, and otherwise may be drawn from the Unclassified Administration Receptions and Tributes account. INITIATION: Requests will be considered by Council on an as requested basis. Interested parties are to be notified of Council's decision