Wildwood Considering Changes for Ordinance Governing Street Names

Following a controversy over a petition to change the name of “Old Slave Road” in Wildwood, the city is considering making adjustments to its ordinance governing the process.

The city’s administration and public works committee draft the changes and they were presented to the council during a work session June 10. The issue will come up before the council for a final vote at their next meeting, June 24.

“There are a number of items with the exiting ordinance that needed some clarification and some changes to make the process a little bit easier,” said Ryan Thomas, the city’s director of public works.

Ryan added that it is also aimed at preventing the kind of public dissension that occurred among residents that the failed attempt to replace Old Slave Road created. It was ultimately blocked by the city council.

The proposed changes include two measures aimed at tightening the requirements for bringing a petition for a name change before the city.

Any such petitions would have to be signed by property owners who have the actual street name in their address and would require that all such property owners sign the petition. Currently, the ordinance only mandates there be a majority.

Secondly, Thomas said that if the name has a level of historical significance, such as Old Slave Road, a review from the city’s historic preservation committee must be included as part of the press.

Finally, even if the petitioners have 100 percent of property owners on board with the change, the city council retains ultimate authority of whether it is approved.

After the presentation form Thomas, councilman Dave Bertolino voiced some skepticism about the need for all property owners to sign a name change petition.

“I think asking for 100 percent approval is an unreasonable standard,” he said. “I appreciate the motivation, but you are not going to get a 100 percent.

However, council members David Geile and Tammy Shea disagreed. They noted that it would be difficult, but said many subdivision have similar requirements for changing its indentures.

“I don’t think it’s impossible and I think it’s a great protection,” Shea said.