Item - 2019.NY5.16

North York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council grant an exemption to its Street Naming Policy and rename "Karen's Way", extending between Barberry Place and Rean Drive, to "Thomas Clark Way".

North York Community Council held a public meeting in accordance with the City of Toronto Act, 2006, and notice of the proposed enactment of the draft by-law was posted on the Public Notices Page of the City's website in accordance with the requirements of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 162.

At its meeting of July 4, 2018, the North York Community Council adopted Item NY32.92 approving the name "Karen's Way" for the unassumed street extending between Barberry Place and Rean Drive.

At a subsequent meeting on July 23, 2018, the North York Community Council adopted Item NY33.2 enacting Bylaw #1036-2018 to authorize the naming of the unassumed street between Barberry Place and Rean Drive as "Karen's Way".

On March 4, 2019 the North York Preservation Panel, with support from Councillor Carroll, requested a renaming of "Karen's Way" to "Thomas Clark Way" in recognition of an important early settler from the area. The proposed name "Thomas Clark Way" complies with the Policy, however, renaming of streets is addressed in section 3.4 of the Street Naming Policy which states:

"3.4 Streets that have been named, renamed, or assigned a ceremonial name within the previous ten years will not be renamed."

Because the original naming of this street occurred in 2018, a renaming at this time is not in compliance with the Street Naming Policy. Therefore, this report recommends that the renaming be rejected.

Community Councils have delegated authority to decide street naming matters which comply with the Street Naming Policy. As this renaming is not in compliance with the Street Naming Policy, North York Community Council does not have delegated authority to approve a renaming. Any renaming of this street at this time would require the consideration and approval of City Council.