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Does Knightsbridge Drive need a new name?

Dean of Miami Hamilton has requested name  change, but one local resident calls it an ‘insult’

Cars drive along Knightsbridge Drive in Hamilton on Thursday, March 11. A request has been made to change the street name to Technology Drive.

Staff photo by Nick Daggy Cars drive along Knightsbridge Drive in Hamilton on Thursday, March 11. A request has been made to change the street name to Technology Drive.

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 12:31 AM Friday, March 12, 2010

HAMILTON — Although some local residents expressed concern that a proposed name change for a 2nd Ward street was a foregone conclusion, city officials assured them Wednesday, March 10, there would be plenty of opportunities to weigh in.

In fact, there will be at least three public hearings scheduled for the proposal to change Knightsbridge Drive to Technology Drive in the coming months. The street is home to the Vora Technology Park.

City Council voted 5-1 Wednesday to receive the request for the name change from Daniel E. Hall, dean of Miami University Hamilton. Councilman Archie Johnson was the lone dissenting vote, while Councilman Robert Brown was absent.

“The name change process is a long and involved process,” interim City Manager Mark Brandenburger said Wednesday. “This is not a done deal. There are all sorts of opportunities for public input.”

Johnson said he agreed with some concerns regarding the request, and said the process the city employs to change the name of a street is “backwards,” because it doesn’t do enough to notify affected residents ahead of time.

“Something’s wrong with the process when the people have to come out and say they’re against something rather than us being proactive,” Johnson said.

Following council’s action, the request moves to the planning commission. The earliest this request could appear before the commission is April 5; it’s not slated for the Monday, March 15, meeting. Planning Commission meetings take place at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at the city building. Following a planning commission public hearing, the issue moves to the board of revisions and assessments, which seeks to determine the possible economic or financial impact of the proposed change. The board does not hold regular meetings, but could schedule one after the proposal goes before the planning commission.

Should the request pass muster there, it would then appear before City Council for yet another public hearing, and later, a final vote.

Mayor Pat Moeller on Wednesday requested that Brandenburger have the planning department post notices using door hangers on Knightsbridge residences to assure both renters and homeowners are made aware of the proposal.

Robert Knight, who lives on Walnut Street, said residents he’s talked to are riled about the possible name change at the request of one person.

“That’s an insult to the people in the community,” Knight said Wednesday. “Talk to them about what they think because now everyone is talking about it. These people are disturbed.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112

or dgreber@coxohio.com.

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