The Subdivision Review Committee recently heard a recommendation to rename Oak Street between Gaston Avenue and Live Oak Street to “Peter M. Miller Street.” Screenshot of Google My Maps.
Oak Street is keeping its name — at least, based on the Subdivision Review Committee’s recommendation.
The committee recently heard a proposal to rename Oak Street between Gaston Avenue and Live Oak Street to “Peter M. Miller Street.” Notification of the proposed change was sent to nearby property owners, but the City did not hear opposition, nor favor, according to the Subdivision Review Committee meeting on Sept. 4. The City archivist also recommended denial because Oak Street has 135 years of history in our neighborhood and is one of the older street names in Dallas.
For the street name to be changed, three waivers would have to be approved by City Council — allowing the name to be longer than 14 characters, for a historic street name to be changed and for the change to memorialize a person who has not been dead for two years at least. (Miller, president and CEO of the philanthropic The Meadows Foundation, is still alive.)
Commissioner Deborah Carpenter on the committee also confirmed that the City’s transportation department was against the proposed change because of its similarities to other street names, which can lead to confusion from emergency dispatchers.
Because of the waivers required, the committee voted unanimously for denial.
“I think that street names are a very important part of our history and should not be changed lightly,” Carpenter said during the meeting. She also pointed out that street sign toppers could also be used to publicly honor people.
Street name changes are reviewed by the City’s subdivision administrator to form a recommendation, according to the Dallas City Code. Then, the Subdivision Review Committee holds a public meeting to decide on it. That recommendation is passed on to the City Plan Commission, which makes the final decision if the members move for denial. If they want to approve the change or if the applicant appeals the decision, then the City Council will hear the proposition and vote on it.