HomeMy WebLinkAboutYellowstone County - Maryland YELLOWSTONE COUNTY G.I.S.
To: City of Laurel
Mayor and City Council
From: Annette Cabrera
GIS Manager
Yellowstone County
Date: November 8t~, 2005
RE: Maryland Lane West
(406) 266-2831
FAX (406) 256~2736
P.O. BOX 35043
Billings, MT 59107-5043
Beginning September 1 st, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) department became
the addressing authority for the County. A few months ago, Cal Cumin brought an issue
to the attention of our office with regards to naming of streets in a proposed subdivision
north of Maryland Lane West (please see attached map and documents). There have
been several meetings with various people to discuss the issue as well as correspondence
with the citizens living along Maryland Lane West. On November 7th, the Board of
County Commissioners asked that I contact you to ensure that you are aware of the
situation and ask for your input before making a final decision.
The enclosed documentation details the various aspects of this issue. I would be happy to
meet with you to answer any questions you may have. We would like to resolve this
issue as soon as possible so I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Annette Cabrem
GIS Manager
Yellowstone County
256-2773
0~
Oct. 13, 2005
Dear County Resident,
In an effort to provide timely emergency service to our County residents, the
Yellowstone County GIS Department has been using GPS technology to map all roads
and addressed structures in the County as the initial step toward an enhanced wireless
911 system. A map of the roads and addresses will be connected to the 9-1-1 system to
display the location ora cell phone* user who dials 9-1-1 and to support efficient
dispatch ofpnhlic safety personnel. Some addressing policies and road naming
conventions have been adopted to comply with NENA (National Emergency Number
Association) standards and the requirements of computerized mapping applications.
Naturally, one such policy deals with the confusion created by having unconnected
roads with duplicate names. You may already be aware ora potential problem that
affects the street where you reside. Proposed development in adjacent subdivisions will
extend West Maryland Lane, but to connect with a new road north of your property
(named "Woods Way" on preliminary plats) instead of the existing Maryland Lane
West. I've displayed the proposed subdivision plans on the accompanying map.
I don't have to tell you that this will make it extremely difficult for anyone traveling
west on West Maryland Lane to locate your property. Delivery drivers, emergency
responders or any acquaintance unfamiliar with your location may find themselves on
Woods Way and wonder how they missed your address. It may require a map or
detailed instructions to locate you, which can be frustrating and even dangerous if it
causes delays for emergency responders.
There may be multiple solutions to this dilemma, but the best would be to change the
name of Maryland Lane West (so that what is now proposed as Woods Way can be
named West Maryland Lane). There is a free Petition process within the County
designed to make such road name changes, and residents are encouraged to collaborate
with each other on a potential new road name (and a possible alternate).
A road name change, however, ultimately means a change of address for any existing
dwellings accessed by the road. It is understood that a change of address can be an
inconvenient and unappealing prospect for some. The GIS Dept. handles notification of
new addresses to utility companies, the Department of Revenue, Post Offices and the
911 Center. Post Offices will forward mail from the old address for up to one year.
Often, the effective date of an address change can be scheduled up to a year out, to
allow people time to use up checks with old addresses and notify magazine distributors.
* Newe~ cell phones are equipped with technology to transmit a latitude and longitude when 9-1-1 is dialed. Check with the vendor
or manufacturer to determine if your cell phone has this feature.
At this point, the County Address Coordinator would like to ascertain whether you
might support changing the name of the street where you reside. Please check one of the
boxes below and return this page by October 21st, when we will make a decision about
initiating a Petition for a Road Name Change. I am including a copy of the Petition
application for your information, but I am also glad to personally answer any questions
you may have.
I understand that it would be better for the new road to the north of my property to
be named West Maryland Lane, and I am willing to be the Petition contact person
and assist with coordinating the selection of a new road name by my neighbors
[] I would be willing to sign a Petition in support of changing the name of Maryland
Lane West, a name selected by myself and neighbors on this street
[] I would be interested in attending a neighborhood meeting to discuss the issue and
possible new road names
[] I don't like the idea, but I would be willing to attend a presentation by a County
representative to learn more about road naming and addressing issues and processes
[] I am absolutely opposed to changing the name of Maryland Lane West.
signed date
co-owner signature
date
current address
I greatly appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
Janelle Luppen
Address Coordinator
Yellowstone County GIS Dept.
Room 305 of the County Court House
P.O. Box 35043
Billings, Montana 59107
(406) 869-3553
W