Chapter 43: Streets, Sidewalks, and Other Public Places

(a) A street may be assigned a secondary street sign that displays a different name than the official street name in accordance with this division.

(b) The assignment of a secondary street sign is for purposes of honorary recognition only and shall not replace the official street name or require changing official maps, surveys, or records.

(c) The assignment of a secondary street sign may be sought to recognize a person who meets the following criteria:

(1) The person has achieved prominence as a result of his or her significant positive, and extraordinary contributions to the City of Detroit, State of Michigan, the United States of America, or the international community:

(2) The person was a resident of the City for a cumulative time of not less than ten years; and

(3) The person has been deceased for a period of not less than five years, unless either:

a. The person is deceased, and:

1. 1. 1. Held a public office in the federal government:
      2. Died, or sustained an injury that caused death, while performing his or her duty as a police officer, firefighter, or member of the emergency medical services for the City; or
      3. Served as a member of the United States Armed Forces, including the reserve components, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, or died while on active duty in the United States Armed Forces: or

b. The person is either alive or deceased, and;

1. 1. 1. The secondary street sign is requested by a City Council Member pursuant to the procedure provided in Subdivision C of this division: and
      2. Separate letters of concurrence from at least three City Council Members, including the City Council Member who submitted the request, describing the particular circumstances that justify exempting the proposed honoree from the requirement that an honoree be deceased for a period of not less than five years are attached to the request at the time it is forwarded to the Legislative Policy Division pursuant to Section 43-3-61(b) of this Code, in addition to the other attachments required by Section 43-3-61(c) of this Code.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) The secondary street sign shall be placed above the official street sign and be of a different color than the official street sign.

(b) A maximum of one secondary street sign shall be placed at only one identified intersection in the area significant to the honoree’s historical residence or the location of the honoree’s historical contribution. If a secondary street sign is assigned to the same intersection as another secondary street sign, the secondary street sign that was assigned earlier may be subject to removal for the purpose of installing the secondary street sign that was assigned more recently, pursuant to Section 43-3-44(d) of this Code.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

A missing or damaged secondary street sign shall be replaced by the Department of Public Works within 45 days from receipt of payment for the cost of replacement from the petitioner or City Council Member who requested the secondary street sign.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) A secondary street sign may be subject to removal after a period of five years from the date of the sign’s installation pursuant to either of the following:

(1) Submission to the City Council of a written recommendation from the Department of Public Works that the secondary street sign should be removed pursuant to the following:

a. Upon receipt of the written recommendation, the City Council shall schedule a public hearing. Notice of the public hearing shall be:

1. 1. 1. Provided to the owners and occupants of real property within 300 linear feet of the intersection abutting such street that was assigned the secondary street sign;
      2. Published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five days prior to the date fixed for the hearing: and
      3. Provided to the original petitioner or City Council Member who requested the secondary street sign.

b. Following the public hearing, the City Council shall adopt a resolution approving or denying the recommendation submitted by the Department of Public Works.

c. Upon the City Council’s adoption of a resolution approving the recommendation submitted by the Department of Public Works in accordance with Subsection (a)(1)b of this section, said Department shall remove the secondary street sign within 45 days of the adoption of the resolution.

(2) The City Council may, on its own initiative, adopt a resolution to initiate the removal of a secondary street sign pursuant to the following:

a. Upon the City Council’s adoption of the resolution to initiate this procedure, the City Council shall schedule a public hearing. Notice of the public hearing shall be;

1. 1. 1. Provided to the owners and occupants of real property within 300 linear feet of the intersection abutting such street that was assigned the secondary street sign;
      2. Published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five days prior to the date fixed for the hearing; and
      3. Provided to the original petitioner or City Council Member who requested the secondary street sign.

b. Following the public hearing, the City Council shall adopt a resolution approving or denying the removal of the secondary street sign.

c. Upon the City Council’s adoption of a resolution to approve the removal of the secondary street sign in accordance with Subsection (a)(2)b of this section, the Department of Public Works shall remove the secondary street sign within 45 days of the adoption of the resolution.

(b) A secondary street sign may be subject to removal any time after the installation of the secondary street sign pursuant to the following:

(1) Receipt of a petition for the removal of a secondary street sign from a resident of the City by the Office of the City Clerk. A petition for the removal of a secondary street sign shall contain the following:

a. A description of the secondary street sign that is sought to be removed, including the name and location of the secondary street sign:

b. A statement of the reason or reasons for why the secondary street sign should be removed; and

c. The signatures of at least 1/2 of all those who own or occupy property that abuts a street and is within 300 linear feet of the intersection where the secondary street sign is located, indicating their consent to the petition to remove the secondary street sign.

(2) Upon receipt of a petition for the removal of a secondary street sign, the Office of the City Clerk shall report receipt of the petition to the City Council and transmit the petition to the Legislative Policy Division.

(3) Within two weeks of receipt of a petition for the removal of a secondary street sign from the Office of the City Clerk, the Legislative Policy Division shall complete a review of the petition and determine whether at least 1/2 of all owners and occupants of real property that abuts a street and is within 300 linear feet of the intersection where the secondary street sign is located have signified, in writing, their consent to granting such petition. After completing its review, the Legislative Policy Division shall submit to the City Council a report of the Legislative Policy Division’s findings as to whether the petition contains the required number of verified signatures.

(4) Upon receipt of a report from the Legislative Policy Division indicating that the petition for the removal of a secondary street sign contains the required number of verified signatures, the City Council shall schedule a public hearing. Notice of the public hearing shall be;

a. Provided to the owners and occupants of real property that abuts a street and is within 300 linear feet of the intersection where the secondary street sign is located;

b. Published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five days prior to the date fixed for the hearing;

c. Provided to the original petitioner or City Council Member who requested the secondary street sign; and

d. Provided to the resident of the City who submitted the petition for the removal of a secondary street sign.

(5) Following the public hearing, the City Council shall adopt a resolution approving or denying the removal of the secondary street sign.

(6) Upon the City Council’s adoption of a resolution to approve the removal of the secondary street sign in accordance with Subsection (b)(4) of this section, the Department of Public Works shall remove the secondary street sign within 45 days of the adoption of the resolution.

(c) Petitions for the removal of a secondary street sign shall be provided by the Office of the City Clerk. The petition shall state in bold face type that the consent of at least 1/2 of all those who own or occupy property that abuts a street and is within 300 linear feet of the intersection where the secondary street sign is located is required. No form other than that referenced in this subsection shall be accepted as a valid petition for the removal of a secondary street sign.

(d) A secondary street sign may be subject to removal by the Department of Public Works for the purpose of installing a new secondary street sign that is assigned to the same intersection.

(e) The cost to remove a secondary street sign pursuant to a resolution that is adopted in accordance with Subsection (a) of this section shall be borne as follows;

(1) If a secondary street sign is removed in accordance with the procedure provided in Subsection (a)(1) of this section, the cost to remove the secondary street sign shall be borne by the Department of Public Works.

(2) If a secondary street sign is removed in accordance with the procedure provided in Subsection (a)(2) of this section, the cost to remove the secondary street sign shall be borne by the City Council.

(f) The cost to remove a secondary street sign pursuant to Subsection (b) of this section shall be borne by the resident who filed the petition for the removal of a secondary street sign with the Office of the City Clerk.

(g) The cost to remove a secondary street sign for the purpose of installing a new secondary street sign in accordance with Subsection (d) of this section shall be borne by the petitioner or City Council Member requesting the new sign.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

No more than five secondary street signs may be assigned by the City Council, whether through petition or City Council initiative, pursuant to this division, each calendar year.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) Petitions for the assignment of a secondary street sign in the City shall be provided by the Office of the City Clerk.

(b) The petition shall state in boldface type that the consent of 2/3 of those who own or occupy property that abuts the street within 300 linear feet of the intersection where the secondary street sign is proposed to be located is required.

(c) No form other than that referenced in Subsection (a) of this section shall be accepted as a valid petition for the assignment of a secondary street sign.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) A petition for a secondary street sign shall be filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

(b) The petitioner shall provide the following as an attachment to the petition:

(1) Information pertaining to the proposed honoree, including a biography, honors received, contributions to the local, State, national, or international community, and other information that is sufficient to accurately assess the satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 43-4-41 of this Code;

(2) A letter of concurrence from either the proposed honoree’s surviving spouse or living descendants, if any such persons are practically accessible and able to provide such letter of concurrence;

(3) The proposed location for the installation of the secondary street sign consistent with Section 43-3-42 of this Code;

(4) Information that is sufficient to accurately assess the appropriateness of the secondary street sign for the proposed location; and

(5) Proof of payment of the application fee described in Subsection (c) of this section.

(c) A non-refundable application fee shall be charged for the administration, processing, issuance, and enforcement of the petition under this division. Payment of the application fee shall be made payable to “City Treasurer,” and submitted to the Legislative Policy Division. In accordance with Section 9-507 of the Charter, the Legislative Policy Division shall establish, subject to the approval of the City Council through adoption of a resolution, the amount of the application fee.

(d) Upon receipt of a petition for a secondary street sign, and the non-refundable application fee, the Office of the City Clerk shall assign a petition number to the petition, report receipt of the petition to the City Council, and transmit the petition to the Legislative Policy Division.

(e) Petitions for secondary street signs shall be submitted to, and accepted by, the Office of the City Clerk from the date of July 1 until the date of December 31 of each calendar year.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) Within two weeks of receipt of a petition for a secondary street sign from the Office of the City Clerk, the Legislative Policy Division shall complete a review of the petition and determine whether 2/3 of the owners and occupants of real property within 300 linear feet of the proposed intersection abutting such street to be assigned a secondary street sign have signified, in writing, their consent to granting such petition. Upon making its determination, the Legislative Policy Division shall proceed according to the following:

(1) Where the petition does not contain the required number of verified signatures, the Legislative Policy Division shall conclude its investigation and report its findings to the City Council.

(2) Where the petition does contain the required number of verified signatures:

a. The Legislative Policy Division shall mail a copy of the petition, via first class mail, to each owner and occupant as described in Subsection (a) of this section, and a notice stating that they have 21 calendar days from the date the notice is mailed to submit comments or objections regarding the petition to the Legislative Policy Division; and

b. The Legislative Policy Division shall notify all necessary City departments, including the Department of Public Works, Detroit Police Department, and Detroit Fire Department, identified community groups in areas adjacent to the subject street and governmental agencies, including the United States Postal Service, of the proposed secondary street sign, and that they have 21 calendar days from the date the notice is mailed to submit comments or objections regarding the petition to the Legislative Policy Division.

(b) Upon expiration of the 21-day comment period, the Legislative Policy Division shall make a written report summarizing the comments and objections, if any, regarding the petition, and forward the report to the City Council.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) Between the dates of January 1 and April 30 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the petition for a secondary street sign was filed with the Office of the City Clerk, but after submission of the report referenced in Section 43-3-53(b) of this Code, the Legislative Policy Division shall review all documentation submitted by the petitioner, and prepare and submit a report of its findings as to whether the proposed secondary street sign meets the following criteria:

(1) The proposed honoree positively reflects or exemplifies the cultural, social, economic, or political history of the City, State, nation, or world;

(2) The proposed honoree was a resident of the City for a cumulative time of not less than ten years;

(3) The proposed honoree either has been deceased for a period of not less than five years, or is otherwise eligible for an exception to such requirement pursuant to Section 43-3-4(c)(3) of this Code; and

(4) The proposed location of the secondary street sign bears a clear association with a site, building, structure, or event directly related to the proposed honoree.

(b) Upon finding that all of the criteria listed in Subsection (a) of this section are met, the Legislative Policy Division shall issue to the City Council a recommendation in favor of the proposed secondary street sign, and submit a resolution for consideration by the City Council that includes:

(1) A description of the historical significance of the proposed honoree:

(2) The appropriateness of the location where the secondary street sign is proposed to be installed; and

(3) The requirement that the cost of designing, producing, and erecting the sign shall be paid, in advance, to the street fund by the petitioner requesting the secondary street sign.

(c) If the Legislative Policy Division determines that any of the criteria listed in Subsection (a) of this section are not met, its report to the City Council shall so indicate.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) Upon receipt of the report from the Legislative Policy Division, the City Council shall adopt a resolution fixing the time and place of a public hearing.

(b) The public hearing shall be fixed for a date between the months of January and May of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the petition for a secondary street sign was filed with the Office of the City Clerk.

(c) Notice of the public hearing shall be:

(1) Provided to the owners and occupants of real property within 300 linear feet of the proposed intersection abutting such street to be assigned a secondary street sign; and

(2) Published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five days prior to the date fixed for the hearing.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

Where a petition for a secondary street sign is granted by the City Council, a certified copy of the resolution adopting the request shall be transmitted by the Office of the City Clerk to the Detroit Fire Department, Detroit Police Department, Department of Public Works, and the United States Postal Service.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) After adoption of the resolution by the City Council, the Department of Public Works shall collect payment from the petitioner.

(1) Payment of an installation fee shall be made by the petitioner prior to the installation of the secondary street sign for the cost of designing, producing, and installing the sign; and

(2) The payment shall be deposited into the street fund.

(b) In accordance with Section 9-507 of the Charter, the Department of Public Works shall establish, subject to the approval of the City Council through adoption of a resolution, the amount of the installation fee described in Subsection (a)(1) of this section.

(c) The Department of Public Works shall erect the secondary street sign within 45 days from receipt of payment of the installation fee.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) The City Council may, on its own initiative and in accordance with the requirements of this subdivision, adopt a resolution that assigns a secondary street sign based upon criteria set forth in Section 43-3-41 of this Code without following the procedures that are set forth in Subdivision B of this division.

(b) Any Member of the City Council may propose a secondary street sign for consideration by forwarding a request to the Legislative Policy Division.

(c) The City Council Member shall provide the following as an attachment to the request:

(1) Information pertaining to the proposed honoree, including biography, honors received, contributions to the local. State, national, or international community, and other information that is sufficient to accurately assess the satisfaction of the criteria provided in Section 43-4-41 of this Code:

(2) A letter of concurrence from the proposed honoree, the proposed honoree’s spouse or surviving spouse, or any living descendants of the proposed honoree, if any such persons are practically accessible and able to provide such letter of concurrence.

(3) If the proposed honoree is alive, or has been deceased for a period of less than five years and does not satisfy the criteria provided in Section 43-3-41(c)(3)a of this Code, three separate letters of concurrence from at least three City Council Members, including the City Council Member who submitted the request, describing the particular circumstances that justify exempting the proposed honoree from the requirement that an honoree be deceased for a period of not less than five years, as provided in Section 43-3-41(c)(3) of this Code:

(4) The proposed location for the installation of the secondary street sign consistent with Section 43-3-42 of this Code;

(5) Information that is sufficient to accurately assess the appropriateness of the secondary street sign for the proposed location: and

(6) Proof of payment of the application fee described in Subsection (d) of this section.

(d) A non-refundable application fee shall be charged for the administration, processing, issuance, and enforcement of the request under this division. Payment of the application fee shall be made payable to “City Treasurer,” and submitted to the Legislative Policy Division. In accordance with Section 9-507 of the Charter, the Legislative Policy Division shall establish, subject to the approval of the City Council through adoption of a resolution, the amount of the application fee.

(e) Requests submitted pursuant to this section may be forwarded to the Legislative Policy Division from the date of July 1 until the date of December 31 of each calendar year.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) Within two weeks of receipt of a request for a secondary street sign from a City Council Member, the Legislative Policy Division shall mail a copy of the request via first class mail, to each owner and occupant of real property within 300 linear feet of the proposed intersection abutting such street to be assigned a secondary street sign, and a notice stating that they have 21 calendar days from the date the notice is mailed to submit comments or objections regarding the request to the Legislative Policy Division.

(b) The Legislative Policy Division shall notify all necessary City departments, including the Department of Public Works, Detroit Police Department and Detroit Fire Department identified community groups in areas adjacent to the subject street and governmental agencies, including the United States Postal Service, of the proposed secondary street sign, and that they have 21 calendar days from the date the notice is mailed to submit comments or objections regarding the request to the Legislative Policy Division.

(c) Upon expiration of the 21-day comment period, the Legislative Policy Division shall make a written report summarizing the comments and objections, if any, regarding the request, and forward the report to the City Council.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) Between the dates of January 1 and April 30 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the request for a secondary street sign was forwarded to the Legislative Policy Division, but after submission of the report referenced in Section 43-3-62(c) of this Code, the Legislative Policy Division shall review all documentation submitted by the City Council Member requesting the secondary street sign, and prepare and submit a report of its findings as to whether the proposed secondary street sign does or does not meet the following criteria:

(1) The proposed honoree positively, reflects or exemplifies the cultural, social, economic, or political history of the City, State, nation, or world;

(2) The proposed honoree was a resident of the City for a cumulative time of not less than ten years;

(3) The proposed honoree either has been deceased for a period of not less than five years, or is otherwise eligible for an exception to such requirement pursuant to Section 43-3-41(c)(3) of this Code; and

(4) The proposed location of the secondary street sign bears a clear association with a site, building, structure, or event directly related to the proposed honoree.

(b) Upon finding that all of the criteria listed in Subsection (a) of this section are met, the Legislative Policy Division shall issue to the City Council a recommendation in favor of the proposed secondary street sign, and submit a resolution for consideration by the City Council that includes:

(1) A description of the historical significance of the proposed honoree:

(2) The appropriateness of the location where the secondary street sign is proposed to be installed: and

(3) The requirement that the cost of designing, producing, and erecting the sign shall be paid, in advance, to the street fund by the City Council Member requesting the secondary street sign.

(c) If the Legislative Policy Division determines that any of the criteria listed in Subsection (a) of this section are not met, its report to the City Council shall so indicate.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) Upon receipt of the report from the Legislative Policy Division, the City Council shall adopt a resolution fixing the time and place of a public hearing.

(b) The public hearing shall be fixed for a date between the months of January and May of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the request for a secondary street sign was forwarded to the Legislative Policy Division.

(c) Notice of the public hearing shall be:

(1) Provided to the owners and occupants of real property within 300 linear feet of the proposed intersection abutting such street to be assigned a secondary street sign: and

(2) Published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five days prior to the date fixed for the hearing.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

Where a request for a secondary street sign is granted by the City Council, a certified copy of the resolution adopting the request shall be transmitted by the Office of the City Clerk to the Detroit Fire Department, Detroit Police Department. Department of Public Works, and the United States Postal Service.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).

(a) After adoption of the resolution by the City Council, the Department of Public Works shall collect payment from the City Council Member requesting the secondary street sign.

(1) Payment of an installation fee shall be made by the City Council Member prior to the installation of the secondary street sign for the cost of designing, producing, and installing the sign: and

(2) The payment shall be deposited into the street fund.

(b) In accordance with Section 9-507 of the Charter, the Department of Public Works shall establish, subject to the approval of the City Council through adoption of a resolution, the amount of the installation fee described in Subsection (a)(1) of this section.

(c) The Department of Public Works shall erect the secondary street sign within 45 days from receipt of payment of the installation fee.

Codified by Ord. No. 2019-44 (JCC. 11/12/19, Pass. 11/26/19, App. 12/5/19, Pub. 12/23/19, Eff. 12/23/19).