The purpose of this ordinance is to enhance the easy and rapid location of properties for the delivery of public safety and emergency services, postal delivery, and business delivery.
[Adopted 5-15-1995 by Ord. No. 95-13; amended 12-19-2018]
The ordinance is adopted pursuant to and consistent with the Municipal Home Rule Powers as provided for in Article VIII, Part Second, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Maine and Title 30-A, M.R.S.A., Section 3001.
This ordinance shall be administered by the E911 Addressing Officer who shall assign road names and numbers to all properties, on both existing and proposed roads. The E911 Addressing Officer shall be responsible for maintaining the following official records of this ordinance:
13.6.3.1.
A City of Gardiner map for official use showing road names and numbers.
13.6.3.2.
An alphabetical list of all property owners as identified by current assessment records, by last name, showing the assigned numbers.
13.6.3.3.
An alphabetical list of all roads with property owners listed in order of their assigned numbers.
All roads in the City of Gardiner that serve two or more addresses shall be named regardless of whether the ownership is public or private. A road name assigned by the city shall not constitute or imply acceptance of the road as a public way. The following criteria shall govern the naming system:
13.6.4.1.
Similar names: no two roads shall be given the same or similar-sounding (e.g. Beech and Peach, Pine Road and Pine Lane) names.
13.6.4.2.
Each road shall have the same name throughout its entire length.
Numbers shall be assigned every twenty-five (25) feet in the downtown area, fifty (50) feet in all other areas, along both sides of the road, with even numbers appearing on the left side of the road and odd numbers appearing on the right side of the road, determined by the number origin. The following criteria shall govern the numbering system:
13.6.5.1.
All number origins shall begin with the designated center of Gardiner (City Hall) or that end of the road closest to the designated center. For dead end roads, numbering shall originate at the intersection of the adjacent road and terminate at the dead end.
13.6.5.2.
The number assigned to each structure shall be that of the numbered interval falling closest to the front door or driveway of said structure.
13.6.5.3.
Every structure with more than one principal use or occupancy shall have a separate number for each use or occupancy (i.e., duplexes will have two separate numbers, apartments will have one road number with an apartment number, such as 235 Maple Street, Apt. 2).
All owners of structures shall, on or before the effective date of this ordinance, display and maintain in a conspicuous place on said structure, the assigned numbers in the following manner:
13.6.6.1.
Number on the Structure or Residence. Where the residence or structure is within 50 (fifty) feet of the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be displayed on the front of the residence or structure in the vicinity of the front door or entry.
13.6.6.2.
Number at the Street Line. Where the residence or structure is over 50 (fifty) feet from the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be displayed on a post, fence, wall, mail box, or on some structure at the property line adjacent to the walk or access drive to the residence or structure.
13.6.6.3.
Size and Color of Number. Numbers shall be displayed in a color and size approved for use by the council and shall be located as to be visible from the road.
13.6.6.4.
Every person whose duty is to display the assigned number shall remove any different number which might be mistaken for, or confused with, the number assigned in conformance with this ordinance.
13.6.6.5.
Interior Location. All residents and other occupants are requested to post the assigned number and road name adjacent to their telephone for emergency reference.
All new developments and subdivisions shall be named and numbered in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and as follows:
13.6.7.1.
New Developments. Whenever any residence or other structure is constructed or developed, it shall be the duty of the new owner to procure an assigned number from the Code Enforcement Officer. This shall be done at the time of the issuance of the building permit.
13.6.7.2.
New Subdivisions. Any prospective subdivider shall show a proposed road name and lot numbering system on the pre-application submission to the Planning Board. Approval by the Planning Board shall constitute the assignment of road names and numbers to the lots in the subdivision. On the final plan showing proposed roads, the applicant shall mark on the plan lines or dots in the center of the streets every 50 (fifty) feet so as to aid in assignment of numbers to structures subsequently constructed.
Where an existing address or designation has been changed, the E911 Addressing Officer shall notify by mail each owner and the United States Post Office of the new address at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the change becomes effective.
Any property owner aggrieved by a decision of the E911 Addressing Officer to assign a road name or location number may appeal that determination to the Addressing Ordinance Appeals Board by filing a notice in letter form to that effect in the Clerk's Office within ten (10) days of receipt of notice of the determination by the E911 Addressing Officer. The Addressing Ordinance Appeals Board shall consist of a City Councilor appointed by the Mayor and two (2) citizens appointed by the Mayor. The Board may request assistance from the Police and Fire Chiefs or their designees. The appeal shall be on the sole issue of whether or not the designation of the road name and/or location number by the E911 Addressing Officer meets the purpose and expressed conditions of this Chapter. The Board shall have the right, in making this determination, to affirm the designation by the E911 Addressing Officer, to modify that designation in any manner consistent with this Chapter, or to adopt a new designation also in conformity with this Chapter. Since the property owner has no inherent rights with respect to street naming and numerical designation of locations, the decision of this Board shall be final and binding.
This ordinance shall become effective as of June 14, 1995. It shall be the duty of the city to notify by mail each owner and the Post Office of the new address within thirty days. It shall be the duty of each property owner to comply with this ordinance within 30 (thirty) days of notification. On new structures, numbering will be installed prior to certificate of occupancy being issued, or when the structure is first used or occupied, whichever comes first.