Officials reverse ‘illegal’ Memory Lane renaming decision
Officials didn’t have the authority to rename a private road that caused a neighbourhood uproar and have been forced to reverse their decision.
Manawatu¯ property developer Murray Williamson spent $300,000 on a private road off Colyton Rd, near Ashhurst.
But despite owning it, building it and creating the two developments around it, he found himself in a battle with section owners and officials to keep his preferred name for it – Memory Lane.
When complaints to Williamson fell on deaf ears, residents took their gripe to the Manawatu¯ District Council, with a petition requesting the road be renamed.
The council agreed to change it to Reighton Lane in July, so long as the residents met the cost of renaming the road.
Correspondence from Williamson’s lawyer Toby Manktelow to the council stated officials didn’t have the authority, under the Local Government Act, to change the name of a private road.
Councils could only deny the name when a developer initially submitted it, the act explained. This was to ensure it wasn’t rude or inappropriate.
Once the name Memory Lane was accepted, it could not be altered, because the council didn’t have responsibility for the road.
‘‘The council may have exceeded its jurisdiction,’’ Manktelow said.
Williamson couldn’t be reached for comment, but told the Manawatu¯ Standard last year that residents made several heated phone calls in protest. At one point, someone ripped the sign down, replacing it with a cardboard ‘‘Ross Rd’’ sign.
His family had been in the area since 1896 and had made happy memories on the land the developments were on.
Petition organiser Danny Mckenna said Memory Lane sounded like an avenue through a cemetery.
He was disappointed at the turnaround and would be seeking legal advice.
Mckenna said Williamson’s nostalgic feelings about the name Memory Lane, chosen to reflect the tranquility of the area and Williamson’s memories of living there, would hurt the value of their property.
They were sick of hearing the same puns over and over, Mckenna said, and owners were originally told the road would be called Reighton’s Gate.
‘‘I will be objecting to it. ‘‘He [Murray Williamson] doesn’t have to live with it.’’
Manawatu¯ District Council chief executive Richard Templer said the council’s road naming policy did not differentiate between a public road and a private one.
‘‘Clearly the policy is incorrect and will require an amendment to be brought to council to approve.’’
Councillor Stuart Campbell said although it was ‘‘embarrassing’’ for the council, it was a learning experience.
‘‘We didn’t have legal advice at the time.
‘‘Perhaps we should have. We’ll take this on the chin and accept we got it wrong.’’
Cr Andrew Quarrie believed the council should cover a portion of Williamson’s legal fees.
Mayor Helen Worboys met with Williamson before the letter from his lawyer and said he should have disclosed the error last year during submissions.
‘‘The council may have exceeded its jurisdiction.’’ Lawyer Toby Manktelow