Subject:
Title
Set public hearing for potential name change for Wade Hampton Drive
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
At the request of Ms. Dee Dee Carter to the Vienna Town Council in June 2020 to rename the street named Wade Hampton Drive, Mayor Linda Colbert formed an Ad Hoc Committee to make a recommendation to Council to change the street name and propose a new name. The Committee met numerous times in the spring of 2021 and provided a document dated Sept. 25, 2021 to the Mayor and Town Council disclosing all information acquired by the Committee in exercising its mandate so that Council may be as well-informed as possible when it makes its final decision on this matter.
History of Wade Hampton Drive
This short street is in Vienna, off Maple Avenue. West, was formerly the southwest quadrant’s portion of Lewis Street, NW. It was renamed in the early 1960s in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the American Civil War.
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a lieutenant general in the Confederate States of America. The street is roughly the location of where he and his cavalry unit of about 600 men and horses came into Vienna at the end of December 1862. This unit, as well as two other 600-men cavalry units under General Rooney Lee and Fitzhugh Lee, were all under General J.E.B. Stuart within the Army of Northern Virginia, CSA. In late December 1862, General Stuart and 1,800 cavalry men, including Hampton’s unit, left Fredericksburg, Virginia, rode north to raid Dumfries, Occoquan, Burke’s Station, Fairfax Station, and Fairfax Courthouse, and finished the ride through Vienna, Frying Pan, and Culpeper.
Prior to the Civil War, General Hampton, one of the wealthiest men in South Carolina, owned one of the largest plantations in the state. His grandfather served in the American Revolution, his father in the War of 1812. After the Civil War, Wade Hampton III was Governor of South Carolina and served two terms as United States Senator. His post-Civil War record is controversial, involving violence and voter suppression. (courtesy of Historic Vienna Inc.).
The Parks and Recreation Department wishes to set a public hearing for February 7, 2022 to discuss the potential name change for Wade Hampton Drive and allow for public comment.
Strategic Plan Initiative: Vienna as an engaged community.
Board or Commission of Interest: Historic Vienna, Inc.
Departmental Recommendation: Recommend setting a public hearing on February 7, 2022 to discuss a potential name change for Wade Hampton Drive.
Finance Recommendation:
Purchasing Recommendation:
Town Attorney Recommendation: Under the Virginia Code, the renaming of residential streets is in the discretion of the Town Council.
§ 15.2-2019. Localities may name streets, roads and alleys. - Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of § 15.2-2000, every locality may name streets, roads and alleys. Such names shall take precedence over any other designation except those primary highways conforming to § 33.2-213, and shall be employed in references to property abutting thereon.
Renaming streets, roads and alleys on site plans or subdivision plats previously recorded and filed in a circuit court clerk's office shall not cause vacation of such site plans or subdivision plats. The locality may forward a certified copy of the action effecting such name change to the clerk of the circuit court in which the site plan or subdivision plat is recorded or filed. Upon receipt, the clerk shall (i) file the certified copy and note the name change on the site plan or subdivision plat affected or (ii) record the certified copy. (Code 1950, § 15-777.1; 1954, c. 462; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-379; 1987, c. 384; 1997, c. 587; 1999, c. 671.)
Town Manager's Recommendation: The Town Manager recommends setting a public hearing on February 7, 2022, to discuss a potential name change for Wade Hampton Drive.
Cost and Financing: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Decision Needed by This date: Jan. 24, 2022
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to set a public hearing on February 7, 2022 to discuss the potential name change for Wade Hampton Drive."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.