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Council narrows Rancho Santa Fe interchange name options to four and asks for community-funded sign solutions
Summary
Staff received 543 name suggestions for the Rancho Santa Fe traffic interchange; council selected four options for a public vote and emphasized that any naming costs should be covered by community donations where possible.
City staff told the council that a public survey run from Feb. 10 to Feb. 28 produced 543 name submissions for the planned Rancho Santa Fe traffic interchange. Staff proposed returning a short list of names for the public to choose from; the council selected four options and asked staff to run a public poll with safeguards to limit one selection per person.
The four options the council sent to a public vote are: Flying Fortress; Rattlesnake Wash Exit; Rancho Santa Fe Exit; and Army Airfield (formulation of the final label — e.g., "Exit," "Boulevard" — to be finalized later). Council members repeated an earlier preference that the community pay for any renaming signage and associated costs; several members said they would not support spending city funds for sign installation if private donations do not materialize.
Tim (staff) explained mechanics: the initial open submission allowed multiple entries from the same individual and that the next public poll will limit voters to a single selection. Councilmembers and several public commenters urged fairness and transparency. Resident Margie Hoff, who circulated a petition, said she supports changing the name and favors Rattlesnake Wash because it is unique and could attract tourism attention; Don Martin, a long-time Rancho Santa Fe resident, urged more transparency about who submitted names and who has contributed money should the renaming proceed.
Council action: The council voted to forward the four names to a public poll and instructed staff to include voting safeguards; the council recorded one abstention on the motion. Staff will return with the poll results and a funding plan before any paid signage or final name change is implemented.
What happens next: Staff will publish a poll containing the four shortlisted names with IT safeguards to limit one vote per participant and will report back to council at a future meeting with the poll results and information on funding for signage.
