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Resident asks to rename private road segment; council asks solicitor to research authority
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Summary
A Richmond homeowner asked the council to acknowledge renaming the portion of Pinecrest Road that crosses her parcel; neighbors and the homeowners association opposed the request and council voted to ask the solicitor to research whether the council has authority over private-road naming and the ownership/status of the segment.
Antoinette Stiano, a property owner at 24 Pinehurst Drive, asked the Richmond Town Council to consider renaming the portion of Pinecrest Road that runs across her parcel, saying the segment is private, that she pays taxes and insurance on it, and that people repeatedly trespass on her property.
Stiano said she had already posted no-trespassing signage and consulted with fire, police and DPW staff, but she asked the council to recognize the name change so the record reflects her interests and helps deter trespassers. She said she is not part of the Pinecrest homeowners association and supplied a survey and title documents to staff.
A representative of the Pinecrest homeowners association told the council the residents jointly maintain the road, have ownership or undivided interests, and opposed unilateral renaming. Councilors noted the legal and procedural complexity of changing road names, especially for private roads, and the potential collateral impacts for addresses, E-911 and neighbors.
After debate about jurisdiction and cost, the council voted to ask the town solicitor to advise the council whether it has authority to change the name of a private road and to research the ownership/status of the portion of Pinecrest Road crossing 24 Pinehurst Drive, using reasonable solicitor discretion (but not a full title exam paid for by the town). The council asked the applicant to provide the title, easements and survey to staff.
The solicitor said he would provide an opinion at the next meeting and indicated the research will be limited to the question of authority and whatever status information can be readily obtained.
