Guelph-Eramosa has decided to rename the northeast portion of Clara Street in Rockwood.
The northern portion of the road is separated from the southern portion by Lloyd Dyer Park.
Director of public works Harry Niemi explained to council on Nov. 20 that through all the work done this summer on the Valley Road to Richardson watermain connection, he noticed the small section of Clara Street ending at north east section of Lloyd Dyer park.
The only access to the portion of the street in question is from Richardson.
“On the hydro pole if you were coming down Richardson there’s a sign that would say access to 160 Clara,” Niemi explained.
Through road reconstruction after the watermain installation, Niemi said Richardson now curves around and is more like a continued street than a completely different road.
“When we were putting this all back together it kind of made sense to rename Richardson right down to the termination there at Lloyd Dyer Park,” he said.
The portion of Clara in question would be added to Richardson Street.
Niemi also explained Google Maps doesn’t recognize the small section as being Clara St.. When he searched 160 Clara, he said it put him on the other section of Clara, southwest of Lloyd Dyer Park.
“I’m glad you spotted this,” Mayor Chris White said. “Good timing, because obviously this Clara Street … would have gone right through Lloyd Dyer Park.
“So, it’s one of those 1856 roads that never got built.”
Niemi also indicated this was a good opportunity to rename the road because the one property with a Clara address on that section of road is for sale.
“Nobody is affected by this change,” White said. “It will be new people moving in.”
Council approved the name change. The bylaw will come to a future council meeting for official approval.
