Baker Avenue Block Becomes Iris Court

The 2300 block of Baker Avenue in Fullerton has a new name: Iris Court.

The City Council on Tuesday night chose Iris from a list of 22 flowers, plants and vines. The action, taken on a 4-1 vote, was the last step of a revitalization plan that city officials hope will make the neighborhood less attractive for gang activity.

“It’s time to give [the street] a name that will not have connotations of thuggery,” Councilman F. Richard Jones said. “A rose by any other name is still a rose. But sometimes it’s better to call it an American Beauty.”

Earlier this month, police proposed Pansy Circle as the cul-de-sac’s new name. Police Chief Patrick E. McKinley said it would take away the “macho” image of the area and possibly deflate the ego of the gang that draws its name and territory from the western end of the street.

But the City Council rejected that, saying it might offend some people who think of “pansy” as a pejorative to describe an effeminate youth or gay man. The panel did agree to consider other possibilities, among them chrysanthemum, moonflower, aloe, bougainvillea and rhododendron.

Councilman Chris Norby, who cast the lone dissenting vote Tuesday, pointed out that not a single resident of the cul-de-sac had voiced an opinion. “I don’t see a compelling reason to change the name,” he said.

A couple of residents at the meeting agreed with Norby, characterizing the name change as ridiculous and a waste of time.

Mayor Don Bankhead responded, “If it doesn’t work, then we’ll try something else.”

Residents who live in the 2300 block now must change their addresses on checks and correspondence. There is no rush, though: The U.S. Postal Service will deliver mail addressed to Baker Avenue for another year, officials said.