Draft released for Restricted Parking Zone changes
Public comments sought
Draft released for Restricted Parking Zone changes
The city is considering changes to the rules for new Restricted Parking Zones, which could possibly be considered for the West Seattle Junction. The draft rule was released earlier this week.
Photo courtesy Seattle Department of Transportation
Tue, 08/11/2009
After several hearings and meetings, the city has released its “draft Director’s Rule” on Residential Parking Zone's. There will be a month-long public-comment period.
While West Seattle currently only has one Restricted Parking Zone in the Fauntleroy neighborhood, the proposed changes have been a topic of concern among some here because some areas, such as the Junction, are interested in enforcing such zones.
View the 20-page proposal here.
Questions and comment regarding the proposed rule can be directed to Ruth Harper at (206) 684-4103 or via e-mail at rpzparking@seattle.gov.
According to the draft changes, proposed criteria for establishing a new Restricted Parking Zone are as follows:
The Seattle Department of Transportation will need to decide whether or not a Restricted Parking Zone in a certain area would promote benefits or would result in adverse impacts.
Some benefits that may lead to a Restricted Parking Zone- increased access for area residents, reduced traffic congestion, reduced commuter parking in neighborhoods, prevention of blighted areas and promoting use of alternative modes of transportation.
Adverse impacts that may prevent implementation- transferring a parking problem to a different area, inability to effectively enforce program restrictions, lack of alternative transportation modes, availability of simpler and cheaper or more effective solutions.
It also provides that the director of transportation is authorized to establish a restricted parking zone when the parking problem would be ameliorated and the public interest would be served.
Restricted Parking Zones could be requested by residents and or community organizations. It may also be initiated as part of a comprehensive neighborhood parking plan.
The city is currently conducting a comprehensive neighborhood parking plan for the West Seattle Junction. Read and/or make comments about it here.
On June 8, the city adopted new legislation for the Restricted Parking Zone program after several years of discussions with many community stakeholders. Here are links to the adopted legislation and final recommendations:
