Title
Proposed Changes to the Parking Program Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Direct staff to proceed with a public outreach program regarding proposed parking program changes to carry out recommendations of the Downtown Parking Strategy.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Direct staff to proceed with a public outreach program regarding proposed parking program changes to carry out recommendations of the Downtown Parking Strategy.
Staff Contact:
Chelsea Baker van Drood, Parking Services Program Specialist, Community Planning & Development, 360.239.3468
Presenter(s):
Chelsea Baker van Drood, Parking Services Program Specialist, Community Planning & Development
Background and Analysis:
Adopted by the City Council in 2019, the Downtown Parking Strategy guides the development of parking policy and parking management strategies that support community goals. The Parking Strategy recommends expanding hours of enforcement, converting more meters to a three-hour limit, improving the use of off-street parking, improving way-finding signage, increasing the use of mobile payment options, and adjusting prices to achieve an 85% occupancy rate.
Staff will present draft proposals for each of these actions, which are informed by public feedback received in 2023 at a public meeting. The next step would be an additional public outreach program to further discuss these proposals with potentially affected downtown stakeholders.
Climate Analysis:
Expanding enforcement hours for parking will cause some to look into other transportation options and will lower the occupancy rate on evenings and weekends. This reflects fewer auto trips and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Improving wayfinding will reduce the number of vehicles parked in spots that aren't ideal (such as long-term parkers in short term spaces) and will allow drivers to go directly to a parking space that fits their needs so they aren't clogg...
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