Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending OMC 9.16.180 Regarding Pedestrian Interference
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading, an ordinance amending OMC 9.16.180 to expand the pedestrian interference areas east of the existing "Downtown Commercial Zone."
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve on second reading, an ordinance amending OMC 9.16.180 to expand the pedestrian interference areas east of the existing "Downtown Commercial Zone."
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, Assistant City Manager, 360-753-8227
Presenter(s):
Rich Hoey, Assistant City Manager
Shelby Parker, Deputy Police Chief
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis have not changed from first to second reading.
OMC 9.16.180 addresses the prohibition on the obstruction of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the City. Within the "Downtown Commercial Zone," as depicted in Figure 1, the ordinance prohibits a person from sitting or lying on any sidewalk, street, or alley between the hours of 7am and 12am. A person may sit or lie on a sidewalk from midnight to 7am to allow overnight sleeping.
Staff is proposing an expansion of the defined "Downtown Commercial Zone" to extend the zone eastward to Eastside Street and southward along Quince Street to encompass Quince Street Village and other facilities providing shelter and other services to unhoused members of our community. This expansion would help reduce pedestrian interference surrounding these facilities, including Quince Street Village, Rosie's Place, Salvation Army shelter, and Pear Blossom Place. These facilities are all located on the eastern edge of downtown.
The City has received a number of complaints about pedestrian interference surrounding these facilities. Expanding the boundary of the "Downtown Commercial Zone" will allow the Olympia Police Department to be more responsive to these pedestrian interference issues. Responsiveness...
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