Title
Downtown Project Status Report and Continuing Discussion of Approaches to Downtown Pedestrian Interference
Issue:
One of Council’s top priorities is to create a safe and welcoming downtown for everyone. Concerns have been raised about certain behaviors in downtown and how to address them.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Community Planning and Development Director, 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
Keith Stahley, Community Planning and Development Director
Ruth Snyder Downtown Liaison - Status report on the Downtown Project
Ronnie Roberts, Police Chief
City Manager’s Recommendation:
Receive status report on Downtown Project and consider next steps and options for addressing pedestrian interference.
Background and Analysis:
Complaints about pedestrian interference continue to be received on a regular basis. These complaints are primarily directed towards activities that are not addressed by our current Pedestrian Interference Ordinance. To date, Council discussions about downtown behaviors have acknowledged that are many stakeholders who have an interest as well as a role helping create a safe and welcoming downtown.
Framework for discussions about the Pedestrian Interference Ordinance:
· What is or is not effective with the existing ordinance?
· Will changes to the ordinance address the concerns?
· How do we balance concerns of merchants and visitors with the needs or interests of persons who use gather on downtown sidewalks?
The current Ordinance:
1. Applies between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. From 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., sitting and lying on the sidewalk within the Pedestrian Walking Lane is not prohibited.
2. Applies to an area of the sidewalk defined as “Pedestrian Walking Lane.” This area is defined as an area extending 6 feet out from the front of any building, and in this area the obstruction of pedestrian traffic is prohibited. In the remainder of the sidewalk there are generally no prohibitions to sitting or lying.
3. Applies ...
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