Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapters 4.70 and 10.16 Relating to Residential Parking
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use & Environment Committee reviewed the proposed changes on August 19, 2021 and recommend approval.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading the Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapters 10.16 and 4.70 Relating to Residential Parking.
Report
Issue:
Whether to amend Olympia Municipal Code Chapters 4.70 and 10.16, updating parking fees and requirements.
Staff Contact:
Max DeJarnatt, Program Analyst, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3723
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Background and Analysis did not change from first to second reading.
Following adoption of the Downtown Parking Strategy, staff worked with the South Capital neighborhood during 2019 to develop a separate strategy to address the specific parking concerns of that neighborhood.
The consensus-based recommendations were presented to representatives from City staff, Council, the State Legislature, and Department of Enterprise Services at their annual ‘Triad’ meeting (attached). These recommendations were recommended for council consideration by the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) in June of 2020.
A table outlining the proposed changes is attached. Recommended City-related actions in the agreement include:
• Renaming parking zones to emphasize the neighborhood, as opposed to the Capitol Campus
• Addition of metered parking at specific areas abutting the South Capital Neighborhood
• Parking citation increases
• Redefine the parking zone boundaries consistent with the map (attached)
• Residential permit fees should be raised to $25 each for the first two vehicles, and $35 for the third, with no provision for additional vehicles.
• A low-income discount
Due to parking enforcement transitioning to a new software program, staff opted to move these recommendations forward in two phases. The first phase (zone renaming, metered parking, limiting number of vehicles from four to three, and citation increases), was presented to LUEC on June 18, 2020 and passed by City Council on November 2, 2020.
Staff reported to LUEC on the second and final phase (fee increases, zone boundary changes, and discounts for low-income residents) August 19, 2021. The low-income discount recommended by the neighborhood will be applied throughout downtown to all restricted parking zones (1-8).
In addition, staff are recommending house-keeping amendments to chapter 10.16 to improve consistency. See attached table for detail on each of the revisions.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The City worked closely with representatives from the South Capitol Neighborhood. Parking strain associated with the Capitol Campus visitor parking has been a perennial issue for that neighborhood.
Options:
1. Approve the Ordinance Relating to Residential Parking and Amending OMC Chapters 4.70 and 10.16 on second reading.
2. Direct staff to modify the Ordinance based on Council feedback.
3. Do not approve the ordinance.
Financial Impact:
Residential Permit fee increases will lead to an estimated additional $6,500 in revenue, however at this time it is not yet known what impact the 50% low-income discount will have.
Attachments:
Ordinance
Amendment Detail Table
South Capital Committee Report
Zone Map