A parking garage near Pioneer Square. Image Credit: Joe Mabel (CC by SA-3.0)
On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted in a host of new parking reforms that have the potential to transform parking requirements in the city. The chief piece of legislation would broaden the definition of “frequent transit service,” potentially reducing off-street parking in many areas. Many council members touted the environmental benefits of reduced parking, particularly in air quality, though there was some resistance; a failed amendment to the package would have allowed the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections to mitigate some parking issues. Though motor commuting has fallen in the city, a Seattle Times report from last August states that the city’s car population is keeping up with its people population.
Other reforms passed by the council included requiring residential and commercial buildings above a certain size to offer parking as a separate fee from renting, potentially allowing tenants to forego steep parking fees by not having a car. Measures allowing property owners to free up more space for non-resident, non-employee parking were passed, as well as legislation that could create more parking for ride-sharing and bikes.
Recent Comments