Seattle’s parking problems will spill from its borders

Prepare yourselves, residents of Pierce and Snohomish counties, because Seattle’s parking problems are coming your way.

Seattle lawmakers are discussing not only zoning changes, but parking requirements and there’s a chance there will be even less stringent rules for developers in the future.

KIRO Radio’s John Curley is convinced what is happening in the Emerald City is going to spread to surrounding areas. As the city becomes more dense, outlying cities will as well.

“For those of you in Pierce and Snohomish counties, this is coming to you,” Curley warned.

Ideas being tossed around include allowing developers to build less parking so they can build more affordable housing.

The Tom and Curley Development Company would take advantage of developers not building parking. It would advertise that while its competitors aren’t providing a place to keep their vehicles, Tom and Curley would give every tenant an underground parking stall. Heck, why not add access to a swimming pool?

“It makes for a more dynamic market place,” Curley added.

Too bad developers hate building parking, KIRO Radio’s Tom Tangney told Curley.

Things will be fine, as long as the city doesn’t eliminate parking altogether.

“We’re not quite there yet,” Tom said.