Seattle mayor proposes plan to tackle ‘parking crunch’
Nov 15, 2017, 12:50 PM | Updated: 12:56 pm
(KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
In a move to ease Seattle’s “parking crunch,” Mayor Tim Burgess wants to make unused private parking spaces open to the public.
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The mayor’s plan would allow owners of private lots or commercial buildings to rent out unused parking spaces to the general public. The new “shared use” legislation would apply to commercial and mixed-use zones, as well as areas near light rail stations.
Not only is it intended to ease parking problems, Burgess believes it will lower the cost of new housing construction in the city. Providing parking usually makes up 10-20 percent of construction costs.
The legislation also allows parking owners to provide up to three outdoor off-street parking spaces reserved for car share vehicles, such as Car2Go.
The city council is expected to begin consideration of the measure next month.
“If a building has unused parking stalls, we shouldn’t block them from renting those spaces out to someone who needs a place to keep their vehicle,” Burgess said. “I hear complaints about the on-street parking crunch in our densest neighborhoods, and I’ve experienced it myself. It’s the reason I’m advancing this comprehensive package of parking options, ranging from making car share parking more available to changing parking requirements for income-restricted housing.”
Flexible-use parking would be allowed in Lowrise 3, Midrise, Highrise, and commercial and mixed-use zones, and in garages in mixed-use development located in light rail station areas. No more than 145 flexible-use spaces would be allowed per lot. Currently, provisions for shared parking exist in the land use code, but only so owners can meet mandatory parking requirements.
The parking plan was a recommendation from the Housing and Affordability and Livability Agenda Advisory Committee. The Committee argues the cost of providing parking is a “key component” in the cost of housing in the city.
The legislation is expected to be considered in December.
