AN ORDINANCE relating to the Traffic Code; amending section 11.23.160 of the Seattle Municipal Code to increase the number of free-floating car share permits authorized annually and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.

WHEREAS, in 2012, Ordinance 124063 established a Free-Floating Car Sharing permit program to allow membership-based car share services for qualified drivers on a per-use fee basis; and

WHEREAS, Ordinance 124063 expressed the City Council's intent to periodically monitor program implementation and assess the benefits and any negative unintended consequences, including the number of public-right-of way spaces that can accommodate free-floating car share vehicles; and

WHEREAS, Ordinance 124063 adopted an annual free-floating carsharing permit limit of 350 permits annually; and

WHEREAS, since the City's free-floating car-sharing program launched, demand for the permits has been high and there is interest both by operators of free-floating carsharing businesses and by citizens in additional areas of the City gaining access to this transportation option;

WHEREAS, an expansion of the free-floating car share service area would require additional vehicles above the current citywide limit of 350 permits to meet additional demand in a larger service area; and

WHEREAS, increasing the number of free-floating car share permits will allow free floating car share providers to meet greater demand in more neighborhoods, including several in Southeast and West Seattle that are currently underserved with affordable transportation options; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has already expressed an intent to request reports from SDOT based on six months of data and again on twelve months of data provided by free floating car share providers (per SMC 11.23.160G) in order to assess the benefits and any negative unintended consequences of the free floating car share program, including the number of public on-street parking spaces that can accommodate this service; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 11.23.160.B of the Seattle Municipal Code, adopted by Ordinance 124063, is amended as follows:

11.23.160 Free-floating car sharing parking

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B. B. SDOT may issue up to 500 (( 350)) free-floating car share permits annually.

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Section 2. Any act consistent with the authority of this ordinance taken after its passage and prior to its effective date is ratified and confirmed.

Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2013, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this

_____ day of ___________________, 2013.

_________________________________

President __________of the City Council

Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2013.

_________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2013.

____________________________________

Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk

(Seal)

Bill LaBorde SDOT Free-Floating Permit Increase ORD March 6, 2013 Version #5