AN ORDINANCE related to parking rates; amending Section 11.16.121 of the Seattle Municipal Code to set new limits on parking rates at parking payment devices and to establish new policy objectives for setting parking rates.

WHEREAS, the City's Comprehensive Plan recognizes the importance of paid on-street parking to encourage parking turnover, customer access, and efficient allocation of parking among a diverse group of users; and

WHEREAS, through managing demand and improving compliance, good parking management provides reliable customer access by ensuring parking is well utilized but that some spaces are available; and

WHEREAS, moving on-street parking rates closer to off-street garage and lot rates reduces congestion and pollution from excessive circling; and

WHEREAS, good parking management supports economic vitality, neighborhood livability, and encourages alternate travel modes for commuters, helping to reduce carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) began to replace single-space parking meters with parking pay stations to provide improved parking management, revenue benefits, and customer service and streetscape enhancements; and

WHEREAS, by the end of 2009, SDOT had installed more than 2,100 pay station kiosks and now controls about 13,500 paid parking spaces; and

WHEREAS, Seattle's parking pay stations provide convenient payment options for the public, allowing payment to be made by cash, credit card, or debit card; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Seattle Municipal Code Section 11.16.121, which was last amended by Ordinance 122852, is amended as follows:

11.16.121 Director of Transportation -Rate setting for parking payment devices.

A. Parking rates to be charged at parking payment devices, including parking meters, for parking in city rights-of-way and other city-controlled parking areas under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation shall be within rate limits established by this section. Rates may vary according to location, time of day, maximum parking time allowed, the capabilities of available parking payment devices, and any other factors the Director determines are pertinent. In setting rates, the Director is not subject to Chapter 3.02 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

B. The Director of Transportation is authorized to set parking rates up to (( $2.50 )) $4.00 per hour ("Maximum Hourly Rate") . When parking rates are in effect, parking rates shall be set no lower than $0.75 per hour ("Minimum Hourly Rate").

C. (( In establishing parking rates, the )) The Director shall establish on-street parking rates and shall adjust parking rates higher (up to the Maximum Hourly Rate) or lower (as low as the Minimum Hourly Rate) in neighborhood parking areas based on measured occupancy so that approximately one or two open spaces are available on each block face throughout the day in order to (( consider the following objectives )):

1. Support neighborhood business districts by making on-street parking available and by encouraging economic development;

2. (( To m )) M aintain adequate turnover of on-street parking spaces and reduce incidents of meter feeding in commercial districts;

(( 2. To e )) 3. E ncourage an adequate amount of on-street parking availability for a variety of parking users, efficient use of off-street parking facilities, and enhanced use of transit and other transportation alternatives; and,

(( 3. To r )) 4. R educe congestion in travel lanes caused by drivers seeking on-street parking.

Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days from and 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 ________________________, 2010, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this

_____ day of ___________________, 2010.

________________________________

President __________of the City Council

Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2010.

_________________________________

Michael McGinn, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2010.

____________________________________

City Clerk

(Seal)

Dan Eder SDOT Paid Parking Increase ORD November 16, 2010 Version #7