Legislation has been proposed to update Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) program, which could affect residential street parking in West Seattle.

According to Jodie Vice, legislative aide to Seattle City Council member Jan Drago, the new legislation policy currently being reviewed is citywide and will not affect any existing RPZ's in West Seattle. However, if a neighborhood comes to the city to request an RPZ, than the legislation would apply.

One neighborhood that may benefit from the proposed legislation is the Morgan Junction. According to Fairmont Community Association president, Sharonn Meeks, the area has been experiencing parking issues for 10 years.

“There is a lot of ‘hide and ride’ in the Fairmont area,” Meeks said.

The term 'hide and ride' refers to cars being left on residential streets while drivers catch a bus and head to work for the day. An RPZ would limit parking time to a matter of hours, unless a vehicle has a permit allowing them to park in the designated zone.

There is currently only one RPZ in West Seattle. This zone is located near the ferry dock in Fauntleroy. Current board member, and past president of the Fauntleroy Community Association, Gary Dawes, explained that this RPZ was established to take action against the maximum amount of vehicles being abandoned on evenings and weekends by ferry commuters to Vashon Island and Kitsap County.

“Some of these streets are narrow enough that they were lined with cars on both sides,” Dawes said. “Fire trucks couldn’t get through. Neighbors organized and finally got attention from the city council.”

According to Dawes, the RPZ in Fauntleroy has been successful in reducing the number of cars parked by ferry riders and employees for extended periods of time.

Vice explained in an e-mail that the RPZ program is being modified for the following reasons:

1) Reduce traffic impacts on neighborhoods from commuters (hide and ride)

2) Support mixed use neighborhoods and local business districts

3) Continue to encourage reduction of energy use

4) Implement a program with simple rules

According to Vice, the Seattle City Council has been discussing the proposed legislation for the past month. A vote by the Transportation Committee is schedule for May 19. Then the legislation will go to the full council for a vote in early June.

MaryCatherine Snyder with the transportation department will present further information on the proposed legislation at the Southwest District Council meeting on May 6, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the President's Board Room at South Seattle Community College.

Comments on the legislation will be accepted through Friday, May 15. They may be submitted to Jan Drago at jan.drago@seattle.gov or by calling (206) 684-8801.