HomeMy WebLinkAbout90-004A RESOLUTION adopting a parking improvement
plan for the Port Townsend Downtown Parking
District.
WHEREAS, downtown Port Townsend has enjoyed an economic
resurgence based largely on tourism; and
WHEREAS,
economic success has brought more cars and trucks into
the downtown; and
WHEREAS,
parking shortages are occurring more frequently and are
encompassing a larger area than in past years; and
WHEREAS,
these parking shortages are expected to increase in
future years; and
WHEREAS,
parking shortages impede business growth when visitors
and local residents who are unable to find parking
leave the city to shop; ahd
WHEREAS,
local consumers form new shopping habits and merchant
loyalties when they seek more convenient shopping in
other communities; and
WHEREAS,
motorists searching for parking and trucks parking in
the center of Water Street are increasing traffic
congestion and compromising public safety; and
WHEREAS,
in 1987, the City Council passed Ordinance 2093,
reducing off-street parking requirements downtown and
establishing the Downtown Parking District; Now,
Therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
that the following Downtown Parking Improvement Plan is hereby
adopted to improve the future prosperity and enjoyment of
downtown Port Townsend for residents and visitors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the active support and assistance of
every citizen and business or property owner is hereby requested
in order that these plans may be implemented.
DOWNTOWN PARKING IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Short term goals (within two years):
Enact new off-street parking regulations which strike an
equitable balance between the need for new off-street
parking facilities and the economic reality of developing
such facilities by individual businesses.
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Make more efficient use of available on- and off-street
areas for parking:
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Increase use of diagonal parking, converting some
streets to one-way streets so that increased diagonal
parking may be employed.
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Consider expanding the use of bluff-front street ends
for parking.
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Make more efficient use of city-owned off-street
parking lots.
Study the feasibilty of morning truck zones to reduce or
eliminate truck deliveries from the center of Water Street.
Contract with a non-profit organization to establish and
operate an employee parking program to encourage employees
to park in peripheral areas. Such a program might include:
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Providing flyers to employees identifying suggested
parking areas.
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Encouraging lease terms which restrict employee parking
in the central business district.
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Establishing and employee parking agreement program:
Participating employees issued windshield stickers and
wallet ID cards. A special "ticket" is issued if car
is parked in the retail core area; "fine" is donation
to parking program. Wallet ID cards qualify for
purchase discounts with participating downtown
merchants. Subsidized transit passes may also be
provided.
Encourage use of bicycles by installing conveniently-located
bicycle racks downtown.
Consider acquiring critical parcels of downtown property for
future parking development.
Long term goals (beyond two years):
Consider development of peripheral parking lots and
encourage a transit loop connecting peripheral parking to
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and through the downtown.
Work toward development of selected street ends (e.g., Adams
and Tyler Streets) on Port Townsend Bay as passive
pedestrian areas and improved public access to the
shoreline.
Consider development of a multi-level parking garage in the
central business district.
Encourage formation of a Parking and Business Improvement
Area to fund and manage parking improvements.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend and gD
approved by the Mayor this ~ day of ~R¥ , 19~.
Attest: Brent S. shirley, ~y°r-~
David A. Grove, City Clerk
ApproVed as t~ form:
Keith C. Harper, city AttOrney
MH:12-t9-89