2017/05/10 Council Agenda Packet

Metro Everett Update Briefing April 26,2017 sidewalks would be as accessible as possible, medians were possible would be planted with signature trees,and arterial street lights would have pole signs promoting the metro area. Off-street Parking Metro Everett includes multiple modes of transportation, including a notable public transportation hub —Everett Station. Public transit service in Metro Everett is provided by Everett Transit,Community Transit,Skagit Transit,and Sound Transit. Commuter rail to Everett is provided by Amtrak and Sound Transit (Sounder).Sound Transit has developed a Sound Transit 3 (ST3) plan (http://soundtransit3.org/) that will extend light rail to Everett.The metro area also includes a vast network of pedestrian facilities and an emerging network of bicycle facilities. This network of current and future transportation modes serving Metro Everett affects the relationship with off-street parking requirements. Providing too much parking can diminish performance in more efficient transportation options,such as transit and rail,while also contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions through more vehicle miles travelled. Excessive parking requirements can increase development costs,which can affect housing affordability,while not enough parking can result in on- street parking that could impact adjacent neighborhoods or customer parking for retail/service businesses. The following are guiding principles that were considered in developing the off-street parking recommendations.These principles support an active,safe and clean urban environment by increasing transit oriented development, reducing vehicle trips and decreasing development costs. • Promote a pedestrian friendly environment in Metro Everett by reducing automobile trips, particularly with single-occupant vehicles. • Establish off-street parking requirements based on the minimum needed, not the desired average or maximum based on non-metro(i.e.suburban)standards. • Parking is expensive to build. Reducing development costs has an impact on rent charged to tenants, and density/intensity of development in the urban core. • Develop off-street parking requirements which respond to shifting markets(age and travel patterns), unique populations (low-income,seniors)and proximity to high frequency transit (3-4 trips per hour). • Ensure that residential neighborhoods and retail/service shopping areas are not adversely impacted by reduction of off-street parking required for new development. • Make the downtown core conveniently accessible for the priority user of the public parking system—the customer of downtown. • Manage the public parking supply using the"85% Rule"to inform and guide decision-making. Within the parking industry, it is assumed that when an inventory of parking exceeds 85% occupancy in the peak hour,the supply becomes constrained and may not provide full and convenient access to its intended user. 4 15