Council weighs Safe Streets, traffic cameras and Sound Transit permitting as BRT work approaches

Lake Forest Park councilors used the retreat to press staff for clearer Safe Streets priorities, more nimble traffic‑calming options and better last‑mile transit connections ahead of anticipated Sound Transit permit submittals.

Staff update and permits: City Administrator Hill said Sound Transit is completing property acquisition and could begin submitting permit packages to the city as early as April or as late as July. Hill told council the packages will be voluminous and that Sound Transit has offered funds to pay for external arborists and planning reviewers to help staff process the applications.

“They will be huge permits, wrapped together in a package,” Hill said, and added the city will need outside review capacity to complete thorough evaluations.

Two‑track safe‑streets approach: Councilors proposed a dual approach: (1) continue the larger engineering projects that require ~10% design to be competitive for grants and (2) accelerate lower‑cost, smaller‑scale pilots (painted diverters, planters, temporary traffic circles) that can be deployed faster and show visible progress in neighborhoods.

Data and enforcement: Several councilors urged greater use of speed‑trailer data and mobile or rotating camera deployments to avoid the “push‑out” effect where drivers speed up before and after fixed camera zones. Expanding enforcement capacity and clarifying how camera revenues are allocated were topics of debate.

Transit access and regional coordination: Councilors asked staff to coordinate with Metro and Sound Transit to improve first‑/last‑mile connections to the 185th light‑rail corridor and upcoming BRT work, saying the station is currently difficult for many residents to access without a car.

Next steps: Staff will scope permit‑review support needs for Sound Transit, return with options for pilot traffic‑calming measures and explore mobile camera strategies and outreach to regional transit partners.