Council debates removing Broadway parking to improve intersection visibility; public hearings planned

The Golden Veil City Council spent a substantial portion of its July 15 meeting discussing a proposal to remove or restrict parking along sections of Broadway to improve sight lines and safety at intersections.

The council’s public works representative, Steve Johnson, said the public works committee reached a consensus to pursue a no-parking approach in principle but noted that portions of the street are under state control. “It is under the jurisdiction of a portion of the state Department of Transportation,” Johnson said, and the committee plans to draft a memo to WSDOT outlining the city’s objectives and concerns, including tree management and parking impacts.

Several council members and participants raised concerns about displacing residents who rely on street parking. A committee member labeled as Committee member (S2) said eliminating all parking “is a horrible idea” for residents of nearby apartment buildings who lack off-street spaces. Councilors suggested narrower alternatives, such as removing parking on only one side of the street or restricting vehicle width in parking strips to preserve spaces for residents.

Supporters of change emphasized safety and visibility at intersections. Committee member Theon (S6) said the options on the table are driven by “safety and visibility coming out of those roads onto that main Broadway part,” and recommended targeted restrictions near problem intersections like Mill Street.

Council members and staff also discussed practical remedies, including assisting homeowners with curb cuts or identifying underused downtown lots. One council member observed an underutilized downtown lot within a block of affected apartments and suggested exploring that as an alternative to wholesale parking removal.

The council did not adopt any regulatory changes at the meeting. Instead, members agreed to pursue community outreach and one or more public hearings, giving WSDOT two dates to consider and asking staff to draft the memo. Sandy, the city administrator, said she would coordinate scheduling and return to council when the city has two dates from the trainer and when WSDOT has responded.

Next steps: the council will draft a memo to the Washington Department of Transportation, schedule public hearings to take resident feedback, and continue evaluating targeted options such as one-side removal or vehicle-width limits.