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Kirkland council backs phased approach to parking pricing, asks for outreach and equity measures
Summary
After reviewing sensor data and several pricing options, council supported staff’s phased plan starting with raising rates in existing paid lots and adding waterfront park fees, asking staff to return with an implementation plan, outreach, and affordability measures tied to Kirkland Cares.
City transportation staff presented a parking pricing study on July 7 that recommended a phased approach to better manage limited parking supply, increase turnover and support downtown businesses and waterfront parks.
Transportation Manager Steven Padua (presentation lead) said the city currently charges $1 per hour in two downtown lots and otherwise provides largely free parking; staff have used sensor data since 2023 and live parking data since 2025 to measure turnover. The analysis showed that applying parking management tools (time limits, enforcement and pricing) increases turnover on busy days, particularly Saturdays.
Staff proposed four phased options: (1) modestly raise fees in the two existing paid lots (low implementation barrier); (2) add parking pricing at waterfront parks (staff suggested roughly $2–$3 per hour to cover maintenance); (3) extend paid parking on‑street using pay stations and a curb‑management plan; and (4) consider garage pricing and permit strategy as a longer‑term phase. Staff also highlighted an interactive fee‑setting tool to model how revenue could support maintenance or other park needs.
Councilmembers expressed support for a phased approach that begins with Option 1 and tests park pricing, while asking for clear check‑ins and evaluation metrics. Deputy Mayor Black and others pressed staff to ensure equity safeguards: use Kirkland Cares to provide discounted parking or resident permit options and ensure ADA stall availability is preserved and evaluated. Council also asked staff to analyze spillover impacts into adjacent neighborhoods and to consider temporary Sunday changes for summer months.
On enforcement and data, staff said sensor and occupancy data can be used to monitor effects on business foot traffic and make adjustments; license‑plate or geofence analysis could help estimate resident versus nonresident use at parks. Council directed staff to prepare an implementation plan tied to goals and outreach and to return with more detailed fiscal and impact analyses in coordination with the budget process.
Why it matters: a shift from mostly free parking toward targeted pricing affects access, local business patterns, and park maintenance funding. Council’s direction to phase, monitor, and incorporate affordability mechanisms aims to balance demand management with equity and economic impacts.
