Four years ago in the summer of 2019 parking issues in SCN had become challenging and somewhat, requiring a novel approach to identify and address the problems. Representatives from SCN, the City of Olympia, and Washington State DES employees used a facilitated, interest-based, consensus-building approach to resolving the parking issues impacting all three entities.
Each entity brought a unique perspective.
- SCN residents want to have access to their homes from the street to perform basic daily activities and accommodate visitors. In 1989, SCN requested the implementation of a resident parking permit program with time limits for non-residents.
- The City of Olympia provides parking enforcement and administers the parking permit program.
- Employees and non-residents doing business with The State of Washington Legislature and State Agencies impact the availability of parking for SCN residents.
Key outcomes from the 2019 meetings included a commitment from the City of Olympia to not raise parking permit fees without using an interest-based decision-making process, an annual meeting of the three entities to resolve issues proactively, and improved systems of communication.
Due to the disruptions of Covid, the Parking Committee did not meet 2020-2023. Valerie Hammet, Collum Liska, Rachel Newmann, and John Saunders represented the SCNA at the first annual meeting on January 26, 2024. Representatives from the City and State were in attendance.
In the first annual meeting since the establishment of the Parking Committee in 2019 all three entities reaffirmed their commitment to resolve parking issues that impact all three jurisdictions.
Below are agreements from the January 2024 Meeting:
City Agreements:
- Reduce the number of parking zones west of Capitol Way from 3 to 2: Reduce Zone 1 to only cover streets east of Capitol Boulevard; Expand Zone 3 to include the portion of Zone 1 that is currently west of Capitol Boulevard; Maintain current Zone 2 boundary as is.
- Pilot electronic paid parking along 16th Avenue SE.
- Consider increasing citation fines to discourage non-resident chain parking
- Increase enforcement when events occur on Capitol Campus.
- Collaborate with SCNA to educate residents about the reasons for the parking program, the permit application process, registering guests, and other parking program logistics.
- Get data on non-resident use of SCN parking pressure points in Zone 2 and along Maple Park Avenue.
State Agreements:
- Follow-up whether staff at parking booths provide maps showing accurate visitor parking locations and rules about parking in the SCN.
- Correct the inconsistency in visitor parking information among the multiple DES and Legislative websites
- Work with the SCNA to identify and close gaps in how visitors to the Capitol Campus find Visitor Parking areas using street signage.
SCNA Agreements:
- The SCNA will work with the City to develop appropriate educational materials for residents participating in the Permit Program
- A link will be included on the SCNA website that directs residents to the appropriate City website for parking information and permit application.
Next Meeting:
Friday, September 20, 2024 prior to the November Triad Meeting.
South Capitol Neighborhood Association 
In future meetings/discussions would it be possible to bring up some efforts to streamline the residential permit process for those that live in the SCN? I understand that city systems are clunky and change might be difficult. But the annual process – right at the holidays – that requires us to provide copies of everything all over again – drivers license, proof of insurance, registration, etc. It seems like overkill for obtaining a parking permit and outside the city’s scope of enforcement. It is more documentation than Seattle’s residential parking permit requires.
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