A couple dozen Fremont citizens met three times over the last few months to design the Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) for our fair community.
At the last meeting, on Nov. 29, a citizen on the right side of the aisle reported that everyone he's talked to doesn't want an RPZ. Minutes later, on the left side of the aisle, another citizen reported that everyone he's talked to wants the maximum restriction allowable: No cars may park at posted curbs without a city permit.
One of the moderators, Julia DeBroux, mused on why these people chose not to come and speak for themselves. A weary voice shouted, "They probably have lives!"
RPZ is a City of Seattle program aimed at aiding residents to restrict street parking in residential areas to residential use, with allowances. Residents in East Fremont started this process years ago.
Eastsiders live cheek by jowl with the Aurora Bridge, the Troll and each other. For decades, commuters have parked their cars up and down these streets during the day to grab a bus downtown. Meeting attendees refer to them as "Hide 'n' Rides," and as we assume they don't live here, they make safe targets for venting frustration.
At the latest design meeting, scheduled when tempers run high under holiday stress even more than RPZ angst, co-moderator Vafa Fazi started the discussion with the eastside problem: daytime restrictions.
We debated the merits of a four-hour vs. two-hour restriction to deter commuters without hindering area employees, although no employees spoke up.
Discussion often swirled around those not present. Small-business employees, the bars, customers/clients and the fed-up, hacked-off residents of many affected streets never stood up and identified themselves.
Instead, over and over, an attendee spoke up on behalf of this group, or that one, then either quickly dismissed their authority with "That's not what I think; I'm just speaking for..." or found themselves dismissed with "You can't speak for all of them!"
The Fremont Neighborhood Council stepped in to the RPZ process when the westside residents grew desperate for nighttime restrictions.
From no parking at all for anyone to a four-hour parking window for non-pass holders, even the small group at the last meeting never reached consensus. Shall restrictions start at 10 p.m.? Midnight? 2 a.m.?
The option of "No RPZ" fell off the table a couple of months ago. Even once-stalwart anti-RPZ protestors now scramble for compromise and an end to the meetings - before we all grow old(er) and gray(er).
Some citizens have just heard about this process. They attend meetings and ask questions to find out the simple machinations of an RPZ: What is it? How much does a permit cost? Will visitors be able to park? They want answers.
Unfortunately, they've come to the wrong place. For those of us in the pews, we've heard all this information before; we want to move on.
No one hands out brochures. The city hasn't provided them. No one recaps, or someone does and sparks an argument: $35 or $65? Fair or unfair?
I cringe when a frustrated shout silences innocent questions with "where have you been?" accusations.
Fevers run high, and patience runs out. While bar owners attended all but the last public meeting, a hue and cry went up at the last over their lack of participation.
At the Nov. 10 meeting, a bar owner courageously answered a question with a description of 23 parking spaces he'd recently leased for his business. Rather than being applauded for this neighborly gesture, some voices derided the paltry number of spaces. It leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
Still I sit, sucking my Lifesavers, swilling my bottled water, tapping my foot and balancing work papers on my knee as hardcore Fremont individualists struggle to find common ground.
On Jan. 10, the design committee will meet again, with hopefully calmer minds and a more peaceful approach. Once they hammer out a design, the community can vote on it through a petition process.
If you have questions, call Julie Erickson with the city RPZ department at 684-5092.
If you have an opinion, come and express it. If not now, when?
Kirby Lindsay lives, works and parks her Slug Bug in Fremont. She welcomes your comments and concerns at fremont @oz.net.
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