CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to street and sidewalk use; amending Section 11.40.250 of the Seattle Municipal Code to authorize the Play Street program as an allowable use of the public place.
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WHEREAS, the transportation system of Seattle is an extraordinary public asset and is vital and integral to the City's economic health, environmental quality, and social and community fabric; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, the Seattle City Council passed Resolution 31157 approving the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan, which establishes the intent to make Seattle the most
walkable city in the nation by addressing safety, equity, vibrancy, and health; and
WHEREAS, Objective Five of the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan calls for creating vibrant public spaces that encourage walking for multiple purposes including transportation, recreation, and health; and
WHEREAS, Strategy 5.2 of the Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan recommends developing guidelines and protocols for car-free and shared-space streets, including designating pedestrian-only streets in order to reclaim and activate public spaces for pedestrian use; and
WHEREAS, pedestrian-oriented spaces such as play streets are a foundational element of transportation-oriented communities, as defined by the Seattle Planning Commission in the Seattle Transit Communities report; and
WHEREAS, the Move Seattle 10-year Strategic Vision supports the active use of neighborhood streets to promote a vibrant and interconnected city; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code subsection 11.16.125A authorizes the Director of Transportation to close, or authorize closure of, any street or alley or portion thereof to any or all traffic pursuant to the provisions of Seattle Municipal Code Title 11, Subtitle I;
WHEREAS, the Seattle Department of Transportation has managed a pilot play streets program since May 2014 with 260 applicants having participated in the program to date; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Department of Transportation has prepared technical guidance documents and regulations in advance of a permanent play streets program; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 11.40.250 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 108200, is amended as follows:
11.40.250 Playing in streets((.))
No person ((upon)) on roller skates, or riding ((in or by means of any)) a coaster, skateboard, toy vehicle, or similar device, shall go ((upon)) on the roadway of any arterial street or transit coach route, except while crossing ((such)) the street at a crosswalk; or engage in any sport, amusement, or exercise or play in the roadway of any street, except where allowed by a street use permit.
Section 2. The Director of Transportation may promulgate rules to administer the Play
Streets program, as authorized in Section 3.12.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2016, and
signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this
_____ day of ___________________, 2016.
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President __________of the City Council
Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)