The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is currently proposing changes that would significantly affect parking in the U-District. The planned legislation is intended to help increase the amount of available parking spots by reducing the number of permits available per household.

“We are going to try and make it less of a rush for that last space,” said Project Manager Mary Catherine Snyder.

Camille Elmore, public relations assistant for SDOT, wanted to stress that the proposed changes are only recommendations, and that if they do occur, actual mandates would not be implemented for another year or two.

Residential communities around Seattle that experience a high amount of traffic congestion, such as those by hospitals or colleges, can apply for a Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) Program. If SDOT believes that the program is appropriate for the neighborhood, then vehicles parking in the affected area become subject to parking time limits, with the exception of those having a valid RPZ permit.

At this time there is no limit on the number of permits a household may have — anyone living in a household may apply for both a permit for their vehicle and a guest.

Each of the 25 RPZs in Seattle would be affected by the changes. Under the program the U-District is divided into two zones, “University East” and “University West”, each encompassing specific areas such as Greek Row and Montlake Boulevard Northeast. While less dense areas, such as Fauntleroy or Magnolia, would have the number of permits reduced to four, those in the U-District would be limited to two per household.

“The impact for any given student living in the U-District will depend on the size of their household and the block they live on,” said Joshua Kavanugh, the director of Transportation Services at the UW.

Although the RPZ Program has been around since the late 1970s, it has not been reviewed since 1994. Since that time, there have been more than 50,000 new residents to Seattle.

“The program is being updated in part to help residents, and to discourage long-term parking by non-residents,” Snyder said.

The changes are being considered, in part, due to a survey given by the DOT last spring. 1,112 Seattle residents completed the survey, with 40 percent of respondents in favor of limiting the number of permits.

Changes to the program would also affect how guest permits are implemented.

“One of the good things about the updated program is in how guest permits will be changed,” Kavanugh said. “The process should become much simpler and more flexible — that’s something students can feel good about.”

Based on the survey, the DOT would also be changing the application process. Individuals looking to register for an RPZ permit would be given the option of applying online, in addition to submitting an application in person or through the mail.

The SDOT is presently looking for comments from residents in RPZs, including students, on the proposed changes.

“Overall, there has been a tremendous amount of feedback,” Snyder said. “The department has been running the public process since July, but unfortunately I don’t think we’ve had very many students give feedback.”

Reach reporter Julian Martin at news@dailyuw.com.