Seattle's RV parking restrictions hit roadblock
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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson vetoed the centerpiece of a City Council plan to get RVs off city streets this week, and the council may now lack the votes to override her.
Why it matters: The veto leaves Seattle without new restrictions on RV parking as city leaders remain divided over how to address more than a decade of neighborhood complaints and public safety concerns about vehicle encampments.
Driving the news: Wilson on Monday vetoed the permit system at the heart of a suite of legislation intended to address longstanding concerns about RV encampments.
- In a letter explaining her veto, Wilson said the permit system would be costly, difficult to enforce and could worsen homelessness.
- Instead, she is calling for expanded outreach, more safe parking and a review of existing enforcement.
The latest: Councilmember Rob Saka, who previously supported the permit legislation, joined Wilson at a Tuesday press conference and said he's willing to give her alternative a chance.
- "Our residents deserve results, not just another process," Saka said.
- His potential reversal could leave the council one vote short of the six needed to override Wilson's veto.
The other side: Councilmember Dan Strauss, who sponsored the legislation, said his proposal already included a working group to address implementation concerns, and he accused Wilson of duplicating that effort.
- "Right now, we need leadership, not wishy-washy work groups," he said at a press conference called to address the veto.
- Strauss also accused Wilson of breaking a promise not to veto the legislation.
Catch up quick: The council voted 6-3 last month to approve Council Bill 121283, which would have limited RVs without permits to two hours of street parking, prohibited overnight parking and allowed towing without the advance notice previously required.
- Under the legislation, eligible RV residents could have obtained free permits to park longer in designated industrial areas if they owned their vehicles and were included in a one-time city count of RV residents.
- The three members who opposed the bill — Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Dionne Foster and Eddie Lin — warned that people missed by the count could be excluded from the permit program, potentially leaving them without a legal place to park, a concern echoed by Wilson.
- Wilson signed the other four related bills, which include provisions to expand safe parking and services for people living in vehicles.
What's next: Strauss said he'll seek an override vote, though it's unclear now whether he has the six votes needed.