Earlier this month, we reported about an appeal by several businesses in the Ballard-Interbay Northend Manufacturing and Industrial Center to put a stop to the SDOT’s compromise plans to connect the “missing link” of the Burke-Gilman trail. Among the appellants was the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, which raised questions by some readers in the comments of our original post. Now the Chamber has posted a statement on its website saying its “not opposed to the bike trail, but is seeking a more equitable solution” to SDOT’s missing link plan. One of the Chamber’s concerns is the loss of parking:
“The current plans for the trail require the removal of approximately 140 parking spots, primarily along Shilshole Avenue. These spaces are not metered and offer “long-term” parking. Their adjacency to the Ballard Avenue Landmark District is noteworthy. This commercial section, because of its historic status, is exempt from normal parking requirements. Building owners, residents, employees, restaurant and club owners, and other merchants and service providers rely heavily on these parking spaces, as do patrons of the Sunday Farmers’ Market and Market Street businesses. In an area with diminishing parking lots and on-street parking, the removal of this many parking spots is a serious concern.”
The Chamber said it brought the parking issue to the attention of SDOT, but no mitigation was provided. The appeal over the missing link plan is scheduled for the Hearing Examiner on March 23rd at 9 a.m.
