The City of Olympia has turned to a new permitting system to limit the number of parked vehicles on Ensign Road.
Various motor homes, campers and trailers have been parked on the road, creating issues for drivers and emergency vehicles passing through. The city implemented the new system as it moved to clean the road on Wednesday.
Officials started considering permits on Ensign Road about two months ago with the aim of creating a safer environment for the public, according to a statement from Olympia spokesperson Carrie McCausland.
"We began considering this kind of tool a couple months ago as we began learning and observing that this area was becoming increasingly unhealthy and unsafe," McCausland said.
Crews continued cleaning the road from Martin Way to Providence Mother Joseph Care Center on Thursday. The city said the clean-up was needed to removing waste and obstructions built by people camping in vehicles along the road.
Those who were displaced by the clean-up were allowed to return, provided they secured a permit.
McCausland said the city estimates it will issue about 30 permits at a time to accommodate the current population on the road. But she said a final number has yet to be determined.
"To maintain safe and sanitary conditions, we don't anticipate increasing the number of permits at this location," McCausland said.
No one currently living on Ensign Road has been denied a permit, she added. If people camp without a permit, she said the city will first respond with "education and case management assistance."
Following those efforts, she said the city may call on police to remove trespassers if necessary. However, she said that step is "rarely the case."
The Olympian obtained a template of the permit that describes its terms and conditions. Permits are temporary and may be revoked at any time by the city.
Permit holders are prohibited from parking vehicles or RVs along Ensign Road that obstruct travel lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, dumpsters or fire hydrants. Vehicles that violate this clause will be immediately towed, according to the template.
Sewage, trash or any other fluid substance may not be discharged or dumped in or on the road, stormwater drains and dumpsters.
Like in other areas serving people experiencing homelessness, McCausland said the city will provide portable toilets and trash facilities.
Additionally, the template says permit holders cannot engage in any illegal, violent, threatening or aggressive acts.
The city requires all items be stored within each permit holder's designated parking space and limits the types of items that can be stored outside a vehicle.
Approved items include one cooking appliance, one complete bicycle per person, two storage bins with tight fitting lids, one generator, up to two accessory propane tanks and mobility devices.
Lastly, the city will void a permit if the permit holder's parking space is unoccupied for more than 72 hours.
