Queen Anne neighbors take parking battle to Seattle City Council

Queen Anne neighbors complain to city council about parking cuts

Parking versus public safety. The battle over Queen Anne's streets hit Seattle City Council.

SEATTLE - Parking versus public safety: the battle over Queen Anne's streets made it to Seattle City Council on Thursday.

Neighbors are fighting to keep their spots, but SDOT said emergency access comes first through a safety improvements project.

It's a tight squeeze along 14th Avenue West, but neighbors said they've been parking there for decades without an issue.

What they're saying:

They ask 'Why Now?' and 'Why haven't we been included in the process?' and continued to ask during a Transportation, Waterfront and Seattle Center Committee meeting.

More than 70 neighbors on 14th Avenue West between Gilman Drive West and West Barrett Street are fuming.

They said the SDOT project will get rid of more than 50 spots, creating a parking frenzy, hurting their property values, and making it tough for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

The Seattle Fire Department said it requested the change after it found the road was too narrow for emergency vehicles.

It said on several occasions firefighters have been stopped short of a residence or blocked in and unable to return to service.

Neighbor Aaron Price spoke directly to councilmembers during the committee meeting.

"What concerns us most is the process. We went from announcement to enforcement with no opportunity for community input. As taxpayers and voters, this is not how this should work. To be clear, we support emergency vehicle access. We are not here to oppose the fire department. We are here because alternative solutions exist," Price said.

The other side:

SDOT said it has received a letter written by the residents and takes their concerns seriously.

It also said no parking will be removed until they've done community outreach.

Councilmember Bob Kettle's office told FOX 13 Seattle it is working on the issue.

Still, neighbors said they just want to have some input before this project speeds ahead.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

7 teens involved in deadly Bremerton car crash

Controversy continues to surround CCTV cameras in Seattle

Drivers navigate delays as WSDOT works to clear Bellingham, WA landslide

Budget cuts could impact access to Washington’s public lands

WA judge gives man longest big game sentence in decade for elk killing spree

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.