Troutdale adopts state-mandated Climate-Friendly Equitable Communities code changes, limits some parking requirements

Troutdale — On June 24 the Troutdale City Council adopted an ordinance amending multiple chapters of the Troutdale Development Code and the municipal code to implement Oregon’s Climate-Friendly Equitable Communities (CPEC) rules.

The amendments — required by the state for cities in the Portland metro region — reduce some parking minimums near transit corridors and town centers, add pedestrian-connectivity and tree-canopy provisions for large parking areas, require EV-ready conduit in multifamily developments and create a local commercial-parking tax framework. The council selected the state’s “fair pricing” parking pathway and added one of the optional measures: a commercial-parking tax mechanism (code language establishes structure; staff said the model tax rate is 10%).

City planner Erica Palmer told the council the Department of Land Conservation and Development granted Troutdale a two-year extension to adopt the changes and that the city must finalize the amendments by June 30. Staff also explained a business-license change that will require employers with 50 or more employees to provide a $50 monthly stipend to employees who choose alternative transportation; staff said that employer requirement will be implemented when businesses renew licenses on Jan. 1 following adoption.

Public comment included concerns about transit-service definitions and walkability. Planning commissioner (speaking as a citizen) Tanny Stephenson said the state’s definitions and required distances — including a half-mile standard for “frequent transit” under the new rules — will be difficult for some Troutdale residents to meet and that the change effectively reduces available parking in areas not well served by frequent transit. Commenter Paul Wilcox submitted written suggested scrivener edits to the ordinance; staff incorporated those corrections before the second reading.

The council conducted a public hearing, then voted to adopt the ordinance on second reading. The vote recorded all councilors present voting yes.

Why it matters: The amendments implement a statewide land-use package intended to reduce driving, support transit and encourage denser, walkable land uses. For local businesses and developers, the code changes alter parking requirements and add new compliance steps for multifamily projects and larger parking areas. For residents, the changes aim to shift growth toward transit corridors and town centers while adding design standards for pedestrian connectivity.

Next steps: Staff will publish the corrected ordinance text and begin outreach to affected businesses and developers. The city said it will perform additional business outreach to explain the new employer stipend requirement and will incorporate public input through implementation work.