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Oregon City adopts state-required parking reforms; commission to raise concerns with DLCD
Summary
Oregon City adopted Ordinance 25-1006 on June 18, updating local zoning to align with state-required parking reforms under the Transportation Planning Rule.
On June 18 the Oregon City Commission approved Ordinance 25-1006 on second reading, updating Title 17 (zoning) to implement parking reforms required by the state Transportation Planning Rule (OAR provisions). The vote was unanimous.
Staff and City Attorney (referred to in the meeting as Melissa Richter) briefed the commission about the state's administrative response to a city request to reduce the standard walk distance from transit from a half mile to a quarter mile. Richter told the commission the state staff replied that staff could not adjust the distance for Oregon City. She said the director’s decision appears not to be an administrative action the city could easily reverse administratively; it could be the subject of a narrow appeal to LCDC before a formal hearing, or the city could request time on the LCDC meeting agenda for public comment. She noted an appeal deadline of June 24 if the commission wished to pursue that route.
Commissioners repeatedly told staff they were concerned that the state rules apply a one-size-fits-all standard that does not reflect Oregon City's topography and existing transit service. Several commissioners asked that the city pursue an opportunity to speak before LCDC’s meeting in late June; the commission agreed that staff and the mayor should pursue the lower-cost option of presentation or public comment to LCDC and that staff would provide drafting support. The commission did not instruct staff to pursue litigation.
The ordinance text was read on the record and approved by roll call. The second-reading approval implements local code changes consistent with the state rule while the city pursues the agreed next steps to voice concerns to the state commission.
Ending
The commission adopted the ordinance and authorized staff and the mayor to pursue informal outreach to LCDC; staff warned that administrative appeal or litigation would be costly and likely unsuccessful, but committed to supporting any presentation the commission authorized.
