Planning commissioners back climate-friendly parking code changes, favor walk-shed around TriMet Line 33

The Oregon City Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Commission approve a package of code amendments to implement the state's Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) rules and recommended using a walk-shed (walking-distance) method to measure the half-mile transit corridor around TriMet Line 33.

Staff and consultants summarized the package at the April 14 meeting. Planning Manager Pete Walter presented the draft code changes and consultant Brian Davis of Studio Davis explained the legislative context, saying, "The first 1 would be to eliminate minimum parking requirements throughout the city" as one of the options the state rules allow. The commission heard that Oregon City staff intends to pursue the approach that eliminates minimum parking only within a half mile of frequent transit and adds several accompanying measures required by the state rules.

Why it matters: The recommended amendments would remove references to minimum or required parking in municipal code where the state rules apply, increase requirements for bicycle parking, add electrical-vehicle (EV) readiness standards for new parking areas, and require more tree…