The city is complying with an Oregon state mandate that some cities have challenged in court.
The Bend, Oregon city council voted to adopt the state’s Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities rules, which require many cities to eliminate parking requirements as part of an effort to lower the cost of housing construction, improve affordability, and reduce Oregonians’ reliance on cars. As Barney Lerten reports for KTVZ, some Oregon cities sued to protest the rule.
While some housing advocates praise the move as a positive step toward improving housing affordability and limiting sprawl, some councilmembers worry that Bend isn’t ready for the change, saying the city “doesn’t have the robust public transportation system many others who dropped parking minimums have in place.”
The change removes minimum parking requirements from the city’s development code and adds requirements for electric vehicle charging facilities, but does not prohibit the construction of new parking. Acknowledging concerns about parking availability, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said, “Council remains committed to exploring other parking policy reforms that will increase the amount of on-street accessible parking and help us manage the curb in neighborhoods and commercial areas alike.”
FULL STORY: Bend councilors get lower-rating survey results, vote 4-2 to adopt state rules, drop parking-space minimums
New Haven Housing Authority Proposes Zoning Reforms, Land Tax
While the Connecticut State Legislature stalls on zoning reform, a local housing authority in the state is recommending an ambitious package of pro-development, supply-side policy changes to mitigate the cost of housing in the state.
Burlington Could Eliminate Parking Requirements Citywide
A proposal to eliminate parking minimums in the entire city would also expand Burlington’s Transportation Demand Management program.
Miami’s Return to Parking Minimums a Mystery to Housing Advocates
The city’s decision to reinstate parking requirements for housing developments will likely slow the recent boom of ‘missing middle housing’ construction.
‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland
Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.
Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny
The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.
Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?
New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?
700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah
A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.
More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.
Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says
Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
