International parking thought leader Donald Shoup (“The High Cost of Free Parking“) has offered some thoughts on Portland’s debate about apartment buildings with no off-site parking in an op-ed in the Oregonian. Shoup’s ideas are always thought-provoking, but his suggestions here get at a key distinction: car ownership and storage versus car use. Portland’s existing…

I’ve accepted the Mayor’s request to assist with the startup of the NW TMA to manage parking in my neighborhood. It was just about 10 years ago that I unsuccessfully tried to reach an agreement between my neighborhood association and the business association on a parking plan. So why would I put myself back into…

A new Oregonian editorial supports the Mayor’s NW Parking Plan resolution (as I do), but then gets the facts completely confused: The plan calls for up to 650 new off-site parking spaces, and Adams said agreements have been reached for the first 200. Businesses want more, and particularly covet a parking garage. A garage might…

In zoning, we talk about “parking ratios”, how many parking spaces you’re required to build as a multiple of the number of residential units in a multi-family building. Portland’s ratios can be as low as zero if you’re near a frequent transit line. But a recent review by Bureau of Planning and Sustainability staff (PDF)…

Or is it just the beginning of the battle royale? Mayor Adams is ready to take his version of a meters-and-permits plan for NW Portland to City Council on Thursday. The plan is supported by the neighborhood association and opposed by the business association. I have lots of history with this, although none of it…