Paying For Less Parking

"Developers in Portland may soon be allowed to pay a fee for the right to provide fewer parking spaces than required by zoning."

"The city would charge a fee for each space that's not provided and use the money to build public parking garages. City officials have yet to discuss how much the one-time fee would be, but it could be thousands of dollars."

"The proposal will be considered in a review of the city's parking requirements, starting in July. The study is meant to address the growing demand for parking and the limited land."

" 'We want to make sure the development requirements are fair and the best use is made of resources that are scarce and expensive,' said City Councilor James Cloutier, chairman of the council's community development committee."