Cities Plan to Sue Over Oregon’s Parking Reforms

Nine of the 52 cities impacted by the state of Oregon’s parking requirements changes, approved earlier this year, plan to sue to stop the reforms.

1 minute read

October 4, 2022, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A map of the northwest corner of Oregon, focusing on the city of Hillsboro.

Hillsboro, Oregon is planning to sue the state of Oregon over "Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities" rules adopted earlier this year. | SevenMaps / Shutterstock

The state of Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission approved Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities rules earlier this year. The rules require 52 cities around the state’s eight largest metropolitan areas to reform parking requirements for various land uses.

Jayati Ramakrishnan reports in a paywalled article for the Oregonian that at least nine cities are planning to sue to stop the reforms.

An article from earlier in the month by Troy Shin reveals that those cities include Hillsboro, Medford, and Springfield. “Hillsboro city councilors said they aren't opposed to the aim of the rules, which seek to address the effects of climate change and housing insecurity through targeted zoning and land use requirements. However, they don't agree with the methodology the state used in crafting the new guidelines,” reports Shin.

Unlike the legislative action that enacted the state of Oregon’s historic state preemption of local single-family zoning, the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities rules were the result of Executive Order 20-04, signed by Gov. Kate Brown.

Monday, October 3, 2022 in The Oregonian

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