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

The Right to Mobility
As we consider how to decarbonize transportation, preserving mobility, especially for lower- and middle-income people, must be a priority.

Early Sharrow Booster: ‘I Was Wrong’
The lane marking was meant to raise awareness and instill shared respect among drivers and cyclists. But their inefficiency has led supporters to denounce sharrows, pushing instead for more robust bike infrastructure that truly protects riders.

Push and Pull: The Link Between Walkability and Affordability
The increased demand for walkable urban spaces could make them more and more exclusionary if cities don’t pursue policies to limit displacement and boost affordability.

Orange County Project Could Go Forward Under ‘Builder’s Remedy’
The nation’s largest home builder could receive approval for a 530-unit development under an obscure state law as the city of La Habra’s zoning laws hang in limbo after the state rejected its proposed housing plan.

Memphis: Crime-fighting Camera Sheds Light on Police Abuse
The irony is unmistakable. Public surveillance cameras, long controversial in the criminal justice community, provided pivotal video footage of the beating of motorist Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers at a traffic stop on January 7.

How Autonomous Cars Could Impact Energy Use
The complex algorithms used by self-driving vehicle technology use massive amounts of energy, which could lead to a steep rise in carbon emissions as autonomous cars become more commonplace.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard GSD Executive Education
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