Parking Woes in Corvallis, Oregon

George Wenschhof

Listening to the Harrison Apartments Plan testimony during the July 18 Corvallis Planning Commission meeting, it quickly became apparent available parking space in Corvallis is a major concern to residents.

Interestingly, prior to attending the meeting, I grabbed a quick bite at 101 Restaurant, where the server informed me that indeed parking was a big issue, especially when the college students return to class. I asked him what he thought about a parking deck for downtown and he answered "that would be a great idea".

Parking issues are not unique to Corvallis. Cities across the country have implemented different systems to mitigate the frustration one experiences when driving to a destination and having to battle to locate a space to park.

It was refreshing to observe the process taken by the Corvallis Planning Commission in regard to the applicant for the Harrison Apartments. It was obvious the developer had redrawn plans resulting from previous comment from planning staff and testimony from community residents.

As a result, they received recommended approval from staff.

The building had been reconfigured; criteria met for impact to potential adjacent solar panel use, LEED certification application submitted for the project, tasteful landscaping planned, along with allowing ten spaces used by adjacent property owners, to have access.

In addition, the need for additional student housing will be met with the completion of this project.

Parking was one issue concerning nearby residents. Although, the applicant had provided parking spaces to meet city requirements, the concern was over the impact to their neighborhood, if the students parked off-site.

The Planning Commission, when they deliberate and vote on August 1 on this project should attach a condition to approval, requiring the site manager to not charge for parking and instead have the cost incorporated in the rent. This would encourage students to use the parking on site. It would be wise for the developer to accept this condition, if offered.

While this condition would satisfy any potential parking problems associated with the apartment project, parking throughout downtown Corvallis is likely to remain troublesome.

Among options available for consideration by the City of Corvallis, is a resident parking sticker program for non-metered streets. Downtown residents would pay a reasonable yearly fee, determined by the city, and receive a sticker which would be attached to the inside of the vehicle windshield.

A parking radius of several blocks surrounding the home location would then be available to park the vehicle at no cost to owner/renters of the property. Violators would be fined, at a rate determined by the city. Signage would provide notice of parking regulations.

Consideration of a location for a tasteful, privately funded downtown parking deck, appropriate for the historic district, with first floor commercial space may also deserve consideration.

The thorny issue of parking and how to address these problems are critical to the discussions and work presently underway in the OSU/Corvallis Collaboration Project. 

Both the Parking and Neighborhood Planning committees are working to develop proposals to present to the Steering Committee and ultimately the City Council and Planning Commission.

Corvallis is a wonderful city with friendly, well educated and dedicated residents, who no doubt, will arrive at solutions to the parking issues facing the city.

George Wenschhof shares his views while vacationing near the west coast.