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could purchase an annual RPP parking permit for their RPP zone that allowed them to park on- <br />street beyond the posted time limits. To qualify for a permit, a resident has to bring a current <br />driver's license, car registration, and proof of residency in the RPP zone to purchase the annual <br />permit. The initial RPP zones were designated in areas adjacent to the University. Over the years, <br />new RPP zones have been added in other areas of Eugene. <br />There are currently about 840 RPP permits issued annually to residents in the A, B, and C zones <br />near the University for on-street parking. In addition, up to 55 commuter permits are sold each <br />month to employees of businesses that allow parking in Zone C. Many residents in these RPP <br />zones generally walk, bicycle, and take the bus to the university, work, and shopping. But a large <br />number of residents also have a car for other travel trips where public transit is not available and <br />walking or riding a bike is impractical. For example, there is still no bus service to the airport. <br />The current requirements for off-street parking in Table 9.6410 for multiple family (3 or more <br />dwellings per lot) require a minimum of 1 parking space per dwelling unit. In addition, section <br />9.6410 (3) specifies that a parking reduction of up to 25 percent is allowed as a right of <br />development in all residential zones. <br />The same situation that existed in the 1980s before the RPP was instituted is fast approaching. <br />The high demand for parking in the areas surrounding the University of Oregon (R-3 and R-4 <br />multifamily zones) is making it more difficult for residents living in these areas to find parking. <br />Some new multifamily housing developments and infill projects near the University of Oregon <br />are being built with three to six bedrooms per dwelling unit to minimize the off-street parking <br />requirements specified in Table 9.6410. These developments are significantly worsening <br />conditions that the RPP zones and permit programs were designed to mitigate. <br />A recent Harris poll found that 72% of college students nationally have cars that they use while <br />at school (). This has been our <br />http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=801 <br />observation in RPP Zones near the University of Oregon. In the 1980s, many students and <br />residents had pickup trucks. Nowadays, many students and residents have SUVs. <br />At times, residents are forced to drive around wasting fuel to look for a parking space even when <br />they have a legal RPP zone permit. Note that a resident driving around 15 minutes hunting for a <br />parking space is the energy equivalent of moving a chunk of the WUN population out to the edge <br />of the city. Creating a built environment that requires hunting for parking spaces is completely <br />unsustainable. <br />A few inconsiderate developments with inadequate on-site parking can create a serious negative <br />impact on all neighborhood residents. This is a situation where one bad apple can ruin the entire <br />barrel. <br />Expected Outcomes of Changes to Off-Street Parking Requirements <br />The goal of the changes is to prevent new multiple family developments with inadequate off- <br />street parking in RPP zones from eliminating the intent and benefits of the RPP zones. This will <br />also help to reduce safety issues on designated bike paths on streets passing through these areas <br />caused by traffic and congestion. A primary impact would be to reduce the wasteful energy use <br />Multi-Dwelling Infill Committee Parking Recommendations - April 6, 2009 Page <br />3 <br /> <br />