Parking Audit Draft Papers

The Corvallis Residential Parking Permit District Program was instituted in 1982. Three districts have been created, and no new districts have been established since 2010. Consultants concentrated on improvements to the program that make it clearer as regards to intent, purpose and communication within the code and to the public. While no new districts have been approved, some expansion and alteration of Districts B and C have occurred. Over time, more attention to rates and their relationship to desired outcomes should be made. Attention to administrative efficiencies and improved customer access to, and experience with, the program should be pursued.

View Parking Districts Document

Overall, the parking fund system provides an effective tool for implementing and tracking the parking management strategies. Current parking strategies can be modified to allow for stronger financial health in the future. Among cities that charge for on-street parking, Corvallis has the lowest hourly rates (by at least half in most areas). Parking fees should be able to at least cover maintenance and replacement costs, that the Corvallis fee system currently does not. Very low parking rates can lead to unsustainable parking programs, depending on the costs to maintain and replace equipment.

View Parking Rates & Fees Document

Corvallis needs to establish a formal downtown parking management zone and adopt data-driven parking management. Corvallis needs to adopt consistent rates and rules for areas of high parking demand and average duration of stay. The goal should be consistent rates and rules, and a modernized system that is of high quality to match that of OSU. Evaluate whether free parking in the core downtown area is accomplishing the desired goals.

View Downtown Parking Document

Parking outside downtown needs to be coordination with respect to strategies related to data-driven parking management, high-turnover stalls, loading zones, branding, striping, pay stations, and ADA parking, and standardized rates, rules, and parking measures. Adopt a base standard time limit and enforcement hours in all time-limited areas to simplify and standardize the system.

View Parking Outside Downtown Document

Upgrade enforcement tools to facilitate pay-by-plate. Implement electronic permitting, new technologies can help in implementation. Install off-street counter systems, implement improvements and access to multi-modal transportation. Proactively engage with providers of shared mobility services.

View Current and New Technologies Document

Transition enforcement away from traditional police services. Think of parking enforcement more as an ambassadorial and educational service. Make the parking program financially self-sustaining. Create performance metrics and continually re-evaluate the program.

View Enforcement Document

The University of Oregon on-street permit system is complex. However, Eugene makes it fairly easy for users to apply for and renew permits online. For Corvallis, lessons learned from Eugene can provide a useful reference, particularly when considering new management tools such as online permitting, ambassadorial enforcement, variable permit rates, and selling commuter permits in residential areas.

View Eugene Permit System Document