During the West Linn City Council Work Session on October 21, 2024, discussions centered around the implications of changing bus routes on parking regulations within the city. The council examined how the frequency of bus services, particularly the TriMet Line 35, affects the ability to mandate parking within a half-mile corridor. According to administrative rules, if a city's most frequent bus transit route operates during peak hours at a specified frequency, parking mandates cannot be enforced in that area.

The council noted that the Line 35 had recently increased its frequency, which led to the previous Line 154 being excluded from the parking mandate exemption. This change prompted the Planning Commission to favor a simplified parking plan, as any future adjustments to bus service could necessitate further revisions to parking regulations. Council members expressed concerns about the potential for spending significant time on a complex plan that could quickly become outdated.

Councilor Bonnington highlighted the need for statistics comparing available parking spaces to the number of registered vehicles in West Linn, suggesting that this data could help alleviate public concerns about parking availability. Other council members echoed this sentiment, noting their personal experiences of not facing parking shortages in the city, particularly in commercial areas like historic Main Street in Willamette.

The council acknowledged that while some residents report parking challenges, particularly near commercial zones, many members have observed ample parking availability. The discussion also touched on the high school area as another location experiencing parking issues.

Looking ahead, the council is preparing for a public hearing scheduled for November 12, where community members will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed changes. The council emphasized that the new regulations could be revisited in the future to ensure they continue to meet the community's needs. Additionally, the council clarified that the city retains the authority to implement a paid parking program independently of the current discussions, should the need arise in the future, particularly in relation to potential waterfront redevelopment.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to balancing transit needs with community concerns about parking, while remaining adaptable to future changes in public transportation services.