Safety, parking access clash in Northwest Portland
It's a familiar tradeoff at many intersections in the district
State law requires vehicles to park at least 20 feet from intersections, though Portland and most other cities rarely enforce the rule.
Northwest District activists are divided: Some say it’s important for both pedestrian and auto safety to provide an adequate sightline toward cross traffic. Others say recessing the parking could eliminate four spaces per intersection would further squeeze limited parking options.
Estimates of spaces that could be lost range from a few hundred to more than 1,000. Some intersections already have widened curb sections that do not allow vehicles to park near corners, and four-way stop corners do not pose the same risk of unseen vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.
Northwest District Association President Todd Zarnitz does not want the organization to take a position without further input and discussion.
What do NW Examiner readers think?
Our neighborhood is incredibly unique for its walkability, not just compared to other neighborhoods in Portland but anywhere in the country. I chose this neighborhood because I wanted a car-free lifestyle as much as possible. I'm in favor of prioritizing pedestrians. I'd also be entirely in favor of converting more spaces to disabled access spaces, short term loading/unloading spaces, or anything else that makes it easy to get things done when walking isn't an option. But the 20-foot rule benefits drivers too, by giving them more visibility when turning and crossing intersections.
Who cares? The city can’t/won’t even enforce laws against no plates, no current registration and sewage spewing RV’s parked where they please. How would they ever enforce a law against parking too close to an intersection?