The Portland City Council in June approved the new fee -- a supplement to systems development charges that affect only new development -- in an attempt to fill an annual $4.9-million hole in the transportation budget created by stagnant gasoline taxes. The fee, based on standard trip generation models, would have ranged from $398 a month for a 3,890-sf fast-food restaurant to $1,500 a month for the owner of a 500,000-sf office building.

Despite eventually watering it down to appease the biggest trip generators -- hotels, gas stations, big-box retailers and fast-food chains, opponents funded a campaign to gather signatures to put the fee to a vote of the people. The signatures were validated earlier this week, forcing the city to repeal it or maybe watch the voters kill it just as they have to stop an increase in the gas tax and a boost in Multnomah County's vehicle registration fees.

So Hales, a chief proponent of the fee, urged the city council this week to repeal the fee, which would have raised about $58 million that would go toward maintaining and improving roads throughout the city. City officials say some programs will have to be cut without the funds. The repeal is expected to occur at the Sept. 12th city council meeting.