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City Seeks More Historic Preservation Power

PORTLAND-Proposed amendments to this city's historic resources code--scheduled for a city council hearing Oct. 21--would give the city power to review and deny demolition permits and also add incentives for property owners to maintain and preserve historic structures.

By Brian K. Miller | Updated on October 20, 2004

PORTLAND-The Portland City Council will take testimony today regarding proposed amendments to the city’s historic resources code that would give the city power to review and deny demolition permits for historic structures within city limits. The proposed amendments would apply to 1,000 buildings in the city –those listed on the National Historic Register or in National Historic Districts. In order to demolish one of them, owners would have to show that a denial would prevent “all reasonable economic use of the site” or that the proposed redevelopment would benefit the community more than preservation.The proposed amendments also would add incentives for property owners to maintain and preserve such structures. One proposed incentive would allow owners who choose not to replace their historic properties with larger buildings permitted by current zoning to transfer or sell the difference (square footage and height) to another site or developer under certain circumstances. Other incentives would allow owners to significantly improve their properties without necessarily having to complete a full seismic retrofit, provide owners increased access to restoration loans and loosen restrictions on allowed uses.Some 300 cities have preservation codes that allow for demolition denials, including most major cities. The Portland City Council will hold a hearing on the proposed historic resources code amendments during its normal meeting, which begins at 2 p.m. at City hall. The amendments could be up for a final vote as soon as next week.

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