City Council seeks public testimony on new regulations for Portland’s historic buildings and other resources

News Article
Portlanders invited to testify on zoning code changes for the city’s historic landmarks and districts in writing via the Map App or at a virtual hearing on November 3 at 2 p.m.
Published

After nearly four years of roundtable discussions, focus groups, open houses, and public hearings, the Historic Resources Code Project (HRCP) heads to City Council for a public hearing on Nov. 3, 2021. The hearing follows a unanimous vote by the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) on May 4 to recommend the City adopt new rules for the identification, designation, protection, and reuse of historic resources.

According to PSC Chair Eli Spevak, “The recommended changes to the Zoning Code will allow Portland’s inventory of historic resources to tell more diverse stories, adapt to changing community needs, and be protected for future generations.”

A street of renovated red brick warehouse with modern additions.
The NW 13th Avenue Historic District.

 The HRCP project was initiated in 2017 to bring Portland into compliance with new State provisions governing local historic resource regulations, specifically regulations related to listings in the federal National Register of Historic Places. Following three cycles of public feedback—the concept development phase in 2017-18, the Discussion Draft phase in 2019, and the Proposed Draft phase in 2020—a final Recommended Draft of the code amendments was released for public review in June. This Recommended Draft is what City Council will consider at their November 3 hearing.

Testify on the Recommended Draft

Portlanders are invited to testify on the HRCP proposal, either in writing online or virtually at the November 3 Council hearing. A registration link to the hearing will be posted on the project website closer to the hearing date. But written testimony can be submitted now online via the MapApp until the date of the City Council hearing.

Following the hearing on November 3, City Council members may introduce amendments to the Recommended Draft based on the written and oral testimony. A subsequent hearing on the amendments may be scheduled before the City Council votes to adopt the code amendment package.