Your input is needed for the City of Portland’s Historic Code Improvement Project of the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS). This important zoning code initiative will shape local heritage conservation for years to come as it investigates potential changes and updates to how the city identifies, designates, and protects historic resources. Four public roundtables will be held over the next three months, along with two drop-in sessions.
BPS needs to hear from people who view preservation from a variety of perspectives and who understand that saving and re-using our legacy buildings provides economic opportunities, is critical to environmental sustainability, and preserves and adds to our layers of history.
Bureau of Planning and Sustainability staff will incorporate public feedback from roundtables and drop-in sessions into the development of zoning code concepts. Draft zoning code language will be released in spring 2018. More opportunities for public feedback will be scheduled after the draft is prepared but it is important to be part of the process now to help lay the groundwork for these needed changes and improvements.
Find dates and topics below and at: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/662415. All venues are accessible to people with disabilities. You can follow project progress by signing up for the City of Portland’s historic resource program email list to be informed of project developments through the above link. If you cannot attend one or more of the sessions, please consider filling out a comment form and returning it to the project team. Questions or comments can be directed to the project team at (503) 823-7247 or historic.resources@portlandoregon.gov.
Why Portland’s Historic Places Matter
Thursday, December 7th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
White Stag Block, 70 NW Couch St.
An opportunity to define and affirm the City’s historic preservation goals and values. Conversations will focus on the community benefits of preservation, including the cultural, economic and environmental value of diverse historic resources.
New Tools for Inventorying and Adapting Historic Resources
Thursday, January 11th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Architectural Heritage Center, 701 SE Grand Ave.
An examination of survey, inventory and reuse of historic resources. This roundtable will address opportunities for updating Portland’s 33-year-old Historic Resources Inventory as well as explore possible zoning incentives for preservation.
What’s Working and What’s Not in Portland’s Historic Districts
Wednesday, January 24th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont St.
A technical discussion about the application of historic resource review in Portland’s Historic Districts. Dialogue will center on the regulations associated with National Register Historic District designation and explore opportunities for improving the practicality and effectiveness of historic resource review.
Local District Designation: An Alternative to the National Register?
Tuesday, February 6th, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
North Portland Library, 512 N Killingsworth St.
An exploration of potential alternatives to listing landmarks and districts in the National Register of Historic Places. Discussions will focus on how the City’s local Historic and Conservation Landmark and District designations might be modified to create more accessible and responsive designation and protection options.
In addition to the above roundtables, staff will be available at two drop-in sessions to provide additional opportunities to learn about the project and solicit general feedback:
Historic Resources Drop-in Session
Monday, December 18th, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Peninsula Park Community Center, 700 N Rosa Parks Way
Historic Resources Drop-in Session
Tuesday, January 9th, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Midland Library, 805 SE 122nd Ave.