A state historic preservation panel endorsed the Eastmoreland neighborhood’s bid for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, advancing a contentious proposal that’s divided the Southeast Portland neighborhood.
The nine-member State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation unanimously approved of the nomination put forward by the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association. That puts it on a clear path toward the register.
The nomination also won the endorsement of the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission earlier in the week.
The neighborhood association nominated Eastmoreland in an effort to block demolitions and renovations that have reshaped parts of the city.
But opponents of the nomination have chafed against the proposed listing and the rules that would come with it, saying they could prevent homeowners from making updates or additions.
In Portland, demolishing a “contributing” property within a historic district — that is, one built within its period of historical — requires a land-use process that ends in a vote of the Portland City Council. Other rules, to be written later, could put additional requirements on non-contributing properties and new development.
The opposing residents could still derail the nomination if more than half of property owners file notarized objections. They’ve collected 675 of more than 1,000 required to block the effort.
They have until July 1 to submit the objections. The National Parks Service, which maintains the national register, will make a final decision on July 6.
— Elliot Njus
enjus@oregonian.com
503-294-5034
@enjus
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