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Historic Landmarks Commission sets 2025 short-term goals, seeks code updates and preservation plan funding
Summary
The Historic Landmarks Commission presented a set of short-term goals for 2025 focused on updating municipal code standards, increasing representation, developing a preservation plan, promoting plaques and tours, and preserving key historic sites including Pioneer Cemetery and the Waldron-Gitchell building.
Sandy Freund, senior planner and coordinator for the Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC), briefed the council on Feb. 10 about the commission’s adopted goals for 2025, highlighting short-term projects intended to clarify standards, broaden participation and preserve locally significant resources.
Freund said the HLC’s short-term goals — framed as one- to two-year projects — include updating Chapter 11 (Historic Resources) of the Dallas Municipal Code to provide “clear and objective standards” that meet state requirements; seeking grant funding to develop a formal preservation plan for The Dalles; expanding commission representation by advocating for a student member; researching historic sites such as Rock House, Rock Fort and former railroad structures along East Second Street; and promoting community engagement through new building plaques and tours of properties including Pioneer Cemetery.
Freund also listed recent accomplishments: in 2024 the commission processed and approved three applications, including work on Sigmund’s Flowers building, updates to the historic Channel Building (the old American Legion building), and a Fort Dalles Museum application to replace a shed that houses historic wagons.
Councilors discussed the scope of the Pioneer Cemetery inventory and the potential to update an existing cemetery preservation plan prepared in the early 2000s. Joshua Chandler of the Community Development Department said staff has an older inventory and could update the list of individuals and families interred there to make the information more accessible on the city website.
Freund closed by inviting questions and further council input on priorities. No formal action was required; the item was presented for information and to invite ongoing coordination between the commission, staff and council.
