Oregon City Planning Commission backs historic-district design guidelines, urges one-year review

The Oregon City Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting the Historic Review Board's proposed design guidelines for new construction in the city's historic districts and asked that the board review the guidelines one year after adoption.

The guidelines, developed this year with a Certified Local Government grant and consultant Rob Dortnak and his team, provide detailed guidance on compatibility, massing, materials and storefront proportions for infill in the Kanema and McLaughlin historic overlay districts. Christina Robertson-Gardner, city staff, told the commission the guidelines are advisory (not codified) and are intended to supplement the city's historic overlay ordinance (Ordinance 1740) and make review more predictable for applicants.

Why it matters: Commissioners and community members said the city is poised for increased interest and development on the Seventh Street corridor, and detailed guidance could reduce inconsistent results and appeals. At the same time, residents and the Historic Review Board urged the city to guard neighborhood scale and materials so new construction complements existing historic fabric.

Discussion and concerns

Rick Winterhalter, chair of the Historic Review Board,…