Council advances development code changes; historic preservation overhaul passes second reading

The Dallas City Council on Oct. 6 advanced two code items: staff read Ordinance No. 19-16 on first reading to amend Dallas Municipal Code section 2.905 (changing the Economic Development Commission quorum from 4 to 5 after adding an ex‑officio member), and the council adopted Ordinance No. 19-15 on second reading, a full repeal-and-replace of the historic preservation chapter in the Dallas Development Code (chapter 2.1).

City staff said the historic preservation updates have been reviewed by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and that the office plans to incorporate some of Dallas’s recommended changes into its model code. Councilors asked clarifying questions about differences between a historic resource inventory (a study document) and a historic resource list (an adopted, regulatory list subject to owner objection rights). Staff distinguished the two: an inventory documents and describes resources without regulatory effect while the formal list is adopted by the governing body and triggers regulatory protections.

After discussion, the city recorder conducted a roll call vote on Ordinance 19-15; every named councilor voted in favor and the ordinance passed unanimously. Ordinance 19-16 was presented for its first reading and will return for subsequent consideration.

The council did not identify additional substantive amendments during the meeting. Staff indicated the separate ordinance governing formation and duties of the Historic Preservation Commission would be presented at a future meeting.