Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Yamhill committee explores Certified Local Government status to boost preservation funding and outreach
Summary
The Yamhill Economic Development Committee heard from state preservation staff about how Certified Local Government (CLG) status and National Register listing could help preserve downtown buildings, qualify the city for biannual grants and tax incentives, and create a framework for a local landmarks commission; members agreed to gather specifics and contact CLG staff.
The Yamhill Economic Development Committee on March 3 heard a detailed briefing on options for historic-preservation tools, including pursuing Certified Local Government status and National Register designation.
Caitlyn Abrams, National Register of Historic Places coordinator at the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, told the committee that National Register listing is largely honorific and "doesn't place any kind of protections or restrictions beyond that demolition or relocation review" unless a property is involved in a federally assisted project. She said listing can raise public awareness and make contributing properties eligible for federal and state rehabilitation tax incentives.
Abrams briefed members on the Certified Local Government (CLG) program, which the state administers in partnership with the National Park Service. She said local governments seeking CLG status must adopt a local historic-preservation ordinance and establish a landmarks or historic-preservation commission; CLG membership provides access to technical assistance and a biannual CLG grant program that communities use for surveys, nominations and public-education projects.
Committee members and a public commenter discussed the Yamhill context, citing an Amity example where the town used CLG status to fund a historic-preservation plan, complete an inventory and apply for follow-on grants. A participant said CLG grants "typically range from $5 to $20,000 requiring a 50/50 match," and Abrams clarified that some grant match requirements vary by program and that jurisdictions with populations under about 5,000 may be eligible for grants without a local match.
Abrams also outlined the typical timeline for National Register nominations: "For districts, it can be longer because of outreach and owner consent," she said, and added that single-property nominations are frequently completed in nine months to a year, while district nominations may take longer because of outreach and additional research.
Committee members asked whether the city’s existing design code or ordinance satisfies CLG prerequisites and whether the planning commission can serve as the required landmarks body. Members agreed to: (1) request direct CLG-program guidance from Curry Gil (CLG contact), (2) collect precise ordinance language and staffing details from city staff (Walt), and (3) prepare specific bullet points for a future council or planning-commission action.
The committee did not take a formal vote. Next steps: staff will follow up with the state CLG contact and return with clarified requirements, potential grant timelines and recommended language for a local landmarks body.
