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Hood River Landmarks Board approves exterior work for Masonic Lodge at 212 2nd Street
Summary
The Hood River Landmarks Board approved exterior modifications for the Hood River Masonic Lodge (file no. 2025‑24), allowing window replacements, upper‑cornice stucco removal, HVAC screening and a new gate while leaving some optional items contingent on funding and subject to conditions of approval.
The Hood River Landmarks Board voted to approve exterior modifications to the Masonic Lodge at 212 2nd Street, concluding a public hearing and deliberation on an application presented by Grant Paulson on behalf of the Hood River Masonic Lodge.
Scott, city staff, told the board the application would remove the existing east‑facing fire escape (subject to fire‑code review), repaint the second‑story exterior wall on the east façade, replace windows with a requirement for continuity where windows are altered, add mechanical screening for new HVAC equipment (including retroactive permitting for an already‑installed unit), install optional awnings, add a new western door, and install a gate for rear parking access. Scott said many improvements are contingent on securing funding and that staff included conditions to allow optional work to be removed from the scope without requiring a formal landmarks amendment.
Grant Paulson, the applicant and representative of the Hood River Masonic Lodge, described the lodge as "one of the oldest buildings in town" and said the nonprofit is seeking to restore the structure and return it to good repair and active use. Paulson said portions of the building have been vacant for decades and that his aim is to revive the building and add vitality to downtown.
Board members asked detailed questions about the arched first‑floor window historically associated with the post office; Scott and the applicant clarified the application does not propose changes to that first‑floor arch and that the stucco changes are limited to the upper cornice area. Paulson said the project team will carefully remove later coverings to assess and restore the original brick and ornamental details, and will coordinate with the fire marshal and building official on egress requirements if the exterior fire escape is removed.
A central point of deliberation was paint and color treatment. Paulson said his intent was to match the upper story color to the Lightwell Hotel’s upper facades; several board members, leaning on guidance from the Secretary of the Interior standards cited during deliberations, expressed a preference for a single‑tone treatment to avoid creating a difficult precedent for future reviews. Scott told the board the staff report reflected the two‑tone presentation that appeared in the application materials but said the board could add a condition if it preferred a monotone outcome.
After public testimony closed with no speakers, a member moved to approve file no. 2025‑24 "to allow for exterior modifications to the building at 212 2nd Street as described in the staff report, including the findings and recommended conditions of approval of the staff report." The board voted in favor and declared the motion approved. Kristana Meyer was named on the record as the mover and Colin was recorded as the seconder in the meeting minutes; the roll call produced affirmative votes and the chair adjourned the meeting.
The approval includes conditions described in the staff report (including design and material standards and optional items that may be removed from the scope if funding is not secured). Next steps for the project include building‑permit review, potential retroactive permitting for the installed north‑side HVAC unit, and any fire‑code determinations required before removal of the exterior fire escape.
Reported by the Hood River Landmarks Board staff; the written decision will be final when reduced to writing and posted according to the board’s appeal procedures.
