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The Historic Review Process
Projects Requiring Review | Ratings Information
In 1985, the City of Albany passed an ordinance requiring all designated historic buildings within the historic districts and those included on the City's official landmark inventory to go through a review process for exterior alterations, additions, and demolition. Review is by Planning staff or the Landmarks Advisory Commission (Informational brochure, 52K pdf), depending on the request. New construction within the historic districts also requires historic review. The purpose for reviewing alterations is to encourage the preservation of characteristics, repairing rather than replacing, and when replacement is necessary, the replacement material should match the original material in composition, design, and texture.
Historic District Overlay Ordinance Article 7 (81K pdf) is online.
Historic Alteration Applications are
available by clicking here
or in-person at City Hall in the Community Development
Department.
Exterior Alterations: Properties rated Historic Contributing and Historic Non-Contributing within the historic districts and properties on the local historic inventory outside the districts require review. Most homes in relatively good condition built before 1945 are rated Historic Contributing. Exterior alteration review is required for the replacement of any original exterior material, including windows, doors, siding and trim; but excluding paint colors and most roof styles. The Landmarks Advisory Commission reviews alterations visible from the street. Staff reviews minor alterations not visible from the street.
New Construction: New structures within the historic districts over 100 square feet require historic review.
Demolition or Relocation: All Properties within the historic districts require demolition or relocation review. The Landmarks Advisory Commission reviews demolition or relocation requests for historic-contributing properties and historic inventory properties.
Ratings Information
To find out what your property's rated, call Anne Catlin at 917-7560 or by e-mail.
Below is a description of the ratings used to classify properties within the historic districts.
Historic Contributing - properties that retain and exhibit sufficient integrity (materials, design, and setting) to convey a sense of history. These properties strengthen the historic character of the district.
Historic Non-contributing - properties that retain but do not exhibit sufficient historic features to convey a sense of history. These properties do not strengthen the historic character of the district in their current condition.
Non-contributing - properties from outside the period of significance, and properties that do not retain sufficient historic integrity to convey a sense of history. These properties do not strengthen the historic character of the district.
Comments for the City of Albany are welcome: e-mail
us.
©2005 City of Albany, Oregon | PO Box 490, Albany, OR 97321-0144
Phone: (541) 917-7500
