Guidelines OK'd for downtown (03/05/2009)

The next time a downtown Portland property owner wants to make changes to the façade of his or her building, there will likely be guidelines to follow.

Members of Portland's Historic Preservation Commission have approved guidelines for future changes to historic buildings located in the downtown area. The guidelines suggest ways to update properties while maintaining historic integrity.

The rules, which do not require approval by Portland City Council, contain suggestions for replacing windows, doors, signs and masonry work, awnings and paint.

Before commission members voted to approve the guidelines Wednesday night, they briefly discussed changes to windows.

Emily Roberts, owner of downtown businesses Patriot Sportswear and Embroidery and Patriot Fitness, asked about guidelines for window tinting and window painting.

She asked if window tinting would be allowed on downtown properties. She said she tinted the windows at Patriot Sportswear after looking at other businesses close to hers and realizing those properties also had tinted windows.

Joe Jarzen of the Historic Landmarks Foundation said the guidelines discourage window tinting.

Christy Corle asked if a tinted window were to break, could it be replaced by another tinted window. Jarzen said such issues would be dealt with on a case by case basis, but those property owners who want tinted windows should instead consider blinds or curtains.

Roberts also said she planned to paint something on one of her windows. She asked if that change was something that she - along with other property owners who might want to do something similar - would need to bring to the commission for approval.

Jarzen said likely not because it would not change the historic integrity of the building and could easily be removed, but "When in doubt, contact me."

Roberts said communication will be key between property owners and members of the commission.

Jarzen said the commission will hold workshops for downtown property owners to educate them on the guidelines.

The first workshop will be held April 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the conference room on the second floor of the John Jay Center for Learning.

In a related matter, commission member Milo Miller Jr. asked what the commission could do about property owners who refuse to obey the guidelines established by the commission.

Jarzen said the first step would be to try to negotiate with the property owner.

If that doesn't work, the commission could issue an order to stop the work. If work continues, the property owner could be fined or the issue could eventually end up in court.

Those property owners who do meet with the commission and get the green light for changes to their properties, however, will be granted a certificate of appropriateness permit.

Jarzen said he plans to have the guidelines, along with forms needed for property owners seeking permission to make changes to the facades of their buildings, posted on the city's web site.

Also Wednesday, Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz Architecture, showed commission members drawings for the expansion of the Jay County Jail.

Plans call for a former car dealership located along the south side of West Main Street to be razed to make way for the expansion. Badders said the Main Street side of the building will have a "false front" and blend in with the architecture of the surrounding buildings.

"You've done a good job of matching the cornices of the existing buildings," said commission president Jane Spencer. The commission members agreed that they liked the plans for the jail expansion.[[In-content Ad]]