WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPROVAL?

1. Pick up an application at City Hall at 221 Molalla Avenue, Suite 200, or online.
2. Consult with the Historic Preservation Staff. If there is a question, consult with the Historic Preservation staff person. Ask whether a building permit or zoning approval may also be necessary for the work you wish to do. Ask for any HRB guidelines, which apply to the kind of work you are planning. Some work may not require any further review if it meets the adopted HRB policies. Other technical assistance materials are available on many topics. Some larger project may require a pre-application conference.
3. Fill out the application. Address the applicable guidelines. Include a complete description, drawings, photos, materials lists and building materials brochures or samples, which will help the Historic Review Board to understand what you plan to do.
4. Submit the application by mail or in person to: 221 Molalla Avenue, Suite 200, with the appropriate fee and Application Checklist filled out. If the application will go for review by the Historic Review Board, you will be notified of the date of the next meeting (Fourth Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 p.m.). Applications normally must be submitted at least 30 days before the meeting at which they will be considered. an application for alterations to a historic building is 50.00. Demolition and New Construction permits are valued differently. Contact the preservation planner for those fee.
5. Try to be present at the Historic Review Board meeting. It is very helpful for the applicant or a knowledgeable representative (such as a contractor or architect) to be present. The Board wants to avoid delays whenever possible, When a representative is present, questions can be answered which will allow a decision to be made immediately If there is a problem, it is often possible for the Board and the applicant to agree on a change in the proposal which will lead to an approval. Otherwise, applications often have to be tabled with a request for more information.
6. A Certificate of Appropriateness will be issued by staff when an application has been approved. It is mailed to the applicant. If it is denied, the Commission will be happy to advise the applicant on changes which would be acceptable.
7. It is possible to appeal a denial to the City Commission. There are few appeals, because most concerns can be resolved between the Board and the applicant with some modifications of the proposed changes. Consult with staff on the procedures for reconsideration by the HRB or an appeal to the City Commission.