Council discusses expanding historic district guidelines beyond Riverfront District

A significant discussion emerged at the March 12 Joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting in St. Helens, focusing on the expansion of architectural guidelines within the city's historic district. Council members expressed a strong desire to encompass the entire historic district rather than limiting the guidelines to just the Plaza District.

Councilor Jennifer emphasized the importance of starting with the historic district, arguing that attempting to apply standards citywide would be overwhelming and could lead to misunderstandings among residents. "I think it's a great place to start is just with the historic district," she stated, highlighting the need for clarity and community support in the planning process.

The conversation also touched on specific landmarks, including the Italianate cottage, which was noted as being on the designated landmarks list but not clearly represented on the current maps. This raised concerns about the visibility and application of architectural guidelines to new developments adjacent to these historic properties.

Councilor Gunderson sought clarification on the proposed boundaries for the new guidelines, confirming that the discussion was centered around the blue boundary on the map, which represents the areas intended for the expanded architectural standards. The council members agreed that breaking the project into manageable sections would be more effective than attempting to tackle the entire city at once.

As the meeting concluded, the council's commitment to preserving the integrity of St. Helens' historic district was clear, with plans to further refine and implement architectural guidelines that reflect the community's values and heritage. The next steps will involve continued discussions and community engagement to ensure that the guidelines are both practical and beneficial for the city's historic landscape.