Notes From September 27 LNA Informational Presentations On Historic District
On September 27, about 250 Laurelhurst neighbors attended the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association meeting at All Saints Church. All tables and all chairs were full. Some of us filled the benches at the back of the room. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to a report from the LNA Board's Land Use Committee on the Residential Infill proposal and then to the LNA Board's presentation of speakers on a possible Historic District for our neighborhood. Our notes from those portio


The Economic Benefits of Historic District Designation
Does Historic District Designation help, or hurt, property values? It helps. That is the clear experience from Historic Districts across the country. Two studies worth reading: Benefits of Residential Historic District Designation for Property Owners This report examined historic districts in Arizona and nationally, and concluded: "Summary The findings of recent comparative studies of the effects of historic district designations over time, conducted in many different region
An Architect's Thoughts: "Residential Infill: One Size Does Not Fit All"
Last month, a local architect wrote an Op-Ed article titled "Residential infill: One size does not fit all" in the Portland Daily Journal of Commerce. With his permission, we are making that article available here. Peter Meijer is Co-chair of the Laurelhurst Neighborhood Association (LNA) Land-Use Committee. His firm, Peter Meijer Architect, PC (PMA) focuses on the rehabilitation and reuse of existing buildings and the preservation of historic buildings and sites. PMA has


Laurelhurst As It Was A Century Ago, Part 2
Continuing our tour of our neighborhood as it was one hundred years ago, thanks to the Laurelhurst sales brochure circa 1916. When we started walking the in park, the H. Russell Albee house was visible through the trees. Here is the interior of the house. Albee built this house in 1912 and was elected Mayor of Portland in 1913. He will serve until 1917, then resume his business career, until returning to public service in the Parks Bureau from 1939 until his death in 1950.
Notes From Restore Oregon Forum "Living In A Historic District"
Following are notes, as verbatim as was possible, from the Restore Oregon forum on "Living In A Historic District". Scanned copies of the handouts, in PDF form, can be downloaded here: Living In A Historic District (Restore Oregon handout) Historic Resource Review Guide For Homeowners (City of Portland handout) Notes from Restore Oregon presentation 9/8/2016 [NOTE: These notes are as verbatim as I could type. LATER: Adding boldfacing to make more readable.] Intro - what is
The Southwest Examiner Writes On Residential Infill And Historic Preservation
The Southwest Examiner has two thoughtful articles on the Residential Infill Project, and the movement in some neighborhoods toward Historic District designation. "Infill Ideals Pit Developers Against Protectors" examines the Residential Infill Project, also commonly called "RIP" or "RIPSAC". "Designed to squeeze in some 200,000+ newcomers over 20 years, RIP would increase density by allowing construction of multi-unit housing in single family neighborhoods within 1/4 mile of


Laurelhurst As It Was A Century Ago
A Laurelhurst neighbor kindly shared with us these scans of the sales brochure for the Laurelhurst neighborhood, circa 1916. There are a lot of scans here - thirty-six, to be exact - and rather than squeeze them into one mammoth post, we'll publish them over the next week or so. It's worth taking our time with these. Brew a cup of tea, sit back, and enjoy your visit to our neighborhood as it was one hundred years ago. As you walk, you'll notice how well Laurelhurst's look,