TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, City Manager
FROM: Historic Landmarks Commission
SUBJECT:
title
Annual Historic Landmarks Commission Report.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community
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SUMMARY:
summary
The attached report contains the Salem Historic Landmarks Commission 2025 Accomplishments and 2026 Workplan.
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ISSUE:
The Salem Historic Landmarks Commission 2025 Accomplishments and 2026 Workplan.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information Only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. The Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) adopts an annual workplan every year and presents the accomplishments of the previous year along with the workplan for the upcoming year to the City Council (Attachment 1). The annual workplan is typically based upon goals adopted as part of the adopted Historic Preservation Plan.
2. In 2020, the City of Salem, a Certified Local Government (CLG), adopted a new, updated, 2020-2030 Historic Preservation Plan. The updated Plan has six goals with 57 actions related to improving public outreach and community education; streamlining historic code; increasing financial support; protecting the cultural landscapes and archaeological resources; encouraging sustainability; and surveying historic resources.
3. The 2026 Work Plan includes 27 actions within these six goals. Our key new project planned for 2026 is completion of an architectural survey of the SCAN Heritage Neighborhood. The work will be grant-funded and supported by City staff, with additional assistance from local volunteers and State Historic Preservation Office staff.
4. Throughout 2025 the HLC and staff completed work on the public archaeology project in collaboration with the tribes and supported by state grant funding. The National Park Service listed the Jason Lee archaeological site and a Multiple Property Documentation for the Oregon Country Methodist Mission Sites: 1834-1847.
The HLC continues to offer key programming to the public and historic property owners, including continuing with the Residential Toolbox grant and the annual HLC Historic Photo Contest as well as completing their regular monthly historic design reviews and archaeology roundtable, with 32 historic design reviews and 24 archaeological compliance reviews.
BACKGROUND:
In accordance with the adopted HLC Rules, the Commission shall present an annual report to the City Council summarizing the Commission’s goals and activities from the previous year, including the number of cases reviewed and any projects completed. They shall also provide the current work plan for the upcoming year.
At their January 15, 2026 meeting, the HLC accepted the 2025 Accomplishments and 2026 Work Plan and voted to forward both onto the City Council for their consideration.
Jacob Morris PHD
Historic Preservation Planner
Attachments:
1. HLC 2025 Accomplishments and 2026 Workplan