NORTH BEND - Downtown property owners should expect a letter in the mail this month asking them to weigh in on a potential historic district proposed by the city’s Historic Landmark Commission.

The letter will detail the commission’s plan to designate the city’s historic downtown commercial core as a historic district. If a majority of targeted property holders agree, the commission will recommend it to the North Bend City Council, which will have the final say.

Intended to preserve and bolster the traditional look of downtown, which primarily contains buildings that were constructed between 1900 and 1940, the district designation would require people considering new construction projects or exterior alterations to historic buildings to meet design standards. The area is roughly bounded by the bay and waterfront to the east, McPherson Avenue to the west, Connecticut Avenue to the north and Washington Avenue to the south.

The district and its design criteria would enhance the beauty of downtown and ensure that its traditional “Main Street” style is maintained and encouraged, said commission Chairman Dick Wagner. Doing so will encourage tourists to stop and take a look, he added.

“One of the hoped-for benefits of any kind of historic district ... is the economic rejuvenation that’s hoped for,” said Commissioner Judy Wagner. “If you get a pleasing place for people to come, an attractive area that catches the drivers’ eyes as they are passing through on the highway, (it will be) a more pleasing place for pedestrian traffic.”

Dick Wagner said the proposed architectural guidelines would reinforce the existing architectural style of downtown. The commission is only concerned with exterior components.

“The guidelines encourage any facade change to be in keeping with the original buildings and structures,” he said.

The guidelines would come into play when a property owner in the district applies for a building permit with the city. Any proposal would have to go before the Landmark Commission, which will serve as a design review committee.

“(Then), assuming it gets approved by us and it meets all the other applicable city regulations, then presumably it just goes ahead,” Dick Wagner said.

He noted each applicant will have to maintain the look of his property in accordance with the era in which it was built.

“If Engles (Furniture) is within the historic district and they want to make a change, then their project plan would be submitted to the design review committee because they are within the district,” he said.

The district designation also would enable property owners to take advantage of assistance programs, including low-interest loans available for facade improvements and special building code considerations.

According to the letter, to approve an application for the alteration of a designated landmark or the major alteration of a historic resource of statewide significance, the commission must find that the proposal meets review criteria for designated landmarks (see sidebar).

City Planner David Voss said the historic district will be a good fit for the city.

 “There is basically no design review or design control in the downtown or anywhere for that matter, other than your basic set-back stuff and landscaping the parking lot.

“So, (this is) just to preserve the character and the look, the feel of the traditional downtown,” Voss said. “It’s really going to be up to the property owners. We need their support. It’s not going to happen without their consent and cooperation.”

He added that the commission will be able to turn down designs, although property owners will be able to appeal to the City Council.