The Made in Oregon Sign was designated as a City of Portland Historic Landmark in 1978. Ramsay Signs has proposed alterations to the sign. Because the sign is a Historic Landmark, the proposed alterations require a Type III Historic Design Review. Information follows below regarding the process, how the decision is made, how to participate, and the current status.

The Type III Historic Design Review process includes the following steps:

• Pre-Application Conference - Required prior to submittal of the land use review
• Filing of Formal Historic Design Review Application
• Completeness - Staff notifies applicant of any missing information or materials within 21 days of submittal. Once all information is received, the case is deemed complete.
• Hearing Scheduled - hearing must be within 51 days of case being deemed complete.
• Posting - The applicant must provide posting signs on each street frontage abutting the site at least 30 days before the hearing.
• Public Notice - Upon receipt of a complete application, public notice is mailed to all property owners within 400 feet and to the recognized organizations within 1,000 feet of the site. The notice is mailed at least 20 days prior to the hearing.
• Staff Report and Recommendation - 10 days before the hearing, Bureau of Development Services Staff will publish a staff report and recommendation.
• Landmarks Commission Hearing - Public testimony may be provided at the hearing.
• Decision - Made by the Historic Landmarks Commission following the public hearing.
• (Potential) Appeals - An appeal of the Landmarks Commission Decision may be made to City Council. The appeal fee is half of the land use review fee ($3,958 fee - half of $7,916 application fee). The City Council's decision may be appealed to the State Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

The decision is made based on whether the project meets the approval criteria in the Zoning Code. As identified in Chapter 33.846, the approval criteria for this case include the following:

• The Central City Fundamental Design Guidelines
• The Skidmore/Old Town Historic District Design Guidelines; and
• "Other" Historic Design Review Guidelines at 33.846.060.G.1-10.

Public comments may be submitted to Landmarks Commission via staff until noon on September 14th, 2009. Comments should be provided in writing (e-mail, fax, or regular mail). After noon on the 14th, please bring written comments directly to the hearing (1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500 A, 1:30pm). You may also testify verbally at the hearing on September 14th.

If you have questions, please contact the assigned planner:

• Tim Heron - (503) 823-7726 - tim.heron@ci.portland.or.us

• 10/8/09: Ramsay Signs, the applicant for the Made in Oregon sign application LU 08-191800 HDZ has withdrawn the case. The case is now closed.
 
• 9/2/09: EXTENSION REQUEST: Ramsay Signs has requested an extension/delay of the Landmarks Commission decision on this matter from September 14, 2009 to October 12, 2009. Ramsay Signs, at the request of the University of Oregon, would like to explore all options available for the 'O' signs on the water tower before a final decision is made by the Landmarks Commission.
 
• 7/27/09: HEARING CONTINUED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2009: At today's hearing, Landmarks Commission passed a motion allowing this case to be continued until September 14th, 2009, giving Ramsay Signs and the UofO time to consider alternatives to the water tank signs, as requested. If new information or direction is received by staff prior to the September 14th Hearing, this information will be posted on this web page and/or presented at the hearing. As before, the hearing will be begin at 1:30pm at 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500.
 
• 7/22/09: EXTENSION REQUEST: Ramsay Signs has requested an extension/delay of the Landmarks Commission decision on this matter on July 27th until a future hearing date (to be determined after receipt of new information from applicant). Ramsay Signs, at the request of Jan Oliver with the University of Oregon, would like to explore all options available for the 'O' signs on the water tower before a final decision is made by the Landmarks Commission. At the hearing on July 27th, staff will recommend that Landmarks Commission grant this request, as a full 120-day waiver has been signed by the applicant.
 
• 7/14/09: JULY 13TH HEARING: Landmarks Commission unanimously supported a motion to overturn the revised staff report and deny the proposal, primarily citing concerns regarding the proposed water tank signs (painting tank, neon lights and sign type, skyline impacts, historic character). The applicant was given the option to delete the water tank signs and potentially receive approval of the main sign, but declined. Landmarks Commission directed staff to prepare a draft decision recommending denial for their consideration at the continued hearing on July 27th, 2009 @ 1:30pm (1900 SW 4th Ave., Rm. 2500A).
  • Revised Water Tank Elevations provided by Ramsay Signs at 7/13/09 hearing.
 
• 7/2/09: REVISED STAFF REPORT: The revised staff report, recommending approval of the revised main sign design and the reconfigured water tank signs, was published today and is attached below. The staff report will be considered by Landmarks Commission at the July 13th, 2009 Hearing.
  • Revised Staff Report
 
• 6/22/09: FINAL DRAWINGS: The applicant has provided revised drawings for the July 13th hearing. The revised proposal includes text reading 'Oregon' in the center of the sign, with a new lighting animation that includes chasing incandescent bulbs spelling out the word. The lower plaque on the sign would be widened, provided with a green background and gold neon text reading 'Old Town - Portland'. The proposal also now includes changing the east- and west-facing painted signs on an elevated water tank on the roof. The existing painted tank signs are 152 square feet each. Both proposed signs include a single gold neon 'O' six feet six inches tall, applied to the east- and west-facing walls of the water tank. The 'O' signs are constructed of gold-painted aluminum pan channel letters, similar to those on the main sign.
  • Final Main Sign Drawings
  • Water Tank Sign Drawings
  • Final Main Sign Illumination
 
• 6/1/09: NEW REVISED HEARING DATE: The applicant has requested that the hearing be delayed until July 13th, so they may provide details for and gain UofO approval for the revised sign package. The new hearing is now Monday July 13th, 2009 at 1:30pm (1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500A). The revised staff report will be published on July 2nd, 2009.
 
• 5/11/09: REVISED HEARING DATE: The applicant has requested that the hearing be delayed until June 22nd, so they may provide details for a possible west-facing sign on the water tank, in addition to the east-facing tank sign already proposed. In order to provide notification for the June 22nd date, the applicant must submit new drawings to staff by May 26th. If the new drawings are submitted by May 26th, the new drawings and a revised notice will be posted on this page. The new hearing date would be Monday June 22nd, 2009 at 1:30pm (1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500A). The revised staff report would be published on June 12th, 2009.
 
• 5/4/09: The Landmarks Commission agreed to re-open the record on April 27th, 2009, in order to consider a revised proposal and additional (water tank) sign. A new hearing has been scheduled to consider the revised proposal on Monday June 8th, 2009 at 1:30pm (1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500A). A revised staff report will be published on May 29th, 2009.
  • Revised Hearing Notice
  • Revised Color Drawings and Rendering
   
• 4/16/09: The applicant has requested that the record be re-opened, in order to consider a revised sign proposal, and to include an additional rooftop sign on the water tank. If Landmarks Commission agrees to re-open the record, and once the new drawings are received, a new hearing will be scheduled, followed by a revised public notice and staff report.
  • Staff Memo to Landmarks Commission
   
• 4/6/09: Second public hearing held today. Public record for written comments is held open through April 13th, 2009 @ 4:30 pm. Verbal testimony portion is closed. The final hearing and Landmarks Commission deliberation and vote will be on Monday April 27th, 2009 @ 1:30 pm, in Room C of the Portland Building (1120 SW 5th Avenue, Second Floor) 
  • Final Revised Proposal #3
   
• 4/1/09: Staff memo published prior to April 6th Public Hearing, including two revised proposals submitted by Ramsay Signs.
  • April 1 staff memo with revised proposals
   
• 3/9/09: First hearing was held, and will be continued to April 6, 2009 at 1:30pm (1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 2500A). Ramsay Signs, at the suggestion of the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission, agreed to return and provide revised proposal(s). The record will be open until the continued hearing.
 
• 2/27/09: Staff Report and Recommendation is published.
  • Staff Report & Recommendation
   
• 1/30/09: Public Hearing at Landmarks Commission scheduled for Monday March 9th, 2009 @ 1:30pm. Public Hearing Notice (below) mailed.
  • Public Hearing Notice
  • Images (Final Design and Light Sequence)
 
• 1/19/09: Case deemed incomplete.
  • Incomplete Letter
 
• 12/29/08: Formal Application is submitted | Case File: LU 08-191800 HDZ. Staff will determine completeness no later than Friday January 16th, 2009 (January 19th is a City Holiday)
  •  Submitted Narrative
 
• 12/16/08: The Pre-Application Conference was held on December 9, 2008. The proposal presented at the Pre-Application Conference included removing the existing "Made in Oregon" letters and replacing these with new letters spelling "University of Oregon".
  • Pre-Application Conference Summary Notes