Overview
The Historic Landmarks Commission (HLC) was established in 1986 with the City’s adoption of a
Historic Preservation Program. In 2010, an updated Historic Preservation Plan was adopted by the City and acts as the workplan for the HLC. The commission holds public meetings the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. It also meets as needed to conduct alteration reviews or other business.
Commission roles includes:
- Advising the Council on matters pertaining to historic sites and structures in Salem
- Administering the Historic Preservation Ordinance
- Helping property owners preserve historic structures
The Commission is made up of City residents who volunteer their time and professional expertise to:
- Review, designate, and encourage the preservation of historic resources
- Review certain development applications for conformance with the historic preservation code standards and guidelines
Commission members must be residents of Salem or have their business in Salem, and they must have an interest in historic preservation. Additional commission membership requirements include:
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At least five of the members must meet the United States Secretary of the Interiors Historic Preservation Qualification Standards to the extent that professionals meeting those standards are available in the community. In making such appointments, the mayor should consider the applicants qualifications in the fields of:
- Archaeology
- Architectural history
- Conservation
- Cultural anthropology
- Curation
- Engineering
- Folklore
- Historic architecture
- Historic landscape architecture
- Historic preservation
- Historic preservation planning
- History
