A. Purpose. Periodically, it may be necessary to remove the designation of an historic landmark. Removal is an effort to reflect changing conditions, community values, or needs.

B. Initiation. The process of removing a historic landmark/district from the inventory may be initiated by the Planning Commission, City Council, the Landmarks Board, the property owner, or by any other interested person.

C. Procedure. Review of a request for removal of designation is heard by the Landmarks Board who is the final review body unless an appeal is filed. The Landmarks Board shall conduct a quasi judicial hearing in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 17.09 of the Hood River Municipal Code taking into consideration the review criteria and public testimony.

D. Application. An application for removal for a historic landmark/district designation shall be prepared and filed with the Planning Department, using forms prescribed by the Planning Director. The Planning Director shall fix a date and time for a public hearing before the Landmarks Board.

E. Review Criteria. The Landmarks Board shall evaluate the request for removal of the historic landmark/district designation based upon findings that removal of the historic designation will not adversely impact properties in the surrounding area or integrity of the historic district or of another historic landmark on the same parcel. In order to approve an application, it must be found that at least one (1) of the following has occurred since the site was listed as a historic landmark/district:

F. Exceptions. The Planning Director shall delete any demolished or removed historic landmark/district from the official Inventory through an administrative review if the property is damaged in excess of seventy percent (70%) of its previous value due to vandalism, fire, flood, wind, earthquake, or other natural disasters.