PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 3, 2021
The Portland City Council tasked planning staff to pursue a historic district on Munjoy Hill as part of a suite of land use strategies when it approved zoning changes in June 2018. Historic district designation, covering less than 50 percent of the neighborhood, will protect some, but not all, of the neighborhood’s buildings from demolition, allowing growth to happen both within and outside the proposed boundaries. Historic district designation will ensure that new construction projects within its boundaries have a contextual relationship to the neighborhood, while still clearly being of their own time. It will also provide a forum for residents to participate in proposed changes in their neighborhood. In the months since interim protections were put into place, projects on Munjoy Hill have been reviewed and approved that expand the number of housing units in historic buildings, improve life safety and accessibility and incorporate solar energy technology. ~ Sarah Hansen, Greater Portland Landmarks