A one-room schoolhouse that was hauled across country roads south of Oregon City in 2023 is one public hearing away from historic protection that would govern any future changes to the building.

The Clackamas County Historic Review Board will consider application Z0155-26 to designate the Carus School House as a Historic Landmark at its 7 p.m. virtual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, according to the board's posted agenda.

The schoolhouse sits at 22575 S. Highway 213 in Oregon City. Jessey Cereghino filed the application.

The building was not always at that address. KPTV reported in August 2023 that the schoolhouse, described as roughly 100 years old at the time, was being moved from its original spot at the corner of Highway 213 and Carus Road.

The move required crossing two country roads and passing through land owned by five different property owners. The county has not published a completion date for the relocation.

What landmark status means

Under Oregon law, a property owner must request or approve a historic landmark designation. If the seven-member Historic Review Board recommends approval, the Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision.

The commissioners would apply a Historic Overlay Zone under Section 707 of the county's zoning ordinance.

A structure must score 40 or more points on architectural, environmental and historic association criteria to qualify, according to the county's landmark program page. Once designated, any exterior alterations or additions require board approval.

The overlay zoning may open the property to additional uses and, when available, make it eligible for restoration funding.

About 300 buildings and structures in unincorporated Clackamas County were designated as landmarks over roughly a decade, according to the county. Property owners have been able to apply for the designation since 1992.

How to participate

The Oct. 8 meeting will be held on Zoom. The webinar ID is 880 1144 9482, and residents can call in at 971-247-1195. Free language assistance is available with 48 hours' notice by contacting Darcy Renhard at [email protected] or 503-742-4545.

Joy Fields, principal planner with Clackamas County, is the staff contact for the application. She can be reached at [email protected] or 503-742-4510.