As renovation crews make significant progress on the 1927-era single-family home at 1006 NE 72nd Avenue, the new owners look to split the underlying lots at its historic demarcation point. The modest house sits approximately two feet from the proposed property line, necessitating an exception that is currently under consideration by Portland Permitting & Development. If approved, the existing home would occupy a 25-foot-wide parcel, leaving a 37-foot by 100-foot property to the north for future sale and development.
Kimco Properties purchased the 894-square-foot house in March and began making improvements. Contractors replaced the sewer line and installed a bathroom in the basement. That update, along with other work in the main living area, created three total bathrooms where the original home had just one. The nearly century-old structure — with a similar width to modern infill homes — now stands renewed with new steps on the way and a back deck.
Two lots from the original Brainard subdivision constitute the NE 72nd Avenue site, and Kimco Properties sought to utilize a Lot Confirmation (PR 25-053270 LC) to separate the underlying parcels. A lot confirmation verifies one or more lots previously combined by past owners for tax purposes, and the process can reestablish a historic lot line. Developers often see it as a more straightforward process for division compared to using the property line adjustment (PLA) process. However, the city requires a lot confirmation review to ensure any existing development meets city standards after the separation of the parcels. In this case, the reestablished lot line was just over two feet from the house’s exterior wall and right at the roof’s overhang. City code specifies that the minimum distance of a wall from a new property line should be five feet, and three feet for an eave, in this zone. The requirement provides a ten-foot distance between houses. Exceptions to this rule are not uncommon as long as they meet established standards, and new development on the adjacent lot can mitigate the impact of placing the lot line so close to the original building’s edge.
After crews complete the renovations at 1006 NE 72nd Avenue, the property is expected to return to the real estate market for sale. If City staff approve LU 25-042546 AD, then the new property could sell to a housing developer, or Kimco Properties could build on it in the future. This company is a frequent creator of housing in the neighborhood under the FX Homes name.
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