From the Federal perspective (the National Register of Historic Places is part of the National Park Service), a property owner can do whatever they want with their property as long as there are no Federal monies attached to the property.
I think you probably mean the metaphor of piercing eyes, it means someone who has a really intense look in their eyes. Sometimes it could be that the colour of their eyes is quite different, like a really icy blue colour. piercing eyes are eyes that can see straight through a person. SUPP is right.
Piercing eyes are eyes that can be immobilizing, or very sharp. They leave on impression on the person who is looking at the eyes. Piercing eyes are generally a light color, or wide, something that really stands out, instead of someone making a piercing expression. more.