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.
penÂ·eÂ·tratÂ·ing. Use penetrating in a sentence. that can penetrate: a penetrating oil. sharp; piercing: a penetrating sound or smell. keen or acute; discerning: a penetrating mind.