Council, in being mindful of the proud history of this community and of the importance of the historic district in the everyday lives of our citizens, hereby declares as a matter of public policy that the continued preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and overall improvement of our historic district are matters of public necessity involving the health, safety, prosperity and welfare of the entire community. Through establishment of the Historic District and Board of Architectural Review, the Village of Barnesville seeks to accomplish the following specific purposes:
(a) Protect and enhance the attractiveness of the Historic District as it relates to residents, tourists and visitors; serves as a support and stimulant to business; and thereby strengthens the economy for the Village and its residents;
(b) Promote the use and preservation of historic buildings, structures and sites within the Historic District which reflect the cultural, social, economic or architectural heritage of the community for the education and general welfare of the residents of the Village;
(c) Maintain and enhance property values by safeguarding the architectural integrity of the various period structures within the Historic District, and preventing intrusions and alterations within the district that would be incompatible with the historic character;
(d) Provide for a means of design review to assure that the upkeep, rehabilitation, renovation and reuse of desirable older and historic structures, as well as the construction of new structures, is compatible with their historical and architectural settings, and will contribute to the continuance, conservation and improvement of the historic resources of the Village; and
(e) Enrich the quality of life for residents of the Village by providing and enhancing the historic resource that is the downtown district.
(Ord. 1875. Passed 2-1-93.)