(A) The City Council finds that buildings and neighborhoods having historic, architectural, or cultural interest and value have been neglected, altered, or destroyed notwithstanding the feasibility and desirability of preserving and continuing the use of such buildings and neighborhoods and without adequate consideration of the irreplaceable loss to the public.
(B) The Council finds that the historic character of the city is of vital importance in maintaining the economy of the city and that its historic buildings and neighborhoods can be preserved, improved, and used by means of appropriate changes.
(C) The Council finds that the city has well-established residential and business districts and that the history of the city is shown today through buildings representing the activities and events during its growth. The Council finds that the city has buildings and areas that represent the persons who live and work or have lived and worked in the city during a period of more than 100 years. It is the finding of the City Council that the distinctive and significant character of this city can only be maintained by protecting and enhancing its historic, architectural, and cultural heritage and by preventing unnecessary injury or destruction of its landmarks and historic districts which are civic and community assets.
(D) The Council finds that the federal and state governments have passed laws to protect and preserve landmarks and historic districts, that some of these laws provide incentives for historic preservation, and that the National Historic Preservation Act was amended in 1980 to establish a certified local government program creating a new federal-state-local partnership to encourage the efforts by cities to protect and preserve their landmarks and historic districts.
(E) The Council finds that individual historic preservation projects have already been undertaken in the city and that this chapter will encourage additional preservation work that will be important in achieving the goals of the city.
(F) The Council finds that this chapter will benefit all the residents of the city and all the owners of property.
(G) The City Council declares as a matter of public policy that the preservation, protection, and use of landmarks and historic districts is a public necessity because they have a special character or a special historic, architectural, or cultural interest and value and thus serve as visible reminders of the history and heritage of this city, state, and nation. The Council declares as a matter of public policy that this chapter is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, welfare, and economic well-being of the people.
(H) The purpose of this chapter is to effect the goals as set forth in the above findings and declarations of public policy and specifically, but not exclusively, to:
(1) Accomplish the preservation, protection, and use of historic districts, landmarks, and landmark sites having a special character or special historic, architectural, or cultural interest and value to this city, state, and nation;
(2) Promote the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the people and safeguard the city’s history and heritage as reflected in such landmarks, sites, and districts;
(3) Stabilize and improve property values in such districts and in the city as a whole;
(4) Foster civic pride in the value of notable accomplishments of the past;
(5) Strengthen the economy of the city;
(6) Protect and enhance the city’s attractions to residents, tourists, and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business; and
(7) Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity, and interest of the city.
(I) The Revised Historic Preservation Guidelines are adopted by reference as if set forth in full herein. Any provision of Chapter 153 which may be in conflict therewith is repealed.
(Ord. 87-12-1, passed 12-28-87; Am. Ord. 92-9-4, passed 9-30-92)