This district is established to recognize that movements and shifts in population and changes in residential, commercial and industrial land use and customs threaten with deterioration and disappearance the property and improvements of the city which are sources of its tradition and stability. In the interest of the public's health, safety and general welfare and to advance sound urban planning, it is necessary that those properties and improvements having special historical, architectural, community or aesthetic significance be preserved, enhanced and continued in or restored to use. The preservation district is an overlay district and shall impose appropriate regulations on designated property, in addition to the requirements contained in the basic underlying zoning district. The purposes of the preservation district are the following:
A. To survey, identify, designate, preserve, enhance, and perpetuate those properties and improvements which reflect the historical, cultural, political, economic, artistic, social, ethnic or other heritage of nation, state or community; or which have a special community or aesthetic interest or value to the city or which may be representative of an architectural or engineering type inherently valuable for the study of a period, style, craftsmanship, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials;
B. To preserve and protect the character and vitality of traditional neighborhoods from the adverse effects of inappropriate development that could detract or have a blighting effect on the quality of life in these areas;
C. To preserve the existing housing stock to conserve and improve the city's tax base and to promote economic development through restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance;
D. To foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past and to promote education of the general public concerning preservation;
E. To protect and enhance the attractiveness of the city to homeowners, homebuyers, tourists, visitors, businesses and shoppers, and thereby support and stimulate business, commerce and industry and provide an economic benefit to the city;
F. To foster and encourage preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of structures, areas and neighborhoods, and thereby prevent future urban blight and in some cases reverse current urban deterioration;
G. To encourage the continued private ownership and use of designated properties and improvements to the maximum extent consistent with the above objectives. (Ord. 2013-20)