(A) The City Council finds that buildings within the city having historic, architectural or cultural value have been significantly altered or destroyed notwithstanding the feasibility and desirability of preserving these buildings or altering them in an appropriate way.
(B) The Council finds that the historic and architectural character of the city is of vital importance in maintaining the economy of the city.
(C) The Council finds that the city has played an important role in the development of the state 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 that represent the persons who live or have lived 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 the city can only be maintained by protecting and enhancing its historic, architectural and cultural heritage and by preventing unnecessary injury to its historic district and its landmarks which are a civic and community asset.
(D) The Council finds that the Federal and Kentucky Governments have passed laws to protect historic districts and landmarks and that the National Historic Preservation Act, being 54 U.S.C. §§ 3000101 et seq., 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 historic districts and landmarks.
(E) The Council finds that the adoption of an ordinance to provide an historic preservation program will benefit all the residents of the city and all the owners of property.
(F) The City Council declares as a matter of public policy that the preservation, protection and use of historic districts and landmarks are a public benefit because they have a special character and historic, architectural and cultural value and thus serve as visible reminders of the history and heritage of the city, state and nation. The Council declares as a matter of public policy that this subchapter is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the people.
(G) The Council finds that the Main Street Program has contributed to the revival of the central business district in the city, that it has increased the awareness of the value of the older buildings in the city and that the historic preservation program will strengthen the current revitalization work in the city.
(Ord. 16-2012, passed 8-6-2012)