The purpose of the Preservation Chapter is to provide policies and controls that promote Eureka’s historical and cultural resources as a means to enhance heritage tourism, economic development and a livable community; preserve and protect city-owned historical and cultural resources; identify, interpret and designate the historical and cultural resources within the city; maintain an active historic preservation program within the city; strive to make new development compatible with existing historical and cultural resources; actively pursue funding for historic preservation, including funding for educational materials, studies, surveys and incentives; encourage both public and private stewardship of historical and cultural resources within the city. Additionally, this chapter was adopted to accomplish the following:
(A) Designate historic districts and properties.
(B) Foster civic and neighborhood pride regarding the beauty and accomplishments of the past and a sense of identity based on the city’s history.
(C) Encourage the maintenance of historic properties and ensure that they are well maintained.
(D) Prohibit demolition of historical and cultural resources except under clearly defined circumstances where appropriate.
(E) Assure additions and exterior alterations to historic properties conserve or enhance historic character.
(F) Encourage infill development that reflects the character of existing neighborhoods.
(G) Educate the public about the importance of preservation and about appropriate design and use of compatible building materials.
(H) Conserving valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance.
(I) Initiate incentives for designation of historic properties and districts to support maintenance of those properties and districts.
(J) Use the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for the Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Reconstruction of Historic and Cultural Resources.
(Ord. 715-C.S., passed 11-27-07; Am. Ord. 791-C.S., passed 12-4-12)