(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 Glasgow is of vital importance in maintaining the economy of the city.
(C) The Council finds that Glasgow has played an important role in the development of Kentucky 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 Glasgow 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 districts and its landmarks which are a civic and community asset. 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 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.
(D) The Council finds that the adoption of an ordinance to provide a historic preservation program will benefit all the residents of Glasgow and all the owners of property.
(E) 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 chapter is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the people.
(F) The Council finds that the Main Street program will contribute to the revival of the central business district in Glasgow, that it will increase 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.
(G) 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) Protect, enhance and perpetuate the distinctive historical and/or architectural characteristics of Glasgow which represent elements of the city’s social, cultural, economic, political and architectural history;
(2) Promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the people and safeguard the city’s history and heritage as embodied and reflected in its historic districts and landmarks;
(3) Stabilize and improve property values of Glasgow’s landmarks and historic districts;
(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 attractiveness to tourists and visitors and the support of business and industry thereby provided; and
(7) Promote and assist in the development and growth, where the development or growth is consistent with the inherent value of the historic buildings, places or areas of Glasgow.
(Ord. 2400, passed 1-28-2002)