(a) (1) The purpose of this Chapter is to preserve and protect historic properties in the Village of Greenhills, and any subsequently designated local historic landmarks, historic district(s), contributing buildings, and historic sites. In order to preserve and protect the historic character of existing and future historic districts and/or local historic landmarks, the regulations of this Chapter are imposed in addition to other zoning regulations contained in the Zoning Code and thus comprise an overlay of additional regulations.
(2) The provisions of this Chapter shall control and supersede, wherever inconsistent with other existing provisions of the Zoning Code, all regulations of the underlying zone district. Otherwise, all existing provisions of the Zoning Code shall remain in full force and effect and shall govern all proposed land uses and development except as supplemented by this Chapter.
(b) The character of the Village is directly linked to the economic, social, historical, and cultural health and well-being of the community. This Chapter, therefore, establishes procedures to maintain the historic character of select local historic landmarks and/or districts within the Village and obtain the following objectives:
(1) To maintain and enhance the Greenhills Comprehensive Plan and safeguard the Village's attractions to prospective residents, businesses and visitors by preserving the distinctive character of historic local historic landmarks and/or districts.
(2) To safeguard the architectural integrity of the Village's local historic landmark buildings and allow for future addition of local historic landmarks and/or districts.
(3) To safeguard the heritage of the Village by preserving sites, buildings, objects, landscapes and works of art that reflect elements of the Village's cultural, social, economic, political or architectural heritage.
(4) To seek alternatives to demolition or incompatible alterations of local historic landmarks and/or districts within the Village before such acts are performed.
(5) To afford the widest possible scope of continuing vitality through private renewal and architectural creativity within appropriate controls and standards.
(6) To encourage the use or appropriate development of vacant properties, as applicable, in accordance with the character of local historic landmarks and/or districts.
(7) To combat urban blight caused by neglect of aging buildings, sites and districts and their setting.
(8) To encourage investment in historic resources and strengthening of the Village's economy.
(9) To enhance the environmental and aesthetic quality of the Village.
(10) To stabilize and improve property values.
(11) To promote preservation and continued use of historic public buildings such as the Greenhills Community Building and Marquardt-Whallon House.
(12) To protect public health, safety, prosperity, and welfare.
(c) It is the further intent of this section to discourage the subdivision of lots in ways that would conflict with the historic patterns of development in historic district(s).
(Ord. 2013-04-CD. Passed 4-2-13.)