(A) The City Council finds that losses of buildings downtown and vacancies have resulted in concern about the future of the central business district, that the city has begun a Main Street Program in cooperation with the state government to help the central business district, the city has been involved in the creation of a Preservation Council, and that the city has applied for designation as a Renaissance City in recognition of its efforts to maintain a vibrant central business district.
(B) The Council finds that many buildings having historic, architectural, aesthetic, or cultural interest and value have been neglected, altered, or destroyed notwithstanding the feasibility and desirability of preserving and continuing the use of such buildings and without adequate consideration of the irreplaceable loss to the people of the city.
(C) The Council finds that neighborhoods and areas of the city have been damaged and have deteriorated or are threatened because of new construction, demolitions, alterations, and relocations that have harmed or will harm the historic and architectural character of these neighborhoods and areas notwithstanding the feasibility and desirability of preserving and improving these neighborhoods and areas through appropriate changes.
(D) The Council finds that the historic character of the central business district is of vital importance in maintaining the economy of the city.
(E) The Council finds that the city has played an important role in the development of Central Kentucky and that this growth is shown today through buildings representing the city's role as a governmental, agricultural, and commercial center. The Council finds that the city has buildings, historic sites, and areas that represent the persons who live and work or who have lived and worked in the city during its first 185 years. It is the finding of the City Council that the distinctive and significant character of this city can only be maintained by protecting and enhancing its historic, architectural, aesthetic, and cultural heritage and by preventing unnecessary injury or destruction of its landmarks and historic districts which are civic and community assets.
(F) The Council finds that the federal and Kentucky governments have passed laws to protect and preserve landmarks and historic districts, that some of these laws provide incentives for historic preservation, 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 landmarks and historic districts.
(G) The Council finds that this chapter benefits all residents of the city and all owners of property.
(H) The Council declares as a matter of public policy that the preservation, protection, perpetuation, and use of landmarks and historic districts is a public necessity because they have a special or distinctive character or special historic, architectural, aesthetic, or cultural interest and value and thus serve as visible reminders of the history and heritage of this 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.
(I) 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 do the following:
(1) Effect and accomplish the preservation, protection, perpetuation, and use of historic districts, landmarks, and landmark sites having a special or distinctive character or a special historic, architectural, aesthetic, or cultural interest and value to the city, state, and nation.
(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 such landmarks, sites, and districts.
(3) Stabilize and improve property values in such districts and in the city as a whole.
(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 attractions to residents, tourists, and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry.
(7) Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity, and interest of the city.
(8) Enhance and preserve available housing stock within the city.
(9) Facilitate coordination between various city agencies having jurisdiction over buildings and their use in the city.
(J) The Council finds that the loss of a building or structure on a historic property causes irreparable harm to all the citizens of the city who cannot be made whole by the mere payment of monetary damages.
(Ord. 2006-02, passed 2-13-06)