(a) Declaration. Council declares as a matter of public policy that preserving, protecting, and enhancing the distinctive and unique character of buildings and sites within the City of Lima that have historic, architectural, or archaeological significance, and fostering the harmonious and compatible external appearance of such properties are matters of public necessity and are required in the interest of the public safety, health, morals, convenience, prosperity, and welfare; and to achieve the purposes of this chapter, an Historic Preservation Board is hereby established.
(b) Purposes. The purposes of this chapter are to provide a means for the designation and protection of historic preservation districts in the City pursuant to the procedures hereinafter described, to preserve, protect, and perpetuate places, buildings, structures, works of art, and other objects having a special historical, community, or aesthetic interest or value, all for the reasons described below:
(1) Preserve, protect, and enhance the distinctive and unique character of a district, and foster the harmonious and compatible external appearance of the properties within a district;
(2) Prevent the irreplaceable loss to the people of the City the aesthetic, cultural, and historic values represented by the properties within a district;
(3) Stabilize and improve property values within a district;
(4) Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishment of the past;
(5) Enhance the City’s attraction as a desirable place in which to live, thereby providing an incentive for new businesses and industries to locate in and around the City, and for established businesses and industries to remain in and around the City;
(6) To maintain and enhance the distinctive character of historic buildings and areas;
(7) To safeguard the heritage of the City by preserving districts which reflect elements of its history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture;
(8) To facilitate reinvestment in and revitalization of certain older districts and neighborhoods;
(9) Encourage the use of the district for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people; and
(10) To take necessary measures to safeguard the property rights of the owners whose property is declared to be “Historic” or is in an area designated as an Historic Preservation District.
(Ord. 041-20. Passed 2-24-20.)