The purposes and intent of this chapter are as follows:
A. To identify, designate, protect, preserve and encourage the restoration, rehabilitation and adaptation for continued use of those properties and structures which represent or reflect the prehistoric, historic, cultural, artistic, social, economic, ethnic or political heritage of the Nation, State of Illinois, or County of McHenry, or which may be representative of an architectural or engineering type inherently valuable for the study of style, period, craftsmanship, method of construction or use of indigenous materials;
B. To safeguard the county’s historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such structures, landscape features and areas as seen in such examples as houses, factories, mills, creameries, barns, silos, total farm sites, bridges and iron fences;
C. To stabilize and improve the economic vitality and value of designated landmarks and preservation districts in particular and of the County of McHenry in general;
D. To educate the general public, government officials, and commercial and industrial interests of historic preservation which need to be fostered continually through the preservation ordinance;
E. To work with county and municipal zoning, planning and building departments in the development and application of a historic preservation program;
F. To encourage municipalities to adopt the county ordinance or to write and pass an ordinance of their own;
G. To foster civic pride in the technological accomplishments, beauty and nobility of the past;
H. To protect and enhance the county’s attraction to tourists and visitors, and to support and provide stimulus to business and industry;
I. To strengthen the economy of the County of McHenry; and
J. To promote the use of historic districts, landmarks and landscapes for the education, pleasure and welfare of the citizens of McHenry County.
(Ord. O-9110-1200-49, Art. 1, § 1, passed 10-15-1991)