The City Council of the City of Monrovia has determined the following to be the intent and purpose of historic preservation in the City of Monrovia:
(A) That the character, history and neighborhood identity of the city are reflected in and are reflections of its cultural, physical, and architectural heritage.
(B) That these historical and cultural foundations should be preserved as living parts of community life and development to build an understanding of the city's past so that future generations may have a genuine opportunity to appreciate, enjoy, and understand the rich heritage of the city.
(C) That city landmarks, neighborhoods, and other areas of historical and cultural interest are increasingly facing the threats of modernization and urbanization.
(D) That pursuant to the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the City of Monrovia joins with private concerns, the State of California, and the United States Congress to develop preservation programs and activities to give maximum encouragement to agencies and individuals undertaking preservation of the city's unique architectural, historical, aesthetic, and cultural heritage.
(E) The recognition, preservation, protection and use of all historical resources in the City of Monrovia are required in the interest of and to promote the public health, prosperity, safety, enrichment and general welfare and:
(1) To safeguard the city's unique cultural heritage as embodied and reflected in the city's architectural history and patterns of cultural development;
(2) To encourage and facilitate public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the city's historic past and unique sense of place;
(3) To foster civic and neighborhood pride and a sense of identity based on the recognition, public participation and use of cultural resources;
(4) To promote the enjoyment, celebration, and use of cultural resources appropriate for the education and recreation of the people of the city;
(5) To preserve diverse architectural styles, patterns of development, and design preferences reflecting phases of the city's history and to encourage complementary design and construction and inspire a more livable urban environment;
(6) To enhance property values and to increase economic and financial benefits to the city and its inhabitants through the exploration of creative financial incentives for preservation;
(7) To protect and enhance the city's attraction to tourists, residents, and visitors thereby stimulating business and industry;
(8) To identify as early as possible and resolve conflicts between the preservation of cultural resources and alternative land uses;
(9) To integrate the preservation of cultural resources into public and private land use management and development processes;
(10) To conserve valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance of the existing built environment;
(11) To enhance neighborhoods through the preservation of cultural resources and establishment of historic districts; and
(12) To encourage public participation in identifying and preserving historical and architectural resources thereby increasing community pride in the city's cultural heritage.
(`83 Code, § 17.40.020) (Ord. 94-03 § 6, 1994; Ord. 95-01 § 2, 1995)