(A) The purpose of this subchapter is to promote within the City of Murray, specifically the Historic District, the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the community.
(B) Having the Council provide a mechanism to identify and preserve the distinctive historic and architectural characteristics of Murray, specifically the Historic District, which represent the city's cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.
(C) The Council finds that the historic and architectural character of Murray is of vital importance in maintaining the economy of the city.
(D) The Council finds that Murray plays an important role in the history of Kentucky and that the buildings of Murray represent the activities and growth that made the city what it is today. The Council finds that the city has buildings representing the people who live in Murray now as well as those who lived in Murray for a period of over 100 years. It is the finding of the Council that the distinctive and significant character of Murray can only be maintained by protecting and enhancing its historical, architectural and cultural heritage and by preventing unnecessary injury to its historic districts and its landmarks which are a civic and community asset.
(E) The Council funds that the Federal and Kentucky Governments have passed laws to protect historic districts and landmarks 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 historic districts and landmarks.
(F) The Council finds that the adoption of an Ordinance to provide a historic preservation program within the Historic District will benefit all the residents of Murray and all the owners of property.
(G) The Council declares as a matter of public policy that the preservation, protection, and use of historic districts and landmarks are a public benefit because they have special character and historic, architectural and cultural value and thus serve as visible reminders of the history and heritage of the city, state and nation. The Council declares as a matter of public policy that this subchapter is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, welfare and economic well-being of the people.
(H) The Council finds that the Main Street program has contributed to the revival of the central business district of Murray, that it has increased the awareness of the value of the older buildings in the city and that the historic preservation program will strengthen the current revitalization work in the city.
(I) The purpose of this subchapter is to effect the goals as set forth in the above findings and declarations of public policy and specifically, but not exclusively, to:
(1) Effect and accomplish the preservation and protection in the historic districts of Murray which have a special character and historic, architectural and cultural 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 embodied and reflected in its historic districts and landmarks in the City of Murray;
(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 and visitors; and
(7) Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity and interest of the city.
(Ord. 2003-1334, passed 11-13-03; Am. Ord. 2008-1460, passed 4-24-08)