It is found that the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of structures, districts and neighborhoods of historical and architectural significance located within the city are of cultural and aesthetic benefit to the community. It is further found that the economic, cultural and aesthetic standing of this city will be enhanced by respecting the heritage of the city. The purposes of this chapter are to:
(a) Designate, preserve, protect, enhance and perpetuate those historic structures, districts and neighborhoods which contribute to the cultural and aesthetic heritage of Palo Alto;
(b) Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past;
(c) Stabilize and improve the economic value of certain historic structures, districts and neighborhoods;
(d) Develop and maintain appropriate settings for such structures;
(e) Enrich the educational and cultural dimensions of human life by serving aesthetic as well as material needs and fostering knowledge of the living heritage of the past;
(f) Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity and interest of the city;
(g) Establish special requirements so as to assure the preservation and the satisfactory maintenance of significant historic structures within the downtown area.
(Ord. 3721 § 1 (part), 1986)