The City Commission hereby declares that as a matter of public policy the protection, enhancement, preservation and perpetuation of landmarks and districts of historical, architectural, archeological or cultural importance and significance is necessary to promote the economic, cultural, educational and general welfare of the public. It is recognized that the city represents a unique confluence of time and place that shaped generations of its citizens, collectively and individually, and produced significant historic, architectural, and cultural resources that constitute their heritage. This chapter is intended to:
(A) Preserve, protect and enhance the landmarks and districts which represent distinctive elements of the city’s historic, architectural, archeological and cultural heritage;
(B) Promote economic prosperity and welfare of the community by encouraging the most appropriate use of the property within the city;
(C) Foster civic pride in our accomplishments of the past;
(D) Protect and enhance the city’s attractiveness to visitors and thereby provide stimulus to our economy;
(E) Ensure the harmonious, orderly and efficient growth and development of the city in historic districts;
(F) Provide a review process to protect the rights of citizens and property owners for the appropriate preservation and development of important cultural, architectural, historic and archeological resources;
(G) Maintain a generally harmonious appearance of both historic and modern structures through the use of complimentary scale, form, color, proportion, texture and material; and
(H) Encourage stabilization, restoration and improvements of properties and their values.
(Ord. 618, passed 8-28-2001)