(A) The City Council finds that there is concern about the future of the Central Business District and that the Commission has begun a Main Street Program in cooperation with the commonwealth government to help the Central Business District.
(B) The Council finds that many buildings having historic, architectural, aesthetic, or cultural interest and value have been neglected, altered, or destroyed, notwithstanding the feasibility and desirability of preserving and continuing the use of such buildings and without adequate consideration of the irreplaceable loss to the people of the Commission.
(C) The Council finds that neighborhoods and areas of the Commission have been damaged and have deteriorated or are threatened because of new construction, demolitions, alterations, and relocations that have harmed or will harm the historic and architectural character of these neighborhoods and areas notwithstanding the feasibility and desirability of preserving and improving these neighborhoods and areas through appropriate changes.
(D) The Council finds that the historic and architectural character of the Central Business District is of vital importance in maintaining the integrity and economy of the Commission.
(E) (1) The Council finds that the city has played an important role in the development of the commonwealth and that this growth is shown today through buildings representing the activity as a governmental, agricultural, and commercial center.
(2) The Council finds that the city has buildings, historic sites, and areas that represent the persons who live and work or have lived and worked in the city during its history. It is the finding of the City Council that the distinctive and significant character of this city can only be maintained by protecting and enhancing its historic, architectural, aesthetic, and cultural heritage and by preventing unnecessary injury or destruction of its landmarks and historic districts which are civic and community assets.
(F) The Council finds that the federal and commonwealth governments have passed laws to protect and preserve landmarks and historic districts, that some of these laws provide incentives for historic preservation, and that the National Historic Preservation Act, being 16 U.S.C. §§ 470 et seq. 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 landmarks and historic districts.
(G) The Council finds that this chapter benefits all the residents of the city and all the owners of property.
(H) The City Council declares as a matter of public policy that the preservation, protection, perpetuation, and use of landmarks and historic districts is a public necessity because they have a special or distinctive character or a special historic, architectural, aesthetic, or cultural interest and value and thus serve as visible reminders of the history and heritage of this city, commonwealth, and nation. The Council declares as a matter of public policy that this chapter is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety, welfare, and economic well-being of the people.
(I) The purpose of this chapter is to affect 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, protection, perpetuation, and use of historic districts, landmarks, and landmark sites having a special or distinctive character or a special historic, architectural, aesthetic, or cultural interest and value to the Commission, commonwealth, and nation;
(2) Promote the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the people and safeguard the Commission’s history and heritage as embodied and reflected in such landmarks, sites, and districts;
(3) Stabilize and improve property values in such districts and in the Commission as a whole;
(4) Foster civic pride in the value of notable accomplishments of the past;
(5) Strengthen the economy of the Commission;
(6) Protect and enhance the Commission’s attractions to residents, tourists, and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry; and
(7) Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity, and interest of the Commission.
(Ord. 648B-01, passed 9-10-2001; Ord. 734-06, passed 11-13-2006)