It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination:
(a) That the City is richly endowed with numerous historic buildings, structures, sites and districts which represent the historical, architectural and cultural heritage of this City;
(b) That the City's heritage, represented by such historic buildings, structures, sites and districts can best be identified, studied, preserved and protected for the general welfare of residents of this City, by authorizing and empowering action for this purpose at the local level.
(c) That the preservation and protection of such historic buildings, structures, sites and districts aid economic development, improve property values, enhance the City's historic attractions to tourists and visitors and aid the development of education of this City by preservation of such heritage for future generations;
(d) That the preservation of this heritage is essential to the promotion of the prosperity, education and general welfare of the residents and the City.
(e) That Council hereby finds that it is the public policy and the public interest of this City to engage in a comprehensive program of historic preservation, along with the private sector, to promote the use and preservation of its heritage for the education and general welfare of the people of the City; and, accordingly, this article shall be broadly construed in order to accomplish the purposes herein set forth.
(Ord. 9488. Passed 8-22-89.)