Article 1 — General

The city council declares as a matter of public policy that the preservation, protection, perpetuation and use of areas, places, sites, buildings, structures, works of art and other objects having a special historical or archeological community interest or value is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the health, prosperity, safety and welfare of the people. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a means to:

(a)

Delay the sudden, arbitrary, impetuous and capricious destruction or removal of historical and archeological landmarks; and to control or delay the remodeling thereof when such action would have the effect of destroying or changing the landmark;

(b)

Safeguard the heritage of the city by preserving and perpetuating locations, areas, places, sites, buildings, structures, monuments, works of art and other objects or things which reflect elements of the city's cultural, historical, archeological, social, economic, political, agricultural, military, educational or architectural history;

(c)

Protect and enhance the city's attractiveness to residents, tourists and visitors;

(d)

Enhance the visual and aesthetic character, diversity and interest of the city;

(e)

Foster civic pride in the beauty and notable accomplishments of the past and enrich human life in its educational, patriotic, civic and cultural dimensions;

(f)

Promote the use and preservation of historic and/or archeological locations, places, sites, structures, objects or things for the education and general welfare of the people of the city;

(g)

Take necessary steps to safeguard the property rights of the owner whose property is declared to be a "landmark."

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)

For purposes of this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following words and phrases have the meanings given in this section:

(a)

"Environmental change" means any change in the design or elevation of or the exterior remodeling of any building; or the destruction or removal of such building; or any physical change in the grounds for which some land use entitlement, such as a grading permit, a building permit or site plan approval is required.

(b)

"Landmark" means any location, area, place, site, building, structure, monument, work of art and other object or thing which has been designated as a historical landmark pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 159 § 1 (part), 1976)