Section 802. Purpose.
A. It is hereby declared as a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement and preservation of properties and areas of historical, cultural, archaeological and aesthetic significance are in the interests of the health, prosperity and welfare of the people of the City of Phoenix. It is further intended to recognize past needless losses of historic properties which had substantial value to the historical and cultural heritage of the citizens of Phoenix, and to take reasonable measures to prevent similar losses in the future. Therefore, this ordinance is intended to provide for the establishment of Historic Preservation Districts in order to:
1. Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and preservation of improvements and landscape features of landmarks, districts and archaeological resources which represent distinctive elements of the City’s cultural, educational, social, economic, political, architectural and archaeological history.
2. Safeguard the City’s historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in such districts.
3. Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past.
4. Protect and enhance the City’s attraction to visitors and the support and stimulus to the economy thereby provided.
5. Promote the use of Historic Preservation Districts and properties for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of the City of Phoenix.
B. It is further declared that the purposes of this ordinance are:
1. With respect to an historic property and the properties in Historic Preservation Districts:
a. To retain and enhance those properties which contribute to the character of the Historic Preservation District and to encourage their adaptation for current use.
b. To assure that alterations of existing structures are compatible with the character of the Historic Preservation District.
c. To assure new construction and subdivision of lots in an Historic Preservation District are compatible with the character of this Historic Preservation District.
d. To recognize the value of Historic Preservation Districts and the contributions which they make to the cultural, educational and historical values of the City, and to encourage the maintenance and preservation of Historic Preservation Districts for future generations by appropriate changes to historic properties.
e. To retain and enhance historic properties in the City of Phoenix and to encourage their adaptation for current use.
f. To encourage the restoration of historic properties.
2. With respect to archaeological resources:
a. To encourage identification of the location of both pre-historic and historic archaeological resources.
b. To assist with the preservation of these resources, within developments where appropriate, and with recovery of the resources where applicable.
c. To encourage recognition of the fact that archaeological resources found on public land are the property of all citizens, and are not private property. Archaeological resources found on City-owned lands are the property of the City.
C. The adoption of this ordinance is declared to be in the public interest and is for a public purpose.