The city council finds and declares as a matter of public policy that the identification, designation, protection, enhancement, preservation and use of historic resources is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the culture, prosperity, education and welfare of the public. Preservation of historic resources will:

(1)   Protect, enhance and perpetuate historic, distinctive and important elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, political, archaeological and architectural history;

(2)   Safeguard the city's historic and cultural heritage as embodied and reflected in such historic resources;

(3)   Stabilize and improve property values in such locations of historic resources and thus strengthen the economy of the city;

(4)   Promote and encourage restoration, rehabilitation, and maintenance of historic properties, neighborhoods and districts and thus combat blight and decay;

(5)   Foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past;

(6)   Protect and enhance the city and its attractions to tourists and visitors and provide support and stimulus to business and industry; and

(7)   Promote the use and adaptive reuse of historic resources for the culture, education, enjoyment and economic welfare of the city's citizens and visitors.