§ 24-51. Purpose.

The City Council of the City of Waxahachie does hereby declare that as a matter of public policy the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of areas and landmarks of historical and cultural importance and significance is necessary to promote the economic, cultural, educational and general welfare of the public. It is recognized that the historic resources of the City of Waxahachie represent the unique confluence of time and place that has shaped the identity of generations of citizens, collectively and individually, and these resources constitute the heritage of the citizens of Waxahachie.

This article is intended to:

(1)

Perpetuate, protect, enhance, and preserve the historic resources and historic areas, which represent distinctive elements of Waxahachie's historic, architectural, social, economic, ethnic, and political heritage and to develop appropriate settings for such places by allowing property owners a vehicle for protecting their property by participation in this ordinance;

(2)

Safeguard the city's historic and cultural heritage, as embodied and reflected in historic resources, by application of appropriate resources;

(3)

Stabilize and improve property values in such locations;

(4)

Provide property owners with an opportunity to voluntarily participate in the historic resource designation process and to receive all the benefits accrued by such participation;

(5)

Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past, and to promote the use of historic landmarks for the culture, prosperity, education, and general welfare of the people of the City of Waxahachie;

(6)

Strengthen the economy of the city and to protect and enhance the city's attractions to tourists and visitors, as well as provide support and stimulus to business and industry;

(7)

Provide information to property owners and tenants as well as civic organizations concerned with historical preservation.

( Ord. No. 2997, 2-5-18 )