§ 170-1. Purpose.

A. 

The City Council of the City of New Rochelle hereby finds and declares that it is desirable to take measures to provide for the creation of historic districts and landmark sites and structures in furtherance of the following public purposes, which are found to promote the economic benefits, the cultural and educational advantages and the general welfare of the residents of the City of New Rochelle:

(1) 

To provide for the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of those districts, sites and structures which are illustrative of the growth and development of our nation, our state and our City and which are of particular historic or aesthetic value to New Rochelle.

(2) 

To recognize and ensure the preservation of those elements of the City's past which represent many and varied architectural, artistic and cultural achievements which cannot be duplicated or otherwise replaced.

(3) 

To promote the use of historic districts and landmark sites and structures as a means of providing enjoyment and unique educational benefit by perpetuating the physical evidence of New Rochelle's past.

(4) 

To stabilize and improve property values of such districts, sites and structures and otherwise promote their reuse.

(5) 

To protect and enhance the City's attractions to tourists and visitors and the support and stimulus to business and industry thereby provided.

(6) 

To foster civic pride in those elements of the City's past which gave New Rochelle its unique character and set it apart from other communities.

B. 

The City Council of the City of New Rochelle hereby further finds and declares that demolition or decay of historic landmarks and inappropriateness or poor quality of design in the exterior appearance of buildings erected in historic districts adversely affects the desirability of the immediate area and neighboring areas for residential and business or other uses and, by so doing, impairs the benefits of occupancy of existing property in such areas, impairs the stability and value of both improved and unimproved real property in such areas and destroys a proper relationship between the taxable value of property in such areas and the cost of municipal services provided therefor.