Intent and purpose

(a)

The intent of this chapter is to preserve and protect the heritage of the city through the identification, evaluation, rehabilitation, adaptive use, restoration, and public awareness of Miami's historic, architectural, and archaeological resources. This chapter is further intended to:

(1)

Effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of structures, landscape features, archaeological and pale ontological resources, areas, neighborhoods, and scenic vistas which represent distinctive elements of the city's historic, cultural, archaeological, pale ontological, aesthetic, and architectural heritage.

(2)

Foster civic pride in the accomplishments of the past.

(3)

Protect and enhance the aesthetic and environmental character, diversity, and interest of neighborhoods.

(4)

Stabilize and improve property values in neighborhoods and in the city.

(5)

Protect and enhance the city's attraction to residents, tourists, and visitors and thereby serve as a support and stimulus to the economy.

(6)

Promote the use of historic resources, historic districts, and archaeological sites and zones for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the city.

(b)

The purpose of this chapter is to:

(1)

Provide the framework and legal mechanism for identifying and designating those properties that have major significance in the city's historic, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, aesthetic, and architectural heritage.

(2)

Provide a mechanism whereby the HEPB may, in the interest of historic preservation, waive certain zoning requirements for those existing structures deemed individually significant, or "contributing" within a designated historic district, or a thematically-related historic resource within a multiple property designation.

(3)

Provide a mechanism whereby the historic and environmental preservation board may, in the interests of historic preservation, allow signage which has been deemed "historic" to remain, and be repaired, restored, relocated, structurally altered, or reconstructed.

(4)

Through the historic preservation exception or exclusion, provide mechanisms for the granting of certain uses when the granting of such use is necessary to encourage or assure the continued preservation of the individually designated historic resource, or "contributing" building within a historic district, or a thematically-related historic resource within a multiple property designation.

(5)

Provide an incentive for historic resources, and those deemed "eligible" by the city HEPB for historic designation, known as "Transfer of Development Rights and Density for Historic Resources."

(6)

Establish minimum standards to qualify eligible resources, that while not yet officially locally designated under the provisions of this chapter, qualify as eligible for listing and thereby may apply for transfer of development rights and density, provided that the resource is formally listed in the city register of historic places within one year from the date of the historic and environmental preservation board's review of the application.

(7)

Establish procedures for the review of nominations to the national register of historic places as governed by the requirements of the state division of historical resources.

(8)

Assure that alterations and new construction within designated historic sites, historic districts, multiple property designations, and archaeological zones are compatible with the property's historic character.

(c)

Pursuant to subsection 16A-3(2)(c) of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, the city expressly reserves and retains jurisdiction over archaeological zones and sites within the city.

(Ord. No. 13008, § 2, 6-26-08; Ord. No. 13116, § 2, 10-22-09; Ord. No. 13180, § 2, 5-27-10; Ord. No. 13537, § 2, 7-23-15; Ord. No. 13712, § 2, 11-16-17; Ord. No. 13785, § 2, 9-13-18)