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January 2025 Millcreek Together Code Update I 18.73 Historic Preservation Summary Sheet Chapter 18.73 Historic Preservation Summary A. Purpose. Millcreek (the “City”) recognizes that the historical heritage of the community is among its most valued and important assets. It is the intent of the City to identify, preserve, protect, and enhance historic neighborhoods, buildings, sites, monuments, streetscapes and landmarks within the City deemed architecturally or historically significant. By protecting such historically significant sites and structures, they will be preserved for the use, observation, education, pleasure, and general welfare of the present and future residents of the city. B. What Changed. o Language is not being removed from the existing code and additions to the code mainly surround enforcement policies. o Enforcement rules have been moved to their own section in the code. o There is new language contemplating rules surrounding demolition of a historic property. C. What Remained the Same. o Most of the changes are formatting and technical with the majority remaining the same. D. Rationale for Changes. The balance staff is seeking is an enforcement policy that will discourage unlicensed demolition without being too burdensome. In recent years, historic properties have been torn down without seeking Certificate of Historic Appropriateness, leading to a loss of cherished historic resources without proper documentation. Planning staff wants to strike a balance that is fair but severely discourages demolition without prior approval.