A. THE JACKSONVILLE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE

"It shall be the goal of the City of Jacksonville to identify, document, protect, and preserve its archaeological, historic, architectural, and cultural resources. Instilling public awareness of those resources shall be a part of that effort."

With that goal, the City of Jacksonville in 1990 adopted a Historic Preservation Element as part of its Comprehensive Plan. The element defines the City's role in addressing historic preservation issues and concerns. In the fall of 1990, the City enacted the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Ordinance (#90-706-486). The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 307 Ordinance Code, gives the City the authority to regulate physical changes to individual landmarks and to buildings and sites within historic districts. The authority of the City is derived from the traditional power and responsibility of government to restrict individual conduct or use of property and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. This power and responsibility are essentially left to local governments and can play a significant role in protecting or preserving historic resources. The 1980 amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 encouraged local governments to strengthen municipal legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties. Through its home-rule law, the State of Florida permits local government to exercise the powers of self government, subject to the constitution and general laws of the state. In the exercise of government to protect historic resources, the authority is generally employed in the enactment and implementation of a historic preservation ordinance, as was done in Jacksonville.

Local preservation ordinances are the most effective method of regulating changes to historic resources. It is not an arbitrary and capricious exercise of municipal authority, but a necessary action to preserve the community's cultural, archaeological, and architectural heritage and thus to maintain economic and social value.

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B. JACKSONVILLE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Ordinance established the seven-member Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission. The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission is appointed by the Mayor of the City of Jacksonville with City Council approval, and is provided administrative support by the Jacksonville Planning and Development Department.

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