§ 98-186. Intent and purpose.

(1)

The purpose of this article is to promote, protect, and preserve, when practical, the historic structures, buildings, and places that are of basic and vital importance to the maintenance and integrity of the City of Winter Garden's Historic Downtown District. Furthermore, it is the purpose of this article to encourage new commercial buildings and developments in the business district that are harmonious with the existing local historic flavor of eclectic late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Florida vernacular architecture. New residential structures and those that need renovations or expansion will be required to utilize a style of residential architecture compatible with the historic downtown district. Historic preservation enhances community pride, strengthens connections between citizens of different generations, promotes the community's orderly growth, and achieves a high aesthetic appearance. By promoting the historic downtown district as an interesting, unique, and walkable environment, it is the purpose of this Ordinance to promote the community's health, safety, general welfare, local economy, and in particular:

(a)

Create and enhance walkable, pedestrian-oriented streets with human scale architecture, public spaces, street furnishings, and indigenous landscaping;

(b)

Improve the visual appearance and physical access to side streets from Plant Street between and including Park Avenue and Dillard Street. These side streets include Woodland, Main, Boyd, Lakeview and Highland.

(c)

Design for safe, walkable streets, while maintaining functionality for vehicles, bicycles, mass transit, and other forms of transportation. Promote pedestrian activity and interconnectivity between the business district and residential district with short blocks, wide sidewalks, pathways, and a mix of uses within walking distance.

(d)

Coordinate private improvements with public streetscape.

(e)

Improve the aesthetic qualities of gateways into the historic downtown district, including Dillard Street, and the area of the Plant Street and Park Avenue intersection.

(2)

Relationship to zoning districts. These regulations are intended to provide the framework to measure and protect historic or architecturally worthy buildings, structures, sites, parks, residential areas, and commercial district. These regulations are intended to act as an overlay to existing zoning designations. Zoning amendments may be applied to designated historic structures, districts and sites in accordance with local codes and procedures.

(Ord. No. 10-05, § 2(Exh. 1), 1-14-10)