The purpose of the Downtown Historic Overlay District is to provide incentives to preserve Point Pleasant Beach's historic seashore character and buildings constructed between 1880 and 1980. The intent is to preserve existing buildings to the historic style, features and materials of their origin without designation or strict application of historic guidelines. Where preservation is not practical or appropriate, new construction and exterior work compatible with the historic seashore character of that building's construction period pursuant to the design guidelines herein is expected. The overlay district is an incentive to be used at the owner's/applicant's option. The District retains the existing General Commercial (GC) and Highway Commercial (HC) Zoning Districts and those districts' regulations except as noted herein. The following provisions and incentives may be used for building/structural alterations, additions, changes of use, reconstruction, renovation and repair within the Downtown Historic Overlay District.