The council finds and declares:
(a) That the people of the city have a primary interest in controlling the erection, location, and maintenance of outdoor signs in a manner designed to protect the public health, safety, and morals, and to promote the public welfare;
(b) That the rapid economic development of the city has resulted in a great increase in the number of businesses with a marked increase in the number and size of signs advertising such business activities;
(c) That the increased number and size of such signs, coupled with the increased use of motor vehicles, make it imperative that the public streets and highways be kept free from signs, which distract motorists’ attention from driving and which detract from traffic safety signs promoting traffic safety;
(d) That the indiscriminate erection, location, illumination, coloring, and size of outdoor signs constitute a significant contributing factor in increasing the number of traffic accidents on the public streets and highways by detracting from the visibility of official traffic lights and signals, and by tending to distract and divert the attention of drivers away from the flow of traffic movement;
(e) That in addition, thereto, the construction, erection, and maintenance of large outdoor signs suspended from, or placed on top of buildings, walls, or other structures, constitute a direct danger to pedestrian traffic below such signs, especially during periods when winds of high velocity are prevalent;
(f) That the size and location of such outdoor signs may, if uncontrolled, constitute an obstacle to effective firefighting techniques;
(g) That the natural beauty of the landscape, view, and attractive surroundings of the Hawaiian Islands, including the city, constitutes an attraction for tourists and visitors;
(h) That a major source of income and revenue of the people of the city is derived from the tourist trade;
(i) That the indiscriminate erection and maintenance of large signs seriously detract from the enjoyment and pleasure of the natural scenic beauty of the city which, in turn, injuriously affect the tourist trade and thereby the economic well-being of the city; and
(j) That it is necessary for the promotion and preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of the city that the erection, construction, location, and maintenance of signs be regulated and controlled.
(1990 Code, Ch. 21, Art. 7, § 21-7.10) (Added by Ord. 99-12)