(a) Council finds that outdoor advertising devices, as defined in this chapter, visible from streets and roadways, are a danger to traffic safety in that they tend to distract or confuse drivers of motor vehicles on such streets and roadways, and are further detrimental to the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare, in that they tend to interfere with and intrude on the enjoyment by motorists and others using the streets and roadways of the City of the experience of travel and the natural and manmade scenic beauty of the City.
(b) On the other hand, Council finds that business enterprises and other institutions located along the streets and roadways of the City have a need to identify themselves and their activities to motorists and other persons using such streets and roadways by means of outdoor advertising devices.
(c) Council further recognizes that the rights of all persons to enjoy the freedom of speech and communication of ideas may not be infringed by legislation. Therefore, in enacting this chapter, it is the legislative intention of Council to resolve these various interests by regulating outdoor advertising devices, as herein defined.
(Ord. 1981-22. Passed 6-23-81.)