(A) No certificate shall be granted until the Board, after a hearing, declares by resolution that the public convenience and necessity require the proposed taxicab service.
(B) In determining whether the public convenience and necessity require for the operation of a taxicab for which application for a certificate is made, the Board shall consider and investigate:
(1) Whether the demands of the public require additional taxicab service;
(2) The adequacy of existing mass transportation and taxicab service;
(3) The financial responsibility and experience of the applicant;
(4) The ability of the applicant to earn a fair return on the capital invested;
(5) The number, kind and type of vehicles and the color scheme to be used;
(6) The effect which additional taxicab service may have upon traffic congestions and parking;
(7) Whether the additional taxicab service will result in a greater hazard to the public; and
(8) Other relevant facts as the Board may deem advisable or necessary.
(C) After declaring that the public convenience and necessity require the proposed taxicab service, the Board shall grant the certificate subject to the conditions as the Board may deem that public convenience and necessity require and provided that no certificate shall be granted if:
(1) The applicant has been convicted of a felony against the state or conviction of any offense against another state which would have been a felony if committed in the state;
(2) The applicant has violated any federal or state law relating to the use, possession or sale of alcoholic beverages or narcotic or barbiturate drugs;
(3) The applicant is addicted to or a habitual user of alcoholic beverages or narcotic or barbiturate drugs;
(4) The applicant has violated any federal or state law relating to prostitution;
(5) The applicant is not a citizen of the United States;
(6) The applicant is a habitual violator of traffic laws or ordinances;
(7) The applicant has not complied with the provisions of this chapter; or
(8) The vehicle for which application for a certificate has been made does not comply with this chapter.
(`86 Code, § 19-28)