§ 6-36. Findings and purposes.

(a)

The board of commissioners finds that:

(1)

The following regulations in this article are necessary to the county's fundamental goals of protecting the health, safety and welfare of residents, visitors and businesses in the county.

(2)

A sign is by its very nature designed to draw an individual's attention to that sign. This characteristic makes signs a valuable medium of communication; however this same characteristic can distract motorists and pedestrians thus creating traffic hazards.

(3)

The clutter created by excess in number, size and height of signs creates a distraction to travelers and negatively impacts the general appearance of an area. Signs may lessen the aesthetic qualities of an area and intrude upon the residential character of an area.

(4)

Signs must be regulated to insure that they are structurally safe and sound and for those signs illuminated electrical hazards are eliminated.

(5)

Proper regulation is necessary to limit the negative impact of signs while encouraging the positive and constructive uses of signs.

(6)

Signs enhance the economy and the business and industry of the county by promoting the reasonable, orderly and effective display of signs.

(7)

Signs, which are compatible with their surroundings, will be promoted.

(b)

It is also the purpose of this article to insure proper maintenance, for safety and structural soundness, as well as the appearance and attractiveness of signs.

(Ord. of 3-27-2003(3), § II)