Duluth UDC § 601.01

businesses, and government may convey a variety of messages. However, left unregulated signs can become a threat to the public health and safety as a traffic hazard, as a detriment to property values, and as an aesthetic nuisance affecting the overall economic growth of Duluth. Numerous professional studies have been prepared that examine and establish the effect of signs on traffic safety, aesthetics and economic prosperity, including the following: 1. Klauer, S.G., T.A. Dingus, V.L. Neale, J.D. Sudweeks, D.J. Ramsey. “The Impact of Driver In- attention on Near-Crash/Crash Risk: An Analysis Using the 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study Data.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DOT HS 810 594. April 2006. 2. Snyder, Jonathan, Samuel S. Fels Fund. “Beyond Aesthetics: How Billboards Affect Economic Prosperity.” December 2011. 3. Wachtel, J., 2009. “Safety Impacts of the Emerging Digital Display Technologies for Outdoor Advertising Signs.” Prepared for AASHTO and the Standing Committee on Research of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), April 2009. The Veridian Group, Inc., Berkeley, California. 4. Weitz, Jerry, Ph.D., AICP. “The Public Purpose of Roswell's Sign Ordinance and the Implications of Doing Without It: A Position Paper.” December 7, 1999. b. Based on a review of the cited materials and the studies referenced therein as well as other related studies, the Mayor and Council find that unregulated signs: 1. Can be a safety hazard to drivers and pedestrians; 2. Can be a detriment to the public health; 3. Can hamper economic growth; 4. Can lower property values; 5. Can adversely impact public investments; 6. Can degrade the utility of public safety signs; and 7. Can adversely impact the aesthetic quality of the community and surrounding environment.