This chapter is enacted in response to the serious adverse effects caused in certain areas and neighborhoods of Berkeley by motor vehicle congestion, particularly the long-term parking of motor vehicles on the streets of such areas and neighborhoods by nonresidents thereof. As set forth in more specific detail in Section 14.72.020, such long term parking by nonresidents threatens the health, safety and welfare of all of the residents of Berkeley. In order to protect and promote the integrity of these areas and neighborhoods, it is necessary to enact parking regulations restricting unlimited parking by nonresidents therein, while providing the opportunity for residents to park near their homes. Uniform parking regulations restricting residents and nonresidents alike would not serve the public interest, rather such regulations would contribute to neighborhood decline while ignoring the public transit alternatives to automobile travel available to nonresidents. For the reasons set forth in this chapter, a system of preferential resident parking is enacted hereby for the City of Berkeley (Ord. 5908-NS § I, 1989: Ord. 5803-NS § 2, (part), 1987)