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CITY OF PARIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Appendix E- Gateway and LandscapeBuffer Design Guidelines LANDSCAPING AND BUFFERING Poor transitions between land uses of differing intensity create incompatibility, hardships and long-term negative effects on surround development and the community as a whole. Ideally, all transitions between a high-intensity use and a low-intensity would take place along a definitive boundary, separation by a roadway, creek or other physical and visual barrier. Reality proves that many such transitions do not take place along clearly identified boundaries. As such, residential neighborhoods are impacted by the activities of commercial and industrial development. Glare from lighting, unobstructed views of trash dumpster and loading docks, and noise from daily activities are all problems associated with these transitions. Likewise commercial and industrial development suffers from fierce opposition to development. In order to minimize these and other similar conflicts Paris should institute landscaping and buffering standards. These standards would specify combinations of landscaping and other screening materials required between land uses of differing intensity. In addition, these standards would specify landscaping required to minimize the impact of other adverse elements of development such as parking lots, loading areas, signage and trash collection areas. Landscaping, screening and buffering should be provided for all new development, redevelopment and expansion, with the exception of improvements or repairs to existing development that do not result in an increase in floor area nor an in intensity. Transition Buffers Transition buffers shall be located along those portions of a site that are along those portions of adjoining lots with a different zoning classification. The developing property shall always be responsible for providing the required buffers. Transition buffers should consist of a planting screen unless a landscaped berm or a fence screen is otherwise permitted by the Planning Commission. The following standards and specifications should be used. A. Specifications Planting Screens. Planting screens shall consist of trees, bushes or shrubs of a variety and so planted and kept as to be achieved within thirty-six (36) months after occupancy of the premises to be screened. a. Such screen shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet above grade at any particular point along its length. b. Any two (2) foot square segment of a planting screen shall contain no more than thirty percent (30%) open space affording a direct horizontal view through such screen if such segment is over two (2) feet above grade. S:V8288\WPC\t"mr1 repun 2-0I.Joc 118 BWR