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Comprehensive Plan, City of Paris, Texas Future Land Use The City adopted the concept that noncompliance with property maintenance ordinances is a misdemeanor; further, that noncompliance is a continuing violation as long as the repairs or improvements are not made. The City was able to work with the municipal judge and prosecutor to ensure quick and responsive enforcement of property maintenance code violations. The City is initiating a unique process of coordinating the efforts of the police department with code enforcement activity. The main reason for this program is that the two departments are the primary City staff that are out in the community on a daily basis and that cooperative training is a benefit to both departments. Code enforcement personnel are trained in identifying housing conditions that reflect illegal operations. Similarly, police are trained in property maintenance ordinances. Neighborhood Preservation Program Staffing Larger cities, especially those with older neighborhoods, have found success in proactive programs aimed at empowering citizens to maintain their neighborhoods and resolve problems through neighborhood associations. One such City has established a special City division that works with neighborhood associations in property maintenance and other issues. The City has created a Neighborhood Preservation Section within an existing Planning Department. The purpose of the agency is to provide assistance to property owners in maintaining a high level of safety, property value, maintenance and encourage preservation and stabilization of older neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Preservation Section is divided into two areas: the Neighborhood Inspections Area and the Neighborhood Planning Area. The Neighborhood Inspections Area staff conduct inspections to ensure code and ordinance compliance and to assist with public education. They have prepared brochures on compliance with property maintenance codes. The Neighborhood Conservation Proaram, operated by the Neighborhood Planning Area, is designed to help older areas organize neighborhood groups to take on the responsibility of improving their neighborhood. The program assists the neighborhood organizations in addressing property maintenance and other issues related to residential areas. Neighborhood Redevelopment In some areas a multitude of conditions exist that suggest that the existing residential land uses no longer meet community needs. Housing may be deteriorated beyond a point of repair, or land use patterns may have changed. In these areas neighborhood redevelopment may be an appropriate alternative. In some instances, cities have utilized Tax Increment Financing (TIF) within a TIF District to remove deteriorating housing and create a commercial center. In one example, the site was previously a neighborhood with slowly deteriorating housing. The infrastructure and homes in this neighborhood were not appealing to new home buyers, nor to existing residents. The project involved purchasing lots from almost 100 property S:V8288\WPCUina1 rcport 2-01.cDuc 60 BWR