2018-032 Attachment-Comprehensive Plan UpdateCITY OF PARIS, TEXAS
2018 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE:
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Prepared by the Paris, Texas City Staff
Adopted by the Paris, Texas City Council on
"The community opinion survey called for more beautification of Paris, as did the public
planning meetings."
Source: Executive Summary, within the adopted 2001 City of Paris, Texas Comprehensive Plan.
2018 PARIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
PART ONE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING: BACKGROUND, FUNCTIONS, PRINCIPLES, AND PRACTICE
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
SECTION2: CITY PLANNING NEEDS, PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
SECTION 3: KEYS FOR CREATING AN IMPLEMENTABLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
SECTION 4: NATURAL AND MAN-MADE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS
SECTION 5: THE ROLE OF URBAN DESIGN IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
PART TWO
2018 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: ACTION ELEMENTS
SECTION 6: THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
SECTION 7: DOWNTOWN PARIS
SECTION 8: HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN PARIS
SECTION 9: PARK, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLANS
SECTION 10: THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN
SECTION 11: THE MASTER THOROUGHFARE PLAN
SECTION 12: REFERENCES TO THE ADOPTED 2001 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
SECTION 13: THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS
SECTION 14: MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND NATURAL FEATURES
SECTION 15: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 16: THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, A CLOSING NOTE
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PART ONE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING: BACKGROUND, FUNCTIONS, PRINCIPLES, AND
PRACTICE
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
1. General Comment
The purpose of this section is to describe the importance, purposes, and brief history of city
planning in Paris. There are a number of ways to prepare a comprehensive plan and also different
elements may be included in plans, reflecting the particular orientation or emphasis of the
community. What is important is that a community has a comprehensive plan.
2. Definition of a Comprehensive Plan
A comprehensive plan can be defined as a long range -plan intended to direct the growth and
physical development of a community for a 20 to 30 year or longer period. Ideally, and if feasible, it
is appropriate to prepare a comprehensive plan for the ultimate development of a community. This
will allow for ultimate utility, transportation, and community facilities planning, and therefore can
aid in a more time and cost-effective planning and budgeting program. The plan usually includes
policies, or a statement of "Needs, Problems, Issues, and Opportunities" relevant to the
development of various physical elements in the community such as land use, transportation,
recreation, and other physical components of a municipality. The plan also serves as a basis for
future physical development recommendations. These recommendations are supported by a set of
needs and opportunities drawn from existing conditions and the desires and aspirations of the
citizens. In its most basic terms, a comprehensive plan integrates all of its various parts, or sections,
into a single, unified coherent plan that encourages its success through an effective and on-going
implementation program. All professional city planners agree that a comprehensive plan should be
comprehensive in scope, general in nature, and long-range in perspective.
The comprehensive plan is the single most important document for managing a community's
physical growth because it can (and should) consolidate and coordinate physical planning needs and
opportunities, as well as all the separate community studies and plans that address various aspects
of physical development in the city (e.g. utility plans, capital improvement programs, etc.) Further,
comprehensive planning, to be effective, has to be an on-going process, involving periodic
evaluation and updating; the comprehensive plan document, therefore, is one component of this
on-going process.
To further aid in its effectiveness, the comprehensive plan has to be based on a shared vision of the
community. The continuing, on-going nature of contemporary comprehensive city planning involves
learning, establishing a "community vision", community building, and setting (and refining)
direction. These functions are part of the roles of all who are involved in the preparation,
implementation, and updating of the community's comprehensive plan.
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3. The Importance of a Comprehensive Plan
Most every kind of business undertaking, however trivial, is thoroughly planned out before ever
being undertaken. Who would build a structure of any consequence without first having secured
the best of plans? Of how much more far-reaching consequence is the planning and building of a
city? A fundamental purpose and of fundamental importance, therefore, of a comprehensive plan
for Paris is to project a desirable direction for future growth and development of the city: its vision,
if you will. A comprehensive plan is a valuable growth -management and development tool for
communities regardless of their size—whether a four -hundred population village or an eight million
population metropolis.
4. The Purposes and Use of a Comprehensive Plan
(A) Purpose of the Plan. The comprehensive plan should be used as a guide for public decisions,
which affect the physical development and maintenance of the municipality. For example, the
plan may be used as a basis for:
1. Development of detailed physical plans for sub -areas of the municipality;
2. Analysis of the most critical plan implementation tools, which are the subdivision
regulations, zoning standards and maps, as well as other implementation tools;
3. The location and design of thoroughfares and implementation of other major transportation
facilities and programs;
4. Identification of areas to be served with utility development or extensions;
5. The acquisition and development of sites for community facilities;
6. The acquisition and protection of major parks, recreation, and open space areas;
7. Provision of a framework by which short-range plans (zoning requests, subdivision review,
site plan analysis) and day-to-day decisions can be evaluated with regard to their long-range
implications and/or benefit to the community; and,
8. Preparation of zoning regulations so that they can be adopted in accordance with a
comprehensive plan.
(B) Use of the Plan. The maps and figures that describe the recommended locations of various land
uses and facilities are not the entirety of the plan. They are one component of the
comprehensive plan, although many consider the future land use plan map the most important
single element in a comprehensive plan. Their primary role is to show how policies and
standards are to be applied to the actual physical form of the community. It must be
recognized, however, that commitment of citizens and public officials to city planning is
fundamental to the implementation of the recommendations made by maps and other
components in the plan. A user of the comprehensive plan is encouraged to consider the
following procedural steps (users are typically defined as developers, public officials, citizens,
and businesses interested in land use development):
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Step 1: Refer to the future land use plan text and map to ensure overall consistency of pending
decisions with the plan;
Step 2: Refer to the other elements of the plan that may affect their development decisions;
Step 3: Assess the public interests, the technical nature, and/or time and market constraints of
the issue under study; and,
Step 4: Evaluate information and take appropriate planning and decision-making action, which
includes early consideration with appropriate City of Paris staff.
Used in this manner, Paris' Comprehensive Plan will aid in implementing a sound growth -
management program.
S. Brief History of Comprehensive Planning in Paris
To place this updated 2018 plan in its historical context, the city staff is also describing previous
comprehensive planning programs undertaken by Paris. Staff believes it is fair to state that the
majority of municipalities in the United States do not have a history of comprehensive plans going
back over one hundred years, yet Paris does. Below is the known chronology of comprehensive
plans for Paris:
1915: The General City Plan for Paris, Texas. This plan was prepared by W.H. Dunn, a prominent
landscape architect from Kansas City, MO. It stated that it was "submitted to the Public with the
Official Approval of the City Council, the Board of Trade, and the Progressive Club." This plan
addresses many components of modern day comprehensive plans. This plan also represents the
"City Beautiful Movement" in city planning that was prevalent in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries in the United States. The Paris Plan is highly representative of Frederick Law
Olmstead Jr., who is one of the early leaders of the profession of city planning in America. Daniel
Burnham's principles are also reflected in the Paris Plan; he is also one of the most important city
planners of the twentieth century, and is the major author of the Chicago Plan (1909) a City
Beautiful Movement based plan.
1966: Comprehensive Plan Report. This plan was prepared by Marvin Springer and Associates,
Urban Planning Consultants, located in Dallas, Texas.
1981: A Comprehensive Plan for Paris, Texas. This plan was prepared by J.T. Dunkin & Associates,
Landscape Architects and Urban Planners, located in the Dallas area.
2001: City of Paris, Texas Comprehensive Plan: This plan was prepared by Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff
Corporation, City Planners, Architects, and Landscape Architects in Kansas City, Mo. The city staff
believes that this is the most detailed and hence most "comprehensive" city plan ever prepared for
Paris. Although it is now over seventeen years old, it still represents many current state of the art
urban planning principles and practices, and contains many very relevant recommendations that are
current for Paris. It is the presently adopted Paris Comprehensive Plan.
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2008: Updated Paris Future Land Use Plan Map and Plan Map Legend Explanations. This document
was prepared and recommended by the Paris Planning and Zoning Commission and adopted by the
Paris City Council in 2008. The city staff continually uses this updated Future Land Use Plan Map and
the associated updated Plan Map Legend Explanations when reviewing rezoning requests and other
physical development proposals that are submitted to the city. It should be noted that this 2008
update is not a "full" comprehensive plan, as are the earlier mentioned plans. The 2008 update does
not include goals, policies, and/or other text/table material further describing comprehensive plan
principles and/or practice; the 2008 plan focuses on future land use and supportive land use
designations/definitions in the plan, both of which are nonetheless very important.
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SECTION 2: CITY PLANNING NEEDS, PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
This list recognizes recommended city planning needs, problems, issues, and opportunities as part of
this 2018 update of the city's 2001 Comprehensive Plan. Planning principles recommend that a
municipality at least review these and modify them, as necessary, on an annual basis. These items are
not in priority order. Further, as part of this 2018 update plan process, it is very relevant to obtain input
from citizens and public officials regarding these elements.
1. Elected and appointed officials continue, in an on-going fashion, to recognize that short-range
planning and zoning decisions have long-range effects.
2. Continue to recognize the important benefits of Paris' downtown area to the city's economy,
identification, and historic character. Hence, continue to enhance the aesthetics and
functioning of the downtown based on current data and design recommendations.
3. When and if feasible, annex land use to the city. This will add to the physical development base
of the city, while aiding to ensure financial and employment benefits to the city. This would also
protect the boundaries of Paris through the application of zoning, helping to avoid the
development of incompatible land uses that could occur without zoning control at the county
and city adjacent boundaries.
4. When feasible, establish a program to aesthetically enhance the major "entry and gateway
points" into Paris; this will make a statement to all citizens, including visitors to the city, that
Paris prides itself on its history and desire to (continue) to advance the potential to improve the
appearance of the city.
5. Continue to update the Paris Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, and other physical
development codes and ordinances to reflect more modern and efficient city planning and
zoning principles and practices, and as such, aid better quality development for the city.
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SECTION 3: KEYS FOR CREATING AN IMPLEMENTABLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
No plan of any kind has any real value unless it is implemented. The following recommendations have
been proven to aid the implementation of comprehensive plans:
1. City planning is part of a continuing/on-going process.
2. Implementation, not the preparation of a comprehensive plan, must be the target/goal.
3. Make the public aware of the plan preparation, and provide for public input into the process as
early as possible, and/or at strategic points in the comprehensive plan preparation and adoption
process.
4. After appropriate public hearings, have the planning and zoning commission and the council
adopt the plan, consistently use it, and refer to it as appropriate.
5. Recognize that short-term planning decisions (e.g., re -zonings, specific use permits, site plans,
plats) directly affect long-term planning decisions (e.g., future land use plan recommendations
5-20+ years into the future), and vice -versa.
6. Maintain a professionally trained and a preferably certified city planner on the city staff.
7. As soon as possible after the Paris (updated) Comprehensive Plan is adopted by the City Council,
begin the process to make the Zoning District Map in conformance with the Future Land Use
Plan Map. This is sound city planning, and begins to implement the plan as soon as possible,
and the Texas Local Government Code states that zoning should be in conformance with the
Comprehensive Plan.
8. Elected and appointed officials must recognize that a functioning comprehensive plan program
is a long-term commitment, and therefore transcends typical two or four year+ terms of said
officials. Therefore, the Comprehensive Plan must not become a "political football" with various
political factors fighting against it. However, there are appropriate, non -confrontational
methodologies to modify or amend a comprehensive plan.
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SECTION 4: NATURAL AND MAN—MADE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND ALERTING SYSTEM.
1. Benefits of Environmental Considerations Regarding City Planning and Comprehensive Planning.
(A) Alert development community early in their development process of potential expensive
development and/or legal and/or problematic environmental constraints;
(B) Protect the physical environment;
(C) Aid in directing physical development so that it is not negatively impacted by environmental
constraints; and
(D) Provide opportunity early within the development process whereby environmental features can
serve as benefits/amenities to development (e.g. floodplain for open space, etc.).
2. Reference to the Paris Checklist for an Environmental Inventory and Evaluation: A Tool to Aid the
Development Community and City Staff in Evaluating Proposed Developments.
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this Environmental Inventory and Evaluation Checklist is to preserve
and protect both natural and man-made environment components as part of the physical
development process within the City of Paris and its environs. This checklist is not part of the
Paris Zoning Ordinance or any other ordinance within the City of Paris; it is, rather, another aid
in assisting in the physical development process in Paris and its environs (as applicable). This
checklist can be observed in the Paris Engineering/Community Development Department.
(B) Importance of Environmental Components. Important considerations regarding environmental
preservation and protection as part of physical development and/or re -development in Paris
and its environs are stated below:
1. Environmental components are of critical importance regarding any scale of land
development.
2. In addition to the importance of environmental planning on its merits, there are also legal
and administrative requirements, with potential consequences for not adequately
responding to these requirements. Examples include, at the local, state, and/or federal
level, but are not limited to: flood plain development and flood hazard control; protection of
archeological sites/structures; tree protection; historically important sites/structures; and
endangered species. These are fundamental environmental considerations that developers
should consider early in their project planning.
3. Environmental components can be used as part of the design of various developments,
thereby potentially reducing costs for landscaping and design elements, and potentially
reducing development costs and reducing time taken in project development and design.
For example, (but not limited to): flood plains and/or water bodies located on project
development sites can be used to enhance design, including vista corridors/scenic views;
tree groupings can also aid design and provide amenities to developments, including aiding
in soil stability; animal or vegetative habitats can also add interest and amenities to
development areas. It has also been shown that preservation and inclusion into project
design of environmental elements can add to property and market value of developments
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by including, for example, trees, other vegetative materials, water bodies, historical
buildings and/or structures, and other environmental elements.
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SECTION 5: THE ROLE OF URBAN DESIGN IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
(A) Introduction. The fundamental tool for urban design currently in American cities is its zoning
ordinance. Although use of a zoning ordinance is critical regarding how a community looks,
historically and presently a zoning ordinance essentially separates incompatible land uses, and
addresses height, bulk, and dimensional requirements for cities. However, during the last
approximately forty years in the United States, an expanded group of elements—including the
zoning ordinance—has been used to more widely address the aesthetic appearance of U.S.
communities. The following discussion can aid Paris, both in the short and long term, to
enhance its appearance, design, and aesthetic qualities.
(B) What is Urban Design? Urban design is that component of city planning primarily concerned
with the functional and visual relationships between people and their physical environment and
the means by which those relationships can be improved. As a result, urban design is specifically
involved with many areas of planning, including housing, transportation, open space,
community facilities, business, industry, and the general relationship between various land uses.
Urban design is typically understood to function as an element of the public sector, where it can
serve to stimulate, guide, and influence actions of the private sector. Further, guiding the
physical design character of public sector uses (e.g. utilities, open space, transportation, etc.) is
an important method for improving environmental quality and providing an incentive for private
sector investment. Urban design encompasses aspects of the disciplines of city planning,
architecture, landscape architecture, and certain elements of civil engineering. It concerns itself
with the large-scale organization, function, and design of the city. It deals with the massing,
scale, and organization of buildings and the spaces between them, more than the design of
individual buildings.
(C) The Contribution of Urban Design to the Comprehensive Plan. Future land use plans are
typically two-dimensional, reflecting future land uses and their relationships on a map. There is
a need, however, for a three-dimensional planning perspective in comprehensive planning
which may be achieved through urban design. This is recommended because: (1) The future
land use plan can enhance the organized arrangement of land uses; and, (2) Urban design can
add additional aesthetic qualities to orderly land arrangement and growth management.
(D) Elements of Urban Design. Some of the major components of urban design are outlined for the
purposes of this section. Elements of urban design include:
1. Urban form (physical configuration of the municipality):
(A) Relationship to existing corporate limits;
(B) Relationship to the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ); and,
(C) Consideration of the ultimate planning area of the city: This is advantageous because it
allows the municipality to address, for example, its major thoroughfare plan, open space
and recreational needs, utility planning, capital improvements programming, and other
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land use considerations based on the potential ultimate boundary of the community, in
conjunction with a sense of the potential ultimate population, density, and acreages
devoted to various land uses.
2. Points of entrance to the city (gateways).
3. View and movement corridors.
4. Districts of the community.
5. Screening and buffering.
6. Variation in design.
7. Architectural structures.
8. Signs.
9. Lighting.
10. Utilities.
11. Parks and open space, and open space linkage systems (e.g., hike and bike trails,
greenway/floodplain corridors, etc.).
12. Landscape architectural features and plantings.
13. Street furniture.
14. Building massing and scale.
15. Historic structures.
16. Public art. Public art is an urban design element, and opportunities should be evaluated to
place public art in areas that will enhance the aesthetic quality and reinforce the unique
identity of each community.
The application of these urban design elements through the comprehensive planning program can aid
the aesthetic quality of each community. Again, since the comprehensive plan is implemented over
time, these design elements should be applied as part of individual zoning, subdivision, and site plan
review approvals, as feasible.
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PART TWO
2018 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: ACTION ELEMENTS
SECTION 6: THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
1. Introductory Note. For decades in American municipal government, the capital improvements
program (CIP) has been an important and basic city financing tool. The CIP is also a major
comprehensive planning implementation tool. This section describes the CIP and its functions.
2. Definition of a Capital Improvements Program (CIP). A general definition of a CIP is that it is a multi–
year schedule of public physical improvements that sets forth proposed expenditures for
systematically constructing, maintaining, upgrading, and replacing a community's physical plant.
Historically, the schedule covered a period of five or six years, and currently communities, including
Paris, have prepared CIPS with ten year time -frames. The first year of the CIP is typically called the
capital budget. It includes the projects that are to be appropriated by the governing body that year. A
capital improvement itself can be defined as an item that is larger in size, expensive, and permanent
and one that represents an infrequent expenditure for new and expanded facilities or nonrecurring
major repair of an existing facility.
A capital outlay is a major, nonrecurring expenditure that includes one or more of the following:
(A) Any acquisition of land for a public purpose;
(B) Any construction of a new facility or an addition to, or extension of, such a facility;
(C) A nonrecurring rehabilitation or major repair of all or a part of a building, its ground or a
facility, or of equipment, provided that the cost is $50,000 or more and that the improvement
will have a useful life of five years or more;
(D) Purchase of major equipment with a cost—individually or in total—of $50,000 or more, and
which has a useful life of 5 to ten years or more; and
(E) Any planning, feasibility, engineering or design study related to an individual capital
improvement project or to a program that is implemented through individual capital
improvement projects.
3. Purposes of Capital Improvements Programming. The purposes of capital improvement programming
are to:
(A) Identify present and future needs for physical improvements in a local jurisdiction;
(B) Identity the potential costs of requested improvements;
(C) Identify the possible sources of revenue to pay for the requested improvements;
(D) Provide decision makers with an orderly procedure for setting priorities among requested
improvements;
(E) Promote coordination of construction programs among various public agencies and private
interests;
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(F) Provide a strong and useful tool for implementing local growth management programs; and,
(G) Provide an effective tool for implementing a municipality's comprehensive plan through an
annual review of issues, trends, and priorities.
4. Advantages of a Capital Improvements Program.
Advance planning and scheduling of municipal facilities can aid in avoiding costly mistakes. A
systematic, organized approach to planning for capital facilities provides several practical advantages.
These are:
(A) Using Taxpayer's Dollars Efficiently. This includes the careful evaluation of the need and
timing of new facilities. Also, coordinating construction of several projects may affect savings
in construction costs.
(B) Focusing on Municipal Needs and Capabilities. Capital projects should reflect the
community's needs objectives, growth, and financial capability. Planning ahead will help
assure that high—priority projects will be built first.
(C) Obtaining Community Support — Citizens are more supportive of projects that are part of an
overall plan.
(D) Encouraging Economic Development. Typically, a business that is considering expansion or
relocation is attracted to a city that has well-planned and well—managed facilities in place.
(E) Increasing Administration Efficiency. Coordination of capital facilities construction within a
city can reduce scheduling problems, conflicts, and overlapping of projects, and can enhance
city staff coordination of projects. A capital improvements program allows a municipality to
anticipate lead times necessary to conduct bond elections and bond sales, prepare design
work, and receive contract bids.
(F) Maintaining a Stable Financial Program. When construction projects are spaced over a
number of years, abrupt changes in the tax structure and bonded indebtedness may be
avoided. Also, keeping planned projects within the financial capacity of the municipality helps
to preserve its credit and bond rating and makes the area more attractive to business and
industry.
S. Relationship of the CIP to Long—Range (Comprehensive Plans) and Short -Range Plans.
Capital improvement programming is tied closely to short-range planning. The program is an annual
event, reflecting current issues, needs, and resources. However, short-range plans reflect the initial
segments of growth indicated in long-range or comprehensive plans.
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SECTION 7: DOWNTOWN PARIS
1. Introduction.
Paris has an important historic downtown, which continues to serve as a focal point for the citizens
within the city and the region. The Paris downtown is filled with social, cultural, economic, and
architectural amenities and potentials. Currently city staff, in conjunction with citizens and business
input, Lamar County Historical Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, Main Street
Advisory Board, Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council are strongly committed to the
preservation, enhancement, and upgrading of the many variables and elements that comprise Paris'
downtown. The current multi -faceted Paris Downtown Plan is included in this Section 6.
The Paris Downtown Area has been referenced in all the city's comprehensive plans, thereby
reinforcing the perspective of the city planners that prepared these plans of the long-standing
importance and relevance of Paris' downtown. An example from the 1966 Comprehensive Plan
states: "Everyone in Paris should have an interest in retaining the Downtown Area as a vigorous center
of retail, service, and other business activities." These words ring true today, even after the more
than fifty years since they were stated.
2. The Importance of a Downtown Plan for Paris.
The complexity of Paris', or any other, downtown requires special planning attention. Downtowns
typically contain a variety of public and private uses, which oftentimes require different service and
marketing procedures and actions. Downtown planning aids in ensuring new investment and
development opportunities and helps to maintain what is already in place.
Downtowns consist of numerous publicly and privately owned parcels of land and buildings. Unlike
newer shopping centers and business or industrial parks, which are often owned and managed by a
single entity, a downtown has many owners and managers. Therefore, any successful downtown
depends upon cooperation between property owners, tenants, and their users to meet their needs for
transportation, utility service, market exposure, and public services. Further, it is imperative that
downtown property owners and tenants coordinate with municipal officials to keep apprised of city
requirements as well as municipal -oriented activities and opportunities. As well, it is well documented
that successful American downtowns—regardless of size—have and continue to obtain the
commitment to and support of their success through their local city governments, including staffs,
boards and commissions, and city councils. This need for downtown coordination among many
entities underlies the following reasons to prepare and implement a downtown plan:
(A) Establish a Vision for the Future. The older building stock, often available spaces, and pedestrian
scale of development can make downtowns attractive areas for dining, entertainment, shopping,
and to an increasing degree, housing. A downtown plan serves to describe and reinforce the
worth, role, and future of the downtown to the community. It gives guidance to existing and
future owners, developers, and users of downtown as to how their property or service fits into the
present and future of the area.
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(B) Coordinate Improvement Activities — A downtown plan helps to coordinate the investment and
use functions of the private sector with the capital investment and service programs of the public
sector.
(C) Provide Guidance to PropertV Owners and Developers — The downtown plan serves as the source
of public policy regarding the downtown.
(D) Market Downtown Investment and Development — The downtown plan, with its statements of
actions and its vision for downtown development, serves to provide direction for the collective
marketing of downtown as a center of attraction and activity, and as a place of investment for
both the public and private sectors.
Downtown infrastructure improvements have been made slowly due to funding, but methodically,
including period lighting, very many trees, and improved ADA -compliant sidewalks, using a combination of
local and CDBG funds. The city completed a downtown development plan in 2018 (Attachment A) This
was followed up by contracting with the Toole Design Group to recommend changes to traffic
infrastructure and to identify and preliminarily design public gathering spaces. The most important result
of this study is the determination to eliminate all traffic signals and all one-way streets in downtown. This
will have the much desired effect of slowing traffic, enhancing safety and walkability, and making trip
generation and completion more efficient. (Attachment B)
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SECTION 8: HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN PARIS
1. Introduction.
Historic preservation has become an increasingly important function of city planning. By the 1980's,
hundreds of American cities had local landmarks or historic preservation commissions staffed by
architectural historians and planners.
An important outcome of the new interest in historic preservation was systematic efforts to revitalize
old neighborhood business centers and small-town main streets. The National Main Street Center,
launched in 1980 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, tied together city planning,
preservation, and economic development approaches to the needs of smaller cities and towns.
The earliest officially recognized historic preservation entities were structures and/or areas that had
national historic significance. Next, state historic entities were granted historic preservation status.
During approximately the past forty years in America, however, many local communities have granted
their own historic designation in particular for buildings or structures that have special or historic
significance regarding social, historical, political, cultural, and/or aesthetic significance to that
particular community. The major implementation tool for said local historic preservation is typically
the municipality's zoning ordinance and/or its historic preservation ordinance.
In 1999 the Texas Historical Commission and a number of local preservation commissions and not -for -
profits released a study of the economic impacts of historic preservation. The report stated the
impact on jobs, state and national economies, and the report also stated results of heritage tourism
programs. One of its most important findings was to state that designation of historic districts
positively influenced property values, thus establishing the long-term benefits of historic preservation
programs for revitalization.
Further, experience in America has shown that areas that include a number of historic preservation
sites and/or buildings can instigate "peripheral" new development in and around said historical
preservation areas. Often these peripheral areas at the boundaries of these historical areas are
themselves developed with residential units, recreational, restaurant, and other business entities,
thereby socially and economically enhancing the overall larger area.
A particular advantage of historic preservation of residential dwelling units—typically single-family
homes, but also townhomes and row houses—is that such historic designation helps to stabilize older
communities. While it is true that historic preservation requirements of some residential units can
sometimes be a financial burden to that property owner, there can be larger benefits to the overall
community which includes: residents "living in place"; stabilization of residents and businesses within
the subject area; maintenance or enhancement of existing businesses, and potential instigation of
new residential areas and business at the borders of said historical preservation areas.
2. Relationship of Historic Preservation to the Time Frames of Long -Range and Short -Range Plans.
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Historic preservation programs of course have long-range goals and implications but they typically
require actions to be taken in the short-term future. Historic preservation programs are therefore
relevant to both long-range and short-range city planning programs. As a result, it is worthwhile to
mention historic preservation in a city's comprehensive plan to reinforce the foundation,
commitment, and implementation of historic preservation programs as part of the city's growth
management plans.
A note of caution is recommended here, since in particular the 1960s, many cities and areas in
America have experienced enormous pressure for very expensive, very large scale developments.
These in turn have promised—and in many instances have delivered—large-scale employment
opportunities with great profits for the public sector and large tax bases for these respective
communities.
Hence, there have been parallel strong pressures on many municipalities to allow very substantial
economic development with the attendant pressures to limit or minimize development requirements,
codes, or ordinances. These pressures have in many cases across the country caused the demolition
of historical properties and sites that "don't fit into the developer's plans."
Conversely, during the past 15 or 20 years, many cities, in conjunction with more enlightened
developers, have found ways to preserve these structures. Examples of said preservation include: (1)
actually including some of these sites/structures within the proposed development itself, oftentimes
creating residential units and/or commercial enterprises within said sites/structures and without
disrupting their historical status, and (2) sometimes the developer's designers can modify the project
design to bypass historic areas. In any event, this will continue to be a challenge for many
communities in America.
How do you create new development in the face of possible loss of structures/sites of historical and
cultural significance to a community? The answer is that there are ways through the city planning
process, with codes, plans, common sense, and the citizen's, official's, and developer's willingness to
commit to saving historical entities, but also to compromise.
3. Relationship and Importance of Historic Preservation to City Planning.
(A) Historic preservation provides opportunity for greater understanding and appreciation of a
municipality's social, historical, physical, and cultural antecedents.
(B) Historic preservation provides citizens, developers, and city officials with a basis of understanding
the chronology of land use and physical development of a city.
(C) Historic preservation can provide various generations within a municipality with a "deeper sense
of community" and can aid in psychologically and socially uniting various generations of citizens
with a greater awareness of the common attributes of a city.
(D) The rich architectural legacy of older cities (i.e., Paris) is increasingly seen as a valuable resource in
the rejuvenation of urban areas. An important source for Paris in this regard is the source entitled
20
Architectural and Historic Resource Survev of Paris. Texas (1985). This source inventories over 300
historic sites in Paris.
(E) Many U.S. cities have renovated and redeveloped historic buildings to invigorate new economic
development opportunities. In certain instances, the exterior of these buildings have maintained
their historic significance and status, yet the interiors have been economically enhanced.
Examples include restaurants, business related uses, boutiques and smaller commercial and
service uses. This procedure is called "Adaptive Re -use" of buildings.
(F) Still a number of American cities have preserved historic structures as historic museums, and the
primary purpose for this preservation is for public use and enjoyment.
4. Relationship of Zoning to the Implementation and Protection of Historic Areas in Paris.
Most American cities regulate and protect their historic resources through implementing codes and
ordinances. In the City of Paris, there are two documents that provide this protection:
(A) City of Paris Code of Ordinances. The specific reference is Chapter 7: Buildings and Building
Regulations, Article VII: Historic Preservation. This article shall be cited as the "Paris Historic
Preservation Ordinance."
(B) City of Paris Zoning Ordinance. In Paris, there are 17 Historic Zoning Districts, and each one is
established as an Overlay District. An overlay zoning district is defined as a zoning district
established by ordinance to prescribe special regulations to be applied to a site in combination
with the underlying or base zoning district. So in Paris that means, for example, that there can be
an Historic District (HD) "over" a One -Family Dwelling District (SF -1, 2, or 3), a General Retail (GR),
a Commercial (C), or an Office (0) District and the requirements of both the Historic District and
the above example base districts would apply. The specific HD reference in the Zoning Ordinance
is Section 8. Use of Land and Buildings, sub -section 8-400: Historic Districts. Further, this section
of the Zoning Ordinance states that all structures in Historic Districts shall comply with both
historic requirements and provisions as so stated in both the Paris Zoning Ordinance and Paris
Code of Ordinances.
5. Graphic Representation of the Historic Zoning Districts in Paris.
Two maps are enclosed that illustrate the current historic districts in Paris. Each individual HD district
is identified with its own chronological number. The largest HD districts are HD-1, known as the
Downtown HD Commercial District, and HD -2, known as the Church Street Residential HD District.
21
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6. Entities Involved with Historic Preservation in Paris.
The following are groups associated with various levels of historic preservation in Paris:
(A) Paris Historic Preservation Commission: Appointed by the city council.
(B) Paris Main Street Project: Appointed by the city council.
(C) Lamar County Historical Commission: This commission consists of members from all historic
related programs in Paris and Lamar County.
(D) Lamar County Historical Society: Operates the historic county museum in Paris.
(E) Lamar County Genealogical Society: Manages genealogy and cemetery records, offers library
programs, and performs genealogical research; located in the Santa Fe/Frisco train depot in Paris.
22
SECTION 9: PARK, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE PLANS
1. Introduction
In 2013, the City of Paris commissioned MHS Planning and Design, LLC to assist in developing a new
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. This plan was a follow-up to Paris's 2001 Parks and
Recreation Master Update which had guided additions to and renovations of the park system
through 2013.
The 2013-2023 Parks, recreation and Open Space Master Plan was intended to:
• Provide the City of Paris with an information base to help guide decisions related to parks,
recreation, and open space;
• Assist in the implementation of those decisions and set guidelines for future park and open
space development;
• Provide feasible recommendations to the governmental body and be in accordance with the
desires of Paris' residents;
• Include all land within the City of Paris;
• Provide parks and open space project recommendations through 2023, and to
• Provide emphasis and detailed cost projections for projects recommended for
implementation.
The 2013 Parks Master Plan was updated in house and adopted by the city council in 2017
(Attachment C). The intended elements as stated above for the 2013-2023 plan can remain the
same for the current update; these intentions have served Paris well since 2013, and will continue to
do so in conjunction with the elements included in the 2018-2023 update.
Major improvements to the Trail de Paris were completed, including a major extension referred to
as the West Paris Trail. A spray park was opened in cooperation with First United Methodist Church.
Improvements have also been made to four parks: 82 West Roadside, Lake Crook, Oak, and Wade.
Park improvements in the planning stage include a pump track in 2018-19, a community -built
playground, partnering with City Square Paris to operate a rec/community center at Oak Park, and
improvements to market Square and adjacent library.
23
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SECTION 10: THE FUTURE LAND USE PLAN
One of the most important products of the comprehensive planning process is the creation of various
maps, including the parks and recreation, major (or master) thoroughfare plan, natural features, and the
most important of all, the future land use map, or plan (FLUP). Each of these maps has been updated to
better reflect the current development patterns of Paris, and we have also added a new linkages map to
illustrate the importance of trail and other pedestrian linkages to Paris. Most of the changes are
relatively minor due to the general lack of population growth in Paris since 2001, and especially since
the last map update in 2008.
Land use planning and its guidance of future development establishes an overall benefit to the city;
therefore proposed projects should be evaluated not just one property or block at a time. The land use
plan places individual developments into the context of the whole so that development makes more
sense over time and place. Thereby smarter, more sustainable growth that is more likely to attract
investment, is created.
I. What is a Future Land Use Plan?
(A) Definition of a Future Land Use Plan. It is a basic element within a comprehensive plan. It is a
map that designates the future use or reuse of the land within a municipality's planning area
(which is typically within its corporate limits, but could also include said municipality's extra-
territorial jurisdiction (ETJ)). The land use plan map serves as a guide to official decisions
regarding the land use type, distribution, and intensity of private development, as well as public
decisions regarding the location of future public facilities and recreation and open spaces. It is
also a fundamental guide to zoning and subdivision regulations and capital improvement
programs.
(B) Definition of a Zoning District Map. It is a map that graphically portrays all zoning district
boundaries and zoning district classifications within a city, and as stated within the zoning
ordinance text, and said zoning district map is an integral part of the overall zoning ordinance.
(C) Distinction Between a Future Land Use Plan Map and a Zoning District Map. The fundamental
difference between these two maps is that the city's future land use plan map serves as a guide
or vision to a municipality's future land use recommendations and physical development, and
cannot be used to require a developer to build to the illustrative recommendations of that land
use map. Conversely, a zoning district map is the legally enforceable basis for land development
in conjunction with the requirements within the zoning ordinance document.
It is a well-established planning principle that efficient and logical physical development in a city
is largely enhanced when the zoning district map is in conformance with the city's future land
use plan map.
2. Definitions of Land Uses Illustrated Within the 2018 Updated Future Land Use Plan Map
24
In 2008, the Paris City Council adopted an ordinance that revised the Paris Future Land Use Plan
Map and also adopted revisions to the Future Land Use Plan Map Legend Explanations. In
evaluating these revisions, the city staff believes that these 2008 plan map legend explanations still
remain relevant and effective for Paris. Therefore, the 2018 updated Future Land Use Plan Map will
illustrate its recommended land uses in conformance with the 2008 legend definitions. (Attachment
D).
25
SECTION 11: THE MASTER THOROUGHFARE PLAN
3. Introduction
A community's land use pattern and transportation system are interrelated and interdependent
with respect to growth and development. They interact constantly with one another in that
different types of land uses have different transportation needs. The street network should provide
for appropriate access and mobility to properly service the demands generated by the land use. For
example, single-family residential uses require local and collector streets to accommodate low
speeds and low traffic. Commercial and business uses require arterial street networks for handling
higher traffic volumes caused by shoppers, delivery trucks, and service vehicles. Conversely, the
transportation system may directly affect the types of land uses that occur in a particular area; for
example, rail and highway access can be important for industrial uses.
This section of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Update identifies a future thoroughfare system that is
consistent with the updated future land use plan. The thoroughfare plan defines a hierarchy of
roadway functions providing a balance between mobility and access. This plan serves as a general
guide for growth of the City's future roadway network that can be implemented primarily through
capital improvement programs, land owner agreements, and developer -constructed roads over
many years. The 2001 Master Thoroughfare Plan serves as the basis for this plan update. Alignment
modifications are proposed to reflect and accommodate existing conditions and future
developments in a way that is both fiscally responsible and implementable over time. Separate
roadway alignment studies may be necessary to fine-tune the final location of proposed roadways in
this plan in order to conform to existing land uses or future development trends.
4. Benefits of Adopting and Implementing a Master Thoroughfare Plan
The Master Thoroughfare Plan provides a vision to assist in facility implementation, and helps guide
decisions for capital projects based on the city's intended growth. The Thoroughfare Plan has been
developed to support the Future Land Use Plan by identifying a system of roadway corridors to
move people and goods. The benefits of a Master Thoroughfare Plan include the identification of
right-of-way (ROW) needs in advance of new development, identification of roadways that
appropriately accommodate traffic needs generated by certain land uses, advanced planning of
implementation through funding programs, and coordination of growth with local and regional
entities such as TxDOT and the ArkTx Council of Governments on transportation related projects.
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SECTION 12: REFERENCES TO THE ADOPTED 2001 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
1. Introduction.
The city staff has stated in Section 1 of this plan update that the current adopted 2001 Paris
Comprehensive Plan "...still represents many current state of the art urban planning principles and
practice, and contains many very relevant recommendations that are current for Paris."
In that regard, the staff wishes to bring to the attention of the Paris Planning and Zoning
Commission and City Council two particular discussions within that 2001 plan: They are "The Basis of
Decision -Making: Rezoning Requests" (pgs. 7-8) and "Special Use Permits" (pgs. 92-93). (NOTE: A
"Special Use Permit in the 2001 plan is the same thing as a Specific Use Permit as discussed in the
Paris Zoning Ordinance). The reason that staff is focusing on these two areas of the 2001 plan is
that rezoning requests and specific use permits are the most prevalent and most frequent elements
within the Zoning Ordinance that Paris addresses regarding the city's growth management.
Therefore, the city planning principles and practice reflected in these two parts of the 2001
Comprehensive Plan are of particular and sustained importance to the effective growth -
management and city planning in Paris. The following text is paraphrased from the 2001 plan.
(A) The Basis of Decision -Making: Rezoning Requests. Decisions regarding zoning and subdivision
proposals should be made with reference to sound planning principles and practice. The
following procedures should be implemented by the City when processing rezoning requests.
First, although the required public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission is a
valuable mechanism for evaluating the public's opinions toward development and for
establishing the facts of each case, it is important that decisions not be based only on the
opinions of the largest or most vocal group of participants. Instead, zoning decisions must be
based on the best interests of the entire community, and not just the interests of a particular
property owner or neighboring property owners. Further, the Planning and Zoning Commission
and the City Council should try to distinguish between facts and opinions at a public hearing.
Unsubstantiated assertions ("This project would reduce the value of my property by 75
percent") or generalizations ("People who live in apartments always drive fast cars and race up
and down the streets") should be analyzed for their validity. Even "expert witnesses" should be
pressed to give as factual a basis as possible for their judgments.
Second, zoning decisions should include consideration of long-range community goals as well as
short—range needs. The recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan should be the primary
source for this information. Because of its importance in the zoning process, the
Comprehensive Plan should be reviewed by the Paris city staff and the Planning and Zoning
Commission on a regular basis and amended as necessary to ensure that it remains current.
Third, it is important to zone based on land use issues, not the issues affecting the individual
applicant. An error frequently made is approval of a rezoning to accommodate an applicant's
personal circumstances without consideration of land use conditions and characteristics. Such a
27
rezoning is rarely in the public interest and, if legally challenged, can be held to be invalid.
Instead, decisions should be based on whether the land is appropriate for the proposed zoning
district and in light of the Paris Comprehensive Plan recommendation. The recommended
factors that should be considered for each rezoning application include:
1. The character of the neighborhood;
2. The zoning and uses of properties nearby;
3. The suitability of the subject property for the uses to which it has been restricted;
4. The extent to which removal of the restrictions (or change of zone) will detrimentally
affect nearby property;
5. The length of time the property has remained vacant as zoned;
6. The relative gain to the public health, safety and welfare by not rezoning the property as
compared to the hardship imposed on the property owner;
7. The adequacy of public utilities and other needed public services;
8. The recommendation of city staff; and
9. Compliance with the Paris Comprehensive Plan.
When considering a rezoning application all of the uses which the proposed zoning district
permits should be considered rather than just the use the applicant proposes, since a change in
ownership or in market conditions could easily result in a change of the proposed use to any of
the other permitted uses in said zoning district.
(B) Special Use Permits (Same as Specific Use Permits in Paris). The granting of a special use
permit or a specific use permit requires a case-by-case approach. The Paris Zoning Ordinance
states conditions that must be met before a specific use permit may be granted. The zoning
district regulations where the subject property is located may establish additional conditions.
The recommendation to grant a specific use permit should be made to the City Council only
after the Planning and Zoning Commission has found all the standards as set forth in the zoning
regulations have been met. Appropriate factors for consideration of a specific use permit
application include:
1. The location and size of the proposed use in relation to the site and to adjacent sites
and uses of property; and the nature and intensity of operations proposed thereon.
2. Accessibility of the property to police, fire, EMS, refuse collection and other municipal
services; adequacy of ingress and egress to and within the site; traffic flow and control,
and the adequacy of off-street parking and loading areas.
28
3. Utilities and services, including water, sewer, drainage, gas, and electricity, with
particular reference to location, availability, capacity and compatibility.
4. The location, nature, and height of buildings, walls, fences, and other improvements;
their relation to adjacent property and uses; and the need for buffering or screening.
5. The adequacy of required yard and open space requirements and sign provisions.
6. The general compatibility with adjacent properties, other properties in the district, and
the safety, health, comfort and general welfare of the community.
In granting a specific use permit, the city staff, Planning and Zoning Commission, and City
Council may recommend, and the City Council may impose conditions, safeguards and
restrictions upon the premises to reduce or minimize any potential injurious effect of such
special uses upon other property in the neighborhood, and to carry out the general purpose and
intent of the zoning regulations.
29
SECTION 13: THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS
1. Introduction.
When referring to the success of the D—Day Invasion at Normandy, France, General Eisenhower
stated that "A plan is critical and fundamental, but plan implementation is everything." And so it is
true of any worthwhile plan; it must be implemented to be realized. Too often in American city
planning functions, city officials will state "yes, we have a comprehensive plan, but that's been
sitting on a shelf, gathering dust for a long time." That, obviously, is unacceptable. The Paris city
staff is committed to implementing all of its plans, which includes updating them when and if
needed.
This section of this 2018 update, therefore, lists the well -accepted comprehensive plan
implementation tools that have been the traditional tools used to realize such plans. They have
been successfully used in many American cities for many years.
2. Day -to -Day Use of the Plan. The most effective means of implementing a comprehensive plan is to
use it in the day-to-day administration of public affairs and decision-making. This process should be
a fundamental responsibility and requirement of the city staff that is charged with processing
development reviews and all other projects related to the physical development of Paris. Further,
the plan recommendations should be recognized and considered (when required) by appropriate
city boards and commissions, especially by the Planning and Zoning Commission as well as the Paris
City Council.
3. Periodic Update of the Plan. Also, to be effective, a plan must be revised periodically as necessary.
This is necessary to keep the plan compatible with changing physical, social, and economic
conditions, and to also maintain the plan as a useful and functional document for the public and
private sectors. The initiation of a plan update process is the tasks of the city's planning staff. A
well -accepted procedure is to provide a general review of the plan annually and as required, modify
the plan whenever substantial changes in the communities situation warrants a modification to the
plan; this oftentimes occurs between three to five (or more) years after adoption of the current city
plan.
4. A List of Comprehensive Plan Implementation Tools.
• Don't let the plan "sit on the shelf and gather dust."
• Public Acceptance by Citizens
• Actions by the Planning and Zoning Commission
• Adoption, Use, and Review of the Comprehensive Plan by the City Council
• Staff Review and Update of the Plan
• Zoning Ordinance
• Subdivision Regulations
• Economic Development
30
• Capital Improvement Program and Capital Budget
• Floodplain Management Studies and Accompanying Stormwater Management Ordinances.
• Master Water and Wastewater Systems Plans
• Coordination with School Districts within the Planning Area
• Annexation Program, as feasible
• Consistent Administration of the Plan
• Public/Private Partnerships
• Coordinate, as feasible, regarding linkages to the Northeast Texas Trail Program.
• Refer to the Master Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, Updated in 2018.
• Use as relevant, Land Use Definition implementation recommendations from the 2008 updated
adopted Paris Future Land Use Plan Map Legend Explanations.
31
SECTION 14: MUNICIPAL SERVICES AND NATURAL FEATURES
Natural Features & Drainage
The city completed a master plan for drainage improvements in 2008; however, those needed
improvements were never funded, and the city's old system has continued to deteriorate. In addition,
in many cases, basic planning and development principles were not followed. Specifically, increased
outflows caused by the development of properties were frequently not accounted for, floodplain areas
were allowed to be filled in, finish grades of completed structures were not monitored resulting in
flooding of homes that were built too low, and downhill properties were often allowed to be negatively
impacted by uphill development. From 2015-17, the city spent $1,840,000 in clearing and cleaning
creek ways, culverts, ditches, and other drainage facilities. Also in 2017 the city paid for a study of the
21St NE to 26t" SE/Culbertson/Simpson drainage area, but required improvements were cost prohibitive.
The city now requires finished elevations to be measured and certified to ensure run-off created by one
developed site does to cause issues for other developed sites. In 2018 the city created a full-time
drainage crew for the first time in over a decade, and also wrote and began implementing a drainage
maintenance plan and map (Attachment Q.
Water Utility System
Significant improvements amounting to a total replacement need to occur to the very dated wastewater
treatment plant, though the city is at present managing the situation adequately by funding and building
improvements piecemeal. The city is also performing major capital projects at the water treatment
plant at greatly reduced costs by utilizing in-house forces. A headworks project is scheduled to be
completed in 2018 at the WWTP, which should improve the productivity and reliability of the old
wastewater plant. In addition, improvements to the southeast lift station will eliminate three lift
stations, significantly decreasing downtime and costs. A belt press filter will decrease dependency on
private property for spreading residuals at the WWTP.
Municipal Code Enforcement
The city revised its ordinance regarding property violations so that cases are heard by the Building
Standards Commission instead of being appealable to the county judge, and remediation work can now
occur much faster. The city also implemented changes to the city's tax delinquent property
management program, providing for private sales of seized/foreclosed lots. The city is working with
various for-profit and non-profit organizations to try to create more affordable housing. New municipal
court process changes are also being implemented.
Cox Field
In 2017-18 a new hangar was built at Cox Field at a cost of $1.1 million, utilizing a combination of local
and federal funds administered by TXDOT Aviation. Both airport ground and hangar leases were
standardized and codified. Land was sold to Ag -Pro for expansion. A utilities plan and route were
drafted in order to speed the development of wet utilities to serve the airport should significant
development occur there. A planned development zoning district (PD) was developed to manage and
32
promote development on and near the airport. The city also adopted an economic development policy
for Cox Field.
Fire Service
Fire Station #2 closed subsequent to the 2001 plan, so only three stations remain in active service. Land
was acquired for a replacement Fire Station #3, tentatively planned to be constructed in 2022-23.
A new northwest EMS station, replacing the location inside PRMC, will open in late 2018.
Police Services
The city refurbished a deteriorated building on Clarksville Street and the police department and
municipal court were moved there in 2006. The building now requires exterior work
Public works
In 2012-13 the city completed a comprehensive review of and report on all street, alley, water, and
wastewater infrastructure. This study identified nearly $200 million in needs. These needs were
prioritized, and in May 2013 the first successful bond election in Paris since 1984 was approved by
voters. This vote authorized the sale of $45 million in water and wastewater bonds, which were sold in
three tranches between 2013 and 2018. A second bond election was held in May 2017, in which $9.5
million was approved for street reconstructions and $500,000 was approved for park improvements.
Street construction is in progress. (Attachment F).
Economic & Community Development
An annexation policy and plan have been adopted. ED programs and policies related to retail,
downtown, and airport development were written and approved. A Planned Development (PD) was
developed for future development near Lake Crook. The city has negotiated a long-term management
agreement to return the Grand Theater to a functioning entity in downtown. Market Square has been
improved and expanded. City Hall is undergoing significant restorative renovation in anticipation of its
centennial in 2020. The city has taken responsibility for improving three county properties in
downtown.
Accessibility
Paris has completed two Safe Routes to School projects, reconstructed a lengthy walkway on Graham,
and is adding many ADA improvements on reconstructed streets. The fountain and downtown plazas
were made ADA compliant in 2015. The city also budgets for ADA work on an annual basis to continue to
make advancements. Improvements in two parks in 2018 included accessible equipment.
33
SECTION 15: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
One of the short -comings of the 2001 plan was in its limited implementation. This appears to have been
due to a lack of follow-through combined with a misunderstanding by the city that adoption of the
comprehensive plan made that plan's recommendations enforceable. However, in most cases,
implementation required creation and adoption of individual ordinances, including those related to
landscaping, building standards, zoning, subdivision regulations, housing, impact fees, etc.
Even so, we have succeeded in making a number of ordinance changes, including: revised definitions
throughout the comprehensive zoning ordinance, codifying new previously not existing or anticipated
land uses, a rental property maintenance code, vacant building registry, revised mobile home
regulations, etc. Other implementation measures need to be addressed with this update.
15.1 Meticulously monitor development, especially of impervious surfaces so as to minimize run-off,
erosion, and flooding. Implement site plan review to protect established areas from new development.
15.2 Create a stormwater utility to generate funding for capital improvements to drainage
infrastructure.
15.3 Implement a Healthy Creeks & Lakes policy to include proper erosion hazard setbacks and
defined regulations for floodplain development.
15.4 Continue to fund capital maintenance at both utility plants and both lakes to extend the useful
lives of each.
15.5. Develop a plan for the ultimate replacement of both utility plants.
15.6. Update master airport hangar and taxiway plan in 2018.
15.7 Develop a short-term project program to manage annual TXDOT funding, and also to increase
annual RAMP revenue.
15.8. Revise and combine the existing flight -based operator (FBO) and maintenance agreements for
Cox Field.
15.9 Utilize the Environmental Inventory Checklist to evaluate zoning, site plan, and other
development projects.
15.10 Ensure all changes to the Zoning District Map conform to the Future Land Use Plan.
15.11 Provide for sidewalks in all new development projects so as to ensure compliance with ADA
standards and the city's approved ADA transition plan.
34
15.12 Establish means to appropriately manage mobile food vendors.
15.13 Create regulations for commercial RV parks.
15.14 Create funding mechanism(s) to assist with utility extensions and other developmental needs,
perhaps establishing new partnership measures with developers, or creating a development fund.
15.15 Connect the subdivision regulations directly to the Master Thoroughfare Plan to ensure the
city's authority to enforce ROW dedications and other needed improvements for plan implementation.
15.16 Establish standards for accessory dwelling units, "tiny" houses, and container structures; re-
consider approach to residential -design manufactured housing.
15.17 Change the process to add new land uses to the Comprehensive Zoning ordinance by resolution.
15.18 Improve the Planned Development process to ensure they are large functional zoning units as
intended by PD principles.
15.19 Review land uses allowed in General Retail and Commercial, providing improved differentiation
between the two overlapping zoning districts.
15.20 Adopt Downtown Plan and Toole Vision Plan.
15.21 Develop implementation plan for downtown.
15.22 Create and manage a TIRZ to provide funding and impetus to downtown redevelopment.
15.23 Expand subdivision regulations to include reasonable landscaping requirements
15.24 Require administrative approval of site plans for all multi -family, retail, and commercial
developments.
15.25 Study and revise paving standards as necessary to be practical and consistent.
15.26 Establish and enforce specific design standards, consistent with the planning recommendations
from the 2001 Comprehensive Plan.
15.27 Require substantial buffering and screening to visually separate incompatible land uses.
15.28 Amend the zoning ordinance to place tri- and quadplexes into medium density housing instead
of multi -family.
35
15.29 Require construction of sidewalks on at least one side of all residential subdivisions (adding the
requirement to the subdivision regulations), or where there are existing sidewalks replace all that are
not ADA -compliant.
15.30 Evaluate waiving or reducing permitting fees to encourage construction and maintenance in
certain areas needing in -fill.
15.31 Require grass or planting strips between curbs and sidewalks.
15.32 Move tree landscaping requirements from the Tree Ordinance to the subdivision regulations.
15.33 Minimize curb cuts and median breaks by requiring adjacent commercial uses to design internal
connections between parking lots to minimize street traffic and curb cuts, by implementing cross access
requirements.
15.34 Require parking lots to be planted with street landscaping.
15.35 Develop and implement an access management program for loop 286 and major municipal
arterials.
15.35 Require developments to face the local arterial road.
15.36 Require the facades of new buildings to receive some treatment to avoid long expanses of blank
walls.
15.37 Consider limiting certain construction materials.
15.38 Add a dumpster enclosure section to the zoning ordinance and/or design standards.
15.39 Adopt a master streetscape plan.
15.40 Establish strip commercial design guidelines, consistent with those recommended in the 2001
Comprehensive Plan.
15.41 Establish downtown and office/institutional development standards, consistent with those
recommended in the 2001 Comprehensive Plan.
SECTION 16: THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, A CLOSING NOTE
The comprehensive plan should represent a composite of all the land use elements: residential areas,
recreation facilities, environmental considerations, community facilities, commercial and industrial
areas, thoroughfares, and supportive urban design considerations.
A prime objective of the plan is to achieve a balance of land uses that will economically, physically, and
socially benefit those who live and work in Paris. Thus, to achieve this balance of land uses, each of the
above elements should propose a general plan for a specific land use type. In turn, each element should
be combined to from a general plan of land use that will serve to guide the long-range land
development of the entire planning area as shown on the Future Land Use Plan map within this Paris
Comprehensive Plan document. Preparers and users of the Comprehensive Plan should keep in mind
both the following limitations and purposes of the plan:
The Comprehensive Plan is NOT:
- The municipal zoning ordinance;
- Any other ordinance that regulates the use of the land;
- A rigid unchanging plan or statement concerning land use, growth, and development; or,
- The final answer to the problems of the future.
The Comprehensive Plan IS:
- Based upon present knowledge and goals;
- Flexible so that it can be changed when the Paris Planning and Zoning Commission, City
Council and/or other municipal officials and citizens seethe need for such change;
- A basis for making rational decisions, but does not replace the decision making process;
- A guide that can aid Paris in implementing a sound growth -management and growth -
inducing program; and,
- A component of the on-going planning process that recognizes that sound city planning and
zoning pay for themselves many times over—in terms of cost-effectiveness and the timely
and efficient use of public and private resources.
37
ATTACHMENT D: FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP LEGEND EXPLANATIONS
Low -Density Residential
This use is representative of traditional, single-family detached dwelling units. Of the residential
categories, it is recommended that low density residential continue to account for the largest
percentage. The areas designated for low density residential land use are generally not adjacent to
major thoroughfares or incompatible land uses, and are in proximity to existing single-family residential
land use. Although all single family areas should be labeled "low density," the City should allow and
promote a range of lotsizes.
Moderate Density Residential
This use is representative of two-family attached dwelling units, such as duplex units and
townhomes. Medium density land uses often provide areas for "empty nesters" who may not want
the maintenance of large -lot single-family home, and for youngfamilieswho mayfindatownhomeor
duplex more affordable than a single-family home. The City should consider each proposed medium
density development on its own merit but also generally on the following:
• The patio homes or townhomes provide a buffer between single family land uses
and higher intensity land uses such as multiple family or nonresidential.
• The patio homes or townhomes provide a buffer between single family land
uses and major thoroughfares or collectors.
• The land proposed for development of patio homes or townhomes is located
along an arterial or collector roadway.
High -Density Residential
Traditional apartment -type units in attached living complexes characterize high density residential
land use. There are currently several high density residential areas within Paris. It should also be
noted that medium density uses should also be permitted in any area designated for high density use.
In orderto ensure that multiple -family areas are designed to a high standard wherever they develop
in the future, the City should consider incorporating the following guidelines into the Zoning
Ordinance:
• The proposed multi -family tract should be adjacent to an arterial roadway;
• All structures within the multi -family development should be at least 90
percent masonry on exterior of the firststory;
• If the tract is adjacent to single-family residential dwellings, transition areas
(greenspace, buffer areas, medium density development, etc.) should be
incorporated into the project;
• Based upon the density of the complex, an appropriate amount of usable open
space should be required.
Manufactured Housi
38
This use consists of "HUD -code manufactured homes" as defined in Section 1201.003 of the Texas
Occupations Code, as amended.
Office
This use consists of commercial developments providing services for sale such as an accountant or a
physician, or providing general office and administrative uses.
Retail
Retail land use areas are intended to provide for a variety of retail trade, personal, and business services
and establishments, such as a grocery store, drug store, restaurant, or department store. Retail
establishments generally require greater visibility than do other types of nonresidential land use (e.g.,
office, commercial). As such, retail land uses have been designated in the higher traffic areas and at
major intersections. However, retail uses do not have outside storage and sale of items, with the
exception of occasional temporary displays of items not specifically prohibited by zoning regulations.
Commercial
Areas designated for commercial land use are intended for a variety of commercial uses and
establishments with outside storage, display, and sales. Examples of such uses include automobile -
related services, manufactured home sales, self -storage units, welding shops, and pawn shops.
Commercial uses often locate along major thoroughfares not because they need the visibility, as retail
uses generally do, but because they need the accessibility. The challenge lies in the fact that commercial
uses generally have a greater need for outside storage areas, yet these areas tend to lessen the visual
quality of major thoroughfares.
Central Area
This classification includes a mix of residential, retail, service, and business uses that provide for the
daily convenience needs of on-site and nearby employees and residents. The purpose is to provide for
pedestrian and transit -oriented high density employment and cultural uses together with limited
complementary retail and higher density residential and other compatible uses that enhance the Central
Area.
Light Industrial
This use includes light manufacturing processes which are contained within a building or which do not
emit detectable dust, odor, smoke, gas, or fumes beyond the bounding property lines of the lot or tract
upon which the use is located and which do not generate noise or vibration at the boundary of the
District which is generally perceptible in frequency or pressure above the ambient level of noise in the
adjacent areas.
Heavy Industrial
This use includes intensive land uses including manufacturing, industrial servicing, or storage process not
prohibited by law. Most uses in this District require a Specific Use Permit (SUP).
39
Public Lands and Institutions
This use includes primarily government, education, and health facilities.
Parks and Recreation
Open space amenities for both active and passive recreation. This category includes sport facilities, open
space, playgrounds, recreation centers, and aquatic facilities. It does not include private neighborhood
recreation centers.
Agricultural
This category includes uses devoted primarily to the tilling of soil, the raising of crops, horticulture,
livestock, poultry, feed lots, and related commercial and industrial activities. It allows residential
densities up to 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres.
3. Graphics for This Section
The relevant graphics for this Section 10 include:
(A) The 2018 Future Land Use Plan Map: This map also reflects the 100 -year flood plain as a
graphic overlay. The purpose of this is to provide the development community with basic, early
data to consider within their initial project design and/or project planning efforts.
This Future Land Use Plan also illustrates Paris' Regional Framework which reflects Paris in
relationship to a portion of Lamar County including nearby municipalities. The purpose is to
illustrate the Paris Future Land Use Plan in relation to its regional context.
(B) The 2018 Updated Maior Thoroughfare Plan Map: Although it is a separate map from the
Future Land Use Plan Map, the Major Thoroughfare Plan Map is highly associated with future
land use. This is so because the movement of people, goods, and services is directly related to
the various land uses from which their trip generations begin and end; further, all land uses
between the origin and destination of any kind of thoroughfare travel also strongly affects the
efficiency and safety of such vehicular movement.
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ATTACHMENT A: PARIS DOWNTOWN PLAN
1. PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE to FACILITATE UTILITY and SAFETY
1.1 Replace all downtown sidewalks, using a combination of local and CDBG funding, as well as private funds
through a 50/50 matching program with contiguous property owners. Walks shall include trees,
benches, period lighting, and trash receptacles, and must be fully ADA compliant.
1.2 Widen specific sidewalk segments to expand public spaces, thereby encouraging pedestrian activity and
outdoor sitting, enhancing safety, improving aesthetics, and offering areas for formal and informal
outdoor dining.
1.3 Construct bump -outs and other physical features to slow vehicular traffic. Chicanes shall be constructed
of materials unique from sidewalks and other paving, and shall include landscaping features where
practical.
1.4 Replace city water and wastewater mains and provide ready access for future redevelopment requiring
common standpipes and/or other water supply connections.
1.5 Plan, budget, and construct public parking, to include lighting, signage, and landscaping, consistent with
an adopted master site plan.
1.6 Develop and implement a tree -planting program to dramatically improve aesthetics, air quality, and
overall shade.
1.7 In order to create an attractive, welcoming demarcation of downtown, design, fund -raise for, and
construct a heavily landscaped Memorial Plaza along the northern edge of the courthouse property, to
include seating capstones, pavers, signage, mesquite trees, and electric charger stations.
1.8 Assist Lamar County in constructing a new parking area north of the county courthouse.
1.9 Construct and maintain a trailhead parking area, utilizing county land on Hearn near 4th Street SW, re-
utilizing an existing concrete pad site.
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1.10 Acquire 301 Bonham (or other appropriate sites) for use as public parking. Parking areas shall include
lighting, signage, easy pedestrian ingress and egress, and quality pavement.
1.11 Add/repair/enhance the electric capacity at Bywaters Park and in and around the plaza to ensure safety
and ease of operation, and provide support for a wide range of potential special users.
1.12 Demolish old health department building and convert space to a well-maintained open space.
1.13 Replace and expand Sherman Street, from 3'd to Heritage Park, to include sidewalks to link downtown,
Wise Field, Heritage Park, and the future Trail de Paris spur connector.
1.14 Pave parking area immediately behind (west of) city hall annex.
2. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT to CREATE PEDESTRIAN -FRIENDLY SPACES
2.1 Reduce and enforce speed limits adjacent to the FUMC'S community spray park.
2.2 Reduce and enforce lower speed limits adjacent to Market Square.
2.3 Convert the travel lane adjacent to FUMC on Clarksville to parallel parking.
2.4 Reduce lane widths on Plaza, Lamar, and Clarksville.
2.5 Establish parallel parking on both sides of each street entering and leaving the Plaza, for a minimum
distance of one block in each direction.
2.6 Utilize bump -outs and hardscape to enhance pedestrian crossings at each intersection on the plaza.
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2.7 Close one block of 3 d between Lamar and Clarksville, replace asphalt paving with pavers, and place
bollards on either end to prevent regular access, but also to provide for limited vehicular access for
special events and occasions. In the interim, provide enhanced crosswalks in conjunction with the 3 d
Street repaving project.
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2.8 In order to reduce the number of large trucks, improve No Through Truck & hazardous cargo signage,
and maintain police enforcement of existing restrictions on such trucks.
2.9 Incorporate Paris Metro stops into downtown's function and design, and provide assistance to ATCOG in
placement of appropriate signage and construction of bus shelters. Evaluate constructing a non-
standard downtown shelter from materials that more fit the historical character of downtown.
2.10 Construct two bump -outs each on 1" SW and South Main south of Sherman, each pair to be opposite
from one another to create a traffic calming chicane effect.
2.11 Construct enhanced pavement pedestrian crossings at each Plaza intersection, on 1" SW connecting the
library and Market Square, at the intersections of Church and Kaufman, on Main Street connecting
Bywaters Park and the library, and at 15Y NE and Lamar.
2.12 Replace all faded, damaged, or otherwise dated wayfaring signs with new -design signage. Eliminate
unneeded locations to reduce street clutter.
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2.13 Construct landscaped traffic circles at the intersections of North Main and Pine Bluff, and 1" NW and
Graham; coordinate improvements with landscaping and other improvements to be established along
northern edge of courthouse property.
2.14 Convert Price, Houston, 2nd West, and 3rd West to two-way traffic; identify and convert additional streets
as appropriate.
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2.15 Expand the size of the Culbertson Fountain plaza approximately 6 feet on each side, using a pervious
material (e.g. decomposed granite, softscape, pavers, etc.). Widen existing sidewalks on the plaza by
from 3 to 5 feet, using a pervious material.
2.16 Replace traffic signals on each plaza corner with stop signs.
2.17 Demolish former police station (and retrieve old tower for reuse/resale), as well as neighboring
properties as necessary, and construct a heavily landscaped new Y intersection of Grand and Bonham in
that location; prior to construction, utilize space for a temporary, highly landscaped passive park.
3. AMENITIES & AESTHETICS to CREATE a VIBRANT DOWNTOWN
3.1 Actively assist the First Methodist Church (FUMC) in constructing planned parking, landscape, and spray
park improvements.
3.2 Construct and maintain a public restroom at the FUMC's park for use by park users as well as downtown
visitors.
3.3 Construct a second public restroom in general proximity to Market Square, but also accessible from the
Plaza, to be open year-round.
3.4 Construct and maintain a high quality passive park on county property immediately west of the
courthouse, to include ground lighting, bench swings, benches, walkways, public art, and appropriate
landscaping.
3.5 Preserve, restore and/or replace ghost murals and advertising signs to help preserve the unique history
of downtown while also promoting the historic nature of this unique area. Adopt a mural ordinance as
necessary.
3.6 Continue to promote the PARIS "I" sign as a unique photo backdrop. Identify spot(s) and organization(s)
to build and maintain an additional sign, possibly at Bywaters or the new passive west courthouse park.
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3.5 Preserve, restore and/or replace ghost murals and advertising signs to help preserve the unique history
of downtown while also promoting the historic nature of this unique area. Adopt a mural ordinance as
necessary.
3.6 Continue to promote the PARIS "I" sign as a unique photo backdrop. Identify spot(s) and organization(s)
to build and maintain an additional sign, possibly at Bywaters or the new passive west courthouse park.
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3.7 Construct a small, premium ballfield for very young children to expand uses and broaden the types and
ages of people visiting and enjoying downtown.
3.8 Add a soccer field to Wise Field Park to encourage higher usage at that historic park.
3.9 Place trees at the northeast and southeast corners of East Houston and 1" Street NW.
3.10 Actively pursue opportunities to acquire and plant an appropriate mix of urban trees.
3.11 Pursue the creation of mural(s) and/or other improvements on the east -facing building on 2nd Street.
3.12 Encourage fixed public art as well as interactive art, using public and private funds, and developer
assessments, to be located/conducted on public spaces, with Market Square, the library, the plaza,
downtown entryways, and Bywaters Park as preferred locations.
3.13 Design and construct a water feature, using existing improved stormwater facilities, thereby enhancing
aesthetics, improving drainage function, and creating a potential gathering space.
3.14 Identify a site for a community -built playground and construct and maintain a quality wooden structure,
designed to match the local built environment and be inviting but unobtrusive. The project should be
contiguous or very close to other city facilities/activities to enhance synergy and to more efficiently use
available parking.
3.15 Evaluate means to expand individual property ownership to curb edge to encourage outside restaurant
seating and alcohol service, and initiate the processes where feasible. Also develop a lease for such
activities on public property, and create and adopt the requisite ordinance(s).
3.16 Encourage a residential component to help create an evening life for the downtown, using zoning,
economic incentives, partnership, and any and all other tools that may become available.
3.17 In order to soften the look of the old parking area as visible from a main arterial and state highway, add
landscaping in the small open space at the corner of Grand and 2nd NW.
3.18 Pave/landscape/improve the small city parking area at northeast corner of Kaufman and Church.
8/21/18
4. UNIQUE EVENTS & PROGRAMMING to ECOURAGE FUN and ACTIVITY
4.1 Provide unique quality events and venues sponsored by the city and its related agencies, while providing
infrastructure and safety support to events and activities conducted by the Lamar County Chamber of
Commerce, Downtown Paris Association, and other hosts.
4.2 Facilitate quality events and activities by private sponsors and hosts.
4.3 Convert the alley on 1" Street NE immediately opposite Lickety Split to a public venue space, to include
live performances, sale of food and beverages, passive seating, support of theater activities, etc.,
constructing improvements using partnerships with local funds.
4.4 Maintain the burned -out lot used for the annual pumpkin patch, and install additional steel support to
ensure structural safety.
4.5 Take responsibility for the vacant lot immediately north of the Belford Apartment Building, shore up
adjacent walls as necessary to ensure structural safety, and convert the area into a sunken garden and
park (name it Le Jardine), with extensive seating and landscaping.
4.6 Close 15Y Street NE from Kaufman to Houston, converting it to a pedestrian way, to be named Rue
ler Promenade. Bollards will be used to restrict traffic, but can be used to allow public safety access. In
the interim, when 1" is reconstructed, add 10 feet of sidewalk space on the east side of the roadway for
all three blocks, to include seating, eating opportunities, lighting, and extensive landscaping. As
development fills in, the remainder of the street will be converted to pedestrian only traffic. The Rue
area will be also used to host special events and evening activities.
4.7 Modify the alley north of city hall to make it conducive and inviting to special events and activities,
including food and beverages and live performances, either in conjunction with events on Rue ler or
stand-alone activities.
5. BUILDING MAINTENANCE & RESTORATION to PROTECT and DISPLAY OUR HISTORY
5.1 Continue to promote and fund the three existing grant programs designed to encourage and assist
redevelopment, especially of facades and structures.
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5.2 Adopt and enforce a downtown vacant building registry and standards -of -care ordinance in order to
encourage investment, new active ownership, and building maintenance and improvements.
5.3 Actively pursue code violations and police activities to enhance property values, safety, and aesthetics.
5.4 Provide appropriate assistance for remediation of the historic 1" National Bank building; develop and
implement a plan to repair or replace the undermined contiguous sidewalk.
5.5 Foreclose the Belford Apartments and attempt to re -sell to a qualified and interest redeveloper; in lieu
thereof, demolish and replace with a quality re -use on that site.
5.6 Fully complete the renovations to the Grand Theater, utilizing a partnership with a local private
management group to fund -raise, manage all physical construction work, and maintain and operate the
theater for performances and other events and activities designed to bring both local and out -off -town
persons to downtown.
5.7 Complete the restoration of and improvements to the historic city hall, to include all upstairs spaces,
which will be used for special events and occasions, and may be rented for certain groups and activities;
fully refurbish and clean exterior for 1001h anniversary celebration to be conducted on site in October
2020.
5.8 Establish a downtown maintenance program to improve the cleanliness and neatness of downtown,
using a special needs worker maintenance grant.
5.9 Amend the city's zoning ordinance to eliminate warehouse as a primary use.
5.10 Formally adopt and reasonably implement the Design Guidelines for the Historic District, and maintain
the integrity of the district.
5.11 Encourage historic preservation in order to maintain and enhance the value of the existing environment,
influence, compatibility.
5.12 Establish and maintain an up-to-date presence on Downtown, TX.
5.13 Create a comprehensive, easy -to -read and understand developer's packet, including graphics, taking into
account the unique building environment of an historic downtown.
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5.14 Prepare and distribute a handout(s) with graphic(s) showing what CAN be done in downtown to
encourage interest and to debunk common myths.
5.15 Establish and maintain a very high-quality, user-friendly website and proactively use all other pertinent
media to support historic preservation and restoration. Site should include relevant local ordinances,
contact data, steps to restoration of an historic building, how to work with Main Street and the HPC,
SBDC information, etc.
5.16 Evaluate the cost and feasibility of eliminating or reducing overhead utilities.
5.17 Keep curbs painted, weeds removed, and landscaping vibrant and seasonally current at all city facilities,
including city hall.
5.18 Completely clean and otherwise restore the historic library building exterior.
6. FUNDING to ENCOURAGE & INCENTIVIZE REDEVELOPMENT
6.1 Create a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) to fund improvements and/or operating and
maintenance costs of downtown.
6.2 Create a neighborhood empowerment zone, consistent with Chapter 378 of the Texas Local Government
Code.
6.3 Place permitting and other regulatory fees into a downtown development fund.
6.4 Create and implement a downtown loan guarantee program.
6.5 Reinvigorate the 1998 floating loan program for building improvements, for which funds are again
available.
6.6 Implement a mixed-use economic development program, to include Chapter 380 development
agreements, tax write-offs, tax abatements, etc., to incentivize redevelopment and recruit appropriate
retailers and residential properties.
7. SAFETY to ENCOURAGE VISITORS and INVESTORS
7.1 Consistent with Section 102.5 of the International Fire Code and professional planning principles, exercise
"compliance though cooperation" to ensure fire safety for historic buildings.
7.2 Install and monitor security cameras to observe key intersections.
7.3 Continue to present and expand a positive police presence, using foot patrols, K-9, parked squads, and all
other appropriate tools as appropriate.
7.4 Identify the site for and operate a temporary police sub -station; on or very near the plaza (to be co -
located after 2022 with construction of the new fire station #3 on 191h SW).
7.5 Modify and enforce parking ordinance(s) to business hours, and enforcing 2 -hour parking limits. Provide a
limited number of parking permits to permanent residents as necessary.
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7.6 Complete a thorough building inventory of all structures greater than one story, emphasizing structural
and roof integrity.
7.7 Periodically utilize the fire department drone to check roof security and monitor roof drains to ensure
they are fully functioning.
7.8 Establish adequate lighting for all parking areas, directing light downwards to avoid glare and light
pollution, and group common street light colors, poles, and fixtures so as not to harm nighttime
aesthetics.
8. CHURCH STREET to MAINTAIN and SUSTAIN its HISTORY and BEAUTY
8.1 Fully reconstruct Church from Hearn to Clarksville.
8.2 Replace selected wastewater mains and some service connections to improve sewer reliability, and
reduce the short-term likelihood of future main breaks.
8.3 Replace all water mains and service connections to improve water quality and reliability, and reduce the
short-term likelihood of future main breaks.
8.4 Replace drainage facilities, including underground drainage infrastructure and curbing, to dramatically
improve stormwater control and runoff.
8.5 In association with providers of dry utilities, reduce the number of utility poles as much as practical, and
straighten/replace any leaning or crooked poles.
8.6 Replace existing streets lights with a single, consistent fixture and pole for continuity and quality lighting
for the length of the street, focusing lumens down as much as possible to reduce glare and light pollution.
8.7 Construct a raised pedestrian crosswalk at the Trail de Paris in order to slow traffic and enhance safety for
pedestrians and bikers on the trail.
8.8 Establish a clear delineation of the south entry into this historic district, utilizing a combination of signage,
landscaping, and themed monumenation, in order to reduce through -traffic while highlighting the
uniqueness of the district itself, and construct a landscaped traffic circle at the intersection of Church and
Hearn.
9. MARKET SQUARE to CELEBRATE & INTEGRATE this INTERACTIVE SPACE
9.1 Create a vegetative screen along the western edge of the property to block the view of deteriorated
structures along 2nd SW.
9.2 Improve/repair the adjacent mural immediately north, improving the aesthetics of the site while telling
the story of the city's history.
9.3 Construct a mini -town with replica type buildings, reminiscent of those created in Longview and Allen,
Texas, or adopt a different theme such as farming or reading.
9.4 Relocate the small Wade playground to the site to encourage visits by children and to provide
recreation for children accompanied by parents visiting the site for other purposes and special events.
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9.5 Add tactile play facilities and a climbing hill and/or other feature(s) between the two sheds for use by
younger children visiting the market.
9.6 Acquire the vacant land on the northwest corner of Sherman and 1'Y for future public meeting space
and landscaping.
9.7 Provide for access to electricity for food truck(s) and other users related to special events and activities.
9.8 Expand Farmer's Market activities and events to maximize both discreet visitor numbers and visitor
days.
9.9 Add large colorful sculptures that create interest while also supporting the site's overall theme;
interactive, climbable sculptures/artwork are preferred.
9.10 Enhance and utilize the treed area on 1" SW behind the library and immediately across the street from
Market Square, constructing new sidewalks, creating a small entertainment venue/stage, and adding
benches, bench swings, landscaping, and other passive features.
9.11 Create new programming at the library for children and seniors to utilize the city's adjacent outdoor
amenities.
9.12 Add security light(s), signage, and a colorful awning at the skate park to improve aesthetics.
9.13 Add paved parking inside the site (some of which should be pervious surfaces), add spaces on the
northern end of the site, add new parallel spaces on 2nd SW, close the center entrance and add parking
on 1'Y SW, and eliminate the gore on 1"
9.14 Create a specialized, enhanced crosswalk (e.g., vegetable or book pavement patterns) to connect the
two sites into a single locus of activity; add unique signage to get recognition and attention, such as
"Vegetable X-ing" or "Book X-ing."
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9.15 Construct enhanced pavement pedestrian crossings at the intersections of 1" SW at Sherman and
Austin Streets.
9.16 Acquire and convert the vacant area at 246 1" Street SW opposite Swaim's Hardware into a passive
public park, to include seating and arbors for shade.
10. TRAILS & CONNECTORS to ENCOURAGE NON -VEHICULAR USERS
10.1 Extend the Trail de Paris to 4th SW, temporarily terminating pavement at or near a parking area -served
trailhead, in order to connect the trail to downtown.
10.2 Develop an ultimate route, and acquire necessary easements and/or rights-of-way, for the Trail de Paris,
terminating at the southwestern city limit; construct and maintain as part of the Northeast Texas Trail
system (and future state park), coordinating work and maintenance with the NETT board, TXDOT, and
the Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) as appropriate.
10.3 Construct and maintain trails/sidewalks on 1" SW and Main Streets, with signed connection points, in
order to create safe, direct connections to the Trail de Paris from the plaza, thereby encouraging
pedestrian trips between the trail and downtown.
10.4 Construct and maintain the West Paris Multi -Use Trail from the historic Union Depot building to the Boys
and Girls Club to increase the number and types of walkers and bikers in the area.
10.5 Extend a spur north from the Trail de Paris to connect it to the West Paris Trail at or near the Union
Station depot; in the interim, mark the connecting route along 4th Street SW and Kaufman with a
combination of bicycle pavement markings and signage.
10.6 Construct improvements to and along Kaufman Street from Church Street to the Union Station depot in
order to provide for and encourage pedestrian uses and cross -interactions.
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MEMORANDUM
Date
To
8484 GEORGIA
SUITE 800
SILVER SPRNG
September 21, 2o18
John Godwin, City Manager
Organization: City of Paris, Texas
AVENUE
I
From: Addie Weber, AICP; Ian Lockwood, PE; Jesse Boudart, PE;
Stephanie Weyer
Project: Downtown Paris Visioning Charrette
•
301.927.190110
TOOLED,E'',SIGN.COh1
Toole Design's urban design, landscape architecture, transportation, and traffic analysis services were
enlisted to help: 1) develop a community vision to help shape investments in the downtown; 2) enhance
the Downtown Square; 3) restore two-way operations on two pairs of one-way streets; and 4) envision
better connections between Bywaters Park, the Paris Public Library, Market Square Farmers Market, the
Paris Town Square, and the Downtown Community Park. The design concepts, which were focused on
the public realm, were developed during two, four-day, workshops that occurred during June 25-28,
2018 and August 13-16, 2018. During the process, there were many opportunities for City staff, County
officials, business owners, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), civic leaders, property
owners, and other members of the community to provide input and feedback. The process culminated
with a public presentation of the design concepts on the last day of the final workshop. There was broad
consensus to move forward with the recommended design concepts outlined in the presentation. The
purpose of this memo is to summarize the design process, design concepts, and augment the diagrams
and presentations that were developed during the workshops.
Over the course of the two four -day -long workshops, members of Toole Design collaborated with City
staff, TxDOT representatives, civic leaders, business owners, and other citizens to develop a vision to
guide downtown Paris.
E
The first collaboration with the community occurred June 25 -28th, 2018. The 4 -day community event
commenced with a Monday evening presentation. The presentation included:
• An overview of traditional transportation principles,
• Highlights of the consultant team's walking tour of downtown Paris,
• The benefits of a community vision,
Exhibit "B"
• The general purpose of cities and downtowns (i.e., to foster social and economic exchange), and
• National best practices as they relate to one-way to two-way restoration and revitalizing
downtowns.
The meeting concluded with community members forming seven groups to answer the following
questions about the City and the downtown in particular:
• List key values that should shape Paris.
• What do you like and wish to preserve?
• What do you dislike and want to change?
• What is missing that you would like to see created?
During the remaining three days of the workshop, numerous stakeholders were engaged by the
consultant team in small group meetings and in one-on-one meetings to understand the key drivers,
opportunities, and challenges facing the community. A concluding Thursday night presentation captured
what we heard throughout the week. The presentation also included any starter ideas that were
developed during the workshop. Feedback and discussion followed the presentation.
Figure 1: Representatives of the seven groups reported their findings to the broader community during the opening night of the
first workshop.
The Design Workshop
The second collaboration with the community occurred August 13-16, 2018 and focused on building on
the starter ideas. The workshop concluded on Thursday evening with a presentation of the design
concepts, which included:
• Restoration of the one-way pairs to two-way operations, along with a traffic analysis,
• Addition of a separated bicycle facility on 1St Street and Clarksville Street,
• A new concept for the Downtown Square,
• A new concept for stronger connections between Bywaters Park, the Paris Public Library, and
Market Square Farmers Market, Paris Town Square, and the Downtown Community Park.
• A shared space on 1St Street, between Lamar Avenue and Clarksville Street.
The meeting concluded with an outline of next steps.
Downtown Paris, Texas, is fortunate to have a walkable network of streets, a great building stock, and
community amenities such as Bywaters Park, the Culbertson Fountain, the Downtown Community Park,
and Market Square Farmers Market. It also has easy access to the nearby Northeast Texas Trail system,
which hosts races and events throughout the year. The design concepts focused on the core of
downtown, as identified during the Discovery Workshop by the community. The boundaries of the focus
area are: Price Street and the County Courthouse to the north, 3 d Street to the west, Church Street to
the east, and Sherman Street to the south.
Figure 2: Images from the tour: Market Square Farmers Market (top left), the Downtown Community Park (top right), and the
Culbertson Fountain (bottom).
The design concepts outlined below are a foundation for the City of Paris to coordinate with various
local, County, State, and private entities to move the vision towards implementation.
Figure 3: Overall design concept for downtown Paris, Texas.
The Two-way st
Restoration re re Lamar , T- T l re(
A Brief History of One-way and Two-way Streets
Since the founding of cities in the United States, starting in 1565 with St. Augustine, until about 50 years
ago, all streets were two-way. Of course, for thousands of years before that, paths, trails, and streets in
Native American villages and along their trading routes were also two-way. There were lots of good
reasons for the two-way operations. The most obvious reasons are the convenience of being able to go
either way along a street, direct routing, and shorter trips. Such traditional reasons weren't widely
recognized, documented, assigned technical names, or even measured because that was just the way
things were for thousands of years. The basic idea of two-way streets was never in question. However,
all
due to five decades of experiencing undesirable outcomes with one-way streets, cities are rediscovering
the benefits of two-way streets.
Fast forward to 2018 and cities have been traffic calming, doing road diets, restoring one-way streets to
two-way, and adopting traditional measures of effectiveness to recapture traditional, city -friendly,
outcomes and to advance community visions. Many cities are in the midst of this evolution presently.
Not only do two-way streets provide about double the access compared to one-way streets, they also:
• provide direct routing/convenience for motorists, cyclists, and transit;
• result in slower and safer speeds;
• are self -enforcing (no motorists going the wrong way, less speeding, less bikes on sidewalks);
• provide flexibility and redundancy (which is very helpful during emergencies, special events,
parades, street repair/maintenance);
• reduce sign pollution (one-way streets need more signs);
• advantage economic exchange, retailing;
• result in more intuitive way -finding;
• create a better image (two-way streets eliminate the message that throughput is more
important than place, and avoid unwelcoming "do -not -enter" signs);
• result in easier and more direct bus -routing;
• provide better and additional views of buildings;
• respect the places' original intent and history;
• help crime reduction; and
• increase property values.
There is also consensus that downtowns, like Paris, would benefit by increased housing, social exchange,
economic exchange, local businesses, place -making, walkability, bike accommodation, transit, and so
forth that benefit from two-way restoration.
New Cross -Sections
Downtown Paris has a well-connected network streets. The four primary streets (i.e., 1St Street, Main
Street, Lamar Avenue, and Clarksville Street) are under the jurisdiction of TxDOT. Two generations ago,
these streets were converted from two-way to one-way has resulted in excessive speeds, reduced
safety, difficulties for crossing the street, disinvestment, and an uncomfortable place.
Figure 4: Images of the streets in downtown Paris, Texas.
The restoration of both one-way pairs requires new cross sections. The current cross-sections vary
block -by -block in both right-of-way and curb -to -curb measurements. Therefore, a detailed survey will
need to be conducted prior to moving forward. The proposed cross-sections are based on the most
constrained conditions along each street. The design team recognized that a complete rebuild of the
street may not be feasible for financial or other reasons and have suggested both retrofit measures and
rebuilt cross-sections.
The 1" Street and Main Street Pair
1St Street and Main Street are the primary north -south streets in downtown Paris. 1St Street NW
currently provides access southbound, while Main Street provides access northbound. Both streets
provide on -street parking and two travel lanes in their respective directions.
L
1st Street
The current configuration of 1St Street is two south -bound lanes with:
• Sidewalks on both sides of the street.
• Parallel parking on the west side of the street between Price Street and Houston Street.
• Front-end angled parking around the square.
• Front-end angled parking on the west side of the street between Grand Avenue and Austin
Avenue.
• Parallel parking on the east side of the street between Austin Avenue and Sherman Street.
The proposed retrofit for 1St Street includes:
• Bulbouts at each intersection and where appropriate along the corridor.
• 8'-0" parallel parking on the west side of the street.
• A 23'-0" travel way that includes one -travel lane in each direction.
• A 5'-0" planting strip, with curb, to provide separation for the separated bicycle facility.
• A 10'-0" separated bicycle facility that is at street level.
Should the finances become available for a more robust cross-section, it should include:
• Valley gutters between the on -street parking row and the travel way, and
• A sidewalk -level separated bicycle facility.
Figure 5: 15` Street: Existing, Proposed with Retrofit and Full Build -out.
1St Street was identified as the primary street for a separated bicycle facility due to having a larger curb -
to -curb cross-section than Main Street, and minimal impacts to business due to existing curb -cuts and
parking. Trail access to the Northeast Texas Trail, topography, and access to the Market Square Farmers
Market were also considerations.
Main Street
The current configuration of Main Street is two north -bound lanes with:
• Sidewalks on both sides of the street.
• Parallel parking on the east side of the street between Price Street and Houston Street.
• Front-end angled parking around the square.
• Parallel parking on the east side of the street between Grand Avenue and Austin Avenue.
• Parallel parking on the east side of the street between Austin Avenue and Sherman Street.
The proposed retrofit for Main Street includes:
0 Bulbouts at each intersection and where appropriate along the corridor.
• 7'-6" parallel parking on both sides of the street
• A 23'-0" travel way that includes one -travel lane in each direction.
Should the finances become available for a more robust cross-section, it should include valley gutters.
Parking
Parking is an emotional and contentious issue in most cities and Paris is no exception. People and
business owners may be accustomed to parking directly in front of their store or destination and
become frustrated or concerned when these spots are relocated, unavailable, or in a different
configuration. Some business owners believe that if patrons cannot park by the door, then they will go
elsewhere, jeopardizing their bottom line. The reality is different. Thriving downtowns have attractions,
restaurants, beautiful streets and soft spaces. Most importantly they are walkable places that foster
exchange. Parking by the door is not a large factor.
Given these perceptions and realities, the consultant team was mindful of the number of existing
parking spaces in downtown with an eye towards a future that included parking. As such, an inventory
of the on -street parking spaces was performed, which is shown in Figure 5. Each number indicates the
total number of on -street parking spaces that are adjacent to that block.
Figure 5: Existing on -street parking spaces by block
A total of 326 on -street parking spaces were counted in the area, shown above. With the proposed
street modifications of two-way operations and stop sign traffic control, a total increase of 49 on -street
Ej
parking spaces for a total of 375 on -street spaces is anticipated. The streets immediately adjacent to the
Culbertson Fountain will see a decrease in on -street parking spaces due to the much-needed expansion
of the green space and the creation of more people -friendly streets. However, within one block of the
Square, on -street parking will increase from 160 to 174 parking spaces.
The Traffic Baseline
To support the thoughtful and implementable vision of Paris, that includes changing the street character
to be more pleasant, a traffic analysis was performed. Toole Design collaborated with TxDOT by
agreeing upon five traffic -related analysis criteria to investigate, including: i) safety; ii) travel time; iii)
traffic diversion; iv) queuing; and v) and maintenance. Other criteria related to fulfilling the community
vision included: i) increased accessibility throughout the downtown by all modes of travel; ii) developing
a consistent design vocabulary for the new cross-sections (i.e., sidewalk, furniture zone, on -street
parking, valley gutter, etc.); and iii) increasing accessibility (i.e., visually and for people with mobility
impairments). The arrival experiences into the downtown were assessed to help inform motorists of the
downtown context, help influence motorist behaviors (i.e., slow them down and increase safety), and
better distribute traffic.
Existing Traffic -Related Conditions
Paris' historical population and traffic volumes show notable trends. Table 1 illustrates the population of
Paris increasing since the 1890s until the 1970s, which then levels off to the present.
Paris Population
30,000
2:5,000
20,000
5',000 01 0
10,00'
ME
13
a
M! IIIIN It Is M Mon 111111 IN 111111 111
1890 1900 1910, 1,920 1931,E 1940 19,50 1960 71970 '1980 19190 2000 2010.
Exhibit 1: Paris Historical Population
In the middle of the 1950s, "the loop" around Paris was constructed, enabling fast motoring around the
City. About a decade after that, Paris' downtown streets were converted from two-way into one-way
streets to speed up travel through the downtown. Table 2 shows downtown traffic volumes trending
9
downward; most likely due to the transfer of business, services, and economic activity from the
downtown to the loop.
Paris °traffic Counts
241,000
141,41(1()
1.f1j)w
14,000
12,41()41
tg,4)4l4i
x,414141
4,4I4141
2,0410
41
2006 2007 24141111 24009 2010, 2011 24012 2013, 24014 207.5 2016 24117 2018.
Exhibit 2: Paris Traffic Volumes
The highway loop, around the City, is oval-shaped and spans approximately five miles, east -west, and
four miles, north -south. There are two primary ways to drive from one side of the oval to the other side.
You can drive through the City and downtown or drive along the loop. It is much faster take the highway
loop, compared to the streets through the City. Figure 7 illustrates the relative travel times.
Figure 7: Paris Loop and Downtown
Because the proposed changes are focused within the downtown, the changes in travel are limited to a
small area; resulting in insignificant changes to travel time for motorists from one end of the city to the
10
other, through the downtown. However, travel times for short trips within the downtown, will be lower
due to direct routing. In other words, from a travel time perspective, the existing situation rewards long
trips through downtown and the proposed situation rewards trips within, to, and from the downtown.
However, for both through trips and for downtown trips, the changes in travel time will be small.
To analyze street network and traffic control modifications, daily traffic counts received from TOOT
(2017-2018 data) were compiled. A peak hour of traffic was found to be at 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. These
hourly volumes were used to assess a theoretical "worst case" scenario, which is shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8: Paris Downtown "worst case" scenario
A theoretical "worst case" scenario was created by assuming that all the traffic from all four
intersections converged at one intersection, with two-way streets and no turn lanes. Using Synchro 9
Software and the Highway Capacity Manual methodology, 18 seconds of delay per vehicle was
calculated, which indicates the intersection would operate acceptably. This compares to 11 seconds of
average delay per vehicle for the existing intersection. This relatively small change in travel time
indicates that there is sufficient flexibility to modify the street network to achieve a vision for Paris'
downtown.
The "worst case" scenario does not depict actual conditions of restoring the one-way to two-way streets
because, motorists will use more than one street to travel to their destinations. Drawing from previous
experience, national best practices, and discussions with TxDOT, the future traffic on the formerly one-
way pair will likely split in a ratio of 60/40 between the two two-way streets. The reassigned traffic
11
volumes were applied to all streets and the traffic conditions at the four main intersections surrounding
Culbertson Fountain were analyzed. The results indicated that traffic signals were not warranted and
therefore, stop sign traffic control was evaluated.
With stop sign traffic control, an increase of seven seconds delay is anticipated at each intersection at
the square from the existing traffic condition. Therefore, a vehicle passing through the square's two
intersections would, on average, experience 14 total seconds of increased travel time during the peak
hour. Vehicle queueing was also analyzed and on average, two to four vehicles are anticipated to be
queued during the peak hour. The results for changes in travel time and queueing are both acceptable.
In fact, the stopping of motorists at the intersections around the Square, where many pedestrians are
desired, and slower speeds within the downtown, are desirable for safety and comfort reasons. The
current speeding and crash problems should be ameliorated nicely.
Finally, traffic diversion was assessed. The highest traffic movement in the "worst case" was only 460
vehicles per hour in the eastbound direction during the peak hour. Obviously, only a small percentage
of the 460 vehicles are travelling across the entire City. Even if it were as high as 10%, or 46 vehicles
over the hour, the team anticipates that only a fraction of those vehicles would change habits and use
the loop road due to the small change in travel time in the downtown. At the same time, it is likely that
some motorists, who currently use the bypass, might be interested to see some of changes and activities
in the downtown and would use the downtown streets. Therefore, the increase and decrease of
diverted trips would likely involve small numbers of motorists and, more or less, cancel each other out,
amounting to a negligible change due to traffic diversion.
Benefits of Two-way Streets and Stop Sign Traffic Control
There are several benefits that will likely occur by restoring two-way travel and installing stop signs
downtown.
• Safety. Fewer crashes are anticipated with stop signs and two-way streets because both traffic -
related modifications eliminate stale green lights and the ability to do drag racing between
traffic signals. By not having one-way streets with two or more adjacent lanes going in the same
direction, weaving between lanes will be eliminated. Wrong way travel cannot happen on two-
way streets. Shorter pedestrian crossing distances will increase safety.
• Improved Access. Motorists will be able to drive directly to businesses rather than circulating
around the block in a one-way system.
• Simplified Wayfinding. Providing directions and finding destinations will be easier with two-way
streets.
• Visibility. Access and visibility of businesses will double because of motorists can approach from
both directions. Stop -controlled intersections will also ease parking operations due to the
slower speed environment created.
• Redundancy. Two-way streets will naturally create a redundant street network which will
improve emergency vehicle access. It will also make hosting special events easier and allow
street maintenance to occur without system -wide disruptions.
• Cost. Stop signs are inexpensive to install and cost less to maintain as compared with the
approximate $5,000 annual maintenance cost for a single traffic signal. Also, the traffic signal
poles, mast arms, and signal cabinets are unattractive street features and result in obstacles in
the sidewalks.
12
Transitions into Downtown
Consideration was given to improving the arrival experience into the downtown as well as the
distribution of vehicles to the street network. Due to how traffic flows, on multiple streets, in and out of
the eastern and southern parts of Paris' downtown today, no substantial changes are needed to the east
and south. Also, Clarksville Street and Lamar Avenue carry traffic in different directions to the City's
exterior which naturally helps distribute traffic. Minor signal modifications are anticipated at the
Clarksville Street/12th Street and Lamar Avenue/12th Street intersections. At the downtown's south end,
the City is re -designing the Church Street/Hearne Avenue intersection, which will allow motorists to
choose between 1St Street or Main Street to travel to their desired downtown destination.
West of Paris' downtown, a new roundabout was recommended west of the Bonham Street/7th
Street/Grand Avenue intersections, which is shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9: Roundabout transition on the west end of Paris
The roundabout will allow motorists to easily choose between Bonham Street or Grand Avenue as they
enter Paris' downtown. The roundabout's location will require the purchase of some additional right-of-
way.
13
A transition point north of Paris was identified at the Main Street/Santa Fe Street intersection, which is
shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10: Roundabout transition on the north end of Paris
The proposed roundabout would also help distribute traffic to both 1St Street NW and Main Street
depending on the motorist's destination.
There are likely other unwarranted traffic signals on the approaches to downtown. The City and the
TxDCT should reconsider the balance of the traffic signals and determine which ones should be
removed.
Traffic Conclusion
Downward trending traffic volumes allow for flexibility to modify Paris' downtown street network. The
analysis has shown that restoring a two-way street network is feasible given current traffic volumes. A
sensitivity analysis showed that if traffic volumes were to increase, there is plenty of ability to handle
additional traffic. Stop sign control and no turn lanes are recommended at the four intersections
adjacent the Culbertson Fountain. Maintenance of the street will be easier due to the redundancy of the
two-way streets and there will be less street surface to maintain due to the streets being narrower. The
14
combination of a two-way network and stop sign traffic control will result in numerous benefits in
safety, access, and cost.
Downtown Square and 1St Street
The Downtown Square
Culbertson Fountain was gifted to the City of Paris to commemorate its rebirth after the 1916 fire. It is
the historical centerpiece of downtown and a community gathering spot for numerous residents and
visitors to the City. The Fountain sits on approximately a half acre civic green, that is surrounded by
front-end angled parking and fast-moving traffic. It is currently elevated with ADA access on one of the
four corners (i.e., the northeast corner).
Universal access, comfort, usable and flexible space, business -friendliness, walkability, and views were
the major design objectives, expressed by the community for the heart of downtown. To advance those
objectives, several design elements were recommended, including:
• Flush, brick, streets on the streets around the Square and the block east of the Square;
• Streets that are useable and flexible for all types of events;
• Separated bike facility along the south side of the square extending to the Downtown
Community Park;
• Large, uninterrupted awnings along the entire frontage of the buildings that face a flush street,
and highly encouraged for one block off of the flush streets;
• Bulbouts are used on the corners to self -enforce parking and shorten crossing distances;
• View corridors on the diagonal and cardinal directions; and
• Increased sidewalk width for more retail -oriented space and a legible furnishing zone.
The design concept also eliminates front -in angled parking around the square in favor of parallel
parking. This allows the open space in the square to almost double in size to one acre.
Currently, there is a 10 -foot -wide walkway around the fountain that is at a higher elevation than the
sidewalks around the Square. The change in elevation is currently addressed with sloped lawns on all
four sides. The slopes make the lawns less usable for events, compared to level lawns. On the north,
west, and south sides of the Square, we suggest leveling the lawns and addressing the slopes by adding
three perimeter steps between the 10 -foot -wide walkway and the lawn. We recommend leaving the
east side as is, with its sloped lawn. These topographical changes preserve the historic fountain and the
historical intent of the fountain being prominent, increase the accessibility and usability of the
greenspace, provide plenty of informal seating, keep one slope for kids to play on, and does not
negatively affect the large trees.
We would recommend locating low plantings around the base of the large trees and move the seating
under the large trees so that people can sit in the shade. The seats should be oriented to the diagonal
walkways and back onto the low plantings. As an option, it would romantic and fun if the benches could
gently swing. We suggest that the plantings on the corners be removed or relocated to allow view
corridors on the diagonals to the fountain.
Providing for special events should be incorporated into the new design of the Square. For example,
care should be taken to place the new street trees so that they do not obstruct potential stage locations,
in the cardinal directions for concerts, jazz festivals, etc. Notice the street trees on the inner side of the
15
streets have been arranged to leave an opening for viewing purposes. In -street and in -ground
handholes with electric power should be placed in any likely location for a stage. Potable water spigots
and electric services should be located where food trucks operators or other temporary users might
need them. This avoids noisy generators and the like from spoiling events. Finally, small parts of the
open spaces should be available for areas informal gatherings (e.g., a place with movable chairs, tables,
and umbrellas), chess boards with humans -sized pieces, art installations with seating, and so forth, as
long as those uses compliment large events. Consideration should be given to creating public restrooms
in a building on the Square or in a building just off of the Square but where the restrooms can be found
easily.
Figure 11: Downtown Square and 15` Street NE design concept.
1St Street NE
Creating a shared space along 1St Street NE between Lamar Avenue and Clarksville Street capitalizes on
events already occurring in this space. A shared space operated low -speeds and allows all users —
vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists to move throughout the entire space rather than assigning designated
areas. It also provides complete flexibility in how the space is used. We recommend paving the shared
space from building to building.
Figure 12: An example of a shared space
M
Market Square Farmers Market, The Paris Public Library® and Bywaters Park
Market Square Farmers Market, the Public Library, Bywaters Park all play significant roles within the
Paris community. Unfortunately, despite these civic uses being located across the street from one
another they are disconnected and treated as separate places. The potential to provide a strong
connection between all three civic uses and encourage activity in this area of town led to a design
concept that:
• Expands the existing farmers market structure,
• Implements a universally accessible transition between the library and the Farmers Market,
• Creates a flexible event space with a great lawn and a flush street along 1St Street and Main
Street, and
• Provides play and picnic areas along with restrooms where the Skate Park is currently.
Figure 13: Market Square Farmers Market the Paris Public Library, and Bywaters Park design concept.
Some of the subtle changes in the concept for the southern civic area include:
• Increased on -street parking through the use of back -in angled parking on one or both sides of
the side streets;
• The ability to have no stage, multiple stages, or differently oriented stages;
17
The ramps, steps, and seating by the Library create an informal amphitheater library for
readings, plays, etc. or back -row seating for large concerts that use the street and great lawn;
and
• The parking lot next to the library should be designed like a plaza so that people can park on it
on a typical day, but the space can be easily used for outdoor events that need a hard space.
Consensus for positive change within the community was strong at the end of the second workshop.
That energy should continue to grow as the City, County, and State move forward with the next steps.
The following next steps should be explored to keep the momentum going:
• Seek official City Council support;
• Incorporate the plans and recommendations into the City's Official Plan and other plans as
appropriate;
• Identify funding sources (including the State Transportation Improvement Program);
• Conduct a survey;
• Develop cost estimates;
• Incorporate recommendations into currently planned projects that alter the streets;
• Prioritize the projects that are not part of another project;
• Conduct additional outreach to the community and business owners;
• Work with the TxDOT on finding and implementing the recommended changes; and
• Design, engineer, and construct the projects.
18
The following list consists of key points from the 2013 needs analysis:
• The City of Paris needs to focus on top quality upgrades and renovations to existing parks.
• Trails are needed for more connectivity throughout the community and to encourage healthier
lifestyles.
• Existing parks and facilities need to continually be upgraded and maintained at a high level in order
to keep Paris's park system up to local standards and safe for all users. This includes making public
parks and facilities compliant with ADA guidelines.
• A multi -sports practice field with lights needs to be constructed.
• A sprayground/small water park is needed for water-based recreation.
• Additional restrooms are needed throughout town at multiple different parks.
• An indoor recreation center needs to be considered in Paris.
• An indoor swimming facility is desired for both competitive and recreational use.
• Nature trails, playgrounds, pavilions, enhanced landscaping, picnic areas at the parks and multi -use
trails all are needed to satisfy senior citizens' recreational needs.
• Additional and upgraded site amenities are needed throughout the park system.
• All new park facilities need to be properly designed, well-built, and maintained at a high level.
The five-year update for 2018-2023 was drafted by a parks work group that rnet monthly for approximately
two years. The city council received public input at two regular, advertised meetings, on April 9 and. May
14. In addition, the proposed update was distributed by direct mail to key stakeholders in the community,
and was placed for public inspection on the city's website, in the municipal library, and in various social
media.
City of Paris Parks, Recreation &Open Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
34
VII. PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The following table represents the projected recreational facilities priorities for the Paris Park
System. These priorities are based on the needs analysis, citizen survey, public input meetings,
focus group input, city staff, the City of Paris Citizen Advisory Committee and professional
opinion, including revisions made in 2018 Following close review by a city staff parks work
group and opportunities for additional citizen input.
Priority
Facility
1
Playgrounds
2
Multi-purpose trails
3
Amphitheater/gathering spaces
4
Picnic shelters/pavilions
5
Picnic areas
6
Restrooms
7
Nature trails
8
Spray ground/Small water park
9
Botanical/flower gardens
10
Lawn areas for general play
11
Indoor recreation center
12
Swimming pool /natatorium
13
Dog park
14
Water features (creeks, small lakes, etc.)
15
Nature areas
16
Tennis courts
City of Paris Parks, Recreation &Open Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
35
Recommendations
The following actions are recommended to be implemented within the next ten years to ensure that the
parks and open space system continues to meet the recreational needs of the city. 2018 update in blue.
New Parks
• Acquire and develop land at the southwest comer of Main Street and Graham Street. Property
ac(,-Iuired and cleared through an ILA with Lamar County (19 acres).
- Construct large open green lawn.
- Plant trees and landscaping.
- Construct Wagon monument.
• Acquire natural open spaces to be preserved as the opportunities are available. Expanded
developed area at lake Crook.
Existing Parks
• Construct a spray ground. The city worked closely with the First United Methodist Church in
2016 to construct a joint use spray ground on FUMC property in downtown. The park is open to
the public, and includes a restroorn facility constructed and maintained by the city.
• Provide additional picnicking areas and tables. A picnic area was added to Lake Crook Park
in 2016, the picnic area at Oak Park was improved in 2018. Acquired and completed recon-
struction of former TXDOTpark on >US 82W.
• Replace playgrounds (older than 15 years old). Added a new playground to Lake Crook in
2016. Playgrounds at Oak Park and Wade Park were completely replaced in winter/spring
2018, utilizing a combination of voter -approved 2017 park bonds and local fundraising-,
new playgrounds are ADA compliant and include new accessible e(,-juipinent.
• Increase level of maintenance. Staff levels in the parks division have been increased by two
FTE, effective April 1, 2018. Added safety fencing at 5`h Street basketball court, established
additional permanent water -creek crossing on archery lanes; finished building archery
lanes at, Sports Complex property, mowed cleared large open spaces at, lake Crook..
• Construct multi-purpose and walking trails. Constructed new West Paris 'Trail (1.8 miles) in
2016-17, using aTXDOTgrant of $5 15,193 and matching city funds. Reconstructed 7,203 linear
feet ofthe 'Trail de Paris. Completed 'Trail de Paris extension of4,224 feet, using TPWD grant of
$200,000 and city matching funds. Created nature trail at Lake Crook (-3 miles round trip).
0 Provide additional landscaping including irrigated turf in all parks.
City of Paris Parks, Recreation & 0
pen Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
36
• Provide restroom facilities in high use parks. Constructed new restroorns downtown and at
city. -owned fairgrounds. Enhanced restroorns at Lake Crook and Market Square.
• Upgrade existing tennis courts—new surfaces, nets, windbreaks, etc. Five existing tennis
courts at Culbertson Park were refurbished in 2017. Backstop refurbished. One court to be
converted to basketball in 2018.
• Construct lighted lawn areas for sports practice areas within existing parks. Soccer goals
added at Wise Field in 2017, also soccer field, softball backstop, and basketball goals at
police & courts building.
0 Provide and install attractive lighting at parks for safety.
0 Improved Market Square grounds, added shade shelter at contiguous Skate Park,
Improved historic Plaza: now ADA cornpliantl- repaired historic fountain, upgraded electricity
and lighting.
0 I.Jpgraded lights and improved landscaping at, Gateway Park.
0 Improved Bywaters Park, including safety and electrical enhancements.
Athletic Facilities
• The City of Paris needs to work closely with the Optimist Club to provide even more and better
baseball opportunities for the youth. Began providing grant funds to club in 2017.
Construct an indoor swimming pool for both competitive and recreation use. Upgraded
deteriorating issues at, existing outdoor pool-, installed new fencing and sidewalks -
pumps and filter to be replaced in 20M Meeting with NIIO regarding possible Joint
operation of a. recreation facility with an indoor pool.
Established in-house girls' softball program in 20151- added Field 47 to Sports Complex
for softball.
Natural Open Space
0 Preserve the most valuable and aesthetically pleasing natural open spaces. Provided better
access to operi spaccs at Lakc Crook and CCICOLTragirig MLdtiPIC LISCS.
City of Paris Parks, Recreation & 0
pen Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
37
Indoor Recreation Center
• Construct an indoor recreation center at the Sports Complex for multiple recreational
opportunities. Financial resources may not allow the city to construct and operate such a
facility. Therefore, the city will seek opportunities to partner with other jurisdictions and non. -
profits to more efficiently offer these much-needed recreational opportunities. Existing
facilities may also be the most efficient way to create a functioning center. Work has begun to
develop this sort of facility re. -uses) and joint programming at two possible locations.
Senior Citizens
• Provide facilities such as: multi -use trails, nature trails, playgrounds, botanical gardens,
picnic shelters/pavilions, benches and picnic areas for senior citizens at all new and upgraded
parks. The city assurned control of the former fair association exhibit hall in 2015, and.
began passive programming for seniors in 2017. Bench swings were added at fake Crook.
Plan to add a garden photo spot at or near Love Civic Center, need a non-profit partner to
plant and manage. Planning pickle ball within an existing facility. Developing new pro.-
grarnming in conjunction with the library.
Maintenance
The City of Paris currently has one maintenance employee for approximately every 25 developed park
acres. In addition, this same staff maintains all the rights-of-way, medians, ditches and trees on public
land inside the city limits. The staffing levels have slowly been falling behind and need to increase in
order to keep the maintenance of parks and facilities at a high level. The following two bullets are
necessary in order for the city to provide well maintained areas at an efficient cost:
• Prepare and adopt a statistically -based maintenance study that will increase the maintenance staff
and budget as the park system continues to grow. Staff levels in the parks division have been
increased by two FTE, effective April 1, 2018, reducing park acres/ernployee to approximately
21.
• Develop parks that are not overly maintenance intensive by including more natural areas, native
plantings and natural play (play opportunities with limited or no playground equipment). Staff
has adopted an internal policy to always tie added staffing to any new prograrns, services,
schedules, or responsibilities. Emphasizing xeriscaping with new plantings.
Trails
• Develop trail linkages throughout Paris to connect schools, residential areas, commercial areas,
parks and adjacent communities. Completed two grant -funded. Safe Routes to School projects,
including bike lanes.
City of Paris Parks, Recreation &Open Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
38
• Construct minor trail and sidewalk connections in order to connect large segments of trails for
better access throughout the community. Used pavernent markings and signage to connect West
Paris trail and 'Trail de Paris along existing paved roadways.
• Sidewalks are to be used in conjunction with trails to connect different nodes throughout the
community. Constructed 5,300 feet of new sidewalk on Graliarn, connection to West Paris 'Trail
scheduled for 2018.
City of Paris Parks, Recreation & 0
pen Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
39
VIII. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
The following table depicts the project priorities with suggested completion dates. It is important to note
that the following schedule is intended to be a flexible guide for the development of parks and
recreational facilities over the next ten years for the City of Paris. The city should evaluate and take
advantage of any unforeseen opportunities that may arise that are not identified in the schedule or
change the order of implementation if necessary. The information below is organized based on specific
needs from the City of Paris citizens, and revised in 2018. The general idea is to create one great and
easily accessible park in each of four major areas of the city. This will allow all residents the opportunity
to recreate at a large redeveloped park within the community. The four specific parks, Wade Park,
Market Square Park, Oak Park, and the Sports Complex/Dragon Park, were chosen based on their
locations within the city, size, accessibility, and community usage.
Beyond the pians ten year time -frame:
As is true of city planning in general—of which parks, recreation and open spaces planning is a
component this implementation schedule should be evaluated, modified as necessary, and updated to
address ten-year periods that begin after 2013. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department suggests ten-
year plans should be updated every five years; however, the City of Paris should review the plan
annually in order to have a current, meaningful and implementable plan. This will aid the Paris park
system to: continually work to achieve the park plans Goals and Objectives; allow this plan to remain
current with other City of Paris planning efforts; serve to address on-going financial needs; address parks
needs in conjunction with future population growth, and keep the users, citizens and businesses
continually aware of the city's commitment to achieve and maintain an outstanding parks, recreation
and open space system and program.
Proiects Year Estimated cost Possible fundins source(s)
1 Wade Parc. 2018-22 580,000 TI'WD grants
New playgrounds General Fund appropriations
Renovate pavilion Private donations
Soccer field Bond proceeds
Walking trail Partnerships
(.)pen lawn areas, picnic areas
Small pavilion
Wager feat Lire
2 Oak Park 2018-22 200,000 TPWD grants
New playground General Fund appropriations
Renovate pavilion Private donations
City of Paris Parks, Recreation &Open Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
40
Plan restroom facility Partnerships
Tree planting and landscaping
Market S
(Luare Park 201'7-19 247,000 TPWD grants
PlaygrOUnd, climbing General FUnd appropriations
Landscaping Private donations
Amphitheater General Obligation bond proceeds
Enhanced parking, crosswalks Partnerships
Library grOUnds
Downtown restroom
Sjmrts, Conij)lex 2019-21 810,000 TPWD grants
PLIMP track trail & bike lanes Partnerships
PlaygrOLInd Private donations
,Add lighting to field 47 Bond proceeds
Signage General FUnd appropriations
Relocate skate park.
Creek trail, Dragon to Erickson bridge
Lake Crook 201'7-20 NA General FUnd appropriations
Master plan Private donations
Trails development Bond proceeds
Relocate disc golf Partnerships
Update US 271 signage TPWD grants
6 201'7-19 NA General FUnd appropriations
Seniors Private donations
Special needs children programs Partnerships
Library programming TPWD grants
Online enhancements
Enhanced swimming
Improved, expanded sports
Spray features & landscaping at pool
Culbertson Park 201'7-22 190,000 TPWD grants
Renovate tennis COLMS General FUnd appropriations
Renovate basketball COLM Private donations
Walking trail Bond proceeds
City of Paris Parks, Recreation & 0
pen Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
41
Renovate pavilion
(.)pen lawn area
Dog park
Landscaping & site amenifies
New small playgrOUnd
Convert baseball field to soccer
8 Main & Graham
(.)pen lawn area
Landscaping, garden
COUrIhOLISe wagon pocket park.
Picnic area, benches, swings
Short trail
9 'IL'on Parl,
Spray park.
Soccer fields (8)
Trail enhancements
Relocate Frisbee golf
Bridges, trails
10 Trai
ILt I finkages
West Faris "Trail
Creek trail, Dragon to Erickson bridge
NETT completion
Walking track (d) new Fire Station 9-3
Sjdewalksrl'DP to downtown, el a]
Schools, neighborhoods, etc.
Comprehensive bike & trail plan
Partnerships
2019-21 350,000 General FUnd appropriations
Private donations
Partnerships
2022 350,000 TPWD grants
General FUnd appropriations
Private donations
Bond proceeds
Partnerships
2013-23 500,000/mile
TPWD grants
General FUnd appropriations
TXDOT enhancement grants
Private donations
Bond proceeds
Partnerships
11 Renovate &marAate Leon Williams 2023-27 500,000 TPWD grants
(.)pen lawn area General FUnd appropriations
Expand/Update playground Private donations
Landscaping Bond proceeds
Site amenities Partnerships
12 Indoor recreation & m uatic center 2019-20 NA General FUnd appropriations
Feasibility SlUdy Private donations
City of Paris Parks, Recreation & 0
pen Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
42
P arinership
P armerships
13 Wise Fidd 201'7 Nle. General FUnd appropriations
City of Paris Parks, Recreation &Open Space Master Plan, 2018-2023 Update
43
ATTACHMENT D: FUTURE LAND USE PLAN MAP LEGEND EXPLANATIONS
Low -Density Residential
This use is representative of traditional, single-family detached dwelling units. Of the residential
categories, it is recommended that low density residential continue to account for the largest
percentage. The areas designated for low density residential land use are generally not adjacent to
major thoroughfares or incompatible land uses, and are in proximity to existing single-family residential
land use. Although all single family areas should be labeled "low density," the City should allow and
promote a range of lotsizes.
Moderate Density Residential
This use is representative of two-family attached dwelling units, such as duplex units and
townhomes. Medium density land uses often provide areas for "empty nesters" who may not want
the maintenance of a large -lot single-family home, and for youngfamilies who mayfind a townhome or
duplex more affordable than a single-family home. The City should consider each proposed medium
density development on its own merit but also generally on the following:
• The patio homes or townhomes provide a buffer between single family land uses
and higher intensity land uses such as multiple family or nonresidential.
• The patio homes or townhomes provide a buffer between single family land
uses and major thoroughfares or collectors.
• The land proposed for development of patio homes or townhomes is located
along an arterial or collector roadway.
High -Density Residential
Traditional apartment -type units in attached living complexes characterize high density residential
land use. There are currently several high density residential areas within Paris. It should also be
noted that medium density uses should also be permitted in any area designated for high density use.
Inorderto ensure that multiple -family areas are designed to a high standard wherever they develop
in the future, the City should consider incorporating the following guidelines into the Zoning
Ordinance:
• The proposed multi -family tract should be adjacent to an arterial roadway;
• All structures within the multi -family development should be at least 90
percent masonry on exterior of the firststory;
• If the tract is adjacent to single-family residential dwellings, transition areas
(greenspace, buffer areas, medium density development, etc.) should be
incorporated into the project;
• Based upon the density of the complex, an appropriate amount of usable open
space should be required.
Manufactured Housing
This use consists of "HUD -code manufactured homes" as defined in Section 1201.003 of the Texas
Occupations Code, as amended.
Office
This use consists of commercial developments providing services for sale such as an accountant or a
physician, or providing general office and administrative uses.
Retail
Retail land use areas are intended to provide for a variety of retail trade, personal, and business services
and establishments, such as a grocery store, drug store, restaurant, or department store. Retail
establishments generally require greater visibility than do other types of nonresidential land use (e.g.,
office, commercial). As such, retail land uses have been designated in the higher traffic areas and at
major intersections. However, retail uses do not have outside storage and sale of items, with the
exception of occasional temporary displays of items not specifically prohibited by zoning regulations.
Commercial
Areas designated for commercial land use are intended for a variety of commercial uses and
establishments with outside storage, display, and sales. Examples of such uses include automobile -
related services, manufactured home sales, self -storage units, welding shops, and pawn shops.
Commercial uses often locate along major thoroughfares not because they need the visibility, as retail
uses generally do, but because they need the accessibility. The challenge lies in the fact that commercial
uses generally have a greater need for outside storage areas, yet these areas tend to lessen the visual
quality of major thoroughfares.
Central Area
This classification includes a mix of residential, retail, service, and business uses that provide for the
daily convenience needs of on-site and nearby employees and residents. The purpose is to provide for
pedestrian and transit -oriented high density employment and cultural uses together with limited
complementary retail and higher density residential and other compatible uses that enhance the Central
Area.
Light Industrial
This use includes light manufacturing processes which are contained within a building or which do not
emit detectable dust, odor, smoke, gas, or fumes beyond the bounding property lines of the lot or tract
upon which the use is located and which do not generate noise or vibration at the boundary of the
District which is generally perceptible in frequency or pressure above the ambient level of noise in the
adjacent areas.
Heavy Industrial
This use includes intensive land uses including manufacturing, industrial servicing, or storage process not
prohibited by law. Most uses in this District require a Specific Use Permit (SUP).
Public Lands and Institutions
This use includes primarily government, education, and health facilities.
Parks and Recreation
Open space amenities for both active and passive recreation. This category includes sport facilities, open
space, playgrounds, recreation centers, and aquatic facilities. It does not include private neighborhood
recreation centers.
Agricultural
This category includes uses devoted primarily to the tilling of soil, the raising of crops, horticulture,
livestock, poultry, feed lots, and related commercial and industrial activities. It allows residential
densities up to 1 dwelling unit per 5 acres.
1. Graphics for This Section
The relevant graphics for this Section 10 include:
(A) The 2018 Future Land Use Plan Map: This map also reflects the 100 -year flood plain as a
graphic overlay. The purpose of this is to provide the development community with basic, early
data to consider within their initial project design and/or project planning efforts.
This Future Land Use Plan also illustrates Paris' Regional Framework which reflects Paris in
relationship to a portion of Lamar County including nearby municipalities. The purpose is to
illustrate the Paris Future Land Use Plan in relation to its regional context.
(B) The 2018 Updated Maior Thoroughfare Plan Map: Although it is a separate map from the
Future Land Use Plan Map, the Major Thoroughfare Plan Map is highly associated with future
land use. This is so because the movement of people, goods, and services is directly related to
the various land uses from which their trip generations begin and end; further, all land uses
between the origin and destination of any kind of thoroughfare travel also strongly affects the
efficiency and safety of such vehicular movement.
City of Paris
DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL
Public Works Operations is responsible for the daily maintenance of ditches and drainage in the street
rights-of-way, street stormwater structures, and creeks in which the city has existing drainage
easements.
Road Side/Some Off Road Ditch Maintenance is the responsibility of the Public Works Street Division
and includes the re -grading of roadside ditches, including flushing culverts under driveways and streets.
While the City Code of Ordinances mandates abutting property owners maintain ditches free of debris,
the division will re -grade ditches that become heavily silted; existing drainage culverts are also flushed
during this activity. New culverts or culverts that are damaged or undersized under residential or
commercial driveways are the property owner's responsibility for replacement. Off-road drainage
ditches are cleaned and re -graded by the city if the city has an existing drainage easement; otherwise it
is the responsibility of property owners. These off-road ditches collect storm water from many smaller
ditches and storm sewers and transport it to larger ditches and/or creeks maintained by the cit.
Storm Water Sewer Maintenance is the responsibility of the Street & ROW Division, which handles the
operation and maintenance of the City's storm water sewer system, including tasks such as cleaning
manholes and inlets as well as replacing missing manhole covers. The storm water sewer system is very
different from the sanitary sewer system that carries waste from your home. These sewers are designed
only for storm water and empty directly into major ditches and creeks. Residents are reminded to never
dispose of grass clippings, tree limbs, motor oil, or other items in the storm water sewer system.
The NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) is a federally mandated program that
monitors and inspects runoff from manufacturers and industrial businesses to prevent pollutants from
entering our streams and lakes. The city will investigate reported or suspected illegal discharges into the
storm water system and disposal of commercial, industrial or household hazardous materials.
The local Drainage Projects (LDP) stem from service requests related to storm water maintenance,
whether it is a storm water sewer, roadside ditching or an off-road ditching concern. Maintenance crews
do an onsite assessment of the request to determine if the request/concern qualifies for further city
involvement. If it does, a work order is generated and work is scheduled based on the greatest need.
Large drainage issues are forwarded to the Public Works Director & City Manager to be reviewed as part
of a future Capital Improvement Program.
CITY OF PARIS DRAINAGE PROGRAM
The purpose of this Drainage Program is to capture and formalize maintenance information
that has existed in various locations but was historically unwritten. There were large amounts
of data and expertise held within the memory of the department that needed to be gathered
and organized in a manner that could be understood and implemented.
Additionally, it is the intent of this plan to capture the maintenance data and scheduling
information that has simply been institutional knowledge for years, which will leave the
organization as employees leave or retire. The plan was also developed to identify existing
drainage infrastructure and develop an inventory, which can be identified through GIS mapping.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Drainage Program is to proactively protect lives and property from flooding
events and to perform ongoing maintenance and repair of the entire public drainage system.
This mission is to be accomplished by providing quality services that add to our residents'
quality of life and make Paris the most livable city in Texas.
Goals and Objectives
*Reduce flooding calls for service
*Proactively maintain the public drainage system on a schedule to maximize its effectiveness,
reduce the overall maintenance cost and reduce the number of repair calls for service
*Actively provide public education and information on drainage services and issues affecting
the system
*Develop a GIS database of all drainage infrastructures
*Assist other city departments with resources and expertise
Annual Operations Maintenance Plan
Outfall Ditches
There are many ditches in the drainage system in Paris that are considered outfall ditches that
carry public street water to larger creeks and rivers. Drainage crews need to clean these ditches
at least once a year with the assistance of the slope mower.
During the growing season outfall ditches (Big Sandy, 24th SE, Buttermilk, Collegiate &
Clarksville) that carry street water need to be cut at least once per year with the priority being
placed on the ones that carry the greatest volume of water. During the non -growing season all
other ditches that take street water are cut as needed. Throughout the year this crew is
responsible for checking blockages, obstructions of any kind, looking for trees that are down in
the ditch and take the necessary actions to correct the problem.
Pre and Post Rain Event Drainage System Inspections
In the event a major rain event is forecast, the drainage crew conducts both pre -event and
post -event inspections of the drainage system. The pre -event inspection is designed to be
proactive so that trouble areas can be identified and any areas that are blocked by debris can
1
be unstopped prior to the event. This facilitates proper drainage flow in the system, reducing
flooding during the event, and safeguards property. The post -event inspection is designed to
check the system to again unstop any blockages that have occurred during the storm event,
inspect the system for any damage that will require future repair and to ensure that any
residual water left in the system can drain properly.
The city is divided into four quadrants for which each division is responsible. During and after
major rain events, each superintendent and crews respond to these quadrants to remove
debris if possible and report their findings to the public works director.
Major cleaning
Ditches scheduled for major cleaning and re -grading during FY 2018-23 include 10th NW &
Center, 25th SE & Sherman, 24th SE @ Dragon Park. These are identified as needing major work
based upon their current condition following inspections made by division personnel. This work
will include major ditch bottom clearing and cleaning to increase the capacity of the ditch and
facilitate the movement of the maximum amount of drainage within the ditch. All maintenance
on any ditch that requires permits from state agencies will be dependent upon the city
obtaining the necessary permit(s) to complete the work. Until all permits can be obtained, the
work cannot be done. The planned work may take up to 180 days per item depending on the
size of the outfall ditch and the conditions found once work begins. Work priorities on these
outfall ditches may change due to political considerations, major storm events or other delays
not within the control of the drainage crew.
Back and Side Ditches
The back and side ditches that carry street water in the drainage system are cleaned as needed
once a year by the same crew based upon the available scheduling.
During the growing season, these ditches need to be cut and cleaned once per year and they
are cleared of leaves one time per year. The crew receives assistance from street sweepers for
large scale clearing of leaves from the street -side ditches citywide after all the leaves have
fallen throughout the city. This particular cleaning of street -side ditches should take place in the
January to March timeframe.
Construction Crew
Constructs new drainage infrastructure and replaces existing drainage infrastructure such as
storm pipe, structures, and retention and detention ponds citywide. This crew also clears land
and assists other city departments as needed when major heavy equipment activities are
needed. The work schedule is determined by inspections of the systems by existing staff, in-
house projects by city staff that is determined too costly to contract out. This crew also assists
in removing large blockages from outfall ditches after storm events and re -grades outfall
ditches between projects.
Repairs existing drainage infrastructure and installs new infrastructure throughout the City of
Paris. This includes repairs of cave-ins over storm pipes and structures, such as curb drop inlets,
K
yard drains and manholes. Existing deteriorated storm pipe is replaced by this crew as needed.
This will take place with assistance from other crews within the ROW division, for multiple
persons and heavy equipment will be needed to perform this task.
Off -Street Ditching Crew
All off-street ditches that receive public street water need to be cleaned once per year. This
includes residential back and side yard ditches that receive public street water run-off. This
activity includes mowing slopes and access roads on large outfall ditches with slope mowers
during the growing season. The ROW tractors and crew will assist with this process and
scheduling.
Residential off-street ditches that do not receive street water are the responsibility of the
property owners; however the city will unstop drains and pipe ends at the end of the drainage
system, if required.
Street -side Ditching Crew
All street -side ditches will be inspected once per year to determine if maintenance is required.
Ditches that need maintenance (debris removal, grading or brush removal) will be cleaned once
a year or on a rotating schedule. The crew takes care of all the street -side ditches and hand
clean ditches if grading is not necessary. Ditches are mechanically cleaned if re -grading is
needed. Mechanical re -grading is done by a mini track hoe for shallow ditches and a Gradall
and/or track hoe for wider and deeper ditches. A Street Division crew will assist with most of
the roadside ditches as has been done historically.
ANNUAL SCHEDULE FOR DITCH CREW
The city is divided into four sections, called quadrants that are divided by NW, SW, SE, NE.
The city's ditch schedule is performed in counter -clockwise rotation, starting from the
innermost ditches to the outermost ditches. This cycle repeats every month.
The schedule is as follows, with allowance for flexibility.
First week of every month, crew will be in the NW quadrant.
Second week of every month, crew will be in SW quadrant.
Third week of every month, crew will be in SE quadrant.
Fourth week of every month, crew will be in NE quadrant.
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