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Sector Two Chapter 3 - Tomorrow Neighborhood Protection "Neighborhood- friendly" development is designed to be a integral part of the surrounding neighborhoods, rather than "turning its back" and being completely separate. While appropriate screening and buffering of higher intensity land uses is desirable, it is not necessary to completely wall off higher intensity land uses from adjacent neighborhoods. Being neighborhood friendly includes reducing the negative impacts to surrounding neighborhoods, accomodating pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and generally enhancing the neighborhood rather than detracting from it through appropriate site design, landscaping, signage, lighting, etc. Preserving Visual Character The following are the most prominent aesthetic elements over which the City has some control through zoning, subdivision, and building regulations: 1. Landscaping Landscaping can significantly improve the visual character of development. Adequate landscaping should be required for all forms of development, except single - family residential uses (which virtually always provide adequate landscaping without need for public regulation). Landscaping should be required around building foundations, in and around paved areas such as parking lots, along street frontages, and within yard areas. Landscaping should be installed at an adequate size to ensure a high degree of survivability and immediate visual effectiveness. Preference should be given to native landscaping that requires minimal water and maintenance. 2. Sign age Low quality signs and excessive signage (both in number and size) can have a detrimental impact on community aesthetics and property values. On -site signage should be limited in size and number in order to preserve the visual character of the area. Off -site advertising (i.e., billboards) are inappropriate for Sector Two and should be prohibited in order to preserve the neighborhood character of the area and the natural beauty of the Hill Country setting. 3. Building Materials Building materials should enhance the property and surrounding properties, as well as the overall appearance of the community. Approprate building materials are dependent on the land use, location, and type of building. Small neighborhood commercial buildings should be compatible with surrounding neighborhood homes. Community shopping centers should be attractive, with high quality building materials. Adopted: July 23, 2001 3 -3