Here we go again — another gravel pit zoning change.
The Auburn Planning Board, mayor and council are once again considering changing the zoning district in a portion of the gravel pits on Gracelawn Road from Agriculture and Resource Protection to a commercial zone that permits many commercial uses as well as some forms of multi-family housing. This zone change would pave the way for a developer to build commercial and multi-family housing projects.
This change is being fast-tracked. On Nov. 14 the Planning Board will hold a public hearing and will make a recommendation to the City Council regarding this proposed zone change. The council is scheduled to vote on this recommendation at its Nov. 20 meeting, with a final vote scheduled for the Dec. 4 council meeting.
Even though the citizens of Auburn will vote for members of a new City Council and for a mayor on Nov. 7, these officials will not be sworn into office until after Dec. 4, so the current council will be determining if this area will be rezoned to allow 31 kinds of permitted commercial uses, as well as some kinds of multi-family housing.
As you may remember, it was this same City Council that voted just last year to make this same zoning change to an area along Gracelawn Road.
So here we go again. If you want your voices heard you should attend the November Planning Board meeting. And remember to vote on Nov. 7.
Jim Wellehan, Auburn
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