I participated March 8 in the Auburn Planning Board Hearing via Zoom, since I live in the area that would be affected by the proposed Court Street zoning change.
The change from urban residential to traditional neighborhood development is designed to increase the density of housing and to allow uses like community services, small offices, mixed-use buildings, and small commercial operations.
The new zone would also allow for a density of up to 16 units per acre and structures of up to three stories.
This proposed change would dramatically alter the character of the many longtime residential neighborhoods located within the affected zone. I was most troubled by some of the responses from the city planning staff to concerns raised by those who spoke at the hearing. Responses similar to “we would not anticipate that use would occur” or “it would not make economic sense for someone to tear down an existing structure to build an apartment building” do not give me any confidence in this process.
If staff expects little or nothing to change, why then is there a need to change the zone? I understand the current city administration desires to build more houses — but at what cost? Why must we lose the neighborhoods we have lived in for many years? Why must the drinking water for both Auburn and Lewiston be threatened?
I urge all citizens to contact their councilors and attend the council meeting when these zoning changes will be discussed, or they will pass without citizen input.
Patricia Mador, Auburn
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