The City of Auburn could be seeing significant growth in the downtown area, both in height and development, but it could take some time.
On Tuesday, Auburn City Council pushed back a vote for an increase in maximum height in parts of downtown that could clear the way for new ambitious downtown developments like one presented before the council's meeting Tuesday. That plan could bring a 120-room Southern Living partnered hotel, a grocery store and new condos in the middle of downtown.
The proposal would surround a separate planned Wright Street parking deck.
The height of the building could potentially be 75 feet, which would allow for a rooftop pool and bar, but the current maximum height in the city's traditional downtown area is 65 feet.
Citizens and the council have been wrestling with the proposal of a change in the area's height ordinance for years, and the debate has remained heated.
It was near standing room only as members of the community appeared in droves at Tuesday night’s meeting, the longest council meeting in at least 32 years, according to Mayor Bill Ham. The chamber's rows were filled and citizens lined the back wall as the clock ticked to 7 p.m.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Beth Witten, who ran for City Council on a platform of smart growth and increased focus on business, emphasized the great opportunity for the revitalization of the downtown area through adjusting the height ordinance, which could allow projects like the proposed development.
“I have no fear of change,” Witten said. “I thrive on change, and I am excited about what is happening in Auburn.”
Although Witten was in strong support of the area’s growth and called the proposal a “next generation project for Auburn," she expressed the trouble found within the unfortunate timing of the proposal and the height ordinance vote in the same night.
Continue reading below...
Ward 2 Councilman Ron Anders echoed her concerns. He said the citizens of Auburn deserved more time to make their opinions known to their respective council members concerning the height variance.
Anders spoke up and denied the needed unanimous consent for the 75-foot increase when Ham asked for it, thus pushing the vote to April 3, when it will require only a majority vote to pass.
He made known that he was much more concerned with restoring the trust between the council and the citizens rather than the height as dictated by the ordinance.
Ward 5 Councilwoman Lynda Tremaine who has in the past opposed certain large commercial developments, said the proposed project was exciting.
She called the downtown area "sacred ground" and said it was important to ensure downtown buildings are complimentary of the town. She expressed her concern for the future of Auburn and grieved at the lack of trust from the public due to the council's recent actions.
"A vote 'no' isn’t a vote against progress," Tremaine said. "It shows that we take interest in the people who have asked us to represent them."
Tremaine said that the absence of trust can be detrimental to any community and that it was the council's duty to act on behalf of their people in order to regain that trust.
Many of the citizens in attendance agreed with her.
According to the City of Auburn, there have been three different task force initiatives that have surveyed the downtown area and recommended that 66 feet to 75 feet is the most appropriate range for sustained growth in downtown Auburn.
In 2013, the City of Auburn created and initiated the Downtown Master Plan process.
Over the course of the next three years, the city gathered input from many sources, including citizen surveys, committees of business owners and local leaders, individual interviews and public workshops and hearings.
The council adopted the Downtown Master Plan in 2015 with the height at 75 feet but decided to reduce the height to 65 feet at a March 2016 adoption hearing during which it faced public pushback.
The city has decided to revisit the 75-foot ordinance, claiming that it provides more opportunities for growth in the downtown area.
Some residents are thrilled, commending the council for their commitment to growth, while others have been outraged, accusing the council of hidden motives.
Ward 8 Councilman Tommy Dawson said he has taken personal attacks from citizens and encouraged mature dialogue between the council and citizens.
He told the community that he was unsure how he would vote on the issue, and he echoed sentiments from Ham that urged citizens to make their concerns known with decorum, in a manner of constructive criticism.
"Please talk about it, but don't question my integrity," Dawson said. "I love Auburn, and I love serving. When I got Parkinson’s, I found a way to continue to serve."
Julie and Timothy McGowan, who have owned storefronts in Auburn since 1998, spoke in support of the proposed plan. McGowan described store ownership as a type of parenthood and said that she and her husband were “involved parents.” She said, “In life, change is a constant, and it always brings new possibilities. Our family is in support of change — we know that in some small way we were able to contribute and to make this a better place.”
Susan Honeycutt questioned the council and the mayor on their intentions and vision for the downtown Auburn area. She requested that the council take a closer look at developing a “strategic vision versus an opportunistic approach.”
She said that raising the height to 75 feet would not only distort the sense of place in the Auburn area, but would cause the buildings to overshadow the community.
“You lose the humanness near the buildings,” Honeycutt said.
Correction (March 21, 2018): A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Ward 5 Lynda Tremaine was opposed to the North College Street development.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
