Public opposition to a drive-thru on South Gay Street won out Wednesday when the Auburn Board of Zoning Adjustment voted unanimously to deny the requested variances to the city's zoning ordinance.
Developers, wanting to extend the Heart of Auburn shopping center, had requested three separate variances to the city's zoning ordinance to allow a drive-thru to be built at 344 S Gay St. Residents of Auburn turned out to voice their opposition to a drive-thru so close to residential lots. The board sided with the residents in a 6 to 0 vote with Board member Sean Foote recusing himself from the hearing.
The proposal, made by Developer Brett Basquin of Foresite Group, asked for variances to allow a drive-thru to be built on a 24,841-square-foot lot. Auburn's zoning ordinance requires a drive-thru to be on at least a 30,000-square-foot lot.
Basquin said that while a tenant for the property had not been found, developers were requesting the variances so the property would be marketable to potential tenants.
Board member Joan Penrod said that she was disappointed with the developer because the Heart of Auburn plan originally was meant to attract pedestrian traffic.
"What we're looking at is a line of 10 cars all idling and residences right next door," said Penrod, "I wouldn't want that under my bedroom window."
Basquin said that the developers were trying to find similar businesses to those already on the South College Street side of the development.
"The goal was to not comprise the integrity of the newly created development and try and keep that synergy going," said Basquin.
Nine residents rose to speak in opposition of the variances for the property. Many of the speakers voiced their concerns that Basquin had not presented any evidence to justify the variances. Lynda Tremaine, owner of a house next to the proposed drive-thru, criticized the building of fast food and other car-reliant businesses in that part of town.
"We have continued to see the destruction of Auburn's character as a charming town." Tremaine said.
Board of Zoning Adjustment Chairman Trey Rankin said the zoning ordinance would allow a restaurant on the lot, but under the ordinance, the lot is too small for a drive-thru.
"If this lot were about 20 feet wider, all of this would be a moot point," said Rankin.
Alabama Historic Sites Commissioner Ralph Draughon Jr. said that he was happy with the outcome of the vote.
"I'm just so pleased that these variances were defeated unanimously," said Draughon, "I hope it's a good sign for the future of historic preservation in Auburn."
A request for a curb cut allowing street access for a proposed drive-thru in the lot at 340 S. Gay St. will go before the Auburn Planning Commission Thursday at 5 p.m. Both the 340 and 344 lots were former sites of historic Victorian-style homes that were torn down in 2012 to make room for parking at the Heart of Auburn shopping center.
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