Two local issues captured the majority of conversation at a Ward 5 public meeting Monday, Feb. 2 at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church.
Councilwoman Lynda Tremaine heard comments from her constituents about a proposed moratorium on the building of apartment complexes and Superintendent Dr. Karen DeLano gave a presentation regarding a future high school that will break ground in August 2017.
Several citizens were concerned about apartment development in Auburn, focusing on the development at 160 N. Ross St.
"Rates are down and Auburn is advertised across the nation as a hotspot for people to come in and invest," Tremaine said.
However, many citizens of Ward 5 feel the construction is taking place too rapidly, while the vacancy rate of these new apartment complexes is also increasing.
"Auburn is a feeding frenzy for developers across the country," said Ray Huff, owner of Auburn Reality LLC, referencing contractors from states across the countries that have shown interest. "And they are all looking to build within one mile of Haley Center."
A moratorium has been proposed to slow this process, with the aid of Councilwoman Tremaine and a public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the City Council meeting.
DeLano said a proposed high school has allotted land across from current Auburn High School's Duck Samford Stadium.
The new high school will be between two to three stories high in the newly proposed building. Parking spaces will increase from the current 595 to more than 1,000 spaces as well as the implementation of several environmentally friendly options, according to DeLano.
DeLano said she is pushing for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification and is in favor of "trying to maintain as much as the natural as possible," on new school grounds.
DeLano said the new high school may have a food court.
"Were also hoping to have more than one place to eat," DeLano said.
There will be a vote April 28 to determine if the allocation of $5 million worth of city funds goes toward the new high school's budget.
"There is no doubt that this high school needs to be build," said DeLano. "These schools are just packed."
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