Members of the Auburn City Council, Planning Commission and residents gathered to discuss current issues in the city on Monday, Aug. 31.
The conference room was packed, forcing people to stand outside the room and in the lobby.
According to Mayor Bill Ham, the main issues of citizens include building heights and the possible infiltration of urban student housing in the downtown area.
It was decided by Ham, with the City Council’s approval, that there would be a second meeting in September to advertise a plan for the council’s consideration addressing building height downtown.
Both the City Council and the Planning Commission had a chance to speak their minds on the issues in attempt to start working a conclusion regarding building height and the Downtown Master Plan.
Ward 5 councilwoman Lynda Tremaine said Auburn portrays a certain character that deserves to be preserved. Tremaine said she believes by replacing the quaint buildings that stand downtown with more urban ones, Auburn loses its close-knit feel.
Councilwoman Beth Witten said many former students return to Auburn to visit places such as Samford Hall and Toomer’s Corner to relive their favorite memories.
“We need to protect the areas the people are reminiscent about,” Witten said.
Ward 2 councilman Ron Anders had a different opinion. Anders said because the downtown area is so close to campus, a more urban feel would be increasingly attractive to students.
In regard to building height, he said a 45-foot limit would be too restrictive, and a 75-foot limit would be too disruptive. Anders said the council and commission need to find a happy medium between the two.
Charles Pick of the Planning Commission said citizen’s input has been and will continue to be crucial.
Each day, 30,000 people pass through the downtown area, so whatever decision is made will have an impact on many people, according to Planning Commission member Warren McCord.
Forrest Cotton, planning director for the City of Auburn, said the Downtown Master Plan was just a plan, and could be revised.
Anna Solomon, facilitator in Harrison School of Pharmacy and Keep Auburn Lovely member, spoke on behalf of the group, promoting its idea of responsible growth.
Solomon said decisions should be made to keep Auburn’s identity protected, not for financial gain.
More student housing downtown would promote a growing student population, which, according to Solomon, is not as important as giving current Auburn students a better education.
Solomon said any buildings over 60 feet downtown would overpower the family-friendly buildings.
Ray Huff, owner of Auburn Realty, spoke following Solomon and said deciding not to expand student housing will not turn developers away.
“If there is money to be made, developers will come,” Huff said.
On the opposing side, Howard Porter said just because a building is old does not mean it is historic.
“A land’s value comes from utility,” Porter said.
Porter said by reducing the height limit from 75 feet to 45 feet, the amount of housing would be cut in half, causing a reduction in value.
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