The Downtown Master Plan was approved last year by the City Council, and the planning commission approved text amendments last week that will place its vision in city code as soon as March, but city residents cannot escape disagreement over the course of Auburn's future.
Susan Hunnicutt, public relations representative for the Keep Auburn Lovely coalition, took to floor at the meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16, to reiterate her desire for a citizen-led task force to review growth plans for Auburn.
Following a public forum in January sponsored by Keep Auburn Lovely, Hunnicutt introduced the idea to the council, but the council members chose not to act.
"A couple of weeks ago I brought to y'all's attention that I thought us appointing a task force that's citizen-led instead of city-led might be a good idea," Hunnicutt said. "Our moratorium ends May 3, so we're only looking at six weeks. It might be advantageous to use those six weeks to see what people think."
Hunnicutt has proposed a task force composed of 12–19 members, who would be capable of making recommendations from the public's perspective to the council about city development plans and regulations.
"It wouldn't be binding by any stretch of imagination, so it's kind of like a research project," Hunnicutt said.
At Tuesday night's meeting, the council encouraged Hunnicutt and members of Keep Auburn Lovely to organize their own external task force without assistance or guidance from the city.
"I appreciate your passion," said Auburn Mayor Bill Ham. "The planning commission — and the public, as well — has been going through this for two years. They have made a recommendation that will be on the agenda in March."
Members of the council told Hunnicutt any input from her task force would be reviewed if it were submitted.
"I'm not opposed to appointments of task forces," Ham said. "I've appointed a couple of them. I personally think we're way too far down the road on this one."
On Thursday, Feb. 11, the Auburn Planning Commission approved recommendations to amend the text of Auburn's comprehensive plan, CompPlan 2030, which governs zoning and building codes.
The amendments will align CompPlan 2030, which regulates the entire city, with the vision set forth in Auburn's new Downtown Master Plan, which focuses on the city's urban center.
The commission's recommendations will go before the City Council on March 22 for final approval.
Hunnicutt's task force was not the only topic of contention on Tuesday night as Ward 5 city Councilwoman Lynda Tremaine voted against a conditional-use approval for a shopping center on the corner of East Samford Avenue and Glenn Avenue.
The shopping plaza would include a pharmacy and a fast-food establishment, both of which would bear a drive-thru.
According to both Tremaine and Auburn student Stone Ray, the city could be moving in a better direction when it comes to suburban sprawl. The design of the development is not conducive for walkability and urban living, according to Ray.
"The City of Auburn has only focused on our downtown," Ray said. "These two approvals tonight are examples of the heart of our problem."
According to Ray, proper foresight by planning officials could ensure that developments do not hinder walkability, but in the past it hasn't been successful.
"Moving forward, we have to think diligently, and these two approvals sound harmless, but they add up," Ray said. "They've added up to create Opelika Road. They've added up to create South College Street."
In other City Council news:
- The City Council held a special executive session to discuss further threatened litigation against the city after the meeting on Tuesday. City Manager Charlie Duggan declined to comment on the nature of the litigation and no further information has been made public by the city.
- The City Council approved $30,000 in funding for a proposed spay and neuter program managed by the Lee County Commission. Several Opelika veterinary clinics would perform reduced-cost spay and neuter operations for as little as $5–10 thanks to the funding.
- The City Council approved three speed humps and a roundabout for Deer Run Road.
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.
