[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6379038,"mediaKeyId","2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce","parentId",2136801,"title","City attorney says ag-zone dwellings require principal farm, recreation or resource use under current ordinance","audioSeconds",304,"startMs",70000,"endMs",374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce&start=70&end=374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce/thumbnail_70000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379038/Maine/City-attorney-says-ag-zone-dwellings-require-principal-farm-recreation-or-resource-use-under-current-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379038-86b46bb08fb7f5423f818026d9b6c7f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1777437669&Signature=GB511~pFtw5mGNbt6teTRfj3AKplh~p6kfRNEHUeiYK3T~LLNLCauAAJRGNcGGKIY~wB0JJ9oK8uHOkakE5dVCZ8BHid9eyLZXaquUPKd4uAklulXrZRAS3669vLVl7L82F0fgcuggsWJ3MAZinEaWjBuMJ8o4OBsGMs-vrDdv~dbTrSS7OidduFuwkQMn70UxXi~7bERZZMzTeRQc72udNEoR39svV7z2-ERl-L33Jw3EktlSUqPtWLITClMLt3IH0PTGhowUKvIPE85cIMu63oaifylipT9ajrtTrrHPKjr5ewHHkpMDT2lF91IYZqKc0pOB6SPqGTQw3ZDawt-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Auburn Public Schools","date","2025-01-22T01:50:59Z","article","City Attorney Mr. Stockford told a joint Auburn City Council and Planning Board workshop on Jan. 21 that the plain language of the Agriculture and Resource Protection District chapter and the ordinance definitions indicate the parcel’s principal use must be agricultural, recreational or natural resource-focused before a new dwelling may be approved.

“Based on the language of the Agriculture and Resource Protection District chapter of the ordinance and interpreting that in light of the definition of what an accessory use is, it's our opinion that the principal use of a property needs to be for 1 of those specified purposes,” Stockford said. He noted the definition of accessory use in the ordinance — a “subordinate use of land or building… customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use” — supports that reading.

The opinion responds to a minority report from the ad hoc agricultural committee, which argued the committee’s report misrepresents section 6145A1 and that a bona fide determination should begin with designating a parcel’s principal use. Stockford said legal review was requested by the city manager to clarify the current ordinance language; any future proposal to add criteria for determining bona fide activities would be a separate ordinance change and referred to the Planning Board.

Council and Planning Board members questioned how staff will apply a “principal use” standard in practice. Mr. Trier, who identified himself as the author of the dissenting opinion on the committee report, said workshop participants “struggled with… how to get to an understanding of whether or not something is principal use or not,” noting large parcels where only a portion would be farmed could complicate determinations. He asked whether the city can define principal use or provide a measurable threshold.

Stockford said not every factual scenario can be exhaustively prescribed in ordinance text and that determinations will likely be developed case by case. “Ultimately… the application and interpretation of principal use will really have to be developed based on the specific factual scenarios that are found,” he said, adding that it is important that the Planning Director or Planning Board make specific findings to support any determination.

Councilors raised concerns about the ordinance’s effect over time. Several members asked whether a dwelling built under the current standard could lose the right to be occupied if the parcel later ceased the qualifying principal use. Stockford and city staff said the ordinance, as written, ties the right to occupy some new dwellings to continued compliance with the principal-use requirement; they also said that existing dwellings built before the ordinance change would be grandfathered.

The workshop also discussed the ad hoc committee’s checklist-style recommendations for criteria and whether financial or proprietary documents requested from applicants could raise legal issues. Stockford said the city attorney had not been asked to review the ad hoc committee’s report itself; legal review would occur if and when the council refers specific proposed ordinance language to the attorney’s office.

On state tax standards, a councilor asked whether meeting the state’s farm and open-space tax test — $2,000 in agricultural gross income (measured under the statute over two of the preceding five years) — would automatically qualify a parcel under the city ordinance. Stockford said that state standard is not incorporated into the city ordinance and would not be determinative; it could be one factor staff or the director might consider.

Next steps: staff will continue to process any applications under the existing ordinance and review the ad hoc committee’s report. The mayor said proposed ordinance language incorporating criteria could come to the council later in late winter or early spring and, if advanced, would be referred to the Planning Board for recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Auburn, Maine, Council Workshop & Meeting, January 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Attorney Mr. Stockford told a Jan. 21 joint workshop that Auburn’s zoning ordinance requires a parcel’s principal use be agricultural, recreational or natural resources-focused before a new single-family dwelling is allowed in the Agriculture and Resource Protection (AGRP) district.","taxTitle","Auburn Public Schools, School Districts, Maine","taxId",66949,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379018,"Votes at a glance: Auburn Council approves appointments, reappropriation and property-tax assistance ordinance on first reading",2807,5614000,8421000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce&start=5614&end=8421","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce/thumbnail_5614000.jpg","/articles/6379018/Maine/Votes-at-a-glance-Auburn-Council-approves-appointments-reappropriation-and-property-tax-assistance-ordinance-on-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379018-cf018c98e2abfc4bb0145b7a702684f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1777437669&Signature=C5yZUqnOQIN1jIkqkdqDtPU5EBp52Axw7o7Abx9izkH~bF64zLVW5dZ0eaaMQ~zXijBzPNOg~b~R2A0miFlSVpLeIFI6JXPJ0GYYLKUCH1xdBZ5tNq35NPERoSmMwbbARnjHgVZ4O3SF0GCzPAQVt4-96XVMUlAyhoQMmV-K8JhBqzQkWaxTwMgJ8F-PAAu9zuUqyzWIUenLXUPoEE-9k6zh5VpIBHsVbYRn5Cv2xTBdNTTNLrbkYYBfOqjPPJb1nrZlL5vWYA9UHhmECXGnswX-6naq8iN2P0fvD0vwYD0qvjltWiUJA1sawltnWZ6wN-c~RabGDGHmCZeWREf6Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn City Council recorded several formal actions on Jan. 21. Below are motions, movers/seconders, and outcomes as taken from the meeting record.

Appointment to S&R B Sustainability Working Group: Motion to appoint Brian Cullen (Order 0701-2125) was moved by Councilor Walker and seconded by Councilor Cowan. Vote by show of hands: 7 in favor, 0 opposed. Motion adopted.

Approval of minutes (Jan. 6, 2024 regular meeting): Motion to accept the minutes was moved by Councilor Walker and seconded by Councilor Cowan. Vote by show of hands: 5 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstained (abstentions noted for members not present). Motion adopted; clerk recorded the tally as 5 affirmative, 2 abstentions.

Reappropriating unspent proceeds from 2023–24 general allocation bonds (Order 0401062025) — public hearing and second reading: Motion to reallocate as presented was moved by Councilor Whiting and seconded by Councilor Walker. Vote by roll call: 7 having voted in the affirmative, 0 in the negative. Motion adopted.

Ordinance amendment to Chapter 2 (property tax assistance for residents 65 and older) — first reading (Ordinance 0101-2125): Motion to move the ordinance forward was made by Councilor Gary and seconded by Councilor Walker. Vote by roll call: 7 in favor, 0 opposed. The ordinance was approved on first reading; funding for the program would be subject to a future budget appropriation.

Executive session: The council voted to enter executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. §4056 to discuss an economic development matter; the motion to enter executive session was made and passed by a show of hands with six voting in favor and one absent. No action was taken publicly following the session.

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was moved by Councilor Weisner and seconded by Councilor Walker; the meeting was adjourned by voice vote.","The Auburn City Council held multiple formal votes on Jan. 21: it appointed a member to a sustainability working group, approved reappropriation of unspent bond proceeds, accepted minutes, and approved first reading of a property tax assistance ordinance for seniors; vote tallies and movers/seconders are listed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379023,"County commissioners ask state for jail funding; Auburn leaders discuss impacts and alternatives",107,7497000,7604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce&start=7497&end=7604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce/thumbnail_7497000.jpg","/articles/6379023/Maine/County-commissioners-ask-state-for-jail-funding-Auburn-leaders-discuss-impacts-and-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379023-aff18a3e0a7ac39d427278230cf35d3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1777437669&Signature=NSKuVUJxqkTGV-BFpURLtVGEyEd15b-v-Z0pNv6Dq8iS064VI1EjVUnNPreBmWTmXsikl3uSdNVnRju94S5LKvuWa1K80b9~Ed5PgxNhD5g52lKCynPA441gLuL2tfxebhN-xoB67dc0mAfRFaUsjjKHuFuI6D7BNpJ-Mj-nDGlCOdd21Nk-zuRqbPtPJKMHMBwkQq75q-RDk1dS2b3Rfs3X6WE2HPtsaDcL5L5VNyIP4P~WsVfh-Uy0pqkeJDtgiWqyghRCtakVHayAJS-K6zr7Jdd6~GUKLy2eQEIPu9LwcHPcit8tVVmY7DS~aHJ7JP171lc~6utkAA3Lhee2ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andrew Lewis, chair of the Androscoggin County Commission, and Commissioner Jane Penethy briefed the Auburn City Council on Jan. 21 about county priorities, with an emphasis on jail funding and facilities.

Lewis said the county faces a funding squeeze for jail operations because state contributions have been flat for years while costs and new standards for addiction and mental-health services increased. “Without an increase from the state… we’re charging all of the cities more because the house, feed, and take care of the prisoners,” Lewis said, and he asked councilors to consider contacting state legislators to press for the state’s statutory share.

Penethy, the commission’s vice chair and a newly elected commissioner, identified the jail as “the big fish in terms of things that we're facing,” and called for state participation; both county commissioners urged municipalities to advocate to the legislative delegation.

Councilors discussed impacts to municipal property tax bills and related county issues including 911 consolidation and subsidies for dispatch services. Mayor Harmon and the city manager noted prior council outreach to legislators and said Auburn, along with other municipalities, has raised jail funding as a property-tax-relief issue in municipal association policy work.

Harmon and the manager also reiterated an earlier city offer to explore co-location of county operational functions with Auburn’s planned public safety building on Minot Avenue, saying co-location could reduce the county bond size by about $1 million and lower property-tax impacts. County commissioners said they are exploring funding options and alternatives to a straight bond for a new sheriff's office facility.

Commissioners told councilors they will post meeting agendas and minutes to the county website and encouraged public attendance. Lewis said the county meets monthly and the next meeting is Feb. 14.","County commissioners told Auburn councilors the county jail is under flat funding pressure and urged municipal support for asking the state to increase its share. Council members raised 911 costs and a proposed sheriff’s office facility; the city said it offered co-location at a new public-safety building to reduce bond costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379028,"Permits near record and planning leadership shifts as city reports housing pipeline",62,6981000,7043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce&start=6981&end=7043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce/thumbnail_6981000.jpg","/articles/6379028/Maine/Permits-near-record-and-planning-leadership-shifts-as-city-reports-housing-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379028-0d3d17953664172f47b008eaaf9a202c/orig.mp4?Expires=1777437669&Signature=KeaJPoJy~5VnbXyslb-81oiPXroakvG7SHzuJ4EEajo0H5HGdMy5ApmWfhU4bFPWwQdOXCwsrMJH40sgm02XId9XqMQ7zZJNbr-aWguV1pw3t7u7Q4dbkLnDQitjEPJrEnW6l~7RyPGMllK~wOFGhxoMhd6WDhMngMi4ip2oMILKJbDBXRGrWoE3iAiVPhPT8t-6W5wPI4Yi5WTBFafozdpK3jPOs~RcymAReJtcYqA6X5u4NvcSzB~GyLDl0fIdp3oldUPhsNYbKN21mWxBEdIxEobblCsXUjtQWPXHOV16gQONoKZOrrwAvPU248qw-XVIzMvvRWeQgLMM9L5E7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff told the Auburn City Council on Jan. 21 that 2024 was a strong year for permitting: permit values nearly matched the 2022 record and staff issued more permits in 2024 than in any past year.

Planning Director Eric Cousins reported total permit value for 2024 was roughly $74 million, about $70,000 short of the 2022 peak. “We actually issued significantly more permits than we have in a year,” Cousins said, and noted revenues from permits have risen in step with increased volume.

A small number of large projects drove the permit valuation, with rebuilds and major expansions among the largest contributors. Cousins also highlighted housing activity: the city permitted nearly 100 units in 2024 after over 200 units in 2023 and 132 in 2022; he said the trend shows more single-occupancy and small-household units rather than large family units, and school enrollment has not risen in step with housing growth.

Councilors asked about comparisons with other municipalities and whether Auburn’s growth rate is unusual; staff said Auburn is projected to grow while several larger Maine cities are projected to lose population through 2040. Cousins also said permit fees remain among the lowest in the state and staff are reviewing fee structures to cover inspection costs without deterring development.

Separately, the manager and council noted a leadership change: Cousins will transition to Public Services Director; the city said it is finalizing negotiations with a new planning director and expects an announcement within one to two weeks. The long-range planner recruitment was advertised and staff said the planning team is prepared to support the comprehensive plan update and other 2025 initiatives.

Cousins and councilors also referenced Lake Auburn watershed overlay activity: one new dwelling permitted in the overlay in the past 12 months. Staff said they will report further on that count in a later update.","City planning reported near-record permit values for 2024, a record number of permits issued, and ongoing housing development; Planning Director Eric Cousins will move to Public Services Director and city expects to announce a new planning director soon.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379033,"Auburn highlights manufacturing hub, workforce steps after year of industry outreach",986,5684000,6670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce&start=5684&end=6670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136801-10de3a71b87a02b7460f4c48b7f356ce/thumbnail_5684000.jpg","/articles/6379033/Maine/Auburn-highlights-manufacturing-hub-workforce-steps-after-year-of-industry-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379033-28f4b52d89f4e6c8ef5a6445db5f04f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1777437669&Signature=jOelPjC69snrex9f7N2TMyY6Lamj-mNDQaD1ksOqtFMB~bw6jfpvOqtyPs2mlei4y4Ei1dTi75w84V2Int0wnI7tmSU~3y0Ukyk1K8r8WxyBaDf66NaHjJCYGK14wqg3jgC2UudX08NHwu5JbPIkEUIySWY9TnHUbiQ~i1KwCNpYaHe0mbDK0Bu5h9sNlJMqYJedfvahCm5GaL1u7WKyo4JOq1uNWCkfUej62UShMUTT8SRBDqv7FMGp2TVzyIJIul7yKPnITgVE0WROAyIShk6X~akTiWvUmctTkPAGSNsVsCcBnD4z12JdFLUP~R5o1T58r5vPV~deOLdXIAen8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auburn Economic Development presented a year-in-review to the City Council on Jan. 21, saying a concerted 2023–24 push to strengthen manufacturing and workforce connections produced measurable results for local employers.

Jay Bremschick, Auburn’s economic development lead, said the city’s manufacturing group convened manufacturers, secured high-level guest speakers from state organizations and focused on workforce solutions tailored to new Mainers. “To date… I don't know of any community that's been, as highly involved and hired a 150 and retained a 150 new Mainers to the manufacturing sector,” Bremschick said, adding that about 100 placements were at one large employer.

Staff described several program elements aimed at recruitment and retention: workplace English classes run in partnership with Auburn Adult Education (scheduled to align with factory shifts), a curb-to-curb pilot transportation service run with Western Maine Transportation Services (WorkLinks) with subsidized fares, and facility tours for prospective workers.

The department also ran a manufacturing-month campaign in October with paid and native advertising, tours and a statewide event held at Central Maine Community College; Bremschick reported strong digital metrics — site sessions up 770% for the month on goauburn.me and increased social engagement — and credited the outreach with helping nominate a local employer for a governor’s business award.

He reported the city is aligning the manufacturing work with a new tech- and bioproducts overlay district and pursuing a tech-hub consortium opportunity at the state level. Bremschick said Auburn has been invited to participate in the governor’s task force on artificial intelligence and described planned coordination with the University of Maine, the Roux Institute and the Maine Technology Institute.

Councilors and staff discussed next steps including more Lewiston manufacturer participation in the group and use of Maine Community Energy Redevelopment Program resources to analyze sites and industrial properties. Bremschick said the program will produce an industrial-site dashboard and support permitting, housing-study dovetailing and site assessments planned for spring 2025.","Economic development staff told the council that 2024 efforts focused on manufacturing yielded increased employer engagement, a workforce pipeline for 'new Mainers,' transportation partnerships and a statewide Manufacturing Month promotion that drove web and media metrics.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City attorney says ag-zone dwellings require principal farm, recreation or resource use under current ordinance

Votes at a glance: Auburn Council approves appointments, reappropriation and property-tax assistance ordinance on first reading

County commissioners ask state for jail funding; Auburn leaders discuss impacts and alternatives

Permits near record and planning leadership shifts as city reports housing pipeline

Auburn highlights manufacturing hub, workforce steps after year of industry outreach