Planning board forwards zoning density amendment to council with minor wording edits

The Auburn Planning Board on June 10 voted to forward amendments to Section 6307 of the city zoning ordinance—which clarify density standards in the multifamily suburban and general business districts—to the City Council with a recommendation for adoption and a pair of minor wording edits.

Staff said the amendment would apply the 17-units-per-acre standard consistently within the multifamily suburban district “regardless of unit type,” removing an ambiguity that had prompted debate over whether the limit applied only to certain building types. Staff also said the draft replaces inconsistent terminology with the ordinance’s existing housing-type terms.

During the public-comment period, resident Stephen Veil supported the change but suggested three drafting tweaks: allow combinations of single-family detached, two-family, and multifamily buildings in mixed-lot contexts by making the text read “and/or”; add the word “all” to a sentence addressing yard setbacks so it reads “provided that all the buildings…”; and replace the words “church or temple” with a broader “place of worship.” Planning staff told the board they were not opposed to those edits but noted that any definition changes should be handled consistently elsewhere in the ordinance.

After brief board discussion, a motion to forward the amended Section 6307 to the City Council with the edits (insert “and/or” and add “all” in the locations suggested) carried unanimously.

Staff and board members also noted this amendment is largely housekeeping ahead of broader work on the comprehensive plan and that further definition work (for example, clarifying “single-family attached” versus “townhouse” or “duplex” terminology) could be brought back for a workshop or future ordinance amendments.

The board’s recommendation will go to the City Council for final consideration under the city’s ordinance amendment process.