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Board tables 180-unit Stetson Road multifamily proposal, raises traffic and separation concerns
Summary
Developers asked for a waiver to reduce building separation to accommodate a 180-unit mixed residential project; the Planning Board tabled the application to Feb. 11 for additional traffic, utility and environmental information and to allow the applicant to revise plans.
The Auburn Planning Board on Jan. 14 tabled a large mixed-residential proposal on Stetson Road after staff and board members raised outstanding traffic, sidewalk and environmental review items and because the applicant requested a waiver from the ordinance’s building-separation standard.
Dupree Engineering, representing AR Building Company, is proposing a mixed-use project of 56 residential buildings—22 duplexes and 34 quadplexes—totaling 180 units on an undeveloped, largely wooded site of roughly 30 acres. The applicant requested a waiver from the multifamily-suburban district rule that requires a minimum horizontal separation of 30 feet between buildings; the applicant’s plans show many separations under that figure, with the closest distance around 16 feet at certain angled corners.
Brandon Carr of DePree (Dupree) Engineering said the layout attempts to limit earthwork and wetland impacts by compacting building placement and alternating building types and heights. Carr said the team explored alternatives—spreading the site footprint, changing building types, or removing roughly 20 units to meet the separation standard—but preferred the current approach to minimize tree clearing and wetland disturbance.
Staff and board discussion focused heavily on traffic. The site’s traffic consultant is preparing a study; staff said the project is near the 100 peak-hour trips threshold that triggers a traffic-movement permit (TMP) and DOT review. Staff emphasized that pedestrian safety will require a sidewalk tie-in to the existing bridge along Stetson Road (approximately 950 feet of sidewalk extension) and that the TMP and third-party engineering review have outstanding punch-list items. Staff recommended tabling to allow the applicant to complete the traffic analysis, address six items raised in a third-party review related to the Site Location Development Act, and finalize utilities and sidewalk plans.
Board members repeatedly asked whether removing units (roughly 20) would change TMP thresholds. Staff said dropping units could reduce the scope of required TMP review, but that without the full traffic submission staff could not determine the exact effect. Several board members expressed concern about approving a waiver without seeing the traffic and TMP information.
The board voted to table the application to the Feb. 11, 2025 Planning Board meeting to allow the applicant and staff time to resolve outstanding items. Staff indicated it would request additional traffic detail, produce updated utility plans and follow up on third-party review comments before the next hearing.
