Committee presents draft comprehensive plan vision, growth categories and implementation steps

The comprehensive planning committee presented a progress update to the Auburn Planning Board on the draft comprehensive plan, including a vision statement, proposed future land‑use (FLU) categories, and next steps for policy and action development.

John Cleveland, chair of the comprehensive planning committee, said the committee and planning staff have developed a draft vision — describing Auburn as “a resilient, connected, welcoming and intentional community where everyone can thrive” — and three growth-area categories intended to guide future land-use priorities: high growth (served by water/sewer and corridors), moderate growth (transition areas), and low growth (including watershed and agricultural protection areas).

Long-range planner Lauren Cafe reviewed the project timeline and explained that policies and actions are being refined: the committee has drafted 45 policies and 274 actions, which staff and administrative departments are reviewing to align implementation responsibilities and timelines. Cleveland said the committee will convene smaller working groups, invite representatives from city advisory committees, and seek public engagement on the draft future land-use map and policy/action packages in coming months.

Board members asked about state review, flexibility during the plan’s 10–15 year horizon and how capital improvements and housing needs analyses will be incorporated. Staff said the plan will include implementation details and capital items and that the plan must later go to state review to confirm statutory requirements were followed.

Next steps: staff will refine policies and actions with committee and departmental input, host public engagement on the draft map and policies (targeting April), and return to the planning board with a near-final plan for recommendation to city council and state review.