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Planning board denies mixed auto-sales and storage-container plan, citing suburban-zone incompatibility
Summary
The Auburn Planning Board unanimously denied a resubmitted application for an auto-sales/service building combined with storage-container rental after determining proposed container storage would be located on a suburban-residence parcel where such containers are not a permitted accessory use and the financial-capacity documentation was insufficient.
The Auburn Planning Board voted unanimously to deny a resubmitted application for an auto-sales and self-storage container operation because the proposal would place storage containers on a suburban-residence parcel where the board concluded those containers are not a permitted accessory use.
Staff noted the proposal is a resubmission of a plan previously approved in 2024 that had expired; the developer did not request an extension. The project combines parcels in different zones and proposes a 9,000-square-foot auto-sales building with paved display areas at the Center Street frontage and gravel areas for storage containers toward the rear of the site. The applicant argued the containers would be screened and somewhat depressed in grade to reduce visibility.
During discussion board members repeatedly said storage containers on the suburban-residence (SR) parcel are not a permitted use and expressed concern about moving container storage into suburban areas. One member said an accessory use must be located on the same lot as the principal use and that several parcels in different ownership or zones complicated that requirement. Board members also flagged the applicant’s financial-capacity documentation as insufficient for the standard the board expects.
Yan Wegman, representing Wright Pierce, presented the site composition and stormwater improvements and said the applicant seeks a traffic-study waiver. He described screening and grading changes designed to keep containers out of public view. The board pressed the applicant for a legal basis to treat container storage as an accessory use to the auto-sales operation; the applicant cited prior approvals but could not point to a definitive code citation that authorizes storage containers in the suburban parcel.
A member moved to deny the application on the grounds that the proposed uses are not permitted in the suburban zone; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Board members noted the auto-sales redevelopment facing Center Street could be reconsidered if the applicant removes the container use or pursues rezoning for the Turner Street parcel.
