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Planning commission approves PUD for Noble Hall with conditions to preserve historic site
Summary
The commission approved rezoning the 54-acre Noble Hall property to a planned unit development (RZ2026-07) with amendments requiring greenway easement dedication and strict preservation conditions for Noble Hall; the applicant said restoration work will start after an expected July closing.
The Auburn Planning Commission voted to approve a planned-unit development for the Noble Hall property, a roughly 54‑acre parcel that includes the historic Noble Hall, after amendments to the governing conditions that specify a greenway easement must be dedicated to the city south of the creek.
Staff told commissioners the PUD is aimed at preserving Noble Hall and its immediate view shed while allowing limited residential development. Planning staff said the PUD caps potential dwelling units at seven across the property and preserves rural uses — including limited agricultural uses and hunting rights — while protecting the historic structures and preventing subdivision because of deed restrictions.
Warren Jolly, speaking for the applicant, described the restoration work planned for Noble Hall and secondary buildings, citing the house’s 1854 construction and its listing on the National Register. “It was built in 1854,” he said, and outlined needed repairs: structural wood milling to match historic cornice details, replacement of a failing roof, remediation of interior water damage, and full updates to plumbing and electrical systems. He said the team has been coordinating with the Auburn University Foundation on a restoration timeline and that, if the rezoning is approved, the project expects to close early to mid‑July and must begin work within 90 days.
The approved governing-condition language clarifies the greenway easement location and dedication, and staff emphasized preservation requirements that Noble Hall ‘‘cannot be raised or destroyed’’ and must be maintained in place.
The applicant said the property will support primarily residential uses — small single‑family houses sympathetic to the historic setting — and private, non‑bookable event uses coordinated through Auburn University and the owner. Staff noted utility constraints (sewer is across the creek and many improvements rely on septic or new sewer crossings) and that some secondary buildings will be restored rather than replaced.
The commission moved and seconded the amended RZ2026‑07 motion and the chair called the vote; the motion carried. Staff and the applicant said the details of construction sequencing, code exceptions for historic features, and final site plan elements will be handled in subsequent development‑review steps.
Next steps: the PUD conditions, including the easement language and preservation requirements, will be reflected in the council staff report and implemented through final plan review and permitting.
