AUBURN – Habitat for Humanity won’t build on a downtown Auburn plot this spring after councilors decided to sell the parcel to neighbors to use as a children’s play area.

“This council has made it a goal to notify neighbors and abutters when a property goes up for sale, but that didn’t happen here,” Councilor Mike Farrell said. “This isn’t about good or evil but keeping our word and doing the fair thing.”

But councilors stopped short of sealing the deal on the 133 Hampshire St. lot, tabling it again while they consider how to best preserve the plot for open space. They’ll take up the matter at a future council meeting, deciding to either sell the land with a perpetual deed restriction or lease it to neighbors.

Either way, neighbors Patrick and Joanne Luizzo, of 131 Hampshire St., will get to keep using the lot as a playground for their children and neighbors. Patrick Luizzo acknowledged that his property is very near Pettengill Park.

“But I have a 6- and an 8-year-old and I won’t let them just go and play there,” he said. Older, rowdier kids use the park and it’s not a safe place for smaller children.

Neighbors agreed with Luizzo, and signed a petition urging councilors to let him keep using the property.

“This is something that’s good for the community,” said neighbor Joseph Mailey, of 82 Webster St. “He certainly has more energy than I do, and I see him out there caring for it and mowing it and keeping it safe for children to play in.”

The city purchased the .11 acre lot for $1 in 2002 after a fire destroyed the building. The landowner could not afford to demolish the property and let the city take it over and do it. It’s been vacant ever since, and the current assessed property value is $20,100.

Councilors tabled a plan to sell the lot to Habitat for Humanity for $3,000 in November. The charity hoped to begin work on a single-family home there this spring, resulting in a property worth $120,000 and paying property taxes – about $2,000 in taxes per year, according to city estimates.

City Manager Glenn Aho said the charity approached the city about the deal, and it was never put out to bid. His staff began working with Luizzo once it had been tabled, and the family bid $5,000 for the property.

That was enough to convince councilors.

“It might not bring in as much property taxes, but it will bring them in,” Councilor Bob Hayes said. “It’s not bringing in any taxes now.”

Mike Carey of Habitat for Humanity said the charity now plans to build a home in Lewiston this spring. They will be back in Auburn, he said.

They’ll have a couple of extra volunteers, as well. Both Patrick and Joanne Luizzo volunteered their time to help the charity build locally.