Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday

Tedford Housing
Issue: Brunswick-based Tedford Housing plans to begin work on
two projects in Auburn and Lewiston this summer. In 2008, Auburn councilors
pledged $120,000 in HOME funds to help the shelter program renovate the
old Franklin School at 22 Pine St.  
The Scoop: Tedford plans to rehab the old school to
create one bedroom units for six formerly homeless, disabled adults.
They’d work with Common Ties mental health services to offer case
management services to the tenants and much of the work would be done
by YouthBuild, a U.S. Department of Labor program that provides
training and construction employment opportunities to troubled young
people.

Up Next: Councilors reviewed the work and approved a commitment letter outlining the project and pledging their continued support. Tedford is scheduled to be back in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, presenting a
plan to the Lewiston City Council to renovate a building at 114 Blake St. for homeless families.

Little league lease
Issue: The New Auburn Little League has called the Pulsifer
Field, on 9th Avenue between Broad and Cook streets,  home for at least
25 years. That’s the last time the city and league’s board signed a
lease on the land. That lease is due to expire.

The Scoop: Councilors agreed to sign another 25-year lease with the league. It calls for $1 per year in rent, paid up front.  

Up Next: The new lease covers the league until Jan. 2035.

Property demolition

Issue: Unable to sell two lots acquired after their owners
failed to property taxes, the city is looking for creative ways to get
both back into private hands. City Manager Glenn Aho said a developer
has offered to take over both lots, demolish the buildings to build new
rental housing.

 
The Scoop: According to the proposal, Community Housing of Maine
would pay the city $7,677.82. That amounts to past due taxes on the
lots at 18 Western Promenade and 126 Goff St. Councilors reviewed the plan at a January workshop. They tabled a vote on it at their last meeting, uncomfortable with letting the land go for such a low price. Councilor Mike Farrell argued Monday for using the lots for parking for the neighborhood and Councilor Belinda Gerry said she was uncomfortable selling the land to a nonprofit that wouldn’t pay property taxes.  

Up Next: Councilors voted to sell the land by a 4-3 vote, with Gerry, Farrell and Councilor Dan Herrick voting against the sale.

Downtown setbacks

Issue: Zoning setbacks, which are rules that keep properties from being developed too close to each other, are too tight downtown according to several developers — including the Hilton Garden Inn, Great Falls Plaza developers Tom Platz and the city itself.

The Scoop: Councilors were asked to ease those restrictions, removing requirements for large back and front yards downtown in front of Auburn Hall, the Auburn Public Library, Mechanics Row Parking garage and other downtown properties.
The Auburn Planning Board approved the change, with the caveat that sidewalk requirements not  be changed.
Councilor Belinda Gerry said she was concerned the changes would allow too-narrow alleys and become blocked to firetrucks and garbage trucks.

  Up Next: The changes passed by a 5-2, with Gerry and Councilor Mike Farrell dissenting.

Liquor licenses

Issue: Local restaurants and bars must reapply for liquor licenses
and amusement permits each year. Liquor licenses permit the
establishments to serve alcohol; amusement permits allow them to play
music, have a DJ, host karaoke or have games on site.

The scoop: Councilors renewed a special
amusement permit for Babylon, 34 Court St.

Next meeting: The next workshop scheduled for the Auburn City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8 .

Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via e-mail at [email protected].