Auburn’s City Council is close to approving a proposal allowing stand-alone slaughterhouses in agricultural/resource protection zones. That would impact 50 percent of Auburn.

Auburn zoning laws prohibit spot zoning. It is detrimental to the city. Allowing one exception opens doors to other spot zone requests. Changing the entire AG/RP district will circuitously accomplish spot zoning for Craig Linke and his slaughterhouse proposal for Trapp Road. Auburn would have little basis for refusal when approached by others with similar zoning requests.

City Manager Glenn Aho states Linke shouldn’t have to wait for an answer. Auburn taxpayers have asked numerous questions about how city officials will address property devaluations, odors, public nuisance, road maintenance, water, sewer and biohazard concerns (related also to Linke’s previous chicken slaughterhouse on Trapp Road).

Auburn residents wait. Why isn’t Aho concerned with providing timely answers to their questions?

Auburn’s voters elected the councilors to represent them; to protect the best interests of the city and its residents. They are representing a non-resident to the neglect of their constituents.  Auburn is being poorly protected.

New England slaughterhouses operate at 37 percent capacity.  An online source shows 10 slaughterhouses located within one hour of Auburn; another 10 within two hours. No additional slaughterhouses are needed here.

Auburn’s industrial zone permits slaughterhouses if true economic need is determined. Don’t change AG/RP zones to allow them in an additional 50 percent of the city.

An independent needs assessment should be conducted before putting Auburn and its citizens at such considerable risk.

Michelle Melaragno, Auburn