Auburn City Council workshop and meeting
March 7
Auburn Hall
Housing, trash codes
What it means: Residents won’t have to invest in regulation trash cans, councilors decided Monday.
What happened: Auburn’s current housing and solid waste code was adopted in 1967. The city has attempted to update those rules before, but councilors voted the plans down, fearing they were too hard on property owners.
Councilors did away with stricter requirements of the housing code last week that would have required homeowners to paint over peeling or chipping paint, but approved changes to some of the code’s language on Monday.
They decided not to approve an update to require trash be left curbside in durable containers, not just bags. It would also have allowed city staff to clear waste left at the curb illegally, and charge the property owner for the removal.
Councilors voted that down 3-4, with Councilors David Young, Bob Stone, Andy Titus and Leroy Walker voting against it.
What’s next: Councilors, staff or residents can bring the matter up again but it’s settled for now.
Uninformed
What it means: A notification glitch will keep the council from adopting a new downtown zoning code scheme designed to encourage a walkable downtown.
What happened: Any time the city wants to change the zoning ordinance, it’s supposed to let neighbors and abutting property owners know. Auburn staff thought that’s what they did with a plan to adopt new “form based” zoning codes.
The new codes, approved by the Planning Board and set to go before councilors for a vote Monday night, would help shape the future of the the downtown areas, including New Auburn, and are hoped to invite in boutique-level investment.
But staff notified immediate neighbors of the Planning Board and City Council votes, but not those within 500 feet, a requirement of city rules. That means the public hearing process has to start again.
What’s next: Expect to see the matter come up for a new round of public hearings with the Planning Board in April and before the City Council in May.
Drug forfeitures
What it means: Police will get another $1,857 toward drug enforcement, thanks to a 2015 arrest.
What happened: A routine traffic stop turned into a drug case when police found three grams of cocaine on a man in May 2015. Police seized the cocaine, as well as $1,857 in cash that was later determined to be suspected proceeds from illegal drug distribution. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Maine Attorney General’s Office share proceeds from drug busts with the other police agencies involved. The money is used to support law enforcement, especially drug enforcement operations.
Red Eddies track and skiing, state champs
What it means: Cheers to the Edward Little High School girls indoor track team and the boys Alpine ski team. Both were named state champs and recognized by city councilors Monday night.
What happened: The Red Eddies girls’ team claimed first place last month at the Maine Indoor Track and Field state championships at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham. The boys’ alpine ski team edged Mt. Blue last month at Mt. Abram in Greenwood to claim the championship title.
Everywhere a sign
What it means: Look to your local street corners to get more information about Park Avenue Elementary School’s April festival, the Maine Home Show, the Auburn Business Association and Kora Shrine Circus.
What happened: Roadside signs are a great way for community groups to get the word out about upcoming events, but the city has rules designed to make sure the signs only appear where they are allowed and don’t cause a hazard or block views of oncoming traffic.
What’s next: Park Avenue’s festival is April 9 at the school, the Maine Home Show is March 19 and 20 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, the Kora circus is April 15 and 16, also at the Colisee, and the ABA’s Citizen of the Year event is May 5.
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