AUBURN — Before Lost Valley can proceed with its announced partnership with a prominent snow grooming company, city officials need to make an amendment to the zoning ordinance. 

The City Council is asking the Planning Board to draft an amendment to its Agricultural and Resource Protection District to allow “equipment sales associated with and complimentary to a recreational use.” 

Last week, the ski resort at 200 Lost Valley Road announced plans for Kassbohrer ATV to build a new regional assembly and test site for snow groomers at Lost Valley. Kassbohrer, which has a German parent company, distributes PistonBully snow grooming equipment and currently has its regional office in Lewiston. 

The new location in Auburn would be the company’s northeast regional headquarters, according to Eric Cousens, Auburn’s deputy director of economic and community development. Cousens said the move would provide an economic benefit to the city. 

Lost Valley Owner Scott Shanaman told the Sun Journal last week that the company has outgrown its current site, and will use the ski resort for testing its equipment on alpine trails, nordic skiing trails and snowmobile trails. 

The City Council voted unanimously Monday to direct city staff to consult with the Planning Board to develop the recommendations meant to increase the flexibility of uses allowed in the zone. The Agricultural zone in Auburn accounts for roughly 40 percent of the city’s land mass. 

Shanaman said last week that the new facility would be on a driveway off Lost Valley Road, largely out of public view. Between six and 12 people would work there.

Cousens said because the regional headquarters would be located at a ski resort, employees would travel to and from the location for training. 

Doug Greene, urban development specialist in Auburn, said 

Would be the company’s north east regional headquarters. Would have employees coming here to train, possibly an economic benefit, stabilizing Lost Valley. Cousens said the company is aware of the needed amendment and city timeline.  

Asking them to go to the Planning Board and refer something back to us. Three step process. 

6-0. 

Mid-may to council. Month and a half. greene optimistic. “It looks good.” 

AUBURN —

*CIP

Councilor questions: infrastruture, road projects. Street lights. Titus: Put back streetlights that were previously eliminated?

“A lot of questions, and a lot of money here,” Walker said. 

Roof – Dan Goyette, insulation buckling, tears roof membrane. Wasn’t discovered until this winter. LaBonte: New projects in 5-year pipeline, capital facilities. Eastman: been trying to get city facilities list. 

Ice arena: heating system for rink 2, which is used for events. Interest in other shows. Bringing in more revenue before making capital improvements. 

$14 million – $17 with school CIP. Jill, not over $10. Don’t pay interest until 2nd year. Jill, usually year one is $14. 

Bubier: 2 philosophies – interest rates may go up, spend more now while interest rates are lower. A lot of things have not been replaced. Russian ouelette – Goyette, 2002 plow truck is oldest. Fed may have 3 more bumps this year. 

Stone: need to priorotize – things we “absolutely have to do.” We may have to make a lot of cuts. 

Pross: why arent we talking about the school numbers too? Doesn’t include school CIP. 

Goyette: equipment not enough. Spent money this year to fix. But added in two new employees designated for sidewalks. 

Walker: people complained all winter. Look for two new machines. Can’t guarantee they won’t break down. 

LaBonte: charter questions – 

Larry Pelletier: city facilites not included in CIP, disturbing. Disconcerning.