AUBURN — The City Council on a first reading Monday night approved two motions to rezone several acres of Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport property to industrial zone. The move brings the property into compliance with federal funding guidelines.

The recommendation came from the Planning Board.

Roughly 8 acres previously acquired by the airport was rezoned from suburban residential to industrial zone and another 18.5 acres of previously acquired property was rezoned from low-density country residential to industrial zone.

Airports getting funding from the Federal Aviation Administration Grant Assurance 21 program must ensure that there are no possible incompatible land uses on their properties, according to information submitted to councilors by Auburn Public Service Director Eric Cousens.

The two measures bring all land owned by the airport into full compliance with federal funding rules, officials said. 

There was brief discussion about the zoning changes regarding the possibilities of negative impacts to abutting properties. Mayor Jeff Harmon and airport Director Jonathan LaBonte said they do not anticipate any negative impacts from the change.