Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

Pine Tree Zone

Issue: The city was able to target l,407 acres for state government tax benefits and economic development in 2004 when the state created the Pine Tree Zone program. Rules let the city change individual lots that are within the zones to give an economic lift to proposed development projects. It needs to remove lots of the same size from the zone when they do.

The scoop: Developer George Schott asked councilors to put part of the Auburn Mall in the zone – specifically, the western portion of the Auburn Mall, including the former home of Dave and Barry’s and the parking lots on either side of the building. That could help lure new stores to mall, according to Economic Development Director Roland Miller.

Up next: Councilors agreed, swapping 9.33 acres of Pine Tree Zone land off of Foster Road, near the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport, for 9.33 acres at the western end of the mall.

Dog licenses

Issue: Dog-owning residents are required to register their pets and prove vaccination by the end of the year. The registration costs $6 for neutered animals or $11 for unfixed males and females. A $15 late fee was added Feb. 1 and is increased to $25 fee for dogs that remain unlicensed beginning March 1.

The scoop: The city issues a dog warrant each spring. It’s a list of unlicensed dogs and their owners in an effort to get those animals registered and collect fees and fines.

Up next: Councilors approved the warrant Monday night.

Circus signs

Issue: The Kora Shrine Circus, coming to the Colisee on April 17 and 18, wants to advertise on signs placed throughout the city.

The scoop: Councilors agreed to let the group place 30 signs on public rights of way, on traffic medians and at intersections.

Up next: The signs will be up April 3-21.

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