Planning Commission Special Meeting - July 26th, 5:00 pm

Things have heated up again this Summer. (It seems that a lot of things go on during the Summer when folks are out of town.) The Planning Commission has been working regularly on more revisions to the Zoning Ordinance. These proposed revisions involve amending and expanding the Table of Permitted Use, adding Special Development Standards for various permitted and conditional uses, creating the University Service - 2 (US-2) zoning district, and updating the City's Street Classification system.

The packet can be found at this Link.

Also, at this meeting the Planning Commission will review and adopt changes to the City's Subdivision Regulations specifically related to alleys and alley design standards and the Subdivision Bonding process.

Some of these changes are positive. Some are not. But, there is power in numbers. We'd like for all of those who can to read through the proposed changes and come and speak out about them, positively or negatively. (I know, the packet is 28 pages long, but this affects all of our business in Auburn in some way or another.)

Some examples of how these changes affect us are:

1. The new US-2 zone is created to restrict commercial uses and lower the density (from 34 units/acre to 24) and change the angle of light setback.
2. All multi-family developments will require one additional parking space for every 10 bedrooms for visitor parking
3. Bicycle parking will be required for multi-family developments
4. 50 percent of the buildings will require a front entrance to the street, with few exceptions.
5. Common open space shall be a "focal point of the development" and be a "meaningful quality open space."
6. Dumpster placements must be screened 6' high and the material will have to match the building style and materials
7. Changing the classification of streets affects the minimum curb cut spacing allowed as the street is developed.

The Planning Commission's Special Called Meeting is Thursday, July 26th, 5:00 pm at the City Council chambers at 141 N. Ross St.