For Auburn, Form Base Planning was thoughtfully implemented during the mid-2010s.

The focus was downtown, i.e., from the river to Goff Hill. Acceptable and effective FB codes resulted out of a public engagement process. It required time, involving professionally narrated walks, public discussions and vision consensus.

Auburn is now attempting to reidentify “UR” (urban zone) areas to a FB code borrowed from the downtown process. As written, the code and its regulations do not fit the almost exclusively residential use “UR” acreage. There needs to be another PEP to provide an opportunity for the existing residential neighborhoods to be uniquely recognized by age, condition, character, features, etc.

Through the process, residents can actually assist city staff and the Planning Board in crafting appropriate code(s). As a resident, I would like to be one of many residents to help maintain and enhance Auburn’s residential neighborhoods. Hence:

Let’s identify our neighborhoods by name.

Let’s characterize our neighborhoods by feature.

Let’s compare neighborhood commonalities and differences.

Let’s consider and develop code that appropriately reflects acceptable use and dimensional regulations.

To date, the current effort to erase “UR” and apply “T-4.2” has been confusing and frustrating. It has been said (Mary Madden and Joel Russell, PlannersWeb.com, Dec. 5, 2014) that “In suburban areas … FBCs are not usually appropriate … to maintain existing suburban development patterns, suburban-style zoning … is usually a suitable tool for maintaining them.”

So, let’s apply necessary process and avoid further haste and future waste.

Bob Hayes, Auburn