AUBURN, March 29, 2023 – With the first phase of Stable Ridge Apartments nearly complete, left, workers burn debris, middle right, where the second phase is planned to begin as seen on March 29, off Court Street in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal) Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

AUBURN – The Auburn Planning Board voted 5-2 Tuesday to approve American Development Group’s proposal to add a second phase of construction to the Stable Ridge Apartments at 555 Court St.

Last month, a motion to approve the project failed by one vote. But because the vote at the Feb. 14 meeting did not include findings to support the decision nor was there a vote on a motion to deny the project, as required by city ordinance, the city attorney advised that the board revisit the application.

The second phase will add five 16,000-square-foot buildings, each with 12 two-bedroom units, and 90 parking spaces to the five buildings approved in Phase 1, which will double the number of units from 60 to 120.

Jessica Klimek, an Auburn resident and developer with American Development Group, said last month that the first two buildings are completely leased and there’s 170 applications on a waitlist, mostly for two-bedroom units. An update posted to Stable Ridge’s website on March 17 said there was a waitlist for two-bedroom units and seven one-bedroom units available.

According to the website, four out of the five buildings are open for occupancy, with developers expecting the final building to be occupied by April 1.

A few Planning Board members expressed lingering concerns that adding buildings and units would both exacerbate traffic issues, and that increased development did not fit the “character” of the neighborhood.

Riley Bergeron said that he voted to not approve Phase 2 at the Feb. 14 meeting over the added traffic on Court Street, “which is an already identified problem street.”

He said that his preference would be to deny the project based on the finding that traffic and parking “on the site and onto adjacent public streets will create hazards to safety.”

AUBURN, March 29, 2023 – With the first phase of Stable Ridge Apartments nearly complete, background, workers burn debris, foreground, where the second phase is planned to begin as seen on March 29, off Court Street in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal) Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Chairwoman Stacey LeBlanc said she initially had concerns over the traffic but after reviewing the traffic study included in the application, they were alleviated.

Timothy DeRoche, an associate member — meaning he is an alternate and did not have a vote — said that as a parent of an Auburn Middle School student, which is down the street from the complex, he thought the traffic issues are more related to the school than they are the development.

He said the fact that most of the units are already filled is a sign that there is high demand for more housing.

“I definitely agree that we need more properties. There is a housing shortage,” said Toni Ferraro.

“But I do definitely disagree” that the Court Street lot is not “the best location” for 10 apartment buildings.

“I’m not sure that this is the very best place for (the complex),” Evan Cyr said. “But I’m not convinced that it’s creating or will create the traffic hazard that already existed,” or that it will make the traffic issue worse.

Cyr made a motion to approve the site plan for Phase 2, citing findings of fact provided by city staff. The motion passed 5-2, with Bergeron and Ferraro voting against the motion.