City of Auburn, Maine, City Council Special Workshop, November 9, 2026

The City of Auburn, Maine, City Council held a special workshop on November 9, 2026, to review the draft 2026 comprehensive plan ahead of its planned first reading on December 7. The discussion focused on whether to allow homes on legally established undersized lots in the agricultural zone without requiring an associated bona fide agricultural, recreational, or natural-resource use. Councilors supporting further consideration cited property-owner flexibility and potential tax revenue; others raised concerns about sprawl, service costs, and consistency with the plan’s land-use approach. A nonbinding show-of-hands poll indicated limited support for the proposed change; no formal motion or vote was taken. Staff agreed to provide councilors with studies on rural development costs, and a previously proposed ordinance change addressing age- and disability-related circumstances in the zone is with legal staff.

Staff said the plan had received an initial favorable state review and that it would be adjusted for required, non-substantive language before the December reading. The city is preparing to align implementation with future budgets and its ten-year capital improvement plan. Staff also noted that Barry Dunn was selected after the team reviewed multiple proposals and described the firm as a strong planning partner; no new contract award, spending allocation, or procurement action occurred at this workshop.