Auburn City Council receives Form Based Code project update

The Auburn City Council got a sneak peek at community outreach data from the city's Form Based Code project earlier this month. At council's July 10 meeting, Genevieve Marsh of Genevieve Marsh Design Group presented some elements that will be worked into her final report, which is due before council in September. "We had an outstanding level of engagement in our outreach phase," Marsh said. "Our team was humbled by the turnout of residents and stakeholders, and we truly appreciate their efforts." Earlier this year, Marsh and the Imagine Auburn team held interactive workshops to gain feedback on their vision for an updated commercial core of the city. Marsh said Imagine Auburn has two goals in this form based code process – to develop a strategy to encourage infill development to maximize limited buildable land inventory and to develop a strategy to increase housing opportunities. During outreach, Marsh said the community's "chief priorities" were to increase the city's walkability while maintaining Auburn's character. "Any form based code solution must include these to appeal to the public," Marsh said. Marsh's presentation included schematics and graphics which showed on maps just where the group was headed in creating three new regulating zones called transects. "Transects are designed to work together to create a smooth blend of the busiest streets in the town center to the adjacent quiet neighborhoods," she said. The maps showed boundaries which were adjusted to accommodate growth and increase housing opportunities in Downtown and Old Town. "As you can see, this is a concrete vision that has a lot of richness to it," Marsh said. "It provides ample opportunity to fulfill the city's goal of increasing infill housing as we enhance the community's priorities of character and walkabilty." The data the Imagine Auburn team is producing will result in a form based code review draft, which will be available to the public and council in September. Council members shared their thanks to Marsh's team and said they were looking forward to going through Marsh's presentation details more. During public comment, one resident who spoke worried about the form based code project. "It reminds me of the 15 minute cities I have heard about, compiling everyone into this sardine can," said Auburn resident Connie Brocker. "I know a lot of people, we like our rural areas." Brocker said she grew up on Cherry Avenue just outside of Downtown Auburn and she worries about the introduction to some two- and three-story buildings to the nearby areas. Council members stated they were interested in making sure the information from Marsh's presentation was available to the public. Community and Economic Development Director Jonathan Wright said that following the July 10 presentation, he is working with the Planning Commission, city council and Marsh to schedule a Town Hall to give an overview of the form based code findings. He said residents within the form based code area will also receive a postcard which will include a link to the final draft documents when those are ready. The final outreach report will be published in a book form, which will be made available to the public at city hall, Wright said.