Auburn, Maine Approves New Residential and Commercial Densities Despite Public Outcry

Auburn, Maine offers the latest an example of a small city deciding to increase its capacity for future development in response to housing pressure, even in the face of intense public opposition.

2 minute read

March 31, 2022, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A map showing Auburn, Maine and surrounding highways and towns.

SevenMaps / Shutterstock

Auburn, Maine, located in Androscoggin County in south-central Maine, this week adopted sweeping reforms of its residential zoning code.

Andrew Rice reports on the city's planning reforms for the Sun Journal after a council hearing that culminated "weeks of public scrutiny" into the proposed zoning changes. The zoning changes are intended to allow increased density of both residential and commercial development in the city's core residential area, according to Rice.

The approved zoning changes were almost downsized earlier this month after facing pushback from residents in the largely single-family residential community. "However, after a legal review found complications with the amended version, the council opted to pass the original zoning type Monday," reports Rice.

The zoning designation at the heart of the controversy is an example of a form-based code. "Several members of the public said the type of zoning, known as traditional downtown neighborhood, does not fit in with much of the proposed areas," reports Rice. The city's planning staff disagrees, and points to the city's comprehensive plan as evidence of the need for the traditional downtown neighborhood designation:

Eric Cousens, director of Planning and Permitting, said the type of zoning, also called T-4.2, was seen by staff as the one “most closely aligned” with recommendations made in the recent Comprehensive Plan update. That update calls for increasing housing density in the urban core where there are existing utilities, as well as encourage “opportunities for traditional neighborhood businesses.”

While opponents appealed to their concern for the character of their neighborhoods, proponents, including the city's elected officials, say the zoning change was necessary to address the city's housing affordability challenges. More on the debate at the council hearing can be read at the source article linked below.

Monday, March 28, 2022 in Sun Journal

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

3 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

1 minute ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

One side of the image shows a Chicago bus stop without a bench, the second image shows the bus stop with a yellow and blue bench.

Guerilla urbanists are building DIY bus stop benches in Chicago

A before-and-after of one of the bus stops with a new bench. The new benches are not officially sanctioned or permitted, but the residents who placed them hope they will be the start of a network of DIY benches across the city.

2 hours ago - Block Club Chicago

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.