A comprehensive plan is a document designed to guide the future actions of a community and provides a legal basis for certain land use ordinances. It presents a vision for the future, long-range goals and objectives, and an implementation strategy for how to achieve the community’s vision over time.

Planning helps to ensure that future growth and policy decisions are consistent with the City's vision and that the community is prepared to respond to potential changes, including economic shifts, environmental impacts, and technology innovations.

By adopting a comprehensive plan that is in compliance with Maine’s Growth Management Act, the City will also be eligible for certain state funding. Having a comprehensive plan in compliance with the Growth Management Act also allows the City to legally enact zoning beyond the State's minimum shoreland zoning.

The comprehensive planning process provides a community with the opportunity to reflect on its past strengths and areas for improvement while also creating actionable steps to address current priorities.

The new plan will be a guide for future growth and development, covering subjects such as, but not limited to, land use, zoning, capacity and expansion of utilities, economic development, transportation, housing, recreation, capital budgeting, municipal services and facilities, and regional coordination. The plan will also formulate a direction for effective public policy and land use decisions for the future.

Planning helps to ensure that future growth and policy decisions are consistent with the City's vision and that the community is prepared to respond to potential changes, including economic shifts, environmental impacts, and technology innovations.

The planning process involves broad engagement of residents and stakeholders in crafting a plan that truly mirrors the needs and values of the City today as it prepares for the opportunities of tomorrow.

The City's 2010 plan, adopted in 2011 was a full rewrite of its previous Comprehensive Plan. The 2021 updates were very targeted, limited in public input, and did not include new inventory information that the state required for them to make a new finding of consistency. The State found the 2021 updates to be consistent with the Growth Management Act, but did not allow for a new "clock" to begin on a full-rewrite.

This Comprehensive Plan will be a full update of the 2010 plan. There will be a new inventory and analysis developed, establishing clear understanding of where Auburn is today. This plan will also include a transparent and approachable community engagement process. This process will aim to meet residents where they are, provide ample opportunity for feedback, and allow for discussion on a variety of subjects. Based on the Inventory and Analysis and community feedback, a new future land use map will be created along with accompanying policies, actions, and implementation plan.

While the Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Plan may contain similar information, including a vision, goals, strategies, and community engagement, the two documents serve different purposes in Auburn.

Auburn's Strategic Plan is a blueprint to help guide the City’s day-to-day operations and its capital improvement and revitalization programs. The Strategic Plan is a short-term plan that focuses on specific priority actions outlined in the Comprehensive Plan and other City-wide initiatives.

The Comprehensive Plan is a long-term planning document that serves as a guide for decision-making and policy development around growth, land use, and development.

The Comprehensive Plan will be used by City Council, Comprehensive Plan Committee, staff, boards, committees, and commissions to guide decision making; however, the successful implementation of a comprehensive plan requires involvement from the whole community. Residents, business owners, community organizations, local leaders, regional agencies, and schools can all play a part in realizing the City's vision.

Feedback collected during initial community engagement activities will focus on broad community priorities and values. This information will be compiled and summarized. Key themes and priorities will be identified and will be the basis for a draft vision statement. The community will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft vision statement which will then serve as the foundation for the Plan’s policies and strategies. The community will also have an opportunity to participate in more focused discussions on future land use and other key issues to provide suggestions and feedback on policy and strategy recommendations.