The City of Auburn is updating its comprehensive plan!
Welcome to the project website and community engagement portal for the City of Auburn's Comprehensive Plan Update!
A comprehensive plan is a long-term vision and road map that will guide Auburn over the next decade. Once completed, the comprehensive plan will outline a framework for future land use planning and zoning. The plan will also serve as a document to guide decisions on land use, growth, development, and capital investments. The final plan will be a document that reflects the vision, values, and priorities of the community and provides a roadmap to achieve the City's vision.
The comprehensive planning process provides the community with an opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and challenges to shape the future of the City. This project website will provide information about the project, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.
Your input is needed to guide this planning process and shape the future of Auburn!
View the Inventory and Analysis
The Inventory and Analysis document supports the City and the Comprehensive Plan Committee in developing the next Comprehensive Plan. The document provides a background of current conditions, challenges, and opportunities. The Comprehensive Plan’s purpose is to guide future growth, policy decisions, and capital planning for the next decade. Understanding current conditions and potential impacts from changes at the State and regional level are important to creating an actionable plan that will support Auburn in addressing community needs.
You can view the full Inventory and Analysis document in PDF form, or view the StoryMap below to see a summary of the document.
Thank you for your input!
Over the past few months, community members have provided input into the project in a variety of ways. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete a survey, participate in activities on this website, come to our open house events, or stop by our table at local events. The Comprehensive Plan Committee is in the process of using your input to develop a vision statement to serve as the guide for the development of the comprehensive plan.
We will have opportunities for the community to provide input throughout the rest of the project. Stay tuned for future events and input opportunities!
We want to hear from you!
Share Your Ideas
Share your ideas!
Use this Ideas Wall to share challenges, strengths, and ideas for the future of Auburn. (max 140 characters).
24 August, 2025
Anonymous says:
Investing in amenities/commercial businesses in each neighborhood in the City and incentivizing third spaces.
24 August, 2025
B says:
More walkable pathways and infrastructure that encourages active transportation/less environmental impact (SensibleTransportationAct)
6 August, 2025
geezer says:
Do a cost of city services (including education) study for use in planning growth; adding and perhaps charging for city services.
5 August, 2025
Anonymous says:
i dont live or work in maine but from one planner to another this engagement effort is incredibly well done <3
4 August, 2025
Anonymous says:
Eminent domain on the big Mill and turn that into 1st floor businesses and market rate housing for the rest. It’s a fire hazard and eye sore
4 August, 2025
Jlredking says:
Let’s get someone in City Hall to help grow small business. Educate people on starting up, first steps and help cut through red tape.
1 August, 2025
Anonymous says:
please use the EMPTY buildings already HERE before agreeing to build new ones - so much empty space needs to be used before we build out
1 August, 2025
Anonymous says:
I like how the city is set up so that commercial is in the center, and rural/industry is on the perimeter - keep it like this, don't sprawl
28 July, 2025
Citizen says:
T4.2b should encompass only where the topographics, utilities, roads, and existing development support it.
25 July, 2025
Gabriel says:
Create a more walkable city through increase bike lanes & more zoning restrictions for urban sprawl. The next gen. wants walkable cities!
25 July, 2025
Gabriel says:
Please create more incentive and investment into both the new and old downtown! We need more commercial structures with historic character.
22 July, 2025
Aticus Finch says:
I would like to have Doggy Daycares be allowed in our General Business Zone
Map Your Ideas
Enter the Photo Contest
Email Updates
Past Events and Meetings
Past Events and Meetings
Tuesday 22 July 2025
July 2025 Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting
View the July 22, 2025 Comprehensive Plan Committee meeting, HERE.
Tuesday 17 June 2025
June 2025 Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting
View the June 17, 2025 Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting HERE.
Tuesday 27 May 2025
May 2025 Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting
View the May 27, 2025 Comprehensive Plan Committee Meeting HERE.
Project Phases
Project Phases
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Inventory and Analysis
The Inventory and Analysis will include relevant data and information on topics such as housing, natural resources, economic development, and public facilities. This information will be shared with the public and used to inform future project phases.
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Timeline item 2 - active
Community Engagement
Initial outreach will focus on understanding the community's primary challenges, values, and priorities for the future. Community feedback will be the basis for developing a vision for Auburn and will inform the future land use map, policies, actions, and final plan.
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Timeline item 3 - active
Developing an Action Plan
Once a vision for the future has been established, the Comprehensive Plan Committee, City staff, and consultant team will work together to build future land use scenarios, policies, and actions to share with the community. The future land use map, policies, and actions will serve as the basis for the final plan and create the roadmap for how the City will implement its vision for the future.
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Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Final Plan Development
The final comprehensive plan will be responsive to community needs and outline the City's vision and roadmap for the future. The final plan will be a community-driven plan that is accessible and easy to use.
