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AUBURN — Public hearings are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 1, and Feb. 15, as the city works to strengthen its natural resource-based economy and better integrate this sector into community planning and city-wide priorities.
In order to achieve that goal, the city requires a better understanding of rural landowner needs and goals; the identification of opportunities for additional support and/or investment; and a greater understanding of existing barriers and potential solutions and strategies.
The Agricultural Committee, appointed by the former mayor to guide this work, has met three times to identify challenges and opportunities related to agriculture in Auburn. The consultant team hired to assist with research and recommendations has been gathering data to inform decisions, identify opportunities and offer solutions to challenges identified by the committee and a wide range of stakeholders. The next two public meetings will be held Thursday, Feb. 1, and Thursday, Feb. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. at Auburn Hall, 60 Court St.
Rural Auburn has a unique Agricultural and Resource Protection zoning district, which has been in place since the early 1960s and contains more than 40 percent of the city’s land area, amount to over 20,000 acres. The historical purpose and intent of AGRP zoning regulations has been to manage development and to promote food, agricultural, timber and natural resource production and uses. Today, however, the nature and trends of farming and food production have drastically changed, and a different set of growth opportunities for production, processing and supply-chain operations may exist.
The first meeting — “Data, Data, Data” — will feature a consultant from Crossroads Resource Center presenting economic and agricultural data and trends, both for this region and nationally, to provide the committee and the public with background information.
The second meeting — “Potential Solutions, Trends and Recommendations” — will focuson the committee’s identification of a number of challenges to agriculture in Auburn. A consultant from Crossroads Resource Center will present potential solutions, trends and recommendations to provide the committee and the public with options to consider moving forward.
The general public is encouraged to attend either or both meetings. For additional information, contact Eric Cousens, deputy director of economic and community development, at ecousens@auburnmaine.gov or 207-333-6601, ext. 1154.
For information about the ad hoc committee on Auburn’s Agricultural and Natural Resource Economy, visit www.auburnmaine.gov/pages/government/agriculture-and-natural-resource-economy. For more information regarding the consultants, visit www.crcworks.org.
