AUBURN - Some city officials are concerned about how a proposed housing development will affect the surrounding neighborhoods.

Members of Auburn City Council discussed during Thursday's meeting an application to build 30 semi-detached residential units and a community building near Fulton and Rochester streets.

Councilors said the new rental homes could have a negative impact in the area, located between North Street and Grant Avenue.

However, they were also told during the meeting that they do not have much authority to approve or deny the development.

There does not seem to be much public support for the project, William Graney said. Councilor Thomas McNabb agreed, saying he thinks traffic will be a major issue.

“We've had trouble on Standart Avenue for years and years and years,” McNabb said.

The city charter states that the Planning Board has the final say over such applications, according to city planner Stephen Selvek.

However, council's concerns will likely be considered before the board makes any decision on the application, Selvek said.

The board will also consider comments made during a public hearing on the subdivision at this week's Planning Board meeting.

Most of the residents' comments at the meeting focused on traffic, storm water management and impact on local schools, Selvek said.

He also told council that the developer, Homesite Development, would likely approach the city for an agreement on payment in lieu of taxes.

“This is step one in a multi-step process,” he told the council, referring to the Planning Board's request to be named lead agency for an environmental review, which was the specific resolution being discussed.

The council eventually tabled the resolution.

The topic will be on the agenda for the city Planning Board's Dec. 2 meeting, at which time the board could consider the project for preliminary approval, Selvek said.

In other news:

€ Council voted to accept a $35,000 state grant to help purchase an alternative-fuel or hybrid command vehicle for the fire department. City Manager Mark Palesh said during the meeting that the purchase will be part of the Auburn Fire Department's six-year vehicle replacement program.

Palesh also said he was not certain whether the grant amount will cover the entire cost of the vehicle, but the city is looking at a vehicle that runs on natural gas.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.