AUBURN - Economic and environmental sustainability are the driving forces behind a 10-year, master plan for the city that was unveiled Thursday.

Consultants gave the first draft of what will become the city's comprehensive plan to a group of local leaders and officials at city hall. The presentation covered priorities authors say officials should consider as the city develops over the next decade.

Auburn has the potential to foster a thriving downtown, healthy neighborhoods, cultural diversity, an active arts community, successful tourism industry, environmentally sustainable development and an entrepreneurial spirit, according to the plan's vision statement.

Once finalized, the comprehensive plan will serve as the blueprint for city officials on how to achieve those goals over 10 years.

“This is a starting point in terms of priorities,” said George Homsy, a planner with Saratoga Associates, the firm hired by the city to develop the master plan.

To meet those priorities, the plan gives the following directions:

* Enhance the city's downtown, making it a walkable, vibrant place where people live, work and go for arts and entertainment.

* Revitalize neighborhoods through emphasizing pedestrians, protecting character in new developments, encouraging environmental friendliness and improving quality of life.

* Grow business with sustainable development principles, renovated commercial properties, improved signage and universal broadband access.

* Improve the city's gateways to make a more welcoming environment.

* Focus on the Owasco River as a tool for tourism, quality of life and economic development.

* Simplify development through improvements to codes and zoning policies.

The 125-page plan covers each of the goals with dozens of suggestions on how to achieve them. If approved by the city council, the comprehensive plan will guide policies related to land use, housing, energy and infrastructure, technology and transportation.

The plan's development included multiple public meetings and workshops, as well as input from an advisory committee of local leaders.

Auburn City Manager Mark Palesh initiated the planning process a year and a half ago to update the city's current plan, formed in 1991. Palesh said after Thursday's presentation that community members came together during the development stages and recognized the city's potential.

Palesh said he has worked on similar plans for other cities.

“I've never had a community whose citizens were so involved in this plan,” he said.

One of the involved citizens was Gwen Webber-McLeod, co-chair of the advisory committee. Webber-McLeod said the group worked hard to remain realistic with its priorities while looking to the future with new, fresh ideas.

“It's an opportunity for us to literally ... move this community into the 21st century,” Webber-McLeod said.

There will be more chances for feedback before any approval. There is a public hearing on the plan scheduled for Wednesday's meeting of the city Planning Board and there will be another hearing during a future city council meeting, officials said.

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