Parkway discussion dominates meeting

Citizens concerned about development along Shell Toomer Parkway spent two hours expressing those concerns at Monday night’s Auburn City Council meeting.

Some were Auburn University art students studying the issue. Some were residents of parkway neighborhoods. Others were simply interested in the situation.

Worries ranged from the impact construction could have on Chewacla State Park’s ecosystem to the impact it might have on the area’s bike trail.

Council members pointed out that the West Pace development at Exit 51 was not currently in their jurisdiction. The agreement with the developers through an administrative board providing an avenue for financing required certain criteria to be met before the development was annexed into the city.

“We hope to have jurisdiction over it,” Councilman Dick Phelan said. “There are a lot of benefits to both the developer and the city by the city having some jurisdiction. But as it stands now… the developer can do what he wants, and we can’t do a thing about it.”

Auburn resident Andy Shores said he thought the council would be hearing concerns years down the road because of the damage development would cause the park and the parkway.

“Being that there’s no question that the development will have a negative impact on the state park … I think that needs to be a consideration if at some point you have enough control or jurisdiction over that area to be concerned,” Shores said. “… Growth is going to happen. And there’s no question about that but … we can shape that growth. The biggest impact you can have is to prevent negative impact on the park.”

A few people spoke up while in the audience.

Councilmen Bob Norman and Robin Kelley interrupted some of the speakers to correct or ask questions. Kelley challenged those speaking to stay through the whole meeting.

Councilman Arthur Dowdell, too, spoke to those who took a turn at the microphone.

“Let’s be realistic. Auburn is going to grow,” Dowdell said. “We have to make decisions that are best for Auburn. We all love Auburn.”

Mayor Bill Ham asked what ideas one speaker had if she were put in the council’s position. He said he and other council members would be happy to meet with her any time.

Councilwoman Sheila Eckman was the last one to speak on the subject.

“The bottom line answer is the ballot box — who you elect to represent you,” she said. “You have to elect people that are concerned about these things.”