Auburn Planning Board Approves Hammerhead Lot, Car Wash Renovation on South Street

AUBURN — August 12, 2025 — Auburn Planning Board approves hammerhead lot permit and car wash site plan at August meeting. The board unanimously approved a special permit for applicant James Bates to create a hammerhead lot at 166 South Street, part of an 8.5-acre parcel divided into four lots where Bates's children plan to build two new homes. A separate site plan review for 888 South Street LLC — owner of the car wash at 888 Southbridge Street — was also approved unanimously, with the condition that engineer Hal Chuba correct a discrepancy in plan documents between references to 10 and 11 vacuum units; the correct count is 11 vacuums serving 10 parking spaces. The board declined to act on a 53-year-old unrecorded survey brought by a resident identified as Moren Dubo for a 15 Southbridge Street parcel, with Chair Ronald E. Brooks telling the applicant the plan needs a current engineer's stamp and advising her to consult a lawyer and surveyor before returning. A planned board reorganization vote was tabled because member Dwarakesh Nallan was absent.