Auburn’s identity has long been rooted in its nickname, “The Loveliest Village on the Plains,” and visually represented by the iconic oak trees of Toomer’s Corner—a symbol embraced in the city’s own logo. Trees are not only part of our heritage; they are essential to our present and future.

However, Auburn is at a tipping point.

With more than a 235% increase in population over the past 50 years and as the fastest-growing city in Alabama, we are experiencing a wave of high-density housing developments that are permanently altering our landscape. What was once a small town with charm, space, and shade is at risk of becoming a sprawling, concrete-heavy city with crowded streets, overwhelmed infrastructure, and barren neighborhoods.

We, the undersigned residents, are calling for immediate action.

We ask the City of Auburn to:

• Place a moratorium on high-density neighborhood developments until a full review of school capacity, infrastructure limitations, and environmental impact is completed and implemented.  
• Enforce a replanting requirement of at least one tree per every 0.15 acres developed in all residential developments—not just public property.
• Ensure meaningful enforcement of Municipal Tree Ordinance #1875, including private development and residential land use.
• Uphold the City’s Vision Statement of creating “safe and attractive neighborhoods” by preserving Auburn’s natural character and tree canopy.

Why This Matters:

Drive through any new neighborhood today, and you’ll see they are virtually treeless. This isn’t sustainable.
Trees improve air quality, reduce flooding, increase property values, support wildlife, and reduce stress.
Without intervention, Auburn will no longer be “The Loveliest Village on the Plains,” but another overdeveloped, barren cityscape.
The 2022 Auburn Citizen Survey identified the top 3 concerns of residents as:

The flow of traffic
The maintenance of infrastructure
The quality of public schools
These are the very systems high-density neighborhoods continue to strain.

Auburn’s Own Policies and Ordinances Recognize This:

Section 17-62 of Auburn’s Tree Ordinance affirms that trees are “a vital asset providing a more healthful and beautiful environment... a priceless psychological counterpoint to the urban setting.”
Section 17-67(e) says the city “may encourage the preservation of trees by developers and landowners”—so why isn’t this happening?

We Do Not Want Another Birmingham

Auburn has long drawn new residents because of its small-town charm, natural beauty, and community feel. These values are being lost to rapid, unchecked development.

There is nothing appealing about concrete cities and treeless, overbuilt neighborhoods. And there is nothing sustainable about replacing shade, oxygen, and stormwater control with rooftops and asphalt.

If we don’t act now, we’ll start seeing Auburn on the news for the same reasons other cities have—flooding, overcrowding, poor livability, and loss of identity. Many areas of Auburn already flood during normal rainfall; with continued tree loss, this problem will only grow worse.

We Love Auburn. That’s Why We’re Speaking Up.

We urge city leaders to take these concerns seriously—not just as statistics or policy items, but as a clear message from the community. We want thoughtful growth, not growth at any cost. Auburn’s legacy—and livability—depend on it.