Hampden to weigh fast-food zoning

HAMPDEN – A Dunkin’ Donuts could be coming to town if Hampden officials revise proposed ordinance changes that would prevent the doughnut shop from opening on North Main Street.

For nearly a year, the town has been working on revisions to its zoning ordinances, beefing up the sections on restaurants, bars, taverns and dance halls.

A public hearing will be held July 12 to discuss all the proposed changes, including recommendations made this week by the council’s ordinance committee to permit fast food drive-throughs,

with some added provisions.

Town Planner Bob Osborne said the committee wanted assurances that impacts on traffic, visibility, access and noise would be minimized.

Osborne said the town’s ordinances mention restaurants minimally, in only three zoning districts. They don’t offer the guidance needed to deal with requests from businesses and developers about where they can or can’t open a restaurant, whether it’s a snack bar or a full-fledged diner.

Last year, someone suggested turning the former Fleet Bank building on Main Road South into a restaurant, Osborne said this week.

And Osborne said it’s not clear how a Dunkin’ Donuts near the intersection of Route 1A and Western Avenue would fare under existing ordinances.

“Maybe,” was the best answer Osborne could provide when asked whether a Dunkin’ Donuts could be built in the village area of Hampden.

What is clear is that such a fast food restaurant wouldn’t be allowed under the ordinance changes being drafted.

That raised concerns by developer Tony DeCosta, a Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee who is contemplating a Hampden location. Although no formal application has been filed with the town, DeCosta apparently is looking at the current Big Apple convenience store location.

Representing DeCosta, Bangor attorney Andrew Hamilton approached the Hampden Council late last month looking to find a middle ground.

Hamilton told councilors that his client could try to rush the project through under the current ordinances, before the new ones could take effect, but he felt that would create a confrontational atmosphere that the client didn’t want.

The attorney asked that the council rework its proposed changes to allow for fast food restaurants in the village zones which now support several sit-down and takeout restaurants.

Hamilton may have found some sympathetic ears on the council for such changes.

Councilor Robert Gilberti, a realtor and developer, said at the June 21 meeting that he was concerned about the town being overly restrictive.

“I don’t think we as a body should be determining what a property owner should be able to do on his property,” Gilberti said.