Development reshaping Hermon village

HERMON – When Eugene Byers moved into the town village in 1957, he could look out his living room window and watch cows graze in the pasture behind his home.

In a few short months, however, his rural scenery will likely be replaced by the sight of bustling shops and the noise of delivery trucks.

Byers, 74, and his wife, Glorilea, 71, live on Route 2 in Hermon village, and soon they will be the neighbors of a 24,000-square-foot grocery store.

“I’m not against development,” Byers said. “But to me the village is not the place for a store like this.”

The store, being developed under the name DGR Inc., is one of five development projects proposed for Hermon village along Route 2.

All of the proposed development is within a half-mile, spanning from the Bangor side of Central Maine Harley-Davidson to the Billings Road intersection.

In addition to the DGR grocery store project at 2489 Route 2, a 28,000-square-foot grocery store that would contain a Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts is planned for 2402 Route 2.

The second store, under the name Hermon Holdings LLC, is owned by Bangor developer Tom Ellis, who also owns Great Skates amusement center and the Sunrise Plaza near the Airport Mall, both in Bangor.

Ellis is also buying land adjacent to his proposed store, which is expected to house a national retailer and possibly a bank.

Last week, R.H. Foster approached the planning board with plans for one of its On the Run gas station-convenience stores at 2433 Route 2. The 5,500-square-foot store would include a Freshies food center and four fueling islands, as well as a small diesel station, said Ron St. Pierre, a consultant for the company.

Sunbury Medical Associates has bought the land at 2370 Route 2 and intends to construct a 4,000-square-foot family practice doctor’s office to serve Hermon-area residents, said David L. Savell, CEO of the company.

Officials anticipate the town’s approved public safety building will be constructed on land donated by Wendell Sproul and located on the Bangor-side of Central Maine Harley-Davidson, at 2387 Route 2. Initial plans show the building to have five bays for emergency vehicles.

“Things went from residential to commercial with real estate over the years,” said Town Manager Clint Deschene. “Based upon the conversations I have with residents I meet with, Hermon really wants to preserve their small-town feel, but there is a growing attitude that there should be more services to work with.”

The town passed its zoning ordinance in 2000. At that time the village was designated as village commercial. Since then, the planning board has had responsibility to review and approve proposed projects based on criteria.

“We’re not making personal decisions. We’re making legal decisions with ramifications,” said Jalyn McCue, a planning board member. “We’re held by articles written by the people for us.”

“The wheels are turning faster than some of us feel comfortable.”

As the town continues to attract businesses along Route 2, real estate agents have sought additional property in the village. Byer said it is not uncommon for him to receive phone calls or home visits from real estate agents eager to capitalize on Hermon’s growth.

Business growth in the town of 5,000 reduces the residential tax burden, but it’s too early to speculate on the effect these proposed developments would have on the mill rate, Deschene said.

“The development is going to continue to have the same positive impact on taxes as business parks have had over the past years,” he said.

For years, C&K Variety and The Country Market convenience stores have served as landmarks for the village. While some of the newer businesses will directly compete with those stores, which are owned by Hermon businessman Bobby Duran, he said he’s not concerned.

“As a businessperson I don’t mind the competition,” Duran said. “I think it’s nice to have a grocery store coming into town. The only thing I feel bad about is that Hermon village has been the same way for quite a while, and I feel bad for the people in nearby homes.”

While developments have crowded residential lines, many townspeople fear the growth will exacerbate the road’s heavy traffic.

“Obviously there’s going to be traffic mitigation required” of the developers, said Victor Smith, regional traffic engineer for the state Department of Transportation. “I know the condition of the roadway is pretty poor and that leads to a lot of issues.”

DOT has budgeted $400,000 to begin preliminary engineering for the stretch of Route 2 from the Bangor-Hermon line to the Billings Road intersection.

The proposed development sites surround Hermon High School, and the DGR Inc., grocery store proposed next to the Byers’ home abuts middle school property by the old gymnasium.”More activity means we have to look more at security,” said Patricia Duran, superintendent of Hermon’s schools. “Increased security has certainly been talked about at [school] committee meetings. But as our community grows, it means more opportunities for our kids, such as job shadowing and internships.”

Although the Byerses said they do not oppose town growth, they will certainly miss the privacy of their backyard.

“I am very frustrated,” said Karen Reynolds, 46, the Byerses’ daughter. “I don’t think this is something my mom and dad should have to worry about at this stage in their life.”