Bangor planning board approves Penobscot Community Health Center expansion at 179 Corporate Drive with water‑fixture condition

The City of Bangor Planning Board on Aug. 5 unanimously approved a land development permit allowing Penobscot Community Health Center (PCHC) to add 6,440 square feet of building additions and associated site improvements at 179 Corporate Drive (Map/Lot R25‑017) in the Government and Institutional Service District, with a condition that an accurate plumbing fixture count be provided to the Bangor Water Department before building permits are issued.

The action, taken after a detailed staff review, presentations by the applicant’s engineer and a brief public comment, restores the shelter’s pre‑COVID bed capacity to 66 and adds four flexible isolation/quarantine beds and four transitional‑housing units, officials said. The board voted to find the application complete and to approve the project’s compliance with city land‑development standards for grading, drainage, parking, lighting, utilities, landscaping and other items required by the Land Development Code.

Why it matters: The project refurbishes and modestly enlarges an existing homeless‑service campus rather than creating a new facility, officials said, returning shelter capacity to pre‑pandemic levels and adding flexible isolation space that administrators say improves operational options. The board’s recorded decision includes a permit condition intended to ensure the water system can be sized and connected correctly before construction begins.

Atlantic Resource Consultants principal Andy Johnston represented the applicant at the podium and summarized the design, saying, “the additions total about 6,400 square feet,” and that the architect kept new work compact and consistent with the existing building. Johnston said the project adds four transitional‑housing units and brings the shelter back to the pre‑COVID capacity with four flex beds for quarantine and isolation.

PCHC project manager Chris Bratton told the board the shelter addition itself is about 4,100 square feet. Board member Janet Jonas added that Preble Street (a local homeless services agency) is contracted to provide management services for the facility going forward: “Preble Street in Bangor is contracted to provide those services going forward.”

Board members and staff discussed utilities and permitting details. The board required, as part of its approval, that the applicant provide an accurate plumbing fixture count to the Bangor Water Department before building permits are issued; the board recorded that condition in its motion. That requirement followed staff comments that water‑utility details remained to be finalized and the water district needed a fixture count to confirm meter sizing.

Board members also asked about long‑term operations. A board member raised that PCHC had earlier considered selling or outsourcing operation of the facility due to financial pressures; staff said funding for this particular renovation is in place and that the project’s funding includes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) support. The planning board noted, however, that questions about long‑term operational funding and management fall outside the board’s land‑use review authority.

During the meeting the board moved through a standard, itemized set of findings required by the code. The board voted unanimously on each required standard (grading/erosion control; yard and buffer standards; parking, loading and circulation; lighting; fire and utility services; stormwater and sanitary flow separation; landscaping and setbacks; and applicable shoreland and environmental protection requirements), then voted to grant the land development permit for a major site development, site‑location review, major SLODA modification and the conditional use required in the district.

The permit decision was made by roll‑call vote and the board recorded seven yes votes, zero no votes; the motion was moved by Member Ted Brush and seconded by Member Michael Basinet. The decision documents include the condition requiring the fixture count and reflect staff signoffs and remaining coordination tasks with the Bangor Water District.

Background and next steps: The property is in the city’s Government and Institutional Service District, and the board’s approval clears the project’s land‑use and site‑plan requirements. The applicant still must finalize utility coordination (including the fixture count), obtain building permits and complete any required utility work. Staff noted the city engineer had signed off on the project but that the engineer’s written signoff was not in the packet; staff confirmed it will be included in the record.

The planning board also discussed related non‑voting matters during the meeting, including a separate proposed change to the rural and residential/agricultural zoning text to allow training facilities on major arterials; board members expressed a preference to treat such uses as conditional to allow case‑by‑case review. The board closed its meeting after recording signatures on decision documents and reminded members the next meeting will be at the new City Hall meeting room.