Planning board approves RH Foster site reconfiguration at 1105 Hammond Street; condition requires combining two lots within 60 days

Bangor — The Bangor City Planning Board unanimously approved a major site development permit April 15 for RH Foster Energy LLC’s project at 1105 Hammond Street that repositions fueling islands, reconfigures parking and the car‑wash queue, and adds a roughly 300‑square‑foot building addition for a walk‑in freezer.

Applicant representative Sean Deese of Haley Ward described the work as prompted primarily by the need to replace aging underground fuel tanks and as an opportunity to improve circulation. "While we're moving the tanks, we looked at that to come up with a new configuration to improve traffic flow in and out," Deese said, describing relocation of the gasoline islands to the west side of the building, movement of the diesel island to the rear, and an extension of the car‑wash queuing lane toward the back of the site.

The applicant said nearly all existing paved areas remain and that the only new impervious area is a short section of the car‑wash queuing lane; the project also includes stormwater treatment measures requested by the city engineer. The 300‑square‑foot addition is intended to house a walk‑in freezer as part of planned interior renovations.

Staff recommended a condition that the two project parcels (Map Lot R‑18008‑E and R‑18008‑H) be combined before certain approvals; the applicant and staff discussed timing and agreed the deed combination should occur promptly. The board added a condition requiring the lots be combined within 60 days of the meeting to allow the applicant to proceed with site work and any necessary building permits.

Board members reviewed parking, loading, fire protection, landscaping and buffer standards. A board member asked about existing vegetation along the west property line and whether it met buffer‑planting standards; staff said the vegetation would remain and additional plantings would be added if it did not meet the standard. Another member confirmed the new pump configuration preserves fueling capacity and helps reduce congestion in front of the store.

The board voted unanimously on a series of findings covering erosion and sediment control, parking and loading standards, stormwater management, landscaping, setbacks and conditional‑use standards, and then approved the permit with the 60‑day lot‑combination condition.

Why it matters: The approval clears the way for tank replacement and site improvements intended to reduce congestion and update equipment while ensuring city standards for stormwater, buffering and safety are met.