By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Naples residents asked that the proposed Dollar General building and signs blend in with the rural character of their town.

In the end, the Naples Planning Board tabled approving the project until Oct. 1, asking the architect to come back with a more aesthetic design. Even the Dollar General sign could be done in individual letters with lighting coming down on it, instead of the internally lit sunshine yellow sign people typically see.

Essentially, Architect Steve Dunn, of Harriman, was asked to go back to the drawing board and return with a different design for the exterior of the 10,000 square foot building.

Also, the board requested traffic numbers for July and August, expressing concerns about safety with the proposed Dollar General adding to the number of people trying to pull out onto Route 302, especially with the Umbrella Factory Supermarket directly across the state highway.

Additionally, the board voted, 3-0, to grant a waiver for the parking to be in the front and side of the building, rather than placing the parking lot in the rear as a town ordinance requires.

Voting members were Chair Doug Bogdan, Martina Witts and Martin Zartarian.

On Tuesday, there was a public hearing as part of the planning board meeting.

Arleen Shepherd first reminded people that the planning board members are volunteers who must follow ordinances and standards, rather than their own opinions.

She addressed the people from Main-Land Development Consultants and Harriman, the companies involved in the development of a Dollar General on the field between Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern and Moose Landing Marina.

“My challenge to you is to make this Dollar General the best storefront you can create. Naples is charming. Make your store look charming. Make Naples Dollar General your showcase store. If you do this, not only will people shop there, but people will want to work there,” she said. “Add some creativity. Make the outside quaint and nostalgic.”

“On the behalf of the many people who care what the town looks like, be the best you can be because it is the right thing to do,” Shepherd said.

Naples resident Jim Grattelo expressed a similar mindset and provided images of a Dollar General store built in North Carolina.

“Contrary to their belief, this is not a good idea for the Town of Naples. It certainly doesn’t fit into the Causeway District. This vanilla box doesn’t fit into the character of our town in any shape or form,” Grattelo said, pleading with the planning board to demand a better design.

“Remember this vanilla box is going to be stuck with us for 50 years,” he said.

He mentioned the trend of chain retail stores such as the Christmas Tree shops, Toys R Us going out of business and leaving behind empty square metal buildings.

“It should be the best Dollar General ever built in the United States. It can be done because it has been done,” he said.

He handed out photocopies of a Dollar General in North Carolina and mentioned one that was altered to mimic Montana’s architecture as well. 

“Take a look at this building. The steel roof, it has overhangs and architectural beams. It has overhangs on the windows to fit in with the character of the town. The foundation has fake rock all around the building. This monument sign should be like Gary’s and like the Barn: A post and beam sign, not backlit signage. That is already the character that has been established on that corner,” he said. 

“What you have been presented is not even close to what they are doing” in other parts of the United States, Grattelo said.

“I urge you, I ask you and beg you to table this tonight. This is not even close to being ready to be approved,” he said.

Planning Board member Zartarian addressed the traffic safety issue.

“The traffic numbers — I saw your report. It doesn’t show seasonal numbers. It doesn’t show July and August. Try to take a lefthand turn out of the Umbrella Factory lot, you won’t be able to turn left out of Abby Road,” Zartarian said.

The entrance and two exits had been approved by the Maine Department of Transportion based on a traffic engineer’s study, according to Bob Berry, chief executive officer and senior engineer with Main-Land Development.

“That is supported. The DOT already approved that entrance,” Berry said.

Zartarian asked again, “I want to see the numbers used for justification for July and August. For people living here, it is difficult to make a left-hand turn during those months.”

Berry said, “I am not trying to be argumentative. Our traffic engineer answered that concern with traffic engineer language.”

Zartarian stuck to his request, which ended up being required information when the approval was tabled.

“The ordinance is base line minimum. I am asking for more. It is a safety issues,” he said.