Area Development on the Rise

Author: Greg Duggan

In the past year, Middlebury has seen its share of larger, big- name enterprises become part of the community. Dunkin' Donuts and the Marriott have both recently moved to town, and a Hannaford Supermarket plans to open in the plaza vacated by Ames by mid-spring.

In addition to Hannaford, several other large development plans may take place in the near future. The Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op has received permission to build an extension, and construction on a large heating storage warehouse in the industrial park on Exchange Street will soon begin. Finally, plans for a 20,000 square foot office building have been proposed to the Planning Commission. While development has faced some opposition, the town has largely supported the presence of new businesses. Even so, many also recognize the importance of preserving the town's undeveloped lands.

From time to time, citizens have voiced opposition to development. Several years ago, Middlebury considered allowing a Price Chopper to open in town. In response, a faction of town residents fought to keep the chain out of the town. There was concern that a Price Chopper would not only detract business from the local food stores, but also pave the way for the opening of a Wal-Mart - a typical symbol of commercial uniformity.

JoAnne Gruber, a teacher who has lived in Middlebury for five years, expressed an understanding of such concerns. "I guess when you start allowing one larger so-called chain into the area it opens the door for others, and in long-term thinking, that may impact the nature of the town," she said.

At the same time, Gruber realizes the benefits of having well-known businesses in the area. "Probably what a place like the Marriott will do is increase the tourist industry around here, which in some ways is not a bad thing. If the local businesses are doing well because the tourists are doing well, then the shopping improves," she explained.

Public sentiment has been generally supportive of local construction. "The responses tend to be specific to particular projects. People tend to be concerned about changes in what they see from their properties, or traffic impact, or other disturbances. There is not a group in town that, as a matter of position, opposes everything. There is not that kind of anti-development sentiment just circulating around," Town Planner Fred Dunnington explained.

Dunnington and the Planning Commission have much to do with the lack of anti-development sentiment, working to ensure that development in Middlebury fits with the town's character. "What we look at in each development review piece is whether there will be an undo adverse effect on the town or on the neighborhood in which it's located," Dunnington said. When the Marriott was built, for example, plans had to be revised so that the hotel's architecture would correspond with that of other buildings on Court Street.

Since the closing of Ames last year, there is hope that much of the larger, more visible development in Middlebury will have a positive effect on the town's economy. After Ames went out of business, many businesses in Middlebury suffered.

Ames was an "anchor draw," according to Jamie Stewart, executive director of the Addison County Economic Development Corporation."People who would come into town to shop at Ames to pick up underwear, socks - staples, basic things you needed - would then come into the downtown and shop for other things as well. But without having the base for those staple items that Ames provided, there is that feeling that they've lost market," Stewart said.

Currently, many people travel to Rutland or Burlington to do their shopping. Marguerite Senecal, an information specialist for the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, said people were even traveling across Lake Champlain to shop at the Walmart in Ticonderoga, N. Y. With the opening of Hannaford, therefore, the local economy hopes to experience a revival by bringing some of these shoppers back to Middlebury.

Despite the importance of development to Middlebury, however, some citizens also recognize the importance of preserving some parts of the town by restricting it from development. For the past 15 years, the Middlebury Area Land Trust and the Otter Creek Audubon Society have worked together on the Greenbelt Project, an endeavor committed to protecting the land around Otter Creek in Middlebury and Weybridge.

Warren King, the president of the Otter Creek Audubon Society, described the purpose of the Greenbelt Project.

"The idea is to provide the residents of Middlebury and Addison County with a shoreline that is protected and undeveloped for recreational and aesthetic purposes. It is remarkably free of disturbance right now, and we feel it ought to remain that way." The project preserves most of the land when property owners donate tracts of land to the Land Trust.

Currently, Project Greenbelt is working to raise enough money to purchase 17 acres on the shore of Otter Creek from Middlebury College. At the moment, no major construction plans exist for any of the land on Otter Creek, and the Greenbelt Project believes that will remain true. "It's going to stay green, we hope, forever," King said.

While development may influence the character of Middlebury from time to time, it remains a charismatic, unique town. Gruber said, "One of the things I value about Middlebury is its smallness. I like the fact that because the population is as small as it is, it allows for a really strong community feel."

Two tourists visiting from Cape Cod, Lorraine Linn and Lisa Thimas, concurred. They were charmed by Middlebury and can't wait to come back. Said Thimas, "We hope there's not too much development. This is perfect."