Village Planning Committee Update

Courtesy Hancock Happenings - July 2009

On Thursday, June 4th Hancock’s Village Planning Committee (VPC) along with Kurt Grassett, Hancock’s Director of Public Works, and Meridian Land Services (MLS), the engineering firm retained by the town for design work, conducted the second of three open meetings regarding Main Street improvements.

Those in attendance reviewed the design details as they are taking shape and offered comments and suggestions. Plan details in this round included options suggested by attendees at the first meeting. Again, it was an opportunity for VPC and Meridian to listen and gather reactions to the design elements.

The single-most consistent message heard by VPC coming from the attendees was: “keep the historic nature of the village and do not overdo the design work”.

As a result of this public review, crosswalks are no longer a part of the design plan.

From the outset, residents indicated that pedestrian crosswalks are not needed nor wanted. There was clear direction from the audience that the additional signage required to mark the crosswalk locations would be inappropriate for the historic village setting.

The so-called “cow paths” on the south side of Main St. (same side as the market) will not be built to accommodate ADA requirements, and therefore these walkways will not be included in the engineering plans. The Hancock Select Board will decide how to handle any changes to the cow paths at a later date. The Select Board will consider widening of the paths to make them more walkable. The Board will also consider a possible extension of the paths to the corners of Forest Rd (near the service station) and at the other end to Hosley road (across from the entrance to the town office parking lot).
The landscaped area between the proposed walkways and the pavement edge will be maintained by the town, as will snow removal on the north side walkway from the Historical Society building to the Post Office.

In addition to the high-priority issues of crosswalks and pedestrian walkways, another important design element is the treatment of roadside edging. Hancock residents who attended the meeting were definite in their opinion that finished, vertical granite curbing would “suburbanize” the historic district and should not be included in the final design except where necessary for maintenance and drainage purposes.

Roadside edging is important, not only because of how it affects the appearance of the village, but it also plays a critical role in preventing erosion of grassy areas by diverting water runoff during rains and snowmelts. Several alternatives to roadside edging were presented, including: chip-seal covered asphalt and various treatments to granite that would blend the edging together with the roadside.

The attendees were clear that it is important to retain natural and somewhat “raggedy” or “soft” edges along Main St. At the final design review meeting later this summer Meridian Land Services will present a proposal for roadside edging on Main St. that takes in to consideration the preservation of the historic appearance and the functional requirements for storm water management.

There may be new options for parking, such as parking behind the Meeting House and the library, but the finished plan is not going to solve all of the parking problems in the village.

Kurt Grassett explained that we will be gaining in the number of intended (legal) parking spaces. However, parking spaces that currently cause sight-line issues and unsafe conditions will be moved or eliminated to improve driver and pedestrian safety. Traffic calming – or the modification of driver behavior entering the village – could include a traffic island and stop sign at the west end of Main St. (near the Post Office). Drivers would need to stop before entering downtown. If the island was constructed, drivers exiting from the Norway Pond beach area and Post Office parking lots would have a safer entry on to Main St. However, there was concern among the attendees that sight-lines would have to be worked out.

Portions of Main St. – specifically near the water fountain at the east end – will be narrowed to reduce traffic speeds, and various plantings along the sides of Main St. will provide more of an enclosed feeling for drivers, encouraging them to slow down as they travel through the village.

Small areas of flat cobblestones will help alleviate turning problems for the Hancock Market delivery area and the entry to Tombstone Territory Rd. (next to the Hancock Inn), while reinforcing the diagonal parking pattern in front of the market without the need for painted stripes.

The third and final planning meeting for Hancock residents regarding Main Street improvements will be scheduled in August – watch for the meeting posting. Following this last public planning session it is intended that the entire design will be presented to Hancock residents for approval at a later date in a formal town meeting, possibly in late summer or early fall. The timing of the town meeting will depend on deadlines for finalization of funding approvals with NH/DOT and Federal stimulus funding.

Also, to keep up-to-date on Village Planning Committee developments, be sure to check the town website at: http://www.hancocknh.org/OTOF/villageplanning.htm Copies of the slide presentation used at the meetings are available for viewing at the Town Offices and Hancock Library. We need your comments. Please email them to: villageplanningcommittee@yahoo.com

Submitted by Village Planning Committee:
Howard Mansfield, Chair; Mary Covington, David Drasba, Mike Fallon, Jim Gamble,
Kurt Grassett, Director of Public Works, Tom Pisaturo, Dennis Rossiter, John Jordan for the Select Board

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