Hancock Historic District Commission members held a walk-through at the site of the Hancock Inn Tuesday, followed by a public hearing on proposed changes to the recently purchased inn.
Boston-based 33 Main Street Realty LLC purchased the inn, established in 1789, in April from Jarvis and Marcia Coffin, who had run it since 2011. Marcia Coffin is a member of the Historic District Commission but said she will not be voting on issues related to the property. The Historic District Commission, formed by the town in 1975, oversees the district and reviews any changes to the exterior of buildings, structures or features on a property such as stone walls or fences. Select Board members appoint the commissioners.
The changes proposed to the inn that were addressed Tuesday evening included changing the color from beige with white trim to dark green with white trim, replacing three existing doors, a trellis, the addition of an atrium and access to the building for people with disabilities, a pagoda structure and permeable paving, as well as the removal of trees and shrubs, an existing garage building and a garden tool shed.
Kerri Landry, 33 Main Street Realty spokesperson, said the inn was purchased for $1.15 million and that at least $2 million will be spent on improvements. The inn is scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2023.
“The team has been very community-focused,” Landry said, adding that there have been a lot of things to go through in order to maintain the historical integrity of the building and stay in compliance with Hancock Historic District regulations.
Attorney Mark Fernald, who is representing 33 Main Street Realty LLC, said in an interview during the walk-through that the citizens of Hancock should be happy that an investor has chosen to invest in the inn. He cited a recent case of an inn in Fitzwilliam where the owner was unable to find a buyer.
“There had been six owners in the last 20 years, and when they couldn’t find a buyer, the current owner decided to reimagine the property,” he said, explaining that the inn in Fitzwilliam will provide rooms for people coming from rehabilitation who need a place to live for a month at a time. “My point is that an owner is willing to invest in Hancock, and in Fitzwilliam they can’t find someone to do that. This has been a very careful job in terms of the proposed renovations.”
Hancock Selectman Jeff Brown, who owns property near the inn, attended the walk-through.
“The first impression is that people are against change,” Brown said, adding that he understands this, given that an outside investor has purchased the property. “People are just trying to keep the character of the town.”
Main Street Cheese owner Sarah Gilliatt, who owns a home that abuts the Hancock Inn, said one of her biggest reasons for attending the meeting was to make sure the investors know the property is a community asset. Her hope, she said, is that the inn won’t turn into a place where only the “hyper-wealthy” can afford to stay.
“It would be nice if there were a room set aside for community members,” she said, adding that the need for outside investors is the direct result of an outdated economic system that no longer encourages local ownership. “I’m open-minded, though. I just want to make sure the culture of the place is maintained.”
The commission accepted some of the proposed changes Tuesday, including the color, but more issues must be amended on 33 Main Street Realty’s application. On September 6th the commission will take up further amendments at special meeting and on September 27, at their regular meeting to finish up the application, commission member, Sarah Bauhan said. Some areas to be addressed at the Sept. 6 meeting include the garden shed, the paving bricks and a tree-removal plan.
“Our mandate is to follow the Department of Interior guidelines for historic districts, so we are extremely careful about every item that we consider, so that the character of the district isn’t changed,” said Bauhan. “It’s a big deal for a small town.”
Regulations for the Hancock Historic District can be found in the Hancock Historic District Ordinance which is Article 8 of the Hancock zoning ordinance. A copy of the full zoning ordinance can be found on the town website, hancocknh.org, or obtained at the Town Office.