After many meetings between 33 Main Street LLC and its representatives and the Hancock Historic District Commission over proposed renovations to The Hancock Inn, there appear to be a couple of sticking points remaining. These highlight the potential for conflicts between the importance of historic preservation and a business’ desire to do what it thinks is best.

They’re sticking points we hope can be resolved so they don’t throw a snag into the planned reopening of the inn this summer.

When 33 Main Street Realty LLC, bought the historic business from Jarvis and Marcia Coffin last April, spokesperson Kerri Landry said the Boston investment group purchased the inn for $1.15 million, and planned to spend at least $2 million on renovations. Those renovations were to include building an 8- by 24-foot brick wall to replace an existing wooden wall and a 4-foot metal fence to replace the current 3-foot wooden fence around the patio area and backyard.

Since the inn is in a historic district, those plans went to the Hancock Historic District Commission, which is charged with protecting “significant elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, and architectural history,” enhancing the visual character of the town that “reflect[s] or respect[s] established architectural traditions” and fosters “public appreciation of and civic pride in the beauty of the Town of Hancock and the accomplishments of its past.”

Having decided that the wall and fence didn’t meet that charge, they said no to both, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment did the same last week. Now, 33 Main St. LLC has three choices: try to come up with a plan that means HHDC approval, scrap the wall and fence or sue.

That plans for the Hancock Inn would cause concern is no surprise. It’s a Hancock institution that dates back to 1789, and even if residents don’t stay or eat at the inn, it’s a part of the neighborhood that they walk or drive by, and they’re invested in what its owners want to do. Also Select Board member Jeff Brown noted during a walk-through last August that the new owners are outside investors, people want to keep the character of the town and they tend to be against change.

Especially if other issues have been resolved, we hope 33 Main Street LLC, the Historic District Commission and the ZBA can figure out a resolution that will allow the owners to  meet their objectives while still protecting the character of the neighborhood in a way that’s acceptable to the community.

After all, summer’s coming.

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