In November, the Hancock Historic District Commission (HHDC) voted not to approve new Hancock Inn owner 33 Main Street LLC’s proposals to build an 8- by 24-foot brick wall to replace a wooden wall of the same dimensions on the parking-lot side of the inn or to build a 4-foot metal fence to replace the 3-foot wooden fence that currently stands around the patio area and backyard.

In denying the requests, commission members said the changes did not comply with current Historic District zoning ordinances and did not fit in with the character of the downtown area. 

After the commission’s decisions, 33 Main Street LLC – which bought the historic inn from Jarvis and Marcia Coffin last April with plans to reopen it this summer – appealed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, which unanimously voted Wednesday to deny both requests.

“I believe this appeal to the ZBA is an action to push [33 Main’s] own economic agenda without regard of Hancock residents,” said resident Deborah Sampson, who noted that most of the representatives for the inn have been from out of town and added that overturning the HHDC decision would “undermine the fabric of the town” and send the message that zoning ordinances don’t need to be followed.

Erin Hammerstedt, executive director of Historic Harrisville and a field representative for Preservation Pennsylvania, where she provides technical assistance on historic preservation projects like this one, assured the HHDC and ZBA that they had the right to make these decisions and offered advice on how to make the decisions more objective. 

Hammerstedt said Hancock’s Historic District zoning ordinance states that their purpose is “promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the community.” Among other objectives, the ordinance is designed to “preserve the rural charm of the town.”

“Hancock certainly has the right to regulate aesthetics,” she said.

In order to make the decision objective, Hammerstedt advised considering the compatibility of new construction to reflect the feeling of architectural traditions established in town and to consider “character-defining features – features or characters that define the Town of Hancock.” These could include materials, colors, building types, uses and historic period. 

“Wood is the dominant material among district historic buildings,” she said. 

Attorney Mark Fernald, representing 33 Main Street LLC, said the company doesn’t want to use wood because it’s not as durable, it hopes to plant on a lattice on the wall and is concerned a wooden wall could easily rot. Fernald also argued that brick is a material used in the district, and regarding the HHDC’s vote to not allow a metal fence, said, “I think that is an incorrect reading of the ordinance.”

Fernald said there are other buildings with handrails and said metal was used in the 1800s.

“We believe it’s a historically appropriate material,” said Fernald, adding that a wooden fence is bulky, and a white painted fence would stand out more in the landscape that a black metal fence. 

Fernald mentioned that this was his ninth trip to Hancock for the inn.

“I think when it’s all done people are really going to love it,” he said. 

Resident Raisa West spoke about the history of wooden fences, specifically white picket fences in Hancock. Back when Hancock was comprised of many farms and pastureland, she said fences were used to keep cattle off of people’s front lawns. 

Regarding the wall, ZBA member Paul Hertneky said, “It’s a stretch for me to see it having architectural value.” Citing relevant zoning articles, ZBA members decided that a brick wall would not preserve or enhance historic, architectural and cultural qualities of the district and would not be compatible in the neighborhood. 

The fence, which was originally proposed as a 6-foot metal fence with brick columns next to the gate, had been amended to a 4-foot gate with no brick, which was still rejected by the HHDC.

“No metal fences are present in the historic district,” said ZBA Chair Hunt Dowse. Although members agreed that the current wooden fence was not a historical feature in itself, as it was built in 2011 or 2012, they said the design as presented is contemporary and does not fit in with the surrounding character of the historic district.

Now that the ZBA has denied the appeal, 33 Main Street LLC can go back to HHDC with a new plan, appeal the decisions  in court or decide not to construct a new wall and fence.

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