Severed negotiations between Dartmouth College and a group of Hanover residents protesting the Chase Field athletic complex may delay its construction for months and possibly years.
The Hanover Planning Board, which approved controversial versions of the artificial turf field and indoor tennis courts in November and then again in January, had been under attack by separate appeals filed by the College and a group of Hanover residents who live near the proposed site.
"It is extremely important to the Athletic Department that we begin and complete these facilities as soon as possible," College Counsel Cary Clark said.
Two weeks ago the College dropped its appeals and signed a notice of action, meaning the College is now prepared to start construction on the board's terms whenever the neighbors drop their appeals.
"Our expectation was that soon after [the College's dropping of the appeals], the neighbors would drop their appeal," said Gordon DeWitt, director of facilities planning.
But the neighborhood is apparently not ready to change their stance.
"The site plan review regulations states the projects are not supposed to increase light and noise beyond the confines of the project," said William Clauson, the attorney representing the neighborhood. "Obviously, the project is going to extend light and noise beyond the boundary of the project."
In a statement dated May 1, 1999, Nina Lloyd, spokesperson for the Hanover residents said "were it not for Dartmouth's decision to appeal, the neighborhood would not be appealing."
"It's in the courts," Clark said. "I don't think they've even scheduled a hearing. It might be several months and possibly years" for the appeal to process.
Until recently, the College and the neighbors were working on a proposal to submit to the Planning Board which would satisfy both parties. Discussions had been taking place since February, at the encouragement of the Planning Board.
Miscommunication between the two parties led the College to believe a viable agreement had been reached while the neighbors did not find the proposal acceptable.
"There are no negotiations going on at the moment. Where the neighbors stand with their appeal, I don't have a clue," DeWitt said.
"We still have to do these projects. They are important for our athletic teams to use," he added.
When asked why negotiations between the College and the neighborhood broke down, Clauson said, "They threatened to sue the neighborhood for money damages. It was a threat - a somewhat ridiculous threat, but it was a threat."
Clauson said the neighborhood came up with a reasonable proposal at the request of the College, but the College "turned it down for reasons that were never explained to me ... There has been no conversation since."
The College wanted to settle the lawsuits by May 1 and begin construction in the summer.
