Months after Hanover approved Dartmouth's proposal to rebuild the block behind Ramunto's and Caf Buon Gustaio, a town resident has filed two separate appeals against the decision.
Hanover local Winifred Stearns claims that the proposed plan, which includes the building of an underground garage for more than 95 cars, will increase the traffic around her house and cause more pollution.
"The garage is to be ventilated only by fans placed on the two side entrances," Stearns said. "No other ventilation."
In addition to the garage, Dartmouth plans to either tear down or renovate the majority of buildings on the site bounded by South Main Street and Howe Library. The new development, which includes a total of nine buildings, will be used for both commercial and residential purposes, Town Planning Commissioner Victoria Smith said.
Although the distribution of space is not finalized, the College will devote some to undergraduate, graduate and faculty housing to alleviate the overcrowding on campus, said Larry Kelly of the Dartmouth Real Estate Office.
Stearns filed two separate complaints, one against the Hanover Zoning Board and one against the Planning Board.
"I am not a lawyer, but I am representing myself," she said. "It is now in the hands of the Court."
But, it might take a while before a decision is reached. Smith confirmed that the Court hearing might not take place for months, and the earliest that construction on the site might start is this summer if litigation is cleared and the Court rules in favor of the town of Hanover.
Unlike Stearns, business owners who will be affected by the changes support the proposed plan.
"The College tastefully builds their buildings, and they do things the right way," said Trudy Allen, owner of Big Green Cuts. "We are looking forward to a nice new location and adequate parking."
Allen added that the new development will create a better atmosphere for residents by fixing the sidewalks and increasing the street lighting on the block. Ambient lights, 30 inches from the ground, will light the whole street at night, she said.
Allen, who attended many of the negotiation meetings between Dartmouth and residents, defended the plan by adding that the College had taken resident's concerns and suggestions into account and tried to accommodate their needs.
Under the proposed plan, Big Green Cuts will move to a new building to be constructed behind its current location, where it will share space with True Value Hardware.
"It is going to be a good change," True Value owner Michael Campbell said. "It will be nice to move to a new building, and it will be a bigger space."
Campbell also welcomed the proposed plan for building an underground parking lot for the block's residents and workers.
According to Stearns, local businesses tend to support the proposed plan because Dartmouth promised them subsidized rent.
Vincent Macco, owner of Ramunto's, supported the plan but was also sympathetic to Stearn's position.
"I don't blame her. My situation is a little different from hers," Macco said.
Macco added that he doesn't know the details of the plan or where Ramunto's new location will be.
Under the proposed plan, Caf Buon Gustaio will move to the building currently occupied by Big Green Cuts, which is to be renovated as well.
The last building on the block, across from Howe Library, will be home to a new restaurant, Kelly said.
The project's designers are architects David Bangole, Richard Dean and Tim Duff and landscape architect Melissa McCann.