New Chase Field may be years away
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.