CUMBERLAND – Representatives for the planned redevelopment of the Ann & Hope Mill say they hope to have all approvals in place by this spring.
Signs show what was once offered at Ann & Hope in Cumberland.
Attorney Nicholas Hemond told the Historic District Commission on Jan. 14 that they would like to have all approvals by April. He said the goal remains to get the building back to what it looked like in its original design.
After hearing various details of plans from applicant Hartford Holdings, the HDC unanimously passed a certificate of appropriateness for the project, the next approval on that path forward for the historic property.
The applicant is proposing to adaptively reuse the mill by creating 240 rental apartments, 48 of them deed restricted as affordable housing, at 100 Ann & Hope Way.
Hemond said the 240 units will be one-bedroom homes and studios. There will be commercial spaces on the lower levels and the old powerhouse will be used as commercial space as well.
Eric Schall, an architect from ZDS Inc., elaborated on how Ann & Hope will be transformed, including preserving historically accurate details such as windows, fire escapes, and stairs. There will no longer be a deck added so the footprint of the building remains intact. The existing roof, crown, and character of the building will stay or be repaired, and plantings will not block the historical integrity of the building. Plans have also been submitted to the state and federal government to confirm that they are historically accurate.
Hemond noted that they’ve received federal and state historical tax credits, so all materials have been approved for historical accuracy.
Chairperson Joyce Hindle-Koutsogiane asked about replacing the clock tower, and Hemond responded that the applicant will ask the owner about the possibility of doing that.
Planning Director Glenn Modica asked about landscaping not blocking components of the building, and Schall said large trees that would block the building are not allowed.
And for the sentimental types, Modica asked about the famous “cart-veyor” belt that once brought carts up and down, and Hemond said he wasn’t sure, but the applicant is sensitive to the fact that the item is a treasured one.
Modica asked if the powerhouse will still be a restaurant, and Hemond responded that it will be food or dining.
On member Dan Pedro’s motion, the board approved the certificate of appropriateness.
Also at the Jan. 14 meeting, Hindle-Koutsogiane discussed the importance of preserving stone walls in town, noting that property owners on Hillside Road recently took down stone walls. Member Arthur “Sandy” Schacht said he believes the HDC should examine stone walls before they come down. Modica responded that the Planning Department will look into what other communities have on the books, noting how it could be a slippery slope to regulate private property and a balance would need to be struck. Other departments would also need to be on board for proper enforcement, he added.
Other departments would have to be on board with this as well in order to properly enforce any sort of ordinance.
The HDC also chose May 17 as the date for a cemetery cleanup workshop. Members were informed that they have until June to use up a grant. Principal Planner Abby McVerry suggested that they choose the cemeteries in most need of tree cutting and removal so that Tree Warden Mark Dew can assess them. Ballou Cemetery and the North Cumberland Middle School Cemetery were suggested.