Hanover Kick-Off of Zoning Re-Write

Hanover’s Planning Board met tonight to begin the process of re-writing its 39-year old zoning. VHB has been hired to do the work on behalf of the community. The board spent most of the evening talking about the process. Eighteen residents attended the meeting.

It was decided to host the first public forum on a Saturday in October. The proposed schedule suggests a zoning vote in May 2013 – rather ambitious, in my view, but worth trying.

Unlike the last effort to update the zoning, the Town has a good website where one can find all of the minutes & materials. Check out hanovernh.org.

Posted in Land use, Outreach | 1 Comment

More Walkable Hanover – Head Out Angled Parking

Dan Burden from the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute shares the benefits of Head Out Angled Parking. This video explains how the safest type of parking, Head Out Angled Parking, can be introduced to a community, its safety benefits and its ease of use.  Although this on-street parking technique is used successfully across the country, it would be new in Hanover.   How about trying it across the street from the Hanover Inn on the south side of the Green.  Thoughts?

 

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Sustainability by Dartmouth Students

Check out this great video showcasing sustainability at Dartmouth, courtesy of the Office of Sustainability:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uIdrE5ITQw

 

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Utility Undergrounding Project on Lebanon Street continues

The Town of Hanover has a new & improved website with the ability to sign up for town updates, Selectboard minutes and agendas and other happenings.  I received the following message today.  Some day soon we hope to have good technology and communication from the  Planning and Design office.

“Since the fall, contractors for Dartmouth College, in close communication with our Department of Public Works, have been managing a project on Lebanon Street to bury the overhead utility lines, which will enable the removal of the unsightly wires and seven overburdened utility poles along the front of the new Visual Arts Center and the back of the Hopkins Center. Continue reading

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Steam is Hot: Dartmouth’s Steam System

Learn about the heating system at Dartmouth from the great video put out by the Office of Sustainability:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAdzHXeICyo

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Real Time Transit Info in Hanover

Advance Transit with matching funds from Dartmouth and DHMC has installed a “real time” display monitor at the Hop/Inn bus shelter.  Now you can run to catch your bus and know whether you have minute to spare or it’s time to call home for a ride.

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Slate is Going Up

Wow! The Visual Arts Center is humming with construction activity in preparation for occupancy later this summer.  The exterior slate on the east side of the building is being installed.  It’s looking good.

 

Posted in Community, Projects | 1 Comment

“Lite Bright” Construction Fences

A new look for construction fences:

 

I wonder how the town’s planning & zoning office would respond to such an effort to enliven construction fences and engage folks in the process.  For more information, check out the Inhabitat article .

 

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Innovative Learning – wow!

Some days I need to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming at work.  It’s so cool!  Today was one of those days…I had the opportunity to participate in a DCAL session called Making the Most of Faculty Time.  I learned about Magic Pens, Pencasts, Echo 360, Adobe Connect, Podcasts & clickers.  Faculty are using these technologies to “flip” and enhance classes.  Students listen on their MP3 or watch on the web a lecture or demonstration.  They take a quiz online and can even let the professor know where they need more instruction.  This outside work frees in class time for student-centered engagement, face-to-face time with each other and the faculty.  It’s interactive, collaborative and really makes sense.

What  does it mean for the campus?  How do we plan for this?  How do we make sure Dartmouth has what it needs for space, facilities and infrastructure in the changing world?  It’s critically important that we try to understand and plan for not only the technology but the pedagogy.

I’m can’t wait to read Clayton Christensen’s  The Innovative University.  Fascinating stuff!

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Container Coffee Shop

An interesting re-use of  shipping containers – Starbucks has opened another coffee shop in Tukwila, Washington.  It’s built out of four reclaimed containers and has been designed to LEED building.

What do you think?

Continue reading

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