Hanover's commitment to protection of scenic resources can be defined by three sets of goals that outline a general approach, establish a vision for the landscape as a whole, and provide guidance for specific types of locales.
General Goals
- That municipal government, in all its relevant functions, make specific and serious commitment to protection of scenic resources, particularly in high-priority, unique or threatened locations;
- That residents of Hanover support municipal government in its scenic preservation efforts;
- That landowners - private, institutional, and business - consider independent action to amplify municipal accomplishments through easements, donations and other means.
Goals for the Landscape as a Whole
- Foster a public sense of stewardship in Hanover's landscape.
- Strive to preserve the interconnectedness of the visual landscape - its overall impression on viewers as they go about the business of living in Hanover.
- Ensure that, within the boundaries of Hanover, true choices of residential styles, from in-town to rural or remote, are possible and sustainable, both now and in the future.
- Adopt and enforce policies which minimize the impact on the landscape of new structures and changing land uses.
- Protect the specific sites and the little places that, collectively, create the outdooor "ambiance" of Hanover, and which go far towards defining "the character of the neighborhood" as discussed in the Master Plan.
Goals for Specific Types of Locales
HILLTOPS AND RIDGES
Keep ridgelines and high hillsides visually "natural".
Prevent new construction from dominating the natural landscape.
WATER BODIES
Protect the natural appearance of shorelines and surrounding slopes.
Provide more public access for boating, hiking, viewing.
ROADS
Sustain the rural appearance of the landscape as seen from roads.
CULTURAL FEATURES
Maintain sites and their visual context (a subset of "character of the neighborhood").
Encourage agricultural pursuits.
NATURAL FEATURES AND OPEN SPACE
Plan for and maintain an extensive, interconnected network of trails.
Maintain open fields as part of a varied landscape.
Maintain open fields to provide distant views of scenic vistas.
Identify and protect large areas of wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors throughout the town.
Maximize the visual quality of existing resources.
COMMUNITY GATEWAYS AND/OR LANDSCAPE TRANSITIONS
Protect and enhance the visual attractiveness of the entrances to Hanover.
Prevent compromise of landscape transitions.
Prevent visual impact of commercialism on gateways, especially along Route 120 South Main Street and Lyme Road.
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