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Progressive Architects and Engineers, James Kilborn, presented the group’s findings from Hancock’s master plan sessions. In April about 90 Hancock residents participated in guiding the city’s future during two separate master plan sessions. Hancock is using the city’s resources with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to work with Progressive Architects & Engineers on developing the city’s new master plan. The three key takeaways that Progressive AE noticed throughout the comments highlighted Hancock’s relation to nature and sustainability, making downtown a destination rather than a throughway, and ability to commute around the community. Some of the biggest desires from residents included winter amenities and social opportunities, improved transit opportunities, and improving access to the waterfront. Progressive Architects and Engineers will come back to the council for another presentation to the planning commission later in the summer; that will be followed by a final community engagement event around September. A final presentation of the city master plan will occur in November. Hancock anticipates adopting a new master plan by the end of the year.
Acopy of the Master Plan presentation can be found on the City of Hancock’s website, here.
The Hancock Planning Commission tabled two old business items. Both dealt with zoning approvals; one for the Hancock County Fair Board for an outbuilding, and another for Bywater Properties at 306 Hancock Street.
Hancock city manager Mary Babcock let the planning commission know that Deb Mann’s final act with the city of Hancock will finish with the installation of a clock, that was approved last year. The Department of Public Works will install the clock near the city sign at the US-41/M-26 intersection in front of Gino’s restaurant. The clock was the last project Mann had worked on with the city as the Downtown Development Authority Coordinator, before her death in a house explosion on August 30th, 2022.
