Planning, Zoning and Conservation

This sub page contains information and reference materials about suggested Planning/Zoning code updates that aim to solidify a sustainable future for our town. Planning and Zoning Codes are a critical component to controlling pace and impact of development.

Planning Related

Understanding “cause and effect” of traffic

Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Rural Planning, Zoning, and Development Codes

“Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Rural Planning, Zoning, and Development Codes” was written by the EPA. Although there is no easy “fix all” solution for our Town, there are many great ideas and directions proposed in this document that should be considered. Using updated practices that have demonstrated value, is the next important step our Town must take to modernize planning and zoning codes.

Essential Smart Growth Fixes for
Rural Planning Zoning and Development Download

The Housing Market Snap Shot

“I never thought I would see the “double-double” in New Hampshire. By that I mean a double-digit unemployment rate (14.5% in May) and double-digit year over year home price appreciation (generally 10%) at the same time. The conventional relationship is that when the economy tanks, housing slips and falls. That’s not happening in this virus-struck bizarro world.”

Housing Market Snapshot

Land Use Law Updates

“The purpose of these materials is to give Selectmen, Planning Board and ZBA Members and Staff a summary of the fifty plus land use/board related opinions issued by the New Hampshire Supreme Court since Fall 2007”

Land Use Law Update: New Hampshire Supreme Court Cases
Local Government Center’s 2011 Municipal Law Lecture Serie

2019 NH Municipal Land Use Regulation Survey

RSA 675:9 establishes the New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) as the state
repository for all local land use regulations including master plans, zoning ordinances, historic district ordinances, capital improvement plans, building codes, subdivision regulations, historic district regulations, and site plan review regulations. RSA 675:9 also authorizes OSI to conduct an annual survey of all municipalities in order to collect information pertaining to new and/or amended land use ordinances. This article highlights the results of the 2019 survey, which was completed by all, but five of the state’s 234 municipalities as well as nine village districts with zoning authority and Coos County, which has zoning authority over 23 unincorporated places in the North Country. In addition, this article summarizes zoning amendment updates submitted by 130 communities after their 2020 Annual Town Meetings.

Municipal Land Use Regulation Annual Survey

Interactive Map highlighting land use and other regulations by town across the state

Conservation Related

The Housing and Conservation Planning Program

“Additional housing or conservation? Historic preservation or new development? Economic growth or quality of life? These do not have to be either or choices. In July 2007, Governor Lynch signed the Housing and Conservation Planning Program (HCPP) into law. This new program, housed at the state Office of Energy and Planning (OEP), provides grants that address both local housing and conservation needs in communities.”

“New Hampshire is the fastest growing state in New England and the Northeast. With population expected to grow by another 250,000 residents by the year 2030, municipalities are grappling with preserving the character of their communities. In recent years, New Hampshire has grown with an emphasis on large-lot, high-cost residential development. This type of development has limited the available local workforce, increased traffic congestion, threatened historic landmarks and destroyed local natural resources at an alarming rate.”

The Housing and Conservation Planning Program New Partnership Yields Grant Program for New Hampshire Cities and Towns

Understanding Open Space Sub developments

Above is a video link discussing the benefits of Open Space Subdivisions and what the misconceptions sometimes are around these developments. Note: although this show is specific to Pelham NH, the same topics, issues and regulations still hold true for Hudson NH as well.