Land Use Amendments and Housing Zoning Changes
State-mandated changes affect accessory dwellings, parking minimums, and mixed-use rules for all residents and developers, with uncertainty on local additions.
The town is implementing state-mandated land use changes following closeout of a Housing Opportunity Grant. The planning board reviewed draft amendments on accessory dwellings, parking, and mixed-use rules at its July 8 meeting. It chose to adopt only the required state provisions and delay additional local changes.
The issue of Land Use Amendments and Housing Zoning Changes originated from the town's nearing closeout of a $50,000 state Housing Opportunity Grant used to review housing opportunities and zoning regulations.
This grant work directly triggered a scheduled presentation by the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission at the July 8 planning board meeting to review draft amendments.
At that meeting James Veo presented draft amendments covering accessory dwellings, parking minimums, road classification, vesting of approvals, and a new mixed-use residential section to comply with state laws.
The board discussed distinguishing state-mandated changes from local additions, particularly on ground-floor residential use in commercial districts.
The board decided to move forward with the state-mandated amendments but put on ice the new sections that require more study.
James Veo was tasked with preparing a side-by-side comparison of state requirements versus local additions and consulting with engineering and fire departments.
James Veo to prepare a side-by-side comparison of state requirements vs. local additions and consult with engineering and fire departments.
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