Town Planning IS Local Control
By Boyd Smith, Executive Director
Since 2009, the NLRA and our many partners have delivered data-driven programs to protect the Newfound watershed. This 100-square mile gem contains some of New Hampshire’s cleanest water, and healthiest and most diverse wildlife habitat. Due to slow and steady development this special environment and our quality of life are at risk. However, local controls are available to preserve and protect what sustains our economy, and our spirits!
Each of the five watershed towns has struggled with land use that conflicted with their vision, spending years of valuable staff and volunteer time, and on occasion tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, to resist unwanted applications allowed under the town’s existing controls. Thoughtful planning and zoning are not needed, until they are, at which point it is often too late.
Zoning ordinances are created by the Planning Board, and are shaped with public input before being presented at Town meeting for vote. Zoning:
- Protects property values by preventing neighboring, unwanted uses.
- Prevents overcrowding, and allows development that maintains the look and feel of the community.
- Balances residential, commercial and open-space in ways that foster economic vitality.
Groton’s Planning Board, with the assistance of an all-volunteer Citizen Planning Committee, is presenting zoning regulations for discussion and vote at the March 2019 town meeting. If you are a Groton resident, please learn more about the proposed regulations at www.GrotonNH.org and attend the Town Meeting on Saturday March 16, 2019 for a chance to shape your Town’s future.
While Groton is taking a big step to adopt comprehensive zoning regulations, other watershed towns are “moving the needle” towards local control in different ways. With NLRA and NH Department of Environmental Services’ funding and support, Steve Whitman of Resilience Planning and Design and Dan Sundquist of Greenfire GIS have been assisting Alexandria, Bristol, Groton, and Hebron with important projects designed to foster smart growth.
Alexandria is revising a key part of their subdivision regulations by clarifying a risk-based approach that balances development and land protections within 250 feet of surface water. Bristol recently finished updating their natural resource maps and a development checklist to guide residents, developers and Town staff through the commercial and residential building permit process. Hebron is revising the Natural Resources section of their Master Plan, and adopting a development checklist similar to Bristol’s.
2019 Newfound Watershed Town Meetings
Alexandria: VOTING – March 12th, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 45 Washburn Road.
Bridgewater: MEETING/VOTING – March 12th 7 p.m. 297 Mayhew Tpk.
Bristol: VOTING – March 12th, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. 45 Summer St. MEETING – March 16th 9 a.m. at Newfound Regional HS
Groton: MEETING/VOTING – March 16, 9 a.m., in Groton Town Hall
Hebron: VOTING – May 14th. MEETING – MAY, see hebronnh.org
Through partner and membership support, NLRA helps towns advocate for and achieve local control through practical, risk-based land-use regulations. Looking at what you most love about your town, and considering how threats come in the form of slow-motion change, thoughtful, pro-active planning makes perfect sense.
Please become a local leader and contact your local Planning Board or the NLRA (info@NewfoundLake.org) if you have any questions or want to become more involved in how your Town chooses its future.