Town of Hampton - Lane Memorial Library

-- PLANNING BOARD & PLANNING OFFICE -
2006
was another busy and eventful year for the Planning Board and Planning Office.
The Town experienced a continued high volume of new development
applications and concern expressed among the citizenry about growth. In
March, the Town voted in a growth management ordinance that was a petitioned
article on the ballot. The newly passed ordinance did not last long as it was ruled invalid and
unenforceable by the Superior Court after the Town filed for a Declaratory Judgment. The Town
brought the suit as it had serious problems with the statistics used to justify the ordinance, and was
concerned with how the ordinance would be enforced. The Town also wanted to avoid getting
involved in costly lawsuits when the ordinance got challenged. Recognizing that growth is a concern
for a significant number of voters, the Planning Board decided to hold a public forum on growth on
October 18, 2006. Valuable input was received and the Planning Board will be examining in 2007
others ways to manage growth in the community.
In March of this year, only one Zoning Ordinance amendment was adopted in addition to the Growth
Management Ordinance. The amendment changed the parking requirement for condominium
conversions to require at least one (1) assigned 9’ x 18’ parking space per unit on-site. As the Board
continued to see a lot of requests for condominium conversions this year, this new amendment was
timely. It has also been beneficial to the community as it seems to have resulted in improved parking
arrangements for these properties. The Town also voted to re-elect Planning Board members Tracy
Emerick and Thomas Higgins. The Board reorganized by electing Tracy Emerick as Chairman,
Robert Viviano as Vice-Chairman, and Francis McMahon as Clerk.
The Board continued its work on refining the current Zoning Ordinance. In particular, new
regulations, new zoning districts for the beach area, and rezoning to a Professional Office / Residential
Zoning District for the area within the High Street-Winnacunnet Road between Lafayette Road and
Mill Road (currently Residence A), are being prepared for the March 2007 vote. In addition, the
Town Planner brought forth a number of revisions to the Site Plan & Subdivision Regulations to keep
us current with changes in State law and EPA storm water management regulations. Some of these are
still pending and will be considered for adoption by the Board in 2007.
The Planning Office has also begun a master plan process for the so-called Government Center, which
encompasses the area of Town properties/buildings from the town offices to Fire Station 2. The
purpose of the Master Plan is to develop a long-range plan for the reuse/redevelopment of the
properties/buildings. This will also include a space/operations needs analysis for the Fire Department,
Recreation & Parks Department, Library, Town Office, and Hampton Public Schools.
During 2006, the Board reviewed 7 new subdivision applications and one amended application, and to
date has approved 6 of those, creating 17 new lots. The Board reviewed 15 site plans, and, to date, has
approved 8 of these. The Board also approved 18 of 20 condominium conversion applications. The
Board heard 31 wetlands impact (special permit) applications and, to date has approved 24. The Board
also heard 5 lot line adjustments, 18 use change applications and a waiver request from the School
Impact Fee.
The Planning Board generally meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, with additional
evenings when warranted. The Planning Office, the public’s contact point for the Board, is generally
open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. We look forward to working with you in
2007.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Emerick, Chairman
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