Local News

Housing Commission in New London

Municipal Matters
The Selectmen may seek Town Meeting voter approval to establish a Housing Commission in New London as allowed by RSA 674:44-h.

The purpose of a housing commission is “for the proper recognition, promotion, enhancement, encouragement, and development of a balanced and diverse supply of housing to meet the economic, social, and physical needs of the municipality and its residents, viewed in the context of the region within which the municipality is situated.”

This action comes as the result of Master Plan survey results that identified housing as an important topic for the town to consider, Citizen Advisory Committee interest and state-wide discussions on the need for affordable housing.

If approved, the Selectmen will appoint New London residents who have an interest in housing as well as expertise that will assist the commission in its work.

In its first meeting of 2020, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee addressed two topics: Workforce Housing and Master Plan Survey results.

The group reflected on the November CAC meeting when the Twin Pine Housing Authority gave a presentation on Workforce Housing.

This presentation was very favorably received and attendees learned of workforce housing initiatives in surrounding towns, such as Hanover.

The CAC reviewed a description of a “Housing Commission “ and accompanying RSA’s. (see the article above for more). Mr. Paul Gorman, Chair of the Planning Board, gave a very informative presentation on the role of the Planning Board, the extent of its authority, and the process of creating a Master Plan.

He dispelled several misconceptions about the authority of the Planning Board. For example, some of the CAC were surprised to learn that the Planning Board has no power over single family or two-family dwellings, other than that such residences are situated on the minimum acreage.

Additionally, the Planning Board does not have an architectural review component for commercial or residential buildings, so they do not have oversight in this Notes from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee area.

Mr. Gorman listed the top six areas of concern derived from the survey; these will be presented in a report at the town meeting. Some of the areas addressed in the Master Plan Survey are not under the purview of the Planning Board. These will go to the Board of Selectmen who will give the issues to the appropriate town agencies and/or volunteer groups to address.

Several members of the CAC urged that action be taken on these top issues, and not just be written into the Master Plan document.

— Maureen Prohl & Thelma Kaplan, Co-Chairs

The Selectmen may seek Town Meeting voter

 

approval to establish a Housing Commission in

 

New London as allowed by RSA 674:44-h.

 

The purpose of a housing commission is “for the proper recognition,

 

promotion, enhancement, encouragement, and

 

development of a balanced and diverse supply of housing

 

to meet the economic, social, and physical needs of the

 

municipality and its residents, viewed in the context of

 

the region within which the municipality is situated.”

 

 

This action comes as the result of Master Plan survey

 

results that identified housing as an important topic for

 

the town to consider, Citizen Advisory Committee

 

interest and state-wide discussions on the need for

 

affordable housing.

 

 

If approved, the Selectmen will appoint New London

 

residents who have an interest in housing as well as

 

expertise that will assist the commission in its work.

 

In its first meeting of 2020, the Citizens’ Advisory

 

Committee addressed two topics: Workforce Housing

 

and Master Plan Survey results.

 

The group reflected on the November CAC meeting when the Twin Pine Housing

 

Authority gave a presentation on Workforce Housing.

 

This presentation was very favorably received and

 

attendees learned of workforce housing initiatives in

 

surrounding towns, such as Hanover.

 

The CAC reviewed a description of a “Housing Commission “ and

 

accompanying RSA’s. (see the article above for more).

 

Mr. Paul Gorman, Chair of the Planning Board, gave a

 

very informative presentation on the role of the Planning

 

Board, the extent of its authority, and the process of

 

creating a Master Plan.

 

He dispelled several misconceptions about the authority of the Planning

 

Board. For example, some of the CAC were surprised to

 

learn that the Planning Board has no power over single

 

family or two-family dwellings, other than that such

 

residences are situated on the minimum acreage.

 

 

 

Additionally, the Planning Board does not have an

 

architectural review component for commercial or

 

residential buildings, so they do not have oversight in this

 

Notes from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee

 

area.

 

Mr. Gorman listed the top six areas of concern

 

derived from the survey; these will be presented in a

 

report at the town meeting. Some of the areas addressed

 

in the Master Plan Survey are not under the purview of

 

the Planning Board. These will go to the Board of

 

Selectmen who will give the issues to the appropriate

 

town agencies and/or volunteer groups to address.

 

Several members of the CAC urged that action be taken

 

on these top issues, and not just be written into the

 

Master Plan document.

 

— Maureen Prohl & Thelma Kaplan, Co-Chairs

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