We are writing in response to the March 5 Valley News article regarding the expansion of Charlestown Zone D to allow multi-family dwellings (“Voters to Consider Housing Solutions”). In this article the Chair of the Planning Board stated this is a goal in the Charlestown Master Plan. Neglected in the discussion are the goals in this same plan to protect the very area which Article 3 will open to large development projects.
The Master Plan establishes goals to protect natural resources such as those found in Zone D. One such goal is to restrict building on steep slopes in order to prevent damaging runoff causing thousands of tax dollars in road repair. Another important goal is to protect multiple areas of rare plants and species of concern. Other goals work toward adding protections for vernal pools and wildlife habitat. And yet another goal is to consider creating a wildlife habitat/corridor overlay district to include all Charlestown properties abutting the Acworth town line, the Unity town line south of Unity Stage Road, and the Langdon town line east of South Hemlock Road.
Opening Zone D to multi-family housing puts these goals at risk. Charlestown already has multiple lands open for multi-family housing that have yet to be used for this purpose. Allowing multi-family housing in Zone D can lead to loss of important natural resources such as clean water, rare plants, and species of concern. Development in this highly elevated zone can also cause damage to surrounding properties and harm area streams and brooks due to the runoff created once land is disturbed.
On Tuesday, March 14, we urge Charlestown residents to vote No on Article 3. Protect Zone D from unnecessary and irreversible damage that would impact Charlestown and its bordering towns.
Katie Lajoie
Charlestown, NH
Leanne Mortell
Unity, NH
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.