RSA 36:47: “A regional planning commission's powers shall be
advisory, and shall generally pertain to the development of the
region within its jurisdiction as a whole. Nothing in this
subdivision shall be deemed to reduce or limit any of the
powers, duties or obligations of planning boards in individual
municipalities ….. . It shall be the duty of a regional planning
commission to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the
development of the region within its jurisdiction, including the
commission's recommendations, among other things, for the
use of land within the region …” Commission may accept
federal funds …
* Regional Planning Commissions awarded HUD
Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) grant
* State Planning effort lacking --- State Development
Plan last prepared in 2000
* Grassroots / “Bottom up” approach to build regional
plans
* Use the regional plans as the basis for the State
Development Plan
* Many state and non-profit partners
* Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC)
* Comments cards – listening boxes
* Review Vision Statements in local Plans
* Major Lakes Region planning documents
* Meetings with local officials
* UNH survey
* LRPC Open House – March 7, 2014
* Community of Place meeting – May 7, 2013
* Community of Interest meetings
* NH Smart Growth Principles – NH RSA 9-B:2
* NH Livability Principles
*
*
Andover: The Andover (pop 2,371 in 2010; 2,366 in
2012) Planning Board developed eight guiding
principles for the Vision statement. They are:
1. Maintain Andover’s small town rural character;
2. Encourage commercial activity that builds on
the regional recreation and tourism economy;
3. Create specific zones where small-scale light
industry and commercial activities are allowed
and encouraged;
4. Preserve views, especially along major
highways;
5. Conserve natural resources – farm and forest
lands, water resources, and wildlife habitat;
6. Provide choices in housing types;
7. Preserve Andover’s historical places and assets.;
coordinate with Proctor Academy on our
respective plans for the future;
8. Develop community infrastructure.
Andover Town Hall
* (Transportation) Mission statement: “To provide an
integrated, all-mode transportation system in the
Lakes Region which offers efficient, effective and
safe movement of people and goods, and provides
mode choice wherever possible while enhancing and
preserving the character and livability of the
neighborhoods and the natural, socio/economic, and
historical environments where transportation
facilities are located.”
* The 2009 Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy (CEDS) Vision Statement: “Recognizing the
critical importance of maintaining and nurturing our
natural environment and diverse cultural heritage,
the Lakes Region Community will strive to improve
the quality of life of its cities and towns through the
increased capacity and prosperity of its businesses,
civic, social, and education institutions, and its
citizens. All our efforts will be characterized by
respect, communication, cooperation and integration
with others and will exhibit stewardship toward our
magnificent natural resources.”
* Environmental protection and natural resource protection top priority for
investing public dollars
* Efficiency and energy choices as the second most important priority for
investing public dollars.
*
Safe and affordable housing as the third most important priority for
investing public dollars. Single family housing and assisted living facilities
preferred.
* Local agriculture (93%). Majorities want to encourage many other activities
as well, including protecting historic buildings and neighborhoods (90%) and
expanding or promoting current businesses (84%).
* Quality schools the most important asset to have in their community (93%).
* Maintaining bridges and highways to be the most important priority for
transportation funding (77%). Residents were split on funding for other
transportation initiatives.
* Vast
majority of residents (93%) have internet access at home, and almost
all of them (91%) consider their internet access adequate for their uses.
Figure 2:
Priority Placed on These Community Issues (q9)
* Out migration of younger people
* Decline in school age population
* “Greying” of NH and its implications --- healthcare,
transportation, housing, care
* Economic Development and job opportunities
* Educational quality and affordability
* Lack of internet capability
* Tourism - balance w/ industry & rural character
* Planning for rural character
* Housing availability and affordability
* Transportation
* Environmental- water quality, lakes, local ag, energy
* Definition – A community of people who share a
common interest, goal or knowledge about
something – common bond of interest. A community
of interest is defined not by space or geographically
but by some common bond or interest.
* Groups includes - Physically disabled; Low income
and below the poverty line; Racial and ethnic
minorities, Senior citizens, Youth, Homeless,
Immigrants and refugees and Veterans
* Lakes Region Plan Advisory Committee (LRPAC) --provide guidance
* Workshops --- Housing, Transportation and
Environmental
* LRPC and Granite State Future website --http://www.lakesrpc.org/index.asp and
http://www.granitestatefuture.org/
* Vision for the Lakes Region
* Telling the Lakes Region Story
* Prioritized Implementation Plan & Strategies
* Technical Plan Components
A sense of community and sense of place
Recognizing the critical importance of maintaining and
nurturing our natural environment and diverse cultural
heritage, the Lakes Region Community will strive to
improve the quality of life of its cities and towns
through the increased capacity and prosperity of its
businesses, civic, social, and education institutions, and
its citizens. Respect, communication, cooperation and
wise stewardship of the region’s splendid natural
resources are guiding principles.
* Fundamental Goal: Create suitable well paying jobs,
consistent with the stewardship of the region’s natural
resources.
* Workforce Development
* New Economy
* Social Capital and Cultural Heritage
* Sustainability – Energy & Natural Environment
* Entrepreneurship
* Creative Economy
* Improve Quality of Place
* Safety
* Project Development
* Demand Management
* Public Transit
* Advocacy
* Walking & Biking
* Planning
*Housing Needs Assessment
*Economic and Diversity Characteristics
*Housing Preferences – single family
*Housing Affordability
*Workforce Housing
*Fair Housing & Equity Assessment
*Natural Resources – Water, forest,
wildlife, Air, Agricultural, land
conservation, recreation
*Water Infrastructure – Wastewater,
drinking water, stormwater
management
*Issues and Concerns
*Recommendations
* Major Hazards in the Lakes Region- Flooding, Severe
Wind, Winter Weather, Fire, earthquake
* Impacts –
* people,
* structures (flooding, damage from falling trees,
roof collapse, wildfire, conflagration, earthquake
- older, multi-story buildings
* Infrastructure (road washouts, culvert blowouts
* sewer and water lines, power lines)
* Mitigation
* Anticipated changes - Increasing temperatures,
especially in the winter, increase in the number of
heavy rain events (>4" in 48 hrs) Less snow
* Regional/global emissions
* Summary of energy planning and green building
* Integrating energy with traditional planning
* Examples of regional successes
* Local support for energy --- state and federal
programs
* Recommendations
* By Chapter
* Identify suitable local and
regional projects and programs
* Involve the LRPC
Commissioners, local
governments, non-profit
organizations
* Establish priorities
Pictured l-r: Warren Hutchins (Laconia), Scott Dunn
and John Morgenstern (Gilford).
Community Viz:
* The Lakes Region as a whole has developed 36% of its maximum
dwelling unit potential.
* Build-out population would be 310,572 (assuming existing personto-dwelling unit ratio) versus 112,735 in 2010.
* Current zoning supports a density of 243 persons /Sq Mi (current
density is 88 persons)
* 32% of the residential development potential is in non-rural zones.
Regional Economic Model Inc. REMI model – NH Bureau of Economic
and Labor Market Information
* Advanced Manufacturing
* Entrepreneurship
* Drafts completed - June 20, 2014
* Drafts submitted to NRPC – June 30, 2014
* 30 day public review starts - October 1, 2014
* Adoption by LRPC – November 24, 2014
* HUD funding ends – December 31, 2014
* How can you help?
* Review draft planning documents
* Identify local and regional projects for inclusion in the Implementation Plan
* Keep you communities information
* Note LRPC is advisory only
Local Decision Making
Historically, state law provides local governments with the authority to
make local land use decisions. There is no interest in changing or
modifying that approach. Residents believe equity is found in the local
decision making process and wish to be involved in their communities and
value a regional approach to land-use planning for the future in areas
such as transportation, environmental quality, economic development,
housing and planning for natural and man made emergencies.