In response to an email sent to Planning Board members concerning zoning bill in Concord the board responded at the 5/7/2025 meeting. The opinion of the board is that they believe they should not have an opinion on the bills until after they know if they have become law.
Email sent to the Planning Board:
Bills Being Considered in Concord that could affect Londonderry
There are several housing and zoning bills currently being considered in Concord. Many of these bills, if passed, could affect Londonderry. Residents have spoken at both the Town Council and Planning Board meetings expressing concern, unfortunately their concern does not seem to be shared by all members of these boards.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association sent out a ‘Special Bulleting’ on April 2, 2025. A link to the bulletin is below. Since you serve on a board that deals with land use the bulletin may be of interest.
New Hampshire Municipal Association
Urgent Call to Action
The Time is Now to Stand Up Against Zoning Mandates
The zoning mandates under consideration in the legislature this year fundamentally shift control away from municipal authorities—and local voters—replacing local decision making with statewide dictates.
The importance of addressing housing shortages is undeniable, but urgency must not come at the expense of thoughtful policymaking and responsible, sustainable growth. In the end, zoning and planning are not merely technical exercises—they are reflections of
the values and visions of the communities they serve.
At the midpoint of the legislative session, we’re asking our members to redouble their efforts to advocate against all these proposals—we’ll tell you how at the bottom of the email—and keep it up over the coming months.
Let the folks at the State House know loudly and clearly (and respectfully) that forcing all municipalities to adhere to a uniform set of zoning mandates undermines the autonomy that has long been a cornerstone of local governance in our state and will lead to
unintended consequences.
Take Action!
It’s essential for municipal officials and concerned residents to engage with legislators, share their concerns, and advocate for balanced, practical approaches to zoning and housing development. Here are some of the things you should do right away—and continue to follow up on throughout the rest of the legislative session.
The NHMA lists over 20 Bills of concern that can be found here https://www.nhmunicipal.org/sites/default/files/uploads/legislative-bulletins/special-legislative-bulletin.pdf
Regards,
Glenn Douglas
Londonderry Resident