How Does It Work – Planning Board

I’m starting a new series of video ‘How Does It Work’ the first video comes from a question on the TU Facebook page of a person asking about the planning board.

Below is a description of the video and a brief outline and links

An overview of the Londonderry Planning Board in New Hampshire, detailing its quasi-judicial role and administrative functions. The video explains that the board is strictly bound by state laws and local zoning ordinances, meaning members must approve applications that meet established legal criteria regardless of personal preference. It describes the nine-member appointed structure, the distinction between voting and alternate members, and the importance of public hearings as the primary venue for community input. Additionally, the overview highlights the procedural flow of meetings, ranging from conceptual discussions to the approval of site plans and subdivisions. Readers are encouraged to utilize town resources and information packets to understand how evolving property rights and regulations impact future local development.

Website information Planning Board

Members
Board shall consist of nine (9) members
(6) are appointed – By Town Council 3 year terms
(3) are ex officio – Two Appointed by the Town Manager and one Town Councilor
(3) alternate appointed members
Must have 5 members present to fulfill the quorum requirement

Planning Board Rules of Procedure Link

Order of Business for Meetings shall be as follows:

1. Call to order by Chair
2. Administrative Board Work
3. Consent Agenda
4. Discussions with Town Staff
5. Application Acceptance and Public Hearings on new Subdivision & Site Plans
6. Continued Public Hearings
7. Public Hearings on Ordinance/Regulation Amendments or Re-zonings.
8. Work Sessions (workshops)
9. Conceptual Designs
10. Other Business
11. Adjournment

Administrative Board Work
Approval of Minutes
Regional Impact Determinations
Discussions with Town Staff
work (such as Regional Impact
Determinations, conditional approval extension requests, actions regarding performance or
maintenance bonds, or other similar procedural processes),

Public Hearings – PACKETS, PACKETS, PACKETS, PACKETS

1. Chair Opens Public Hearing and Reads the application into the record
2. Apllicant presents to the board
3. Planning Board members may ask questions
4. Town Staff will present comments and recommendations to the board
5. Public Comment
   Open Public Comment
   Abbutters, Applicants or interested persons may speak or submit written before the hearing
   Comments are limited to 5 minutes, State Name and Address
   All questions are addressed to the chair
   No public comment on matters outside the Public Hearing
   Close Public Comment
6. Board will entertain motions o waivers or conditional use permits
7. Board The Board makes any appropriate motions regarding conditional approval, denial, or continuance of the application.
8. Close or continue the Hearing

Work Sessions

Work sessions (workshops) are designed to allow the Planning Board to form a consensus
on what to bring forward to a public hearing. Work sessions do not require public notice,
as they are not a public hearing

1. Call to order
2. Staff Presentation
3. Member questions
4. No Public Comment
5. A consensus will be formed on whether to bring the items presented during the work session to a public hearing.

Conceptual Discussions

Conceptual discussions allow an applicant to present a conceptual rendering of a potential
plan to the planning board for non-binding feedback prior to submitting an application for
formal review.

1. Call to order
2. Applicant presentatin
3. Member questions
4. TownStaff comments and recomendatins
5. No Public Comments
6. Board provides feedback

Helpful Links

Documents
Planning Board Rules of Procedure (PDF)
Tax Maps

Land Use Regulations
Londonderry “Look Book” (Advisory Document) (PDF)
Londonderry Buffer Mitigation Policy (Advisory Document) (PDF)
Londonderry Street Numbering Policy (PDF)
Named Wetlands & Perennial Strams Maps (For the CO District) (PDF)
Site Plan Regulations (PDF)
Subdivision Regulations (PDF)
Typical Details for Site and Roadway Infrastructure – May 2009 (PDF)
Zoning Ordinance (PDF)

Planning Board Applications
Administrative Review Application (PDF)
Conditional Use Permit Application – CO District – Form A (PDF)
Conditional Use Permit Application – CO District – Form B (PDF)
Condominium Conversion Application and Checklist (PDF)
Lot Line Adjustment Application and Checklist (PDF)
Minor Site Plan Application and Checklist (PDF)
Notice of Merger of Parcels (PDF)
Rezoning Application (PDF)
Site Plan Application and Checklist (PDF)
Subdivision Application and Checklist (PDF)
Subdivision Design Review Request Form (PDF)
Subdivision Formal Application Request Form (PDF)

Zoning Board of Adjustment Applications
Please contact the Chief Building Inspector / Zoning Administrator to determine which application you need.
Variance – Guidelines, Application & Criteria (PDF)
Special Exception for Home Occupation: Application & Guidelines (PDF)
Special Exception for Residential Garage Setbacks (PDF)
Special Exception for an off-Premise Sign (PDF)
Equitable Waiver of Dimensional Requirements (PDF)
Relief of Administrative Decision (PDF)
Special Exception for a Portable Storage Structure (PDF)
Special Exception for a Home Occupation for a Child Care Facility (PDF)
Special Exception for Farm Sale of Consumable Non-Farm Products (PDF)

Land Use Fee Schedule
Land Use Fee Schedule (PDF)