Sylvia von Aulock, a consultant, is leading the Master Plan Steering Committee addressed the Planning Board in February regarding Housing. The Master Plan Steering Committee is focusing on Housing in Londonderry.
February 2, 2024 Planning Board Minutes:
Sylvia von Aulock, Executive Director, and Zachary Swick, Senior GIS analyst, from the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission appeared before the board to discuss the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. There are 14 communities in Greater Manchester region, which encompass an area from Wyndham to Hooksett to Chester to Francestown.
S. von Aulock reviewed the outreach efforts that were undertaken, including surveys and community focus groups, to obtain a wide perspective. She shared the results of surveys about housing diversity, the availability of housing, and the affordability of housing.
Z. Swick reviewed data obtained during the assessment on topics such as population growth, type of occupied housing units, household makeup, school enrollment, and housing cost availability. He shared information on Section 8 and income restricted housing. He discussed rental and home ownership affordability statistics.
He shared the Workforce Housing RSA and explained the fair share housing production model. Spawn all lock pointed out that Londonderry is open to various types of housing and is meeting the fair share housing numbers in terms of units. Z. Swick reviewed assessing data and value per acre/ gross return on investment figures.
S. von Aulock presented recommendations, including conducting assessments to identify roadblocks, updating the master plan and sharing it is in sync with both zoning regulations, allowing flexibility and regulations, supporting community business with employee housing, make ADU development easier, allow for tiny homes, communicate the type of growth wanted, and invite community input.
She shared the New Hampshire housing toolkit that offers guidance and resources, and invited the board to contact them with additional questions. The board thanked the representatives for the presentation and said it was very informative. Chair Rugg noted the board is interested in changing the negatives to positives and said this information can be utilized as the master plan is updated. The board said they feel the town is in good shape.