NOTTINGHAM PLANNING BOARD
February 24, 2010
PUBLIC SESSION
Approved & Amended
Type of Meeting: Scheduled Meeting
Method of Notification: Posted at the Nottingham Municipal Building & Nottingham Post Office
Meeting Location: Nottingham Municipal Building
PB Members Present: Scott Canney; Chair, Arthur Stockus; Secretary, Susan Mooney, Mary Bonser; Selectmen’s Rep.,
PB Members Absent: Bill Dean; Vice Chair, Peter Gylfphe, Robert “Buzz” Davies; Alternate Member, Cheryl Smith; Alternate Member, Traci Chauvey; Alt. Member
Others Present: Lisa Sears; Land Use Clerk, Deb Stevens; Conservation Commission, Skip Seaverns, Celia Abrams; Conservation Commission, Gary Anderson; Nottingham Board of Selectmen, Lisa Henderson: SWHC
Chair Canney called the meeting to order at 7:10pm. This meeting was televised on Cable Access. Chair Canney introduced Ms. Mooney as the Planning Board member who worked on the Workforce Housing Subcommittee and Ms. Henderson.
Workforce Housing Presentation informal discussion on the two zoning amendments/warrant articles submitted by the Planning Board
Lisa Henderson of the Seacoast Workforce Housing Coalition, Presenter
Ms. Henderson gave a presentation housing conditions in Nottingham and how it is affected, in general, by the new State law (RSA 674:58-61) that went into effect as of January 1, 2010.
Some of the points made were:
- General need of workforce housing is a challenge in this area; the cost of housing is high and there is a need to compute to higher paying jobs. This can affect the quality of life, less time to volunteer in community, etc.
- The law says towns must provide “reasonable and realistic” opportunity for workforce housing. There is no state mandate to have the Town actually build workforce housing.
- The projected growth of Nottingham is about 21% by 2030.
- Median purchase price has grown but the Median income has not kept pace.
- The law has a builder’s remedy; which means an expedited appeal process.
- Workforce Housing is both rental and homeowner. Homeowner is 100% of the median income earning $90,000 can afford (30% of income for housing) or about $273,000 or less. Rental persons 60% median income is able to afford or about $1,220 per month. (figures are based on 4 and 3 person households)
- Land and construction costs can make it a challenge for developers to actually build new affordable housing. This is not under the town’s control and the law recognizes that.
- The Town still has to consider all of the usual considerations, health and safety, etc., when reviewing a workforce housing proposal.
- There is a myth that workforce housing brings too many children to a school district but that is not true. 2000 NH census data shows the following for the number of school age children: .05/1 bedroom, .22/2 bedroom, .57/3bedroom, .81/4bedroom
Ms. Mooney presented the response that the Subcommittee arrived at for this new law, with the help of Jack Mettee, Mettee Planning Consultants. She reviewed how the committee came about the two proposed ordinances (Copies available in the Town offices). She noted that the Planning Board reviewed the proposed ordinances, and they later approved them. The Planning Board held the required public hearings for them as well.
Ms. Henderson briefly touched on the new proposed changes to this law. She explained that although she had not read it all the State was working on how to keep and monitor the workforce housing units long term. She briefly touched on various administrative agents (public and private) a town can use to make sure that these workforce housing units stay that way.
Ms. Henderson also added that as the State revises/clarifies this law, Towns may have to adjust their ordinances as well. She noted that her coalition will be having a conference on the topic in the fall.
Ms. Bonser noted that these long term monitoring issues are the challenging part of this law for the Town. Ms. Henderson noted that these issues are not for the Towns to deal with but are best left to the “professionals” such as the NH Housing Coalitions or a private property management company.
Chair Canney thanked Ms. Henderson and Ms. Mooney.
Approval of Minutes
The Board tabled the review of the minutes.
New Business/Old Business
Capital Improvement Plan-Update
The Board tabled this discussion.
MOTION by Ms. Bonser to adjourn
SECOND by Mr. Stockus
VOTE 4-Aye. 0- Opposed 0- Abstained MOTION PASSED
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa L. Sears
Land Use Clerk
These minutes are subject to approval at a regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting at which time the above minutes are corrected or accepted.
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