Dan Root

This document outlines the Town of Londonderry Planning Board's direction for housing strategy, informed by a 2025 audit of New Hampshire RSA Chapter 674 changes. It identifies misalignments between local land use regulations and state law concerning Accessory Dwelling Units, residential parking, multifamily development on commercial land, and private road designations. The plan focuses on providing solutions ranging from minimum compliance to best practices, prioritizing the resolution of direct conflicts. It aims to gather board input on preferred housing types, locations, and regulatory standards to promote housing diversity and amend local land use regulations, translating these preferences into measurable standards for implementation.

This document defines a Diversified Housing Strategy as a policy or planning approach focused on ensuring a broad spectrum of housing types, tenures, and price points within a community. It aims to address the needs of current and future residents across diverse income levels, household sizes, life stages, and abilities. Key components include various housing types, tenure options, affordability levels, and target populations. The strategy's objectives are to improve housing affordability, enhance inclusivity, stimulate economic development, facilitate aging in place, and reduce urban sprawl through sustainable growth patterns.

Key discussions centered on the release of the Spring Brochure and the status of various spring and upcoming programs, including tennis lessons, youth dodgeball, Parents and Me, and Women's 25+ Basketball. Recent workshops, such as 'Confidence Under Pressure' and the '3rd Annual Teddy Bear Clinic,' were reviewed. Summer Camp registration confirmed that both Voyager Camp and Summer Playground programs are full, with staffing interviews underway. The Recreation Intern provided updates on CIP Research and the Field Facility Policy draft. The 'Restore the Recs' group successfully obtained 501(c)(3) status. Facility updates included ordering water pump parts ($4,000--$5,000) and recognizing the need for a new truck. Strategic plan concepts were reviewed, with final input due by March 26th, focusing on irrigation needs for Abbott and Farm fields. A new alternate commission member, Mike Bartlett, was named.

The meeting included a strategic plan workshop with the Town Manager, focusing on the town's strategic planning project process and aligning the commission's goals with the capital improvement plan. Updates were provided on winter programs, including the conclusion of Flag activities, ongoing Dodgeball sessions, and the upcoming Teddy Bear Clinic, which saw its highest online registration numbers since 2024. Summer program registration was also discussed, noting that Voyage Camp filled quickly. Staffing updates indicated 14 returning staff members and the creation of new internal roles. Further updates covered the reformatting of the Spring Brochure, development of a new Parents and Me program, and drafting facility/field rental policies. The commission reviewed updates on the Londonderry Restore the Recs project and the Summer Playground Program Scholarship applications. Under Old Business, the department's budget status after Town Budget workshops and the submission of the 2025 Recreation Commission summary for the Town Annual Report were reviewed.

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance and an opening for public comment, which received no participation. A key administrative item involved committee restructuring following a member's resignation, leading to the former chair agreeing to move to the Sewer and Solid Waste subcommittee, which now includes Lynn as an alternate member. The committee also addressed the approval of previous meeting minutes, noting corrections regarding attendance at a dairy site visit. Significant discussion focused on the Master Plan update, noting the draft completion, the public comment period opening, and an upcoming presentation to the Planning Board. Staff also provided updates on the Strategic Plan process, detailing upcoming public workshops and hearings scheduled through May, clarifying that the Strategic Plan is separate from any ballot initiatives. Lastly, an update was provided regarding the feasibility of solar development on FAA-owned property, with initial findings suggesting it is more doable than previously anticipated, though leasing arrangements involving third parties present complications. Separately, planning is underway for a public information session regarding the Freedom Energy Community Aggregation on March 7th.