Click here to download our full Glossary for a more complete list of terms and acronyms.
What is Smart Growth?
• It seeks to direct housing to places near public transportation and that also facilitate non-motorized transportation options, such as biking or walking.
• The ability to design multi-use developments also allows for mixed housing types and a broad range of costs. This is the type of housing that preserves our natural resources through location and layout as well as in the design and function of the buildings.
What is cluster development?
• Cluster development, often called conservation design, is a development design technique that concentrates building on a portion of the site to allow the remaining land (ideally half or more) to be used for preservation of environmentally sensitive features, common open space or recreation. This technique is typically used to protect rural community character, preserve wildlife habitat and protect important environmental functions. It also reduces costs of municipal services by locating buildings closer to major roads and public services.
What is a Regional Planning Commission?
• The purpose of an RPC is to promote coordinated development through the provision of technical planning assistance to member communities and through the preparation of comprehensive plans and studies for the Region.
What is a Master Plan, and is it really important?
• The master plan is a planning tool that helps communities make sound decisions relating to land use and development. Preparation of a master plan is the major responsibility of the planning board (NH RSA 674:1), and serves as an aid to the planning board in the performance of its duties.
• As set forth in NH RSA 674:3, II,
“The Master Plan shall include, among other things, adequate provision for traffic, the promotion of safety from fire and other dangers, adequate provision for light and air, the promotion of good civic design and arrangement, wise and efficient expenditure of public funds, and the adequate provision of public utilities and other public requirements.”
• The importance of a master plan cannot be emphasized too strongly. A master plan is required, for instance, before a capital improvements plan can be authorized. The land use section and general goals of a master plan must be adopted before a zoning ordinance can be adopted.
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