Jaffrey is inviting residents to weigh in on proposed zoning rule changes through a community workshop on Sept. 10.
“The workshop will focus on updates to the Downtown and Residential zoning districts, and public input will play a key role in shaping these changes,” said Planning Director Doug Dumont.
The changes will ultimately be decided next year, during the March Town Meeting vote, when all registered voters will get a say in whether they’re adopted. What those proposed changes will be is what is being decided now, explained Dumont.
The proposed zoning change is to combine the town’s general business district and Main Street program area overlay district into one, new district. The intent of the districts is to encourage development and redevelopment of properties in a way that fits in with the existing patterns in the area, while accommodating new businesses and housing.
The new district would aim, rather than to anticipate all possible land uses, to have broad categories for uses, including allowing non-manufactured residential homes, lodging, professional offices, eating and drinking establishments, retail shops, artisan workshops and studios, civic uses, and other uses by a conditional use permit.
There would not be requirements for lot size or frontage, and the front setback would be set to align, where possible, with existing buildings, to preserve the streetscape, and have a 15-foot setback to the side and rear. Buildings would be restricted to a 45-foot height limit.
The town is also proposing a change to the residential district downtown, combining existing residential districts, which are similar to each other, with the main difference being access to water and sewer infrastructure.
The proposed permitted uses in the district would be residential and civic uses, with other uses allowed by a conditional use permit. Those properties with town water and sewer would be allowed to be 0.46 acres, require 75 feet of road frontage, with 15-foot front, side and rear setbacks.
Those without town water and sewer could be one acre, with 125 feet of road frontage, and 30-foot setbacks.
The dimensional standards were proposed based on a mapping and analysis of existing neighborhoods in Jaffrey.
The town is seeking public feedback on these proposed districts during a community conversation, hosted by the Jaffrey Housing Committee, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the Jaffrey Civic Center. Residents can RSVP or submit comments through this form: forms.gle/LA83kkuzZhTR258s6. Those unable to attend in person can provide feedback this way. The link is also available on the Jaffrey website, under the News Flash tab.
The town is also seeking feedback on a housing survey, which can be taken by visiting tinyurl.com/Jaffrey-Housing-Survey.