After several years of studying the issue and community forums to gather feedback, Temple is poised to put forth several zoning amendments in March to address the need for local housing.

In 2023, Temple received an InvestNH Housing Opportunity grant to update its code and planning documents to address the housing issue. The Planning Board has been leading that effort, hosting community forums and hiring consultants to review the town’s zoning ordinance as it crafts amendments. The work has been ongoing for two years, with a new round of zoning amendments proposed in the spring.

Part of the issue, the board found, was an aging population and lack of young families coming into town, in part because of rising housing costs.

According to Temple’s grant application, the town has seen a widening age gap in its population in recent years. Between 2000 and 2017, the median age of town residents increased from 37 to 50 years old. The percent of residents under the age of 18 dropped from about 30% of the population in 2000 to about 19% in 2017.

In late 2023, Temple’s median home price was around $451,000, higher than the median for the area.

Some changes have already been enacted as a result of the work, including the town now allowing both attached and detached accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, on the same lot, as long as water and septic standards are met, and existing homes can now be converted to up to three dwelling units.

For the election in March the town has proposed amendments that include that changes to its existing Planned Residential Development ordinance and accessory dwelling unit ordinance.

The proposed changes to the ADU rules would strike language that requires a connecting interior door between the principal dwelling unit and the ADU, and reduce the required off-street parking from two spaces to one. If passed, it would allow one either attached or detached accessory dwelling per single-family dwelling within a Planned Residential Development. They will not be allowed in PRDs with multiple units in one structure, such as attached townhouses.

For changes to the PRD regulations, new language would allow multi-family structures, up to five per structure if they meet workforce housing definitions, and up to three units per structure, regardless of affordability status, if they are no more than 1,200 square feet.

The maximum density allowed in a PRD would be increased up to 50% through specific density bonuses, if the new language passes. Density bonuses can be added for guaranteeing at least 20% of the units are workforce housing, as defined by the state, for units under 1,200 square feet, using low-impact development techniques to reduce impervious surface coverage or improved stormwater management.

The amendments will be on the town warrant in March and must receive a majority of votes to be enacted.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.