New Hampshire House lawmakers are taking on “snob zoning” with proposed legislation that aims to address the state’s housing crisis by challenging local towns’ restrictive zoning codes. Rep. Joe Alexander, chairman of the Housing Committee, highlighted the need to combat ordinances that keep property sizes large and exclude those who can’t afford to buy into the existing system. The proposed bills include expanding accessory dwelling units, preventing towns from imposing arbitrary minimum lot size requirements, and allowing residential housing in commercial zones as a matter of right.
One bill, proposed by Alexander, would allow detached accessory dwelling units and limit additional requirements imposed by towns, such as parking and setbacks. Another bill seeks to tie lot size requirements to water and sewer capacity, overriding local land use boards’ authority. A third bill, proposed by Rep. Alissandra Murray, would permit residential units and mixed-use developments in commercial zones in urban areas with municipal water and sewer lines.
While these proposals aim to increase housing availability and affordability, concerns have been raised by opponents, such as the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association. The debate around these bills highlights the tension between the need for more housing and the desire to preserve local control. It remains to be seen how these proposed changes will impact New Hampshire’s housing landscape and whether they will receive support from the state Senate and Governor Kelly Ayotte.
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