[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6458634,"mediaKeyId","5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076","parentId",5811860,"title","Planning Board to review Performance Zone uses after members question saturation of self-storage, car washes and similar businesses","audioSeconds",910,"startMs",5454000,"endMs",6364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076&start=5454&end=6364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076/thumbnail_5454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458634/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Planning-Board-to-review-Performance-Zone-uses-after-members-question-saturation-of-self-storage-car-washes-and-similar-businesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458634-e554dfd7a992148133b6049cab45086b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204378&Signature=YRrxCag-RwIy~pPbYNtAsy8iG-K4uHJmOUunNi1aHLJ1KeIwisISZ2UAofhopI8u4ztaOlj1DpVBr-rCr49QV82U88nd9rZ29fSdGVmDQxr5gpDRIAR49ECPhjB82RPRW9kODwugAYmQbP9QLMlNO4BRKe-YWDTEwb6Km8xN0pfTxt90mipTC9DtWzBlhLTs4g7S8v6eO5IWLcegiDy8XVJ3uZOvj6xJHjzVnGayw86Q2YH5bqsnPRK5rCqEx9LhqC7gQssi9cY0sJ-8f0~zzp39kJy-UVzMxq0XfX5UQFUYpCyJCZn5LaQK~57pH412HA4auhxO49edRXoz~733dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hooksett","date","2025-09-22T00:00:00Z","article","Planning Board members expressed recurring concern that the Performance (commercial) Zone allows a long list of by-right uses that encourage repetitive or low-value commercial development in Hooksett's prime corridors. At the Sept. 22 workshop the board discussed removing or narrowing certain high-frequency uses (examples cited by members: self-storage facilities, car washes, some automotive uses, vape shops, and additional new gas stations) and moving toward a narrower set of preferred uses (mixed-use development, restaurants and pedestrian-oriented retail) to support downtown/village revitalization.

Members said zoning changes should be structured to encourage reinvestment of existing developed sites rather than generating more underused space. Staff recommended a careful rewrite of the Performance Zone to make allowable uses narrower by right and to allow the planning board to consider waivers or special exceptions for other uses; several members argued that narrowing by-right uses would give the planning board more discretion and reduce the need for frequent variances. The group also discussed reviewing parking requirements across use categories to better match modern demand (for example reducing some high ratios to a 1-space-per-unit or a lower per-square-foot standard) and asked staff to provide draft language.

Several board members said any change would require a warrant article and voter approval because zones are set in the ordinance. Staff and the board agreed to prepare a draft list of uses to be removed and alternate language for the Performance Zone; the board asked that draft be ready for review at a subsequent meeting and then, if approved by the planning board, be forwarded as a proposed zoning amendment for public hearing and ballot placement.

Ending: Staff will prepare redlined Performance Zone language and recommended parking standard revisions for the board to review at a future public meeting; the board indicated it will consider a voter-facing warrant article to implement the changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hooksett - Planning Board Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","The board discussed narrowing permitted uses in the Performance Zone to reduce perceived oversupply (self-storage, car washes, certain retail) and to shape future redevelopment toward mixed-use and dining, directing staff to prepare suggested ordinance language and parking standard updates for review.","taxTitle","Hooksett, Merrimack County , New Hampshire","taxId",68560,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458638,"Board members press need for state action on failing Route 3A/Main Street intersections; discuss strategic use of impact fees",492,3346000,3838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076&start=3346&end=3838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076/thumbnail_3346000.jpg","/articles/6458638/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Board-members-press-need-for-state-action-on-failing-Route-3AMain-Street-intersections-discuss-strategic-use-of-impact-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458638-93cd9f36864bffc17f8f4c0d8ab55a58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204378&Signature=R69hfKuCG-rQlwuierhTczrNw42XIGUM373yiGC3DK8PdIcmbO2QXxrTlu6KayV5lIp2BNwjf-BmDFzRJONVGGw-CddjskbN1sXkTLhuoTxoEPlAzXrss-YoOcwfsl98iItHd2RbMCHSHjwmhkyF3gTJBnk~cMY0XR0cCerYpZv-1WVWdiMp~j1RNLM0j9OnjidyDPiEewD0FMSF8lwKNOztQemzFiOTmmwyBC4LM8EUMu2SYcId5TnfYHLOhbxl5dXSm~KTx27S4AEB6R8XWZ9-9V~-qyfTCaHYqBriOdElsbk47LPM14RMvuQ~56ylT3oMyvaMxAG9rxdF6MdHbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Traffic and roadway funding dominated a lengthy segment of the Sept. 22 workshop, as planning-board members raised concerns about congested state roads and the town's limited levers for near-term relief.

Board members identified several state roads and intersections (Hackett Hill/Main Street, Route 3A, Exit 10 area) where peak-hour operations are at or near failure and where planned state projects have shifted years into the future. Participants said the town has some local funds (impact fees, federal grants used as match) but noted legal and practical constraints on spending collected impact fees on state-road improvements. The town's Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission traffic data and recent project-cost estimates were discussed: speakers cited project cost figures in the tens of millions (example figures mentioned included $22.7 million for a Whitehall Road reconstruction and $37.2 million for a US 3/28 project in planning materials discussed at the meeting).

Board members debated options: increase pressure on state DOT via elected state representatives and petition hearings; transfer or strategically spend locally collected impact fees on state-road needs where legally permissible (the group discussed RSA provisions allowing transfers in certain circumstances); or require developers to fund more off-site state-road improvements as part of project approvals — a path that would require coordination with DOT and careful legal counsel. Participants also discussed whether shifting some class 2 roads to town maintenance (a transfer) could force DOT to upgrade them before transfer, but noted that such transfers shift long-term maintenance responsibility to the town and would require upfront improvements and resources.

The meeting produced direction for staff and the chair: planning staff will coordinate with the town administrator and council leadership to request greater advocacy with state transportation leadership, and the board said it wants to bring the issue to the next council meeting and to ask the administrator and local legislators for updates and advocacy. Board members also asked town counsel and staff for clarification on impact-fee rules and options for using collected funds more strategically.

Ending: The planning board will request clearer information from administration and legal counsel about legal uses and flexibility of impact fees and will ask council leadership to press state DOT and local legislators for prioritization of Hackett Hill/Main Street improvements.","Planning board members said state-owned intersections near Hackett Hill and Main Street are operating at failure during peak hours. The board debated whether to pursue different uses of local impact fees, push state DOT via legislative representatives, or pursue off-site developer-driven improvements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458643,"Planning Board endorses stepped outreach: Planning 101, TIF 101 and expanded notifications",1758,860000,2618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076&start=860&end=2618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076/thumbnail_860000.jpg","/articles/6458643/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Planning-Board-endorses-stepped-outreach-Planning-101-TIF-101-and-expanded-notifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458643-79164ea74719279d951385260acbbc32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204378&Signature=hkgsjhzgi1Kqoe3IZjbzJiTQCUVYKUwE9olc4OzuUWIfl10qFqd9UHuiCQ6AvKeBx8y-42BCSi6q9GBOz8FmlZsp46snX3IYmRYBmdL2KhPM-3iipGH3OO4RflUNwB9d-AYKnQB~fZ92PT-bLG6KGSZ6Z-IF7pgmK4fW~Jp8qwu5ZrJ1YJI8BrM7EvDOpZrloCdYSJbV99omerCvKHomaNfy9DvkqeIFrp5xvsphnKMyMMymLAoDVMCfg7erdtx4J1hJUY0rgdvmOcwnmho976bjSsbNnrPQCMzYzwpV0Ov5bbDRPGTssvZT15nvvW36pycffX1GTjug~IhKOEzU6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hooksett planning and economic development participants on Sept. 22 agreed to a stepped outreach effort to make zoning, TIF and ballot information more accessible to residents.

EDAC and planning staff proposed three short, focused products: (1) a concise Planning 1 0 1 (brief slides explaining planning-board processes, conceptual vs. final site review, and \"what voters are voting on\" in lay terms), (2) a TIF 1 0 1 (explaining tax increment financing, captured value and who pays/benefits), and (3) short, shareable voters-guide graphics with addresses or map links for warrant articles so residents can see which properties would be affected.

Staff said they will draft a 5' to 7' slide presentation for the planning board to review. The group also discussed broader distribution channels: post on the official town website and social feeds, push the voters guide link via official Facebook accounts and town e-alerts, and consider late-February mailers timed for the warrant period. Planning staff said the administration's communications lead (noted as Geralyn/Leanne in discussion) would handle official posting once content is approved by staff and the board.

Board members emphasized brevity (three minutes or a handful of slides), clarity (define technical terms and show exact parcel addresses or Google Maps links), and repeated distribution (not a single event but a sustained campaign). EDAC will incorporate a short TIF primer into its outreach and schedule a joint informational session with the TIF advisory board.

Ending: Staff will prepare draft Planning 1 0 1 slides for the next planning-board meeting and coordinate with administration on posting and distribution; EDAC will finalize TIF outreach materials and schedule a TIF 1 0 1 session.","Members supported stepped public outreach — a short Planning 1 0 1 and a planned TIF 1 0 1 presentation — plus improvements to the voters guide, website documents, targeted mail and social-media distribution to make referendum and zoning materials clearer.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458646,"Planning Board and Heritage Commission debate historic recognition, recommend against 79-E for village homes",217,1199000,1416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076&start=1199&end=1416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076/thumbnail_1199000.jpg","/articles/6458646/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Planning-Board-and-Heritage-Commission-debate-historic-recognition-recommend-against-79-E-for-village-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458646-eeb7b101bdf3925b62985a0ddeea268c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204378&Signature=ZEB8UiWYFaQgE3KgTvyR63Tirq9WbxtxcN~SnPpDr0WKRBUHWMbGtYgEruBMZ3Hw-6ygB5HP2dDfyNMZVDAQyFFbCzUCkWr3XttVRnOmi~SjHupwLuuxAtvyvq4Tdruw2VIxl51hm0JUWbthtvbRCsTJELleXiK82AioHqzsaroLb-R7HGGMK2QyIIsvLo~S6LwXWGY6qXVXmkpRn26vH4ieaAKp78mmzAb5tvvpaLR8VoSAasmk3pZ8FGL1u0zNsYUPxtpYXFOLPjjDpD1eRX2~UE~PerE9fGF9j71yCl4qgx1fobBtBhfhnImjI84YeNhJj0KCuYB2MRnB9geV9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning Board members and heritage commissioners on Monday discussed multiple paths for recognizing historic assets in Hooksett's village and debated whether to pursue the RSA 79-E renovation tax exemption in the village district.

Heritage Commission representatives outlined two separate ideas: (1) a \"heritage neighborhood\" overlay that would set agreed boundaries and locally developed rules for sections of the village, and (2) nomination of individual properties or a smaller collection of properties to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places (RSA 227-C:33). The Heritage Commission's chair, Tony, and other participants said the state register can provide recognition without automatically imposing local regulatory restrictions unless the town later adopts a local historic-district overlay.

Planning staff reviewed RSA 79-E (the state tax incentive that targets historic rehabilitation) and reported that the statute's thresholds make the program poorly suited to single-family residential properties in Hooksett's village: the general 79-E rule requires large qualifying rehabilitation expenditures (the meeting characterized the threshold as effectively $75,000 for eligibility, with only narrow exceptions), so typical village homeowners would not realize financial benefit. Staff recommended withdrawing the idea of using 79-E for the village and instead pursuing either targeted nomination of specific properties to the state register or a nonregulatory town recognition list.

Members discussed a local town registry (the planning board and heritage commission noted the town already has at least one locally-designated historic property, Roby Store) and agreed recognition could be useful to property owners and the community without imposing additional restrictions if implemented carefully. Heritage commissioners and staff said the statutory language for the state register specifically notes that listing alone does not prohibit property owners from taking actions on their property (RSA 227-C:33), although local ordinances can impose restrictions if the town later creates a local historic district.

Ending: The Heritage Commission will refine proposed boundaries and nominate properties after further research and consultation; the planning board and staff will coordinate how recognition language will appear in the master plan and how to present options to residents.","Board and Heritage Commission members discussed a Heritage Neighborhood option, nomination to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places (RSA 227-C:33), and concluded that the RSA 79-E tax incentive is unlikely to be useful for primarily residential village properties; members recommended other, less restrictive recognition paths.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458651,"Planning Board backs motion to support renewing expiring business tax incentives",0,3197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076&start=3197&end=3197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811860-33321cc887d2e93e1cc3435c56f6d076/thumbnail_3197000.jpg","/articles/6458651/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Planning-Board-backs-motion-to-support-renewing-expiring-business-tax-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458651-e2b4542d6d23dc827954610184411190/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204378&Signature=J76KLB-gF1ONqtlkldbDX4zJJ3-VsuI8svSuWUL9ZchJ1BjlrX5NHZULw-SLTkMpjzY7n-HTGSOXn51O8itmBMlUYVkLxlM53zcuSV41ZH-43tV~Jnwg3zNvaVfV4~P115K3UzgxadoJIE2UC0p1OuEdwCBzuixJ-CCsW3IuH1JW6rk82VE2op7vvNPaHWRnSR9EqGNfA~GR~s6Qva1sJAbIAex7--Spl0a8qCqQxYfV9TqVpcuiGDuu1ORe7phcqjeps9j1lzL2O8Ky0hx6lMVlie1inSzH2Ho-9vZaFUHSt-SNTaVu1JKWCxBWogWSvJaPznKbiabUMjxmiDg3TA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hooksett Planning Board on Monday reviewed recommendations from the town's Economic Development Advisory Committee and voted to support renewing expiring business tax incentives, including one commercial-industrial property tax exemption that automatically lapses five years after adoption.

The board voted after an EDAC briefing that described two related items: an Enterprise Revitalization Zone (ERZ) designation the Business Finance Authority (BEA) asked the town to re-evaluate, and a local implementation of the commercial-industrial tax exemption (statutory references discussed in the meeting were RSA provisions 7280 through 7283). EDAC members told the board the state ERZ guidance asks municipalities to confirm whether underutilized parcels remain that justify keeping the zone in place.

EDAC representatives said the local commercial-industrial exemption was adopted in March 2021 and therefore is scheduled to expire in March 2026. EDAC asked the board to support two possible changes: (1) refresh the inventory of qualifying lots to remove parcels that have already been developed and add new candidate parcels, and (2) consider extending the exemption period (EDAC informally discussed moving to a six- or seven-year effective term) and adjusting the town's share of the allowed exemption (the state allows up to a 50% exemption; the current local authorization is 25% and EDAC discussed a possible increase to 30% as the local maximum).

Board members discussed utilization: EDAC reported only a small number of projects have used the exemptions so far (the meeting cited Platinum Truck and a handful of state-level ERZ applicants). Staff said reapplication at the town level would be quick because the town has already authored the original designation; the principal work EDAC recommended is housekeeping of the qualifying-lot list and more proactive outreach to property owners and targeted businesses.

A planning board motion carried to record the board's support for renewing the expiring incentives, with two members making the motion and second and a unanimous aye vote recorded. Board members said they want EDAC to refine the list of parcels (remove developed lots, add likely candidates) and bring a proposed package that could be forwarded to the Town Council for formal action.

The meeting did not itself change the incentives' statutory terms; the planning board vote was a statement of support directing staff/EDAC to follow up with updated parcel lists and a recommendation to the council.

Board members said they expect EDAC to continue business outreach around TIF and tax-incentive tools and to return with recommended language and parcel lists the board can review before any council referral.

Ending: Staff and EDAC agreed to refresh the qualifying-lot inventory and continue outreach; EDAC will present recommended parcel updates and proposed incentive parameters to the planning board before the council considers formal renewal or extension.","At a Sept. 22 Hooksett Planning Board workshop, members heard EDAC briefings on two expiring tax incentives — an ERZ designation and a local commercial-industrial property tax exemption tied to RSA provisions — and voted to express the board's support for renewing them after updating eligible property lists.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Board to review Performance Zone uses after members question saturation of self-storage, car washes and similar businesses

Board members press need for state action on failing Route 3A/Main Street intersections; discuss strategic use of impact fees

Planning Board endorses stepped outreach: Planning 101, TIF 101 and expanded notifications

Planning Board and Heritage Commission debate historic recognition, recommend against 79-E for village homes

Planning Board backs motion to support renewing expiring business tax incentives