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Planning board to coordinate with EDC on master plan funding and economic incentives for new commercial development
Summary
Board members discussed master plan funding and a proposal from the Economic Development Committee to use tax incentives for new commercial building expansions; the EDC will present options and the board plans public outreach on a refreshed master plan when funding is available.
Planning Board members discussed next steps for a refreshed master plan (particularly the housing section) and proposals to offer short‑term local tax incentives to encourage new commercial construction.
Board members reported that InvestNH (state funding streams) could provide grants for master plan work in the future; Mike Tardis of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) indicated the EDC will brief the planning board at an upcoming meeting (requested for the July meeting) on a menu of options, including RSA‑based local tax relief programs that stage a temporary local property‑tax reduction for new or expanded commercial buildings (for example, phased reductions over 5 years). The board discussed outreach strategies — better survey distribution, QR codes and multiple outreach channels including Home Day and social media — to improve public participation compared with the last master‑plan survey.
Members also raised internal administrative items: the planning fee schedule and public notice costs (board members noted display ad notices in regional papers cost more than the old $1.25 fee) and the town's current building permit fee structure. The board asked staff to research other towns' fee structures, potential RSA options for incentive programs, and to schedule an EDC presentation in July.
