Council trims downtown overlays, lowers some height limits in Islington Creek zoning amendment

The Portsmouth City Council on Aug. 18 voted to advance an amended first reading of a zoning map change for the Islington Creek area, removing portions of the North End Incentive Overlay District (NEOD) and the Downtown Overlay District (DOD) from neighborhood parcels and rezoning selected lots from Character District 5 (CD‑5) to Character District 4 (CD‑4). The council approved an amendment to the motion removing a proposed height reduction on Hill Street after debate and will schedule second reading of the amended ordinance for Sept. 8. Councilor Dagon Moreau described the changes as four “simple changes” intended to create a clearer transition from larger, downtown‑scale buildings near the North Mill Pond to adjacent residential neighborhoods: roll back overlay district boundaries to Foundry Place, change several parcels to CD‑4, and adjust some building‑height standards to step down along Hill and Rock streets. Councilors said the measures aim to better match zoning with the existing built environment and to avoid requiring commercial frontage outside Bridge Street. During debate Councilor Bagley recused himself from the vote; an amendment offered by Councilor Marquise to strike the Hill Street height change passed, with Councilor Marquise recorded as opposed to the amendment. The council then voted to adopt the amended motion advancing first reading and scheduling a public hearing and second reading for Sept. 8, 2025. Councilors and planning staff said the changes were intended to avoid creating unrealistic development requirements in long‑established residential areas while retaining downtown commercial requirements where appropriate. The zoning amendments will return for a public hearing and a final vote at second reading.