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Planning department outlines master plan, natural resource inventory and downtown streetscape work
Summary
Planning staff described steps to launch a new master plan (funding request likely included in the budget), a conservation‑funded natural resource inventory and a downtown streetscape landscaping contract; the board will appoint steering‑committee members and staff plans public outreach and charrettes.
LACONIA, N.H. — At its Tuesday meeting the Laconia Planning Department outlined several near‑term initiatives including a proposed master plan, a conservation‑funded natural resource inventory and a downtown streetscape landscaping project.
Planning staff said the Conservation Commission is finalizing a request for proposals for a natural resource inventory using conservation funds derived from current‑use tax payments; staff indicated up to $30,000 of the conservation fund might be used for the inventory. The inventory would feed into a new master‑plan natural‑resources chapter.
On the master plan, staff said the department requested $100,000 in the draft budget to fund a rewrite. The planning director said an RFP is ready to go if council approves funding; staff estimated a 9‑ to 12‑month timeline for the master plan if a consultant is contracted promptly. The board will appoint one additional member to the master plan steering committee; Councilor Hoffman and Gary (last name on file) were already named as members and the planning director is a designated participant.
Staff also said the downtown streetscape landscaping contract was awarded to Belknap Landscaping (Bellhop Landscaping was awarded — vendor name as cited in staff materials) with a bid that exceeded available funds; the downtown TIF will request additional funds at the next City Council meeting to cover lighting, pumpkin‑fest support and GFI electrical outlets on light poles. The streetscape bid came in at roughly $84,000 against $75,000 remaining in the TIF allocation; the TIF will seek approximately $27,000 more to complete the project.
Staff said the city is also preparing to go back out to bid for a rewrite of site plan and subdivision regulations (construction stormwater management to be included) after receiving no bidders at the lower price point; the department hopes to roll over $15,000 in budgeted dollars to increase the contracting pool.
Staff said they will coordinate master‑plan outreach with the Zoning Board and City Council, hold public charrettes and consider multiple venues and sessions across council districts to maximize public participation.
What happens next: City Council consideration of budget requests (master plan, TIF supplemental funds); staff to finalize RFPs and steering‑committee appointments and to schedule public outreach events once a consultant is selected.
