Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Master Plan Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning department seeks $100,000 master plan, project manager and clearer impact‑fee rules as development rises
Summary
Planning staff told the council they want $100,000 for a master plan, a project manager position (six months funding in the draft budget) and clearer impact‑fee waiver guidance as the city sees growing multifamily approvals and large projects such as the state school redevelopment.
Planning Director (presenters identified in the record as Rob and Tyler) told the Laconia City Council on May 20 that the planning department is fully staffed after recent hires, is requesting $100,000 for a master plan, and is seeking resources to add a project manager and other staffing to handle rising development activity.
Rob (planning staff) said the master plan, if funded, would include chapters on housing, economic development, energy, transportation, natural hazards and implementation; the department recommended a $100,000 contract for consulting work and public engagement. He said the impact‑fee study is nearly complete and will return to planning board and council; staff expect final numbers in June and plan to propose clear waiver language so planning board decisions on waivers can be measured and tracked.
Planning staff described a marked increase in development applications: fiscal year 2025 approvals include 13 single‑family units and 207 multifamily units to date, of which 16 units were identified as workforce housing. Tyler (planning analyst) summarized market research showing wide ranges in home values and rental listings from third‑party sites and recommended the city carry out a housing needs assessment tailored to Laconia. The Lakes Region Planning Commission’s projection (as summarized by staff) estimates a need of approximately 1,180 housing units for Laconia by 2040 (about 59 units per year from 2020–2040); staff said city‑specific analysis would be preferable.
Rob argued for a dedicated project manager “boots on the ground” to manage large projects such as the state school redevelopment, coordinate inspections and mitigation measures with public works and the water department, and act as a single point of contact for developers; the budget includes funding to cover six months of that position if council approves. Councilors asked staff for an impact‑fee revenue forecast for the next four years to help the council evaluate whether impact fees could be used in advance to help fund staffing or capital needs during construction phases; staff agreed to produce a short report.
On zoning and regulatory work, staff said they expect an impact‑fee study completion in June, were moving short‑term lodging and other zoning changes through planning board, and proposed merging the Heritage Commission and Historic District Commission. Staff also noted several active and proposed projects (including the Bank of New Hampshire project, 911 call center, deck expansion at T Bones, the state school overall development plan in TRC review, and additional docks and campsites in the Weirs district).
Ending: Councilors asked planning staff to provide an inventory of existing housing stock by unit type and a four‑year impact‑fee revenue forecast; staff said they would deliver the requested data and return with the impact‑fee and master plan materials for public hearings.
