Council holds first reading on zoning change to add HDC review for infill in industrial/commercial historic district

The Somersworth City Council on May 19 held first reading of Ordinance 25-25, which would amend Chapter 19 of the zoning ordinance to set historic district maps in the code and add procedures that require the Historic District Commission (HDC) to review and comment on infill development applications in the Industrial and Commercial Historic District overlay.

The nut graf: The proposed change would require applicants for infill development to submit materials to the HDC; the HDC would have 35 days after accepting an application as complete to make comments or recommendations to the planning board. If the HDC cannot reach a majority, the application advances to the planning board after the 35-day period.

Richard Brooks, HDC chair and member of the HDC advisory committee, said he was surprised to see the proposed zoning amendment and asked whether the HDC would have an opportunity to review and weigh in. Brooks said the advisory committee has been working on goals and changes related to the HDC but that progress has been slow; he asked that the HDC and its advisory committee be involved in ordinance changes that affect the district.

City staff and the city attorney flagged procedural items: staff confirmed a map of district boundaries would be supplied, and the city attorney requested a clearer definition of “new construction.” Director Meyers offered a working definition — characterizing “infill development” as new construction on previously unused or underutilized land within the downtown urban core — and staff recommended deferring a public hearing until the proposed language and HDC review could be documented in writing.

The ordinance remains in first reading; the mayor and sponsors indicated they would not schedule a public hearing until staff provides amended language and the HDC has a chance to review the proposal.