Planning board to host public forum on housing options after state grant prompts zoning review

The Brentwood Planning Board announced a public drop-in forum for Thursday the 15th at the Brentwood Recreation Center to gather resident input on housing and possible ordinance changes.

Planning Board member Bruce Stevens told the Budget Committee during public comment that the town received state planning funds to study housing ordinances and options. He said the town applied for a grant two years ago and received roughly $100,000 in two installments to review local zoning in light of state guidance that communities provide opportunities for a range of housing types and price points. The town contracted with a consultant and Rockingham Planning Commission to develop options for ordinance updates.

Stevens said the forum (5 to 7 p.m., drop-in format) will present stations on different topics and is the primary public event for this phase of the study. He said the Planning Board hopes to gather resident feedback and return a report and proposed zoning changes to a future town meeting; any change would need voter approval through the usual ordinance change process.

He also warned residents that without local ordinance options the town faces a risk that developers could propose projects that do not align with community preferences; the study is intended to allow the community to shape its own proposals rather than be compelled to accept outcomes.

Ending: Stevens encouraged residents to attend the May forum and said the planning board will use the results to craft proposed zoning changes for possible submission to a future town meeting ballot.