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Planning board approves one-seat capacity increase for A Place to Grow; member discusses HB 1567 childcare zoning changes
Summary
The Brentwood Planning Board voted to allow A Place to Grow to increase licensed capacity from 52 to 53 children after New Hampshire reduced the required indoor-square-footage per child from 40 to 35.
The Brentwood Planning Board voted to allow A Place to Grow to increase its licensed capacity from 52 to 53 children after New Hampshire modified its childcare indoor-space standard.
The change follows a state licensing rule that reduced the required indoor square footage per child from 40 to 35 square feet, a difference that allowed the center to add one slot in its toddler room. Jen Leger, who identified herself as representing A Place to Grow, said the change will help one family immediately and noted that infant and toddler slots are in high demand statewide.
Board members and staff discussed how to document the new approved capacity in the board’s records. Planning staff advised bringing a signed application to the office so the approved number — 53 — will be reflected in town files; Leger said she would sign the paperwork and leave a copy for the town.
During her appearance, Leger also summarized HB 1567, a state law enacted in September 2024 that removes or limits local site-plan review for family childcare providers in certain circumstances. She told the board that only eight New Hampshire towns had updated their local regulations to comply with the new state law and that Brentwood would need to amend zoning or planning rules to align with it. Leger said the bill intended to reduce costs and delays for small family childcare providers and create a separate “small group childcare center” designation for 12-or-fewer children in commercial settings.
Board members asked for more information about distinctions between family childcare (typically residential, up to 12 children) and small group childcare centers (similar capacity but in commercial settings). Staff said Brentwood presently reviews family-childcare operations through the planning board in some cases even when state thresholds would not require review, and that the board should consider amending ordinances to reflect state law.
The board recorded a motion to approve the capacity change and then voted in favor. No roll-call vote was recorded in the public transcript; the chair called for the voice vote and members answered “aye.” Planning staff said they would add the signed application to the permanent site-plan record so the official capacity in town files would be clear.
The board accepted Leger’s offer to provide a copy of the HB 1567 text and related materials from Business & Economic Affairs (BEA) for staff review. Leger offered to assist the board in reviewing and drafting local ordinance language to implement the state law. The board directed staff to circulate Leger’s materials and to place the zoning implications of HB 1567 on a future agenda for more detailed consideration.
Ending: The capacity increase was approved by voice vote at the meeting, and staff will file the signed application to reflect the town’s record of 53 licensed children. The board asked staff to circulate the HB 1567 materials Leger provided and to prepare an agenda item about potential zoning updates so the planning board can begin drafting conforming ordinance language.
