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Bill would let property owners match neighborhood density without a variance; municipalities warn implementation problems
Summary
House Bill 342 would let property owners build to a neighborhood’s existing density (assessed within a 1,000‑foot radius) without seeking a variance; sponsors said the change will clear obstacles to infill housing, while municipal officials said the rule is administratively unclear and could require costly GIS analysis.
The Commerce Committee took testimony on House Bill 342, sponsored by Representative Patrick Long, which would allow property owners to build on their lots without seeking a variance for minimum lot size or lot‑coverage requirements if the proposed building conforms to the neighborhood density as measured by the number of dwelling units per acre in properties built before the bill’s effective date within a 1,000‑foot radius.
Representative Patrick Long said the measure targets lots in older, dense neighborhoods — particularly in Manchester — where minimum lot sizes were raised…
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