Board acknowledges zoning petition; recommends planning board not recommend warrant article

The Select Board reviewed a petition warrant article for a zoning change and discussed the procedure required under state statute RSA 675:4. Town staff explained that the petition had been submitted to the planning board and that the town clerk had confirmed the required signatures; the statute requires the petition be presented to the board before it goes to the planning board.

Board members asked whether the Select Board should advise the planning board on a recommendation. One member said the board would recommend that the planning board not recommend the petition; staff confirmed the petition will still go through a public-hearing process at the planning board and, regardless of the planning board's recommendation, will be placed on the warrant for a vote.

Members discussed potential conflicts of interest and noted that selectmen with property affected by the petition must abstain from recommending. The board agreed to accept and submit the petition to the planning board and to recommend that the planning board not recommend the petition.

Why it matters: Petition warrant articles change zoning by popular vote; the board's procedural actions determine how the petition is processed and what guidance the planning board receives prior to a public hearing.

Next steps: The planning board will schedule a public hearing and deliberate before making its recommendation; the petition will appear on the warrant in the form required by statute.