Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Selectmen discuss recent state housing bill and regional planning, cautioning on local impact
Summary
Selectmen summarized a recent state special-session housing bill that encourages regional infrastructure funding and clarified that Killingworth's zoning (two-acre lots, watershed constraints) and RiverCOG housing estimates mean the town expects modest housing growth; officials urged careful local planning and noted some definitional issues in the state bill.
Selectmen reviewed a state special-session housing bill and regional planning activity, emphasizing potential infrastructure funding opportunities while cautioning about local constraints and the need to protect municipal planning authority.
A selectman summarized the bill passed in the special session on Nov. 12–13, saying it was the product of substantial input from regional organizations and that it aims to provide funding for infrastructure tied to housing in a more regional model. "It does allow for greater funding for infrastructure for towns that are investing in housing and by approaching a more regional model," the selectman said.
Speakers also noted drafting issues in the bill — for example, certain municipal types were omitted from definitions in the bill's language — and urged local planning and zoning to continue careful review. RiverCOG's recent housing study, discussed in the meeting, estimated regional needs and suggested Killingworth's local target would be modest (the region-level study cited roughly 50 units as a planning figure); selectmen said Killingworth's two-acre zoning, watershed coverage and ledge/soil constraints mean the town is not expecting large-scale new development.
Regional planning items also included RiverCOG's 'Safe Streets for All' recommendations for the town (sidewalks on Route 81, crosswalk adjustments and better signage) and an ongoing regional waste study examining waste diversion and how the Essex Transfer Station lease may affect future operations and costs.
No formal vote on housing policy or local zoning changes took place; selectmen said any developer proposals or formal zoning updates would be considered through the usual planning-and-zoning process.
