Henniker tables cottage‑court zoning amendment after board seeks fire‑safety input

The Henniker Planning Board voted to table a proposed cottage‑court zoning amendment so staff can consult the fire department about fire‑safety and building‑code implications.

Mark presented the cottage‑court proposal, a new housing type intended for areas with public water and sewer that would permit clusters of small homes facing a common green, with a maximum of 12 units per cluster and densities up to 10 units per acre where utilities exist.

Mark read several emails from residents opposing higher density in some neighborhoods and asked residents to understand the proposal applies only to downtown zones with water and sewer, not to rural areas. Board members noted confusion in public social posts and agreed to provide clearer outreach.

Bill raised a specific safety concern about closely spaced cottage units and urged language addressing fire spread and non‑flammable exterior materials. Mark said architects advising him indicated such clusters would require sprinklers at 10‑foot separations and offered to consult the fire chief and return with guidance. Several members supported tabling the item to ensure the board ‘‘does it right the first time.’

After the discussion the board voted to table the cottage‑court article until the January meeting and asked staff to gather input from the fire department and to prepare suggested administrative rules or code references. The follow‑up was scheduled for January 14.