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Jaffrey Planning Board advances broad zoning amendments to Town Meeting
Summary
The Planning Board voted 5-0 on Jan. 13, 2026 to send a package of zoning ordinance amendments to Town Meeting after staff reviewed a strikeout/underline draft that refines definitions, aligns district names, clarifies residential uses, and limits industrial activity in the downtown.
The Town of Jaffrey Planning Board voted 5-0 on Jan. 13, 2026 to advance a package of proposed amendments to the Jaffrey Land Use Code to the town’s annual Town Meeting for consideration. Planning Director Doug Dumont presented a strikeout/underline draft and summarized changes the board had discussed at prior sessions.
The draft, Dumont said, tightens definitions and use classifications, realigns district names and frameworks, clarifies allowable residential structures and uses, consolidates downtown and business districts into a mixed-use structure, and adds standards for light workshops and studios intended to be compatible with downtown settings. The proposal also updates the dimensional table (frontage and setback requirements) and removes several outdated overlay references.
The changes were reviewed by Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector Rob Deschenes, according to meeting minutes. Selectmen’s Representative Frank Sterling asked whether the draft’s more-specific list of allowed uses would mean anything not listed would be prohibited; Dumont responded that the intent of the downtown revisions is to preserve downtown character and to keep industrial uses out of that district, and that the revised definitions are intended to capture the allowed activities.
After the presentation and a brief exchange, Chairman Amy Meyers moved to advance the zoning changes “as presented to Town Meeting,” a motion seconded by John Brouder. The board approved the motion unanimously (5-0-0). The minutes record that John Peard had recused on an earlier minutes motion; the zoning motion carried with five members voting in favor.
Votes at a glance • Motion to advance the zoning ordinance amendments as presented to Town Meeting — moved by Chairman Amy Meyers, seconded by John Brouder; vote 5-0-0; outcome: approved. • Zoning Board of Adjustment matter ZBA 26-01 — application withdrawn; will reapply as a special exception (status: withdrawn). • Zoning Board of Adjustment matter ZBA 26-02 (North Pine) — variance granted (status: granted).
The Planning Board closed the public hearing and adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The amendments will next be considered by town voters at the scheduled Town Meeting; the meeting minutes do not list a specific Town Meeting date in the excerpt provided.
