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Sanbornton committee reviews housing chapter draft, flags utility limits and possible statute issues
Summary
At its April 6 meeting the Master Plan Housing Committee asked the planner to revise the draft housing chapter to include LRPC projection figures, outreach materials tied to survey feedback, and clearer language about utility-related barriers; a selectman also asked staff to identify state statutes the town may not meet.
The Master Plan Housing Committee on April 6 reviewed a draft of the town's housing chapter and asked the planner to incorporate local data, outreach artifacts and clearer discussion of barriers to new housing.
Danielle Scadova-Vose of the Lakes Region Planning Commission presented the draft and said the chapter uses the most recent data she could find (typically labeled 2021 in source files). Selectman Brandon Deacon asked that the chapter's introduction include a specific blurb about a grant from NH Housing and offered to provide that language.
Committee member Nina Gardner said the LRPC housing projection numbers should be included in the chapter even though some members of the public disagreed with those projections; the committee agreed to add clarifying language explaining that a key barrier to housing growth in Sanbornton is limited public utilities, including gas, sewer and municipal water.
The committee also discussed public outreach. Danielle asked whether to add a recommendation on education and outreach about housing; members supported the idea but said any recommendation should specify the target audiences and the content of outreach. Selectman Deacon recommended adding photos of the survey posters used during outreach to make clear which public comments informed chapter recommendations.
Nina noted U.S. Census data showing the town lost 12 seasonal homes between 2010 and 2020 and asked Danielle to search for additional sources that might confirm or refine that figure. Selectman Deacon further told the committee the chapter should emphasize that Sanbornton is "not in compliance with certain State statutes related to housing"; Danielle said she would contact Chair Andy Sanborn to identify which statutes are implicated.
On procedural business, Selectman Brandon Deacon moved to approve the minutes of Feb. 2, 2026; Catherine Farkas seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Danielle will circulate a revised draft based on the evening's feedback and the committee will meet again on Monday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
The committee's next meeting will focus on the revised draft and any statutory clarifications provided by the chair.
