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Chair Bob Maden leads effort to update Stoddard Master Plan land-use goals
Summary
The Planning Board met Jan. 13 to revise the Master Plan’s Land Use draft, agreeing to merge factual land-use descriptions from the current plan with aspirational goals and assigning board members to update sections ahead of a Feb. 3 draft review; SWRPC will supply updated maps and data.
Chair Bob Maden convened the Town of Stoddard Planning Board on Jan. 13 to work on revisions to the Master Plan, focusing on a 2024 draft of the Land Use section and assignments for updating additional sections before the board’s Feb. 3 meeting.
Maden said the draft captures town sentiment and the board should aim to merge the current plan’s factual land-use descriptions with the new document’s long-term goals. “The Master Plan should not set limits but should set aspirational goals for the Town,” he said.
Jason Kovarik, the board’s selectmen representative, said the practical control of development rests with zoning, regulations and ordinances rather than aspirational text. “Control of development is done through the establishment of zones, regulations and ordinances in Town,” Kovarik said. He also warned that state direction to increase housing can conflict with stricter local restrictions.
Randy McHale asked whether the Land Use section should set percentages for protected land or other categories; Maden and Kovarik discouraged rigid numerical limits in the plan, favoring policy goals and zoning tools instead. McHale also asked when the town might impose a moratorium on development; Steve Jacobs said moratoriums are used only “with a good reason,” and Kovarik noted that moratoria often follow tangible infrastructure limits — citing Troy’s sewer capacity as an example — which Stoddard does not currently face.
The board discussed an apparent contradiction in the draft about limiting low-density housing raised by absent Vice Chair Rex Rodanas. Kovarik said the draft’s two statements are complementary: one articulates alignment with the town’s rural character, and the other outlines how to discourage large-scale low-density subdivisions.
Board members agreed the plan’s maps need updating to reflect newly conserved lands. Kovarik reviewed existing maps and Steve Jacobs highlighted that additional conservation lands should include islands and wetland areas at Island Pond recently donated to the Monadnock Conservation Society.
Maden assigned draft responsibilities and noted that SWRPC will provide maps and data tables to support revisions. Assignments include: Vision (summaries from each section), Land Use (Jason’s draft with Bob to revise), Housing (Bob), Economic Development (Bob), Transportation (Harry Power), Utilities & Public Services (Steve Jacobs, with Kovarik for telecom info), Community Facilities (Randy McHale), Recreation (Rachael Leonard was requested to update the section), Conservation and Preservation (Conservation Commission to review), and Construction Materials (Steve Jacobs). Maden said he would circulate the most current versions and asked members to prepare drafts for the Feb. 3 meeting.
There was no public comment. Jason Kovarik moved to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.; Randy McHale seconded and the motion carried.
