Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Childcare Capacity Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional planning commission asks Springfield to join childcare zoning audit; board also reviews ordinance cleanup items
Summary
A representative of the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission asked the Springfield Planning Board to participate in a pilot audit of zoning and site-plan rules to reduce barriers for home- and family-based childcare; the Board also reviewed a list of ordinance cleanups and administrative-rule proposals for next Town Meeting.
Renee Theall of the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission presented a pilot project on June 18 aimed at identifying zoning and site-plan regulations that create barriers to home-based and family-based childcare and asked whether Springfield would participate.
The UVLSRPC identified Springfield among several communities where demand for home-based childcare exceeds supply. Theall said the pilot will audit local zoning ordinances and site-plan rules for consistency with applicable state laws and aim to reduce obstacles such as Springfield's current 1,000-square-foot floor-size restriction for home-based businesses and limits on outdoor areas that can prevent providers from operating. The project is funded through October and would engage planning boards and local stakeholders to propose concrete regulatory changes.
Separately, Member John Trachy presented a compiled list of zoning-ordinance conflicts and cleanup items for Board consideration. Town Zoning Coordinator Tim Bray asked the Board to prepare administrative rules—such as a clear public-comment time limit—for consideration at the next Town Meeting to make expectations clearer for the public.
The Board did not take a formal vote to join the UVLSRPC pilot on June 18; members asked for the materials to be reviewed and for administrative rules language to be prepared for the next meeting. The Board adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
