Board sets 45-foot height cap for new structures in draft ordinance, seeks fixes to lot-coverage language and schedules public hearings

The Waterville Valley Planning Board proposed adding "structure" to the building-height definition and setting a 45-foot maximum for new structures, with existing taller buildings remaining grandfathered where appropriate.

Liz (speaker 1) outlined the change and members discussed emergency-service implications: Chief Dave Noyes (speaker 11) said the 45-foot standard aligns with existing recent construction and fire-department reach considerations—"Most of the new building stuff within the last few years have been within the 35 and 45 foot range," he said—while board members noted older developments exceed that height due to earlier variances.

The board also highlighted an ambiguity between the draft's lot-coverage limit (for example, 25% for single-family lots) and a separate open-space requirement that in places reads as 20% or "one-third" for multifamily; members said the two provisions could be read inconsistently and asked staff to propose a single clear approach (for example, defining an open-space/balance rule rather than duplicative coverage metrics).

On parking, Liz advised new state rules limit required parking to one space per residential unit (including single-family with or without ADU and workforce housing), a change the board acknowledged and recorded for the ordinance package.

Procedurally the board set a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 to consider the warrant articles; the board also noted the Nov. 24 session will open the public hearing record and that a Dec. 1 continuation is planned to accommodate evening public comment on subjects such as the adventure zone and the parking peer review. The board adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Staff will return with clarified lot-coverage/open-space language, the finalized height-and-structure text, and the warrant-article drafts for counsel review ahead of the Dec. 16 hearing.