Raymond Voter Information Project

Article 9: Zoning Amendment 8

Zone G Consistency

Click HERE for Town of Raymond Warrant Article PDF

Click HERE for direct link to the text of Town Warrant Article (revised at Town Deliberative Session Feb. 6, 2010).

Zone G land is Protected Shoreland, State Protected Waters, Steep Slopes, and Poorly/Very Poorly Drained Soils (Wetlands)(1) This amendment makes the zoning treatment of Zone G land the same whether it exists in Zone A (residential), Zone B (residential/agricultural), or Zone E (manufactured housing). It also prohibits using Zone G land when calculating the minimum amount of land needed and the maximum number of new dwelling units allowed.

A YES VOTE supports the consistent treatment of Zone G land in Zones A, B & E.
A NO VOTE keeps current formulas that allow Zone G use.

Pro:

• Consistent with 2009 Raymond Master Plan Natural Resources goals.(2)
• Limits development on zoned A, B and E land that may be physically unable to support it due to its proximity to Zone G land.
• May help protect Raymond’s groundwater resources for clean drinking water since “the ability of vegetated wetland buffers to provide water quality protection increases with the size of the buffer.”(3)
• Reduces opportunity for legal challenge due to inconsistent use of Zone G land.
• Easier for developers to understand and apply.
• Easier for staff to administer.(4)
• Matches NH DES recommendation that development density for dwelling unit should be determined by “subtracting the area of ...fragile features and critical natural resources, in whole or in part, from the area that can be counted toward the density calculation.”(5)

Con:

• May lower developer’s profit margin and/or raise the cost of planned dwelling units.
• May promote longer roads for snow plow/school bus/firefighter/police by increasing amount of land needed for each dwelling.
• Excluding Zone G may make some lots too small to subdivide.
• Current calculation formulas for Zone G land in Conservation Subdivisions, approved last year by the Planning Board and the voters, would be eliminated without having been tested.

References:
1. Raymond Zoning Ordinance 3.320.02. See also definitions in 2.100
2. 2009 Raymond Master Plan p. 21-3
3. Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques: A Handbook for Sustainable Development 10/2008 Compiled by NH Dept. Environmental Services (NH DES), NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions, NH Office of Energy & Planning, NH Municipal Association, p. 200.
4. Richard Mailhot, Code Enforcement Officer
5. ILUPT p. 39-40

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