What’s New

Draft Regional Trails Plan Available for Public Comment

CNHRPC has teamed up with Southern NH Regional Planning Commission (SNHPC) to coordinate multiple trail organizations along the Salem to Concord corridor.  The 2021 Update to the 2012 Regional Trails Strategic Plan was developed by CNHRPC and SNHPC staff with assistance from trail groups and municipal staff. Comments on the draft plan can be sent to Craig Tufts at ctufts@cnhrpc.org. The plan can be viewed here:

Registration Now Open for OSI PLAN Webinar Series: Meeting Mechanics of Land Use Boards on July 15, 2021

The next webinar in the OSI Planning Lunches at Noon (PLAN) Monthly Webinar Series will be Meeting Mechanics of Land Use Boards on July 15, 2021 from 12 to 1 P.M. Appropriate for board members, administrators, municipal officials, and anyone else interested in the mechanics of a land use board meeting, this webinar will consist of a discussion between Tim Corwin, the City of Lebanon’s Senior Planner and Zoning Administrator, and Shawn Tanguay, from the law firm of Drummond Woodsum.  Moderated by OSI’s Michael Klass, this roundtable will identify the goals of a sound land use board review process and offer tips to help ensure a fair and efficient experience for all parties involved. The webinar will conclude with Q&A.

To register, send an email to OSI at Training@osi.nh.gov by Monday, July 12, 2021. Please include in the subject line:  Register for Meeting Mechanics Webinar. Please include your name and the name of the municipality that you serve (or other affiliation). Add this webinar’s name, date, and time to your calendar. Please note, registration confirmation and webinar login information will be sent out the week of the webinar. You will not receive confirmation until then. Information including links to the webinar slides, recording, handouts, and resources, can be found on the OSI Planning and Zoning Training website page at: www.nh.gov/osi/planning/planning-training.htm.

CommuteSmart NH 2021 Spring Statewide Challenge Summary

CommuteSmart NH held its annual Spring Statewide Challenge this past May. Over the course of the month we saved 219,472 miles, 201,809 lbs of C02, and $125,099. The Challenge included 41 teams, 578 participants, and logged 7,049 trips! The Challenge encouraged sustainable commutes to and from work including alternatives to driving alone. Learn more at commutesmartnh.org!

Public Comment Period – Nonmetropolitan Areas of NH Cooperative Public Process for Transportation Planning Efforts

The NHDOT is opening a 60-day public comment period on the draft document titled – Nonmetropolitan Areas of NH Cooperative Public Process for Transportation Planning Efforts in New Hampshire, May 28, 2021.  The purpose of the document is to identify the many opportunities for nonmetropolitan officials to participate and be publicly involved in numerous NHDOT efforts.  The draft is an update to the May 2016 document.   The public comment period will be open from May 28, 2021 through the close of business (4:00 PM) on July 28, 2021.   Refer to the NHDOT website page for further information. https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/index.htm

CNHRPC Regional Transportation Plan Corridor Spotlights

As part of the RTP, eight regionally significant corridors throughout the region have been identified to examine closely for key demographic trends, recent and historic land use patterns, and specific transportation projects. Titled Corridor Spotlights, the draft versions of these can be seen below. Also available for viewing is a historical timeline of transportation development within the region. CNHRPC Regional Transportation Plan Draft Documents:

• Historical Timeline
• Corridor Spotlights
  • US 202/NH 9 West
  • I-89 North
  • I-89 South
  • US 3/US 4 North
  • NH 106
  • US 4 East
  • NH 28 
  • US 3 South

CNHRPC Community Profiles Have Been Updated

The CNHRPC Community Profiles have been updated with newly released 2014-2018 American Community Survey data! View them here! 

Carsey School of Public Policy Releases What is New Hampshire?

Useful to policymakers, nonprofits, business leaders, and New Hampshire residents, What is New Hampshire? is now in the hands of the Carsey School of Public Policy after previously being produced by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies. While there are some different data sources and historical comparison periods employed in this version, the biggest change is that What is New Hampshire? has moved largely online. As a result:

• Graphics are interactive—allowing users who wish for deeper dives to see data in different ways while not bogging down the presentation for users who do not.
• There will be no single date when the entire publication is released. During 2019 and 2020 sections will be added as they are completed. Subsequently, they will be updated periodically. They will be structured so that as new data are available sections can be updated periodically.

The purpose of What is New Hampshire? is to set a factual baseline of understanding as the state makes decisions about its future. It is a set of facts and simple descriptive text describing where we are, where we have been, and what challenges we may face based on our analysis.

New Hampshire Flood Hazards Handbook for Municipal Officials

A valuable new flood hazards resource is now available for NH’s public officials relating to flood preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. A team collaboration of federal and NH State agencies under the NH Silver Jackets program developed the New Hampshire Flood Hazards Handbook, A Guide for Municipal Officials. Completed with local and regional experienced-based feedback based on flooding events in New Hampshire communities over the last 15 years, the resource was finalized in October 2019 and is available online for download on the NH Silver Jackets website.

The Guide is organized into situation-specific sections: Before the Flood, During the Flood, and After the Flood (both Short Term and Long Term Recovery). Included is an editable Emergency Flood Response and Recovery Checklist for Emergency Management Directors to use during a flooding situation and a list containing essential State Agency Contact Information. An informative article describing the Flood Hazards Handbook in depth is located on the NH Municipal Association website. For further information about the Handbook, contact Samara Ebinger at the NH Office of Strategic Initiatives (NH OSI) by email at samara.ebinger@osi.nh.gov or by phone at 603.271.1755. Be sure to follow NH Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter @NH_HSEM. Please download your copy of the NH Flood Hazards Handbook today!

FY 2021-2030 Transportation Improvement Program

CNHRPC’s Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to cover Fiscal Years 2021-2030 was adopted by CNHRPC’s Full Commission on April 11, 2019.
The CNHRPC 2021-2030 TIP

NH-MS4 Municipalities Blog

This NH Stormwater Regional Coalitions Blog, NH-MS4, is for the New Hampshire Seacoast Stormwater Coalition and the Nashua/Manchester Regional Stormwater Coalition communities, and it is hosted by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ Watershed Assistance Section. Please visit this site for meeting information, resources and updates related to New Hampshire MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer, Systems) municipalities.

Tiny Houses, and the Not-So-Tiny Questions They Raise

Zoning Practice, November 2015
American Planning Association
Issue Number 11, Practice Tiny Houses

The New Law on Accessory Dwelling Units

This handout developed by the NHMA is meant to provide a basic Do’s and Don’ts for the new Accessory Dwelling Unit statue. The last page contains proposed language for a simple zoning amendment that would allow an ADU by right under a local zoning ordinance.
The New Law on Accessory Dwelling Units

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CNHRPC Member Communities

Click on the towns below to access that towns official web site.