Dartmouth Times

At the October 5, 2022, City Council meeting, the Council discussed a set of proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. It is the staff’s practice to present draft zoning amendments to the Council each fall for review and consideration. Presenting the amendments in the fall allows them to move through the required review process in time for placement on the ballot the following March, when necessary. Several of this year’s proposed amendments stem from the City Council’s April 21, 2022 directive to the City Manager to take steps to enable, incentivize, and partner in the development of housing needs not currently being addressed by the market. It is anticipated that some of the proposed amendments will require a referendum vote in March 2023 pursuant to Section 1000.4.A of the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments were drafted by the Planning and Development Department and are described in the materials included in the October 5, 2022, City Council Agenda Packet.  

As required by Section 1000 of the Zoning Ordinance, the proposed amendments will be reviewed by the City’s legal counsel and land use boards, including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustment. In addition, staff will hold a series of public meetings in late October and November to further explain the purpose of the amendments, answer questions, and hear feedback from our residents, property, and business owners. It is anticipated that this review process will result in adjustments to the draft amendments which the Council will review in early January. There are several amendments that impact the residential district tables of uses and dimensional requirements and, therefore, will require placement on the March ballot for approval by the voters. The remainder of the amendments can be adopted by the City Council following a public hearing to be scheduled for mid-January. 

Review Schedule

• Zoning Board of Adjustment - November 7, 2022
• Conservation Commission – November 10, 2022
• Planning Board - November 21, 2022
• City Council (to review proposed revisions to draft amendments) - January 4, 2023
• City Council (public hearing) - January 18, 2023
• Voter approval for amendments impact residential uses and dimensional regulations – March ballot

In an effort to obtain as much feedback as possible and to answer questions, additional public meetings and outreach efforts will be scheduled for October and November. Dates, times, and locations will be announced and posted on the Planning and Development Department webpage. 

For questions, please contact the Planning and Development Department at 603-448-1524 or via e-mail at planning@lebanonnh.gov

Original source can be found here.