Thursday, February 12, 2026

Proposed ADU and multifamily zoning amendments

Consensus of the board to hold an informational meeting on March 4, 2026.

The town planner gave out information on proposed changes about accessory dwelling units (ADUs, extra small homes on a lot) and multifamily housing in the Commercial District. These go to voters in March. The board agreed to post the information at the Library, Town Office and Post Office. The board agreed to hold an informational meeting on 2026-03-04 at 7:00pm at the Newfields Town Hall. The secretary will email the notice and flyer, send a reminder, and put it on the town hall sign. The planner said that as of July 1, 2026, if town zoning is not updated, state law would let developers build as much as local infrastructure supports. That could be 30-35 units per developable acre, compared with the 8 per acre proposed by the town. A member asked for a photo of a home with a detached unit for the flyer. Another member will take a photo of a home on Piscassic Road and send it to the planner. An attendee asked if the concern was that state law would require a more flexible reading, and the planner confirmed a developer could build as far as infrastructure allows.

Muddy River Smokehouse parking lot lighting update

The town planner said he talked with a person for the restaurant about lighting that is too bright. The owners wanted a safer parking lot. The planner plans to meet with that person to find a fix using down-shielded lights, which aim light downward. A board member said the owners should file an amended site plan, because the parking area is much bigger than what was first approved. He said the back of the lot goes past the shed and is twice as wide as proposed. He also said the board was told a house was empty when it was not. He asked for a lighting plan that follows the town rules. Another member agreed an amendment is needed. A third member said the hours the lights are on should be set. The planner said lighting matters for patron safety and suggested low, pipe-style fixtures. A board member said any safety fixes must still meet zoning. The planner said he still gets monthly water usage files from the restaurant.

Capital improvement plan update

There was nothing new to report. The town planner has been reading past town reports on the UNH website to see capital improvement plan (CIP) spending over the past 5 years.

Copley Properties 104 Piscassic Road plan recorded

The town planner reported that the mylar, the final signed plan sheet, has been signed and sent to the registry of deeds to be recorded.