Background: Regionalism is a form of government promoted by the United Nations. NH’s Regional Planning Commissions are unelected bureaucrats that claim they have no power and yet are given the right to make these kinds of drastic changes…
InvestNH Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) Grants are for municipalities to hire consultants to work on one or more of the three phases of regulatory change.
Originally posted here: Local Zoning Sovereignty On Its Way Out in Hampton, NH
Hampton has accepted HOP grant money. Part of the contingencies is that the town allow outside unelected parties to “update” local zoning laws.
The bipartisan threat to municipal sovereignty in New Hampshire. (lapennaliberta.com)
At the August 12, 2024, Board of Selectmen meeting, it was motioned and unanimously approved to contract the Rockingham Planning Commission (unelected) to “re-codify” the existing zoning laws in Hampton. The contract cost is $9,000 and will be funded by existing American Rescue Plan Funds (ARPA).
The Hidden Cost of Federal ARPA Funds: A Threat to New Hampshire’s Sovereignty (lapennaliberta.com)
Once the regulations are organized, there will then be proposed amendments in order to align with the recent Master Plan updates for implementation by the Implementation Committee.
“In spring 2024, an additional $2.9 million was allocated to the Housing Opportunity Planning (HOP) Grant Program. These grants are for municipalities to hire consultants for the following activities:
Update the housing, land use, and vision sections of the master plan, and related aspects of the implementation section, as well as the community facilities section or other relevant sections as they pertain to water and sewer in support of housing development.
As part of a larger project, conduct a housing needs assessment or analysis.
Audit a municipality’s land use regulations and make recommendations for changes to promote housing development.
Create new regulations or revise existing regulations with the stated primary goal of increasing the supply of housing in the community, especially affordable and workforce housing.”
Invest NH Municipal Planning & Zoning Grants – New Hampshire Housing (nhhfa.org)
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN HAMPTON ARE EVEN AWARE THERE IS AN UPDATED TOWN MASTER PLAN AND AN APPOINTED IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE?
HAS YOUR CITY OR TOWN ACCEPTED THE TERMS OF HOP GRANTS?