The Office of Planning and Development organizes this annual conference, required under RSA 673:3-a, by providing informational sessions on planning and zoning issues for members of municipal land use boards. This planning and zoning conference has been held since 1994.
OPD 2023 Planning and Zoning Conference
When: Saturday,
April 29, 2023 from 8:45 am to 3:30 pm.
Where: Online (each session will be recorded and available after the conference)
Conference Summary Agenda
Speaker Biographies
Map of conference attendees by Municipalities
Microsoft Teams User Guide
Track #1: Planning Board
Planning Board Track Agenda
- Planning Board Basics, Steve Buckley (9:00 AM to 10:15 AM)
- Planning Board Procedures and Policies, Stephanie Verdile (10:30 AM – 11:45 AM)
- Preparing Planning Boards for Solar Farms and EV Fast-Charging Stations, Tom Morgan (12:45 PM – 2:00 PM)
- The Planner Is In, Matt Monahan, Steve Buckley, Tara Bamford, Tom Morgan (2:15 PM to 3:30 PM)
Track #2: Zoning Board of Adjustment
Zoning Board of Adjustment Track Agenda
- ZBA Decision Making Process, C. Christine Johnston, Matthew Serge (9:00 AM to 10:15 AM)
- The ZBA in NH, Chris Boldt (10:30 AM – 11:45 AM)
- ZBA Q&A, Christopher L. Boldt, C. Christine Johnston, Matthew Serge (12:45 PM – 2:00 PM)
- Floodplain Variances, Jennifer Gilbert (2:15 PM to 3:30 PM)
Track #3: Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation Track Agenda
- Preservation 101: The Basics of Preservation Commissions, Brandee Loughlin, Andrew Cushing (9:00 AM to 10:15 AM)
- The Dos & Don’ts of Preservation Commission Decision Making, Chris Skelly, Scott Hogan (10:30 AM – 11:45 AM)
- Alternative Overlay Districts, Mark Connors, Roger Larochelle (12:45 PM – 2:00 PM)
- Historic District Hot Topics, Julie Gilman, Chris Wolcott, Rebecca Owens, Andrew Cushing, David Messier (2:15 PM to 3:30 PM)
Track #4: Housing Track
Housing Track Agenda
- Lessons Learned From Building 44 Affordable Cottage in Dover and the Key to Success: A Willing Municipal Partner, Chris Parker, Maggie Randolph, John Randolph (9:00 AM to 10:15 AM)
- Lessons Learned From Housing Academy, Sarah Wrightsman, George Reagan, Corinne Marcou, Judi Barrett (10:30 AM – 11:45 AM)
- How Much Housing Does NH Need? Heather McCann, Noah Hodgetts, Zach Swick, Kaela Tavares (12:45 PM – 2:00 PM)
- The NH Housing Toolbox, June McCartin, Mike Tardiff, Sylvia von Aulock (2:15 PM to 3:30 PM)
Track #5: Planning Processes and Data
Planning Processes and Data Track Agenda
- Census Data for Municipalities, Nicole McKenzie (9:00 AM to 10:15 AM)
- Geodata for Municipalities, Rebecca Bannon, Justice, Sara Siskavich, Jackson Rand (10:30 AM – 11:45 AM)
- The NH Zoning Atlas, Jason Sorens, Max Latona (12:45 PM – 2:00 PM)
- Finally a YES – thinking differently about how to get that zoning amendment/new development/downtown redesign/other change approved, Robin LeBlanc (2:15 PM to 3:30 PM)
Feedback on the conference is welcomed and participants are encouraged to complete the anonymous evaluation form
For assistance please e-mail
planning@livefree.nh.gov
Welcome to the Board – An Introduction to Land Use Boards
For those who are new to a land use board or would like a refresher, it is recommended that you view the slides and recording of this introductory webinar prior to participating in the conference sessions.
Previous Planning and Zoning Conferences
- April 30 and May 7, 2022, 28th Spring Planning and Zoning Conference - Virtual
- May 15, 2021, 27th Spring Planning and Zoning Conference - Virtual
- October 31, 2020 – in partnership with the NH Municipal Association at their 2020 Virtual Land Use Law Conference.
- June 1, 2019, 25th Spring Planning and Zoning Conference - Courtyard by Marriot - Grappone Center in Concord, NH, 70 Constitution Avenue, Concord, NH
If you would like to inquire about any of OPD’s past conferences and materials, please email
planning@livefree.nh.gov