Reference Library

Open Space

• "A Handbook on Open Space Development Through Residential Clustering", SHNPC, February 2001 (Appendicies)
• Also see Chapter 1.4, "Conservation Subdivision", in the Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques Guide
• Conservation Subdivision Design - Minimizing the Impact of Subdivisions , Carolyn B. Russell, AICP, NH Department of Environmental Services
• New Hampshire Everlasting an Initiative to Conserve Our Quality-of-Life,
  Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, September, 2001
• The Economic Impact of Open Space in New Hampshire,
  Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, January 1999
• "Does Open Space Pay?",
  Philip A. Auger, UNH Cooperative Extension
• "Dollars and Sense of Saving Special Places"
  This link leads to a brochure describing the availability of the new and improved Dollars and Sense of Saving Special Places, the presentation on the economic aspects of land use and land conservation. This is the updated version that has been seen and deemed effective around the state for nearly 10 years. The new version contains new information and looks enough different from the old one that people who have seen the old one will still enjoy and learn from the new one. For questions, please contact Dorothy Tripp Taylor, Director, Center for Land Conservation Assistance, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 717-7045 dtaylor@ForestSociety.org
• "The Long Term Effect of Commercial Development on a Town's Tax Rate" Kurt Gotthardt kurt.gott@valley.net, Enfield NH, 2012
• "Open Space for New Hampshire - A Toolbook of Techniques for the New Millennium",
  New Hampshire Wildlife Foundation
• List of towns with Conservation/Open Space Regulations as self-reported by municipalities responding to the annual OEP survey of municipal information.
• Examples of local regulations:
  • Durham’s Conservation Subdivision Ordinance.
  • Article V. Open Space Subdivisions, Gilmanton Zoning Ordinance, 3/12/02
  • Section 13.5 Open Space Developments, Goffstown Zoning Ordinance, 3/11/03
  • Open Space Priorities Plan, Town of Hanover
  • Subdivision Regulations, Town of Hanover, 6/7/05
  • Article VIII Cluster Residential Development, Lee Zoning Ordinance, March 2002
  • Londonderry
  • Open Space Plan - 2002 & and executive summary, Montpelier, VT
  • Section 6.00: Open Space Design, Newmarket Zoning Ordinance
  • Subdivision Regulations, Norwich, VT
  • Subdivision Regulations, Stowe, VT
  • Zoning Ordinance,Stowe, VT
  • 4.6 Open Space Cluster Subdivision,Stratham Subdivision Regulations, (8/99)
  • Section VIII, Residential Open Space -Cluster Development by Conditional Use Permit, Stratham Zoning Ordinance, March 2000
• "How much open space is enough?"
  A Q&A from Plan-link, October 2005
• "Open Space Definition",
  Plan-link posting and replies, December 2001
• Why 'Forever' May Not Last: A Wyoming Ranch Challenges the Permanence of Conservation Easements. Listen to the NPR broadcast.
• Sandown’s First Open Space Development: Twelve Lots, 34 Acres Preserved
  By Donna Green and Matt Russell
  New Hampshire Town and City, March 2009
  In the 2008 town election, Sandown residents adopted an innovative land use ordinance. If the one subdivision that has been designed under the new ordinance is an indication of things to come, Sandown can look forward to the preservation of more green space and a more ecologically-friendly and creative use of our remaining undeveloped land. more...
• North Hampton sets tone for the real 'New Hampshire way'
  An article from the Hampton Union describing the open space preservation efforts of North Hampton Forever. For information about NHF contact tim@harned.com or pwilson@rscs.net

Cluster Regulations/Ordinances (also see Open Space)

• PAS Memo. Corser, Susan. "Preserving Rural Character Through Cluster Development", July 1994
• A Handbook on Open Space Development Through Residential Clustering  SHNPC, February 2001 - The Handbook on Open Space Development was created in 2001 through a Target Block Grant from the NH Office of Energy and Planning. The primary goal of open space subdivision is to preserve and protect tracts of undeveloped land in order to help maintain the character of a community. This handbook outlines the basic methodology for creating open space development and provides many examples from within New Hampshire. This handbook is intended to be useful for both planning board members and developers.
• "Cluster development resisted" - Residents unhappy with proposal, by MARGOT SANGER-KATZ Concord Monitor staff, July 29. 2005 8:00AM
• List of municipalities with Conservation/Open Space Regulations (from Municipal Land Use regulation Database)
• Municipalities with mandatory clustering regulations:
  • Goffstown Zoning Ordinance - 13.5 Open Space Developments
  • Milford - SECTION 6.040 OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ZONING DISTRICT Revised 2007 (Mandatory for all projects with 5 or more residential units. But "At the discretion of the Planning Board, and if the proposed development does not meet the criteria, the development may be required to incorporate the criteria of a conventional subdivision as permitted by the underlying zoning district.")
  • Dover Subdivision Regulations  - Article IV Open Space Subdivisions (In the R-40 district [the most rural areas] subdivisions of more than three lots must be an open space subdivision. In the R-20 District, if the lot is 15 acres it must be developed as an open space subdivision. In the R-12 District, if the lot is 10 acres it must be developed as an open space subdivision.)

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