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Back to Amendment #13

Zoning Amendments Proposed for Setbacks, Sheds, and Building Coverage

by Elizabeth Wood, Community Planner

This article has been submitted at the Request of the Windham Planning Board in an effort to educate the public on the zoning ordinance amendments that are being recommended by the for 2012 Town Meeting. A series of articles will be published each week leading up to Town Meeting on March 13th. Each article will provide a summary of one or more zoning amendments being proposed.

The Windham Planning Board has proposed an Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Regulations regarding the setbacks for front, side, and rear, setbacks for corner and waterfront lots. The proposal would modify the definitions section. It would also regulate that corner lots have two (2) front lot lines and regulate that for waterfront lots, the land facing the water would be considered a rear lot line.

In some cases setback requirements for commercially zoned corner lots will be reduced from thirty ft. (30’) to twenty (20’). Setback reductions will only occur in Commercial A, Commercial B, Professional Business and Technology, and Limited Industrial Districts. There is no impact on setbacks in the Neighborhood Business District, Gateway District, or Village Center District or for commercial properties that abut residentially zoned property. The structures that take exception to setback requirements would be docks and boathouses located on waterfront lots. These would be permitted if all NH DES regulations were met and all required NH DES permits were obtained. This item is Amendment #13.

The Planning Board has also proposed an Amendment that would regulate the size and setbacks of storage sheds placed within the side and year yards of a property. A maximum of two (2) sheds, sized 100 sq. ft. in area and 12’ in height would be permitted. The required setback for these sheds would be 10’. This is Amendment #14.

Amendment #14 also proposes building coverage of a lot shall only measure those buildings that have a roof and any attached and detached accessory buildings. This would mean that propane tanks, picnic tables, play ground sets, and other structures that do not contain roofs would not be calculated as part of a lot’s building coverage.

The exact ordinance language of these and all other Zoning Amendments proposed for the 2012 Town Meeting can be found on the Planning Board page of the Town website: www.windhamnewhampshire.com. The proposed amendments are also available at the Community Development Department. If you have any questions feel free to contact Community Development staff at 432-3806.