On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the Planning & Development Department hosted an informational meeting at the Lebanon Public Library to discuss proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. The public was invited and encouraged to attend either in person or remotely. The meeting recording has been provided for those who were unable to attend.
The amendments, which were originally presented to the City Council at their meeting on October 5, 2022, partly stem from the City Council’s April 21, 2022 directive to the City Manager to take steps to enable, incentivize, and partner in the development of housing needs not currently being addressed by the market. It is anticipated that some of the proposed amendments will require a referendum vote in March 2023 pursuant to Section 1000.4.A of the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments were drafted by the Planning and Development Department and are described in the materials included in the October 5, 2022, City Council Agenda Packet.
As required by Section 1000 of the Zoning Ordinance, the proposed amendments will be reviewed by the City’s legal counsel and land use boards, including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustment. It is anticipated that this review process will result in adjustments to the draft amendments, which the Council will review in early January.
In addition, staff will engage in public outreach and organize events to further explain the purpose of the amendments, as well as to provide multiple opportunities for public review and feedback. Staff anticipates that the public engagement process will result in adjustments to the proposed amendments, which will be presented to the Council in early January for further review.
The first of these events was an informational meeting held at the Lebanon Public Library on Tuesday, November 15th, which the public was invited to attend either in person or remotely. The planning staff gave a brief presentation on the proposed amendments, followed by extensive discussion. The purpose of the meeting was to inform city residents of the proposed changes, answer questions, hear feedback, and address concerns. The meeting recording has been provided here for those who were unable to attend.
Zoning Amendments Review Schedule
- November 15, 2022 - Public informational Meeting 1 (watch the meeting recording)
- November 21, 2022 - Planning Board
- November 22, 2022 - Zoning Board
- December 9, 2022 - Conservation Commission
- December ?, 2022 - Public Informational Meeting 2 (date to be determined)
- January 4, 2023 - City Council (to review proposed revisions to draft amendments)
- January 18, 2023 - City Council (public hearing)
- February ?, 2023 - Public Informational Meeting 3 (date to be determined)
- March 14, 2023 - Vote on ballot amendments. Voter approval for amendments impact residential uses and dimensional regulations.
Dates, times, and locations for additional outreach events will be announced and posted on the Planning and Development Department page. The public is invited and encouraged to attend any or all of the above events either in person or remotely. Details to attend remotely are available at LebanonNH.gov/LIVE.
For questions, please contact the Planning and Development Department at 603-448-1524 or via e-mail at planning@lebanonnh.gov.