By Meredith Kendrick
A slate of housing-related bills heard this week at the Legislative Office Building in Concord could bring sweeping changes to zoning laws across NH, with significant implications for Londonderry’s development, infrastructure, and local control.
Senate Bill 84, sponsored by Senator Keith Murphy (R–District 16), would limit minimum lot sizes for single-family homes based on whether the property is served by public water and sewer. The bill, heard on April 15, passed the Senate on March 20 by a 13–10 vote. Senator Sharon Carson (R–District 14), who represents Londonderry, voted in favor.
At the hearing, Murphy emphasized the impact of zoning regulations on housing affordability. “What I see being built around us are a lot of apartments, and a lot of very big houses – and why are those very big houses being built? It’s because it’s the only thing that some towns will allow,” he said. “If you can put, let’s say five houses on that ten acres, that savings is now split five ways – that savings is passed onto the end buyer.”
Representative Kristine Perez of Londonderry spoke in strong opposition to the bill. “Right now Londonderry is in the process of putting 180 units in a 1.2-mile section that empties onto Rt 102…traffic, traffic, traffic,” she said, highlighting infrastructure concerns already facing the town. In its 2023 annual report, the Planning Board noted continued growth along major corridors like Route 102 and Route 28, including the New Balance manufacturing facility and several large warehouse projects. Critics fear SB 84 could exacerbate congestion and strain town services by forcing denser housing in areas not prepared for it.
Perez also challenged the assumption that the bill would reduce housing costs. “This bill will not help housing prices…housing prices have skyrocketed all over the East Coast,” she said. “What this bill does is it puts an unnecessary burden on towns, for safety, police, fire, schools that they have no say in. This bill raises taxes on the communities.”
Senate Bill 163, sponsored by Senator Howard Pearl (R–District 17), also drew criticism from Perez. The bill would prevent local governments from issuing temporary moratoria on development approvals – a tool Londonderry has historically used to pause growth and evaluate impacts on infrastructure and emergency services. “We need to be able to put a moratorium on, we need to be able to regroup and see what all of this development is going to do to our police, our fire, our DPW, the traffic – don’t limit us,” Perez said.
Senate Bill 281 would ease restrictions on granting permits for properties along Class VI roads – roads not maintained by municipalities. This could open undeveloped parcels in Londonderry for residential use, pushing development into areas with limited access and emergency support.
Senate Bill 282 proposes allowing certain four- to six-story buildings to have only one stairwell under specific safety standards. While the bill aims to reduce construction costs and support multifamily housing, fire safety experts have raised alarms. “We’re concerned about going higher than four stories at this time,” said Dave Emanuel of the NH Association of Fire Chiefs. In contrast, Nick Taylor of Housing Action NH argued the reform is safe and needed: “No one is looking to put anyone in an unsafe situation.”
Senate Bill 170, a broader housing reform bill, could override local control over zoning by eliminating restrictions on lot frontage, setbacks, and even who can live in a household. If passed, the bill could require Londonderry to revise its neighborhood design standards, even as the town is in the process of updating its master plan.
Joanie McIntire, president of the NH Association of Realtors, voiced support, stating, “We do have a housing crisis. In 2025, the sale price of a single-family home in NH was $525,000.”
The House Housing Committee has not yet scheduled votes on the bills. Residents can follow updates at www.gencourt.state.nh.us.
N.H. Sen. Sharon Carson was sent a request to comment on the bills, but did not respond.