During the most recent Londonderry Planning Board meeting, a question was raised about whether Board members should respond individually to emails received from the community.
Planning Board Chair Jake Butler said that emails received by members should generally be forwarded to the Chair, who, if appropriate, would send a response on behalf of the Board.
He explained that the email in question was regarding proposed legislation at the State House related to land use changes, as well as changes to regulations and zoning.
“I can respond back to the email itself,” Butler said during the meeting.
Butler explained that while he has his own opinions on the matter, he felt it wasn’t appropriate for the Planning Board to take a stance on any of the proposed pieces of legislation, due to the nature of the Board.
“It’s not an opinion that at this time is appropriate for discussion at a board level because this board works off of regulations and laws,” Butler said. “So until I know what the outcome is of these regulations and laws, I feel as though this Board shouldn’t have an opinion on it because we work off of regulation and law, and those are just proposed.”
He noted that any Board members who disagreed with his stance could speak to him about it. No members of the Planning Board expressed opposition during the meeting.
Following the meeting, Glenn Douglas, a Londonderry resident and administrator of the Facebook page Town Underground, posted the email he had sent:
Bills Being Considered in Concord That Could Affect Londonderry
There are several housing and zoning bills currently being considered in Concord. Many of these bills, if passed, could affect Londonderry. Residents have spoken at both the Town Council and Planning Board meetings expressing concern; unfortunately, their concern does not seem to be shared by all members of these boards.
The NH Municipal Association sent out a ‘Special Bulletin’ on April 2, 2025. A link to the bulletin is below. Since you serve on a board that deals with land use, the bulletin may be of interest.
NH Municipal Association
Urgent Call to Action
The Time Is Now to Stand Up Against Zoning Mandates
The zoning mandates under consideration in the legislature this year fundamentally shift control away from municipal authorities – and local voters – replacing local decision-making with statewide dictates.
The importance of addressing housing shortages is undeniable, but urgency must not come at the expense of thoughtful policymaking and responsible, sustainable growth. In the end, zoning and planning are not merely technical exercises – they are reflections of the values and visions of the communities they serve.
At the midpoint of the legislative session, we’re asking our members to redouble their efforts to advocate against all these proposals – we’ll tell you how at the bottom of the email – and keep it up over the coming months.
Let the folks at the State House know loudly and clearly (and respectfully) that forcing all municipalities to adhere to a uniform set of zoning mandates undermines the autonomy that has long been a cornerstone of local governance in our state and will lead to unintended consequences.
Take Action!
It’s essential for municipal officials and concerned residents to engage with legislators, share their concerns, and advocate for balanced, practical approaches to zoning and housing development. Here are some of the things you should do right away – and continue to follow up on throughout the rest of the legislative session.
The NHMA lists over 20 bills of concern that can be found here: www.nhmunicipal.org/sites/default/files/uploads/legislative-bulletins/special-legislative-bulletin.pdf
The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for June 4 at 7 p.m.