The Planning Board had a brief discussion regarding a potential temporary moratorium on development during its most recent meeting.
“We need to discuss it, we need to talk about it, we need to bring it up,” Planning Board Chair, Jake Butler, said.
He explained they are in a “unique time” right now explaining that in the past year, they have had over 1,000 units either approved or actively being worked on.
Butler explained that they have infrastructure issues that they need to address along with staffing issues as well.
“We have a lot of things that need to be addressed,” Butler said.
Butler stated he also wants to make sure that they are doing the right thing for the town.
“I want to make sure we are doing the right thing for the town of Londonderry,” Butler said.
Butler explained that they had the Town Council reach out to the Town Attorney, to see what they could do about having a temporary moratorium, saying that he thinks they are in a unique situation.
It was also noted by Butler that the Town Attorney wanted to meet with the Board in the near future.
Planning Board Vice Chair, Art Rugg, noted that it would be a non meeting with the attorney to discuss how they feel about it and to see what would be allowed.
Planning Board member, Lynn Wiles, said he thinks they need to discuss the possibility of one, and said they need to hear from the Town Council on how they can proceed.
Planning Board ex-officio, Giovanni Verani, said he thinks staffing needs to be addressed independent of a proposed growth moratorium.
“I think that starts with the Town Council to hire a Town Manager,” he said.
He noted that there is a housing crisis going on, and that Londonderry is in a favorable location to build.
“There is a huge housing crisis out there,” Verani said, noting that they should look at smart development.
Planning Board member, Ann Chiampa, said they have done what they can to help address the housing issue, and she thinks it’s time to look at a temporary moratorium. She also noted that they have had one in the past.
“I think this is time, we need one again,” Chiampa said.
Planning Board member, Jason Knights, said he thinks they need to look at what their plan is going to be if they do a temporary moratorium. He also agreed that staffing issues are out of the Planning Board’s control.
Planning Board member, Jeff Penta, said the “timing is unique” and thinks they have overall infrastructure needs.
Sylvia von Aulock from the Southern NH Planning Commission, who has been helping in the planning department, said a temporary moratorium is not out of the question.
“I’m glad you’re talking about it,” she said.